It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

So with the world shoving "Christmas" stuff down our throats in October I seem to decorate later and later. We just put the tree up, has only lights right now and I am not motivated to take out every box and put out every decoration. I always get very envious this time of year of other peoples' houses and decorations. Some people just know how to decorate. I do not. I do my best. So I've put up a few things here and there (more there so Hannah can't reach) And I might add a little bit more, but for the most part what's up is it.

We are doing a Jesse Tree this year. I got a free ebook from this site You have to sign up for their email to get the link to the book but well worth it. There is a short devotional each day starting in the Beginning and leads through God's plan for us...the TRUE Christmas story. Then you make a little ornament representing the main thing for that day and hang it on a tree or glue it on a poster board. It's a really neat way to remember that God had planned Christmas morning before the foundation of the world and we should get MORE excited about what that means than any gift that would be under the tree.

A few of the ornaments on our tree.
I love this one. From Isaiah 11:1-2 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding The Spirit of counsel and of might the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.

My sweet friend Jen from Maine made this for me awhile back. It's one of the kids favorite...because there is candy in each little pouch. After lunch they get to have their treat for the day, everyday leading up to Christmas.

I LOVE snowmen. I know they have NOTHING to do with CHRISTmas but they do go with winter. I add to my collection every year. I bought the guy in the middle this year. He's so adorable. I also got the little bird with the hat on to be his friend (because he wouldn't have any other snowmen friends right?)

And the chalkboards return...

We're decorating the tree tonight...the kids can't wait.

From the Desks of Isaiah, Elijah,and Hannah

Another fun week! I will admit this for all the world to read: it's December and I think we have finally worked out the kinks (until new ones arise on Monday)in our homeschool day. Our secret ?go with the flow. Schooling a 5th grader and 1st grader at the same time is a challenge in and of itself and then throw in a newly crowned toddler and you're really asking for it. (my hat is off to you homeschool mamas with a whole passenger van full of kids) So out the window are the days where my homeschool day schedule is proudly displayed on card stock in the front of my binder. Now it's more like "quick kids Hannah is playing with the little people let's do our history" or "finally she's down for a nap let's get Math and Language arts done" or it's me with Hannah on my hip holding the reader as far away as I can so she can't grab it, bouncing and being so animated in my read alouds that I think I should record books on cd...or what are the kids calling it now "for download" HA!

So here's some highlights of our week.



We are just about down our chapter on Matter more specifically solids. Here are some of the crystals that have been growing all week.

Of course the boys favorite was the rock candy. I must say I am glad to see these go. I had four jars taking up way too much space. Only two really took to the sticks.

I know I have said it over and over again but I don't care I'll say it again. I have the most amazing group of homeschool families that we hang with. They moms are so selfless, creative, and supportive. We decided to do some Christmas themed things for the month of December instead of Friday gym class. Today was gingerbread houses. One sweet mom (and husband) pre-made all the houses. They must have made like 25 if not more. Then we all brought two things to help decorate them. And wow was there a lot of stuff. My stomach ached just seeing all that sugar.

Another amazing mom hosted the even in her heated garage. Everything was all set up and ready to go.

Even Hannah got some "treats" and hung out with her little friend. She loved the mini marshmallows and gold fish. Yeah that's right I gave my 14 month old marshmallows and I don't feel guilty one bit!! More about Hannah at the end of this post.

I went to our van to change Hannah's diaper. And I just chuckled at the driveway. A line of minivans. =) I love it! Mine is the cherry red one!

Isaiah is nearing completion of his gingerbread house.

Elijah ate more than actually went on his house. After this he had art class and his teacher said "Elijah was so chatty today" Yep all that sugar running rampant through his body will make him a bit more chatty.

Here's Elijah's finished house.

And Isaiah's...I love the tree he turned into a windmill...it's SO Lynden WA!



Ok so now for some cute Hannah news. Everyday it's something new. I forgot how much fun this age can be. It's a challenge but there's so many little bonus' to this age that it makes it all worth it. She loves to throw things in the trash, especially her wet diapers. She has to have a fork when she eats and she does a pretty good job using it. She is an amazing little dancer and loves to bust a move. She is starting to say so many new things "mease" (more and please together) "iyayou" I love you. "trash" which is trash, "cheese" when we take a picture or when she wants a piece of cheese. She says "yes" and shakes her head no. And the newest and cutest thing is when I put her down for nap or bed I stroke her face and whisper "I love you" over and over. She whispers it back and then waves and says "buh bye" I love it! She is beyond incredible.

Elijah's Video

Elijah did 3 songs. This is Skip to my lou. If you listen close you can hear him singing.

Isaiah's Video

Isaiah choose to do 4 songs. This is twinkle twinkle little star.

Guitar Recital

The boys have been taking guitar lessons through Cole Productions since September. They love it. They put on a little recital to show off what they have learned. There were about 12 kids. They sang, played the piano, violin and guitar. It was really impressive. So my pics are not really great, the lighting in the church was really bad. I have a couple videos I will post in the morning. Isaiah shared 4 songs
Elijah was the youngest performer. He played 3 songs.

Celebration ice cream at Dairy Queen after. Thanks to our special friends the Klienman's who came out to see the boys. They have been and continue to be a blessing to us and have become our "family" here in Washington.

Christmas Wish List for Mama

I love gifts. I love getting them, but I enjoy giving them more. I love when the kids give me a list of things they want for Christmas and being able to get them what they want. Their faces on Christmas morning are awesome. I love finding a little trinket for a friend when I am out and about and although it's not her birthday or Christmas surprising her with it anyway. I love knowing people well enough to know what will bring a big smile to their face.



Ok so did you read I love getting gifts? Yes I do. (I love winning prizes too) So as a throw back to my "Christmas wish list" days for myself. Here's what's on my list this year. (ps Peter gets my blog updates via email...hint hint)


First is a personalized necklace from thevintagepearl.com They make beautiful hand stamped custom jewelry.




Next is a New LL Bean tote, Medium or Large with long handles. I left mine somewhere and I am lost at the library without one.

Ok so the next few are ornaments. I have two small trees, that this year I decided to decorate one Maine themed and the other Washington. I actually have a good start. On the Maine tree I have a moose, two black bears, and a booey. On the Washington one, an evergreen tree, and apple and some cute little dutch kitchen bake ware. So these next few ornament ideas would go on one of those trees. This one is the Space Needle. We love it there.

The town I live in is Lynden. It is very Dutch! So here is a little Dutch Windmill (there are many around town)

A throw back to college for Peter and I...a Maine Blackbear Ornament.

Of course a Boston Red Sox ornament. Isn't this hat so cute?

Living in the Pacific Northwest the Salmon rivals what a Lobster is in Maine.

Cute little Lighthouses to remind me of the Maine coast.

I have to have this LL Bean Boot ornament. It's so adorable.

Enough ornaments, let's get on with the stuff for ME (HA) I love these rain boots. I need a fun pair, size 7 please.

I can't wait to read this new Book By Cheryl Broderson. I love listening to her teachings online and this book looks fabulous.

Not to be a trader of LL Bean but Lands End Has this cute sweater. It's on sale right now! I like it the oatmeal brown color, but I am not picky =)(size small )

I know they are just plain silly but I love pj's and these Moose ones will just make me smile especially on a crabby Monday morning. I mean come on look at them they are a hoot.

So what's on YOUR list this year? I know you have one!

Thankgiving 2010

We had a very blessed Thanksgiving. This was a hard Thanksgiving for me being the first without my Gram. I kept thinking "she's going to call any second now". It was very hard being away from my family again this year. I just really wanted to be with them. But we are here in Washington with many blessings that it would be completely unfair not give thanks and glory to God for.

Our friends from "Maine" now living in Oregon came up to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, along with our very first friends we made here in Washington. Grand total six adults, ten kids. It was awesome. Food, Friends, Fellowship, Fun and.....SNOW!

Yeah that's right SNOW! It was such a "Maine" thanksgiving. I loved it. It snowed almost all day and it was beautiful. The kids played almost all day outside and it was amazing to cook all day with such a beautiful view to look at. I played some Christmas songs and for a second it was as though we fast forwarded to December 25.

Take a peek at our day.

Here's the adult table. Check out the snow.
More of the adult table.

Cute napkin and name cards.

And not to be left out the kid table. I put butcher paper and traced round "plates" which they colored. Each child added a leaf to the tree centerpiece with something they are thankful for.

Bob peeling the potatoes and watching football.

Hannah loves her friend but still had to have Mommy all day.

Annee and I...Lewiston girls. I love my lobster apron that my sweet friend Carolyn gave me awhile back. (another touch of Maine)

Isaiah out for his second or third trip outside to enjoy the snow.

Zip that coat Elijah...nah I can handle.

All the kids (minus Hannah)

Our friends son, Ben, made this out of legos. He got up at 6am to finish it. It was amazing!

Isaiah's finish plate.

And this is the photo of the day. Bob preparing to feast. What you don't see in this photo was the first plate that Bob ate. It was just as full. He went for seconds and we were all impressed by the size of his second helping. This was then followed by pie and ice cream. Amazing!