Friends and Snowmen

The girls got to have some friends over a couple Saturdays ago. I had heard we were going to have a hard winter and they definitely weren't wrong. It came in like a lion and stuck around. We haven't seen the ground in about 2 months. The snow just keeps coming and coming. We did get warmer for a few days and melted about half of it. This was one of the warmer days so it was great packing snow but these girls came in dripping wet. I had to do a load of laundry before I could send their friends' snow clothes home!

 

 

They had a great time making a whole snow family. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture before they melted.

 

 

Daddy blew out the side wall of one of the tractor tires while he was clearing the big snow so the dad of these girls came over with his big tractor and helped us get the driveway plowed out. Then we got both families together and had dinner. Peanut and S made us a cake for dessert. It was actually made in an angel food cake pan and they filled it in with about a cup of sprinkles and frosted over it for a surprise. Haha.

 

 

It was a fun day for all of us!

Funny Friday

 

Happy Friday! :)

Leftover Thursday

 The littles got to have a playdate with our neighbor girl. Her mom had a doctor's appointment so we watched her for a few hours one day. She is a sweet little girl and not demanding at all, but I found out that Lou is an introvert. She came to me after a couple hours and said, "Mommy I can't play with her anymore. She is exhausting!" Haha!

 

 

Peanut likes to do her schoolwork UNDER her desk. It seems so odd and uncomfortable to me, but she will sit down there for hours. So funny.

 

 

 

Queso likes to sit with her sometimes. Unfortunately Queso has become a garage cat. We found out he has a genetic bladder issue and even with expensive prescription food he is still peeing on any item of clothing left on the floor. I was very unhappy about that but dealing with it until we found out he was peeing on pillows, blankets and one of the downstairs mattresses. That was the straw that broke the camels back. I tossed all the pillows he got. Thankfully the mattress was one that had a waterproof cover on it but after washing all the bedding four times, using a gallon of vinegar, and leaving the sheets and blankets outside to get aired in the sunshine for days, there is still a faint whiff of cat urine. Grr. I wish he could still be inside...he is a sweet cat...but I can't keep the washing machine running full time just to keep up with his peeing. :(

 

 

At least Peanut still has Buddy. She made him an angel in the nativity one day. Haha.

 

 

Coloring party while waiting for the little sisters at dance. :)

 

 

Abby wanted to be in the Nativity too..."See I make a very humble and sweet Mary."

Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Programs!

 Noni went all out for Christmas this year! She did not one program but THREE! She did a kid's choir three weeks in a row, a shadow skit two different weeks, and a nativity scene one week. It was amazing and everyone did so well! 

 I had never even heard of a shadow skit but it was an awesome way to get the teenagers involved. They thought it was great and were happy to participate in this unique way of performing. Bug got to be Mary the first week.

 

 

 The kids also sang a scripture song that week.

 

 

 The next week Boo got to be Mary.

 

 

And the kids sang again.

 

 

Bug and Boo also did the offertory. Bug lost the pattern at the end but I didn't think it was too bad. Boo was able to keep it going until she found it again. 

The final week Noni had the kids put on a traditional nativity. Unfortunately over half the kids were gone for sickness or travel but it was still very sweet. Peanut was a Wise-person, Peaches and Boo were shepherds, and Lou was a sheep.

 

 

The kids sang two songs during it. 

 

 

Peaches and Lou did the offertory. We had practiced this song at least three dozen times and they had even sang it a couple days before in a little piano recital, but Lou was starting to get sick and not feeling great that morning and was not on board to do it. I should have just let it go and let them do it next year but we tried to go for it. She did sing...so quietly that we could hardly hear. Peaches did an amazing job though!

 

 

 

The kids also joined the worship team in singing some Christmas hymns. 

 

 

Bug's school also did a Christmas program and Boo got to sing as well. She is in the middle with the microphone pointing to her.

 

 

 

Bug sat over with the musicians and did percussion and sang in the small ensemble. She has really good rhythm.

 They did a beautiful job and we were so proud of them!!

It was a wonderful December of programs! Way to go kids and huge thanks to Noni for the countless hours of practice to make all the church performances happen!!!

Happy Birthday Noni!

 Noni's birthday was on a dance day this year which means a crazy busy night but as soon as we were done we ran over to Mama's house to get in some celebrating! Papa made her a from-scratch carrot cake, one of his best ever!

 

Then everyone gathered around to watch her open presents...even Abby, haha.

 

 We went together with Mama and got her an extension set for her hand bells. It has flats and sharps instead of just the original 8 notes.

 

 

 Papa got her a weighted blanket and we made her an ornament with pictures of our summer travels.

 

 

She also got a bunch of fun puzzles.

 

 

Such a wonderful evening celebrating our wonderful Noni!

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kids Worship Team!

 The other day our worship leader Miss A was out of town so Noni had the kids do the entire service!

 

 

They did such a good job with their singing and led the congregation beautifully!

 

 

One of the cutest parts was she had two little boys help with taking the offering. It was adorable. 

 

 

Such a good job! 

Peanut and her friends did the offertory. Peanut played the piano and sang, S played the violin, and L and B sang. Great job girls!!

 

 

And great job kids! 

 

 

And Noni!!!

Funny Friday

 

Happy Friday! :)