This is where we've been...

We had a blast, but are just now catching up on laundry and sleep. I have finally gotten "It's a small world after all" out of my head! Can you believe we only rode it twice? With 2 girls? G.G. went with us, so adults outnumbered children - a big help! Pictures to follow later...there's been lots going on over here! Oh, and if you're wondering about AC's eye, she fell off the bed the first night and hit the nightstand, making for a nice cut and black eye for the trip. She was a real trooper about it, though, and it looks so much better!

Go Mittens!

AC was being super silly the other day and made up this cheer. Not sure where the mascot "Mittens" comes from. Please excuse (1) the mound of toys...that's pretty much how we live, (2) my incredibly nasal voice (I had the crud...not that it matters because I don't like listening to my voice on a normal day), and (3) my one-year-old's outfit. I don't make it a habit to buy her black Halloween "Frankenfish" onesies but she needed black sleeves for her pumpkin costume and this was all I could find back in October:) Yay Mittens!

Just so you know...

Do NOT eat the applesauce when you come to our house!


Don't worry...we don't eat it either. This jar is hers and hers alone!:)

Bestseller

AC recently saw an ad where children can write their own book and send it in for a chance to win some "terrific prizes". She said, "I think I want to write a book about God. Don't you think people would like a book about God?" I told her I thought it was a great idea and couldn't wait to see what she came up with. When she was finished, I just had to take some pictures before we "bound" (stapled) it together. The title of it is "God's Love."



"God's love"

"God loves everyone"

"God is with you"

"God is love"

"Jesus is love"

"Thanks"

"God is good"

"Yea"

Such simple words...yet such truth. This just really touched my heart because there are many days that almost bring me to tears thinking about how we can manage raising teenage girls. I am praying that God will grant us wisdom, that he would surround them with Christian friends, and that he would give them the discernment to make wise choices. I also pray that they would accept Jesus as their savior at an early age and desire to be obedient to him all the days of their lives. My heart has been very burdened lately for all these precious children when I think about the evil traps and dangers that this world has to offer. I pray they will have a hunger for God's word and seek out His truth.

After I had snapped the pictures, she realized it had to be at least 50 words so she went back in and added things like, "Go God!" and "You rock!" When she finished, she decided she wanted to keep it because she "liked looking at it" and because "we don't really need anymore toys...aka terrific prizes" I agreed:)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4

Digging for Dinosaurs

Anna Clare's class is doing a unit on dinosaurs. Her teacher asked me if I would make the "Digging for Dinosaurs" treats for the class. This consisted of a clear plastic cup for each child with the following layered in them...crushed oreos, vanilla pudding with a plastic dinosaur "hidden" in the pudding, cool whip, and more crushed oreos. AC loves to help me in the kitchen, and we had lots of fun making them. I did not make one to try, but they looked really yummy! Steve was pretty disappointed that we forgot to make one for him too!




In the rush of getting them made, loaded in the car, and getting to school on time, I totally forgot to take a picture of the finished product! It occurred to me when I pulled up in the school parking lot, and I didn't have my camera with me! Oh well!


My other helper

We LOVE Anna Clare's school and I love to help out when needed! I'm helping with her Valentine's party next month, so that should be fun too!

Girls' Trip

Santa brought Anna Clare "tickets" to the American Girl doll store in Atlanta. So the day after Christmas, Steve's mom and I loaded up with AC, and Kit and Ruthie (the dolls) and headed out for a quick overnight girl's trip.


First stop was the Georgia Aquarium




Touching the sea anemone

Then...on to the hotel. We stayed at the Mariott in Alpharetta, which I highly recommend. They have an "American Girl" package for $129. This includes your room for 1 night, breakfast for 4 in their restaurant (which we did not get to do because we had brunch reservations at the American Girl Bistro), a free dessert or candy bar for the "guest of honor", and an American Girl bed for your doll that you get to keep. Also, to use while we were there, AC had a pink robe and there was a matching one in "doll-size" for the doll to wear. Room service brings up cookies and milk for you and your doll as well. She thought she was big time getting to call the front desk to place her order. All of this was included in the package.

When you check in, they have a pink velvet rope guiding you to the front desk with a step stool for your little one to check herself in. She was given a lollipop and asked to sign her pink "VIG" card...Very Important Girl! They called her and her dolls by name and she thought it was all wonderful. The room had pink duvet covers, pink towels, a pink lamp, a pink bean bag, and a pink alarm clock. As girly as it gets!!!




We really enjoyed the hotel experience and then headed to the store the next morning.


She enjoyed seeing all the dolls and outfits and they had everything you could imagine...for sale of course! The trip could have really taken a turn away from economical at this point. But, thankfully, self-control kicked in!

They even had a boutique where the dolls could get their hair done. We did not do this but the ladies were nice enough to let her dolls pose in the chairs for a picture.



Finally, we checked in for our brunch reservation. They give (loan) you highchairs for your dolls and the dolls get their own menus (which you do get to keep). The napkin rings were star-shaped cookie cutters and you can take those home as well. The food was delicious!




One added little bonus... A few months ago, Wilson, our Jack Russell, got a hold of Andrew, the doll, and did a number on his arm. G.G. suggested we bring Andrew along just in case they might could repair him. They sent him off to the American Girl Hospital for a "limb replacement" and now he is back home safely with us...complete with a hospital gown and hospital i.d. bracelet. This was all G.G's doing!



The trip was lots of fun and pretty inexpensive, considering that was her Christmas gift. On a side note, we did not buy any of the dolls that she has. G.G. likes to give her one for Christmas each year. If you have a daughter that likes the American Girl dolls, the trip is definitely worth the drive to Atlanta!

Happy New Year!

It's good to be back in the internet world! Steve gave me a new computer for Christmas, and it just came in this week. I have never had a laptop so it's been really exciting! I'm sad I missed a lot of your fun Christmas posts but hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did! Although it is well into January, I have to share a few of our Christmas photos...enjoy!


Anna Clare's school Christmas program


Anna Clare's school party













Christmas caroling with the neighbors