Thanksgiving 2010

We had a really great Thanksgiving again this year. This is really my favorite holiday. I think the location; the beauty, the simplicity, and the confinement have a lot to do with it. Our family, Brandon and Liza, and Granpa and Nana spent Thanksgiving at the cabin. The girls had such a great time coloring with Nana and playing with her. Mali and Eleri got lots of laughs and tickles (and tinkles) in with Grandpa. Mali was a huge help to Grandpa. She helped make breakfast each morning and even "helped" with the Christmas lights although I think that consisted of throwing a snowball in his face. They also went on a hunt for pinecones for Nana. I love seeing my girls getting to enjoy their grandparents. They sure love them all and we are so blessed when we get to spend time with everyone of them. Our Thanksgiving meal was really great. The guys fried a turkey again this year and we also had an extra smoked turkey from Chris. Liza and I inadvertently chose similar sides to make for our meal and I learned that next year I will coordinate in a lot more! We had lots of yummy desserts too.

cooking with Grandpa

Mali on Thanksgiving Day

Eleri on Thanksgiving Day

Eleri helping Liza snap green beans

The Fried Turkey

Playing with Grandpa

Enjoying the Christmas lights

Crazy Grandpa HIGH up on a tree

Decorating reindeer with Nana

I had major technical issues on adding pictures to this one!

Where oh where has my baby gone?

In the last few weeks, Eleri has taken huge steps right out of babyhood! She is doing great at potty training and has very few accidents. Eleri is wearing big girl panties during the day and is pretty good at telling us when she needs to go to the bathroom. Then on top of that last Tuesday night, she threw away her "boppy" when Mali sweetly told her you can throw away your boppy if you want. I freaked out and grabbed it out of the trash and washed it in boiling water and gave it to her. Then on Mali's birthday, we came home from walking her to school and sat down to drink our morning tea together. Eleri got down from the table and went and threw her boppy in the trash. This time I let it stay in there. I have been praying that she would give it up herself so I knew that this was the answer to prayer, although not the timing I would've chosen since we were about to travel for Thanksgiving. After discussing it with Eric, I again washed the boppy and packed it with us "just in case". We made it the whole Thanksgiving without using it. Eleri napped and slept just fine without it. I think the issue may have been me and that if she got fussy I quickly gave it to her because I knew it make her un-fussy!:) She has asked for it only a handful of times, and I just tell her "we don't have boppy, you threw it away." I'm pretty amazed at how well she has transitioned. Also while we were at the cabin, Eleri slept in a big girl twin bed for a nap and two bedtimes. She is really growing up and just in time, although I don't want her to have to grow up too fast.

T

6 year Birthday Letter

 Dear Mali, I can't believe that you are six years old!  We have really seen you grown and change this year.  You have spent this year learning how to be a big sister.  That has had its ups and downs, but the best moments are watching you be sweet and attentive to your sister.  I know you really love her and she really loves and adores you.  Eleri wants to be just like you in every way!  You are a strong leader in our home and at school. Mrs. Von Netzer, your kindergarten teacher, has told us how much she enjoys you in the classroom. At first, it was hard adjusting to school and the new routine of it all.  You missed running errands with me and Eleri, but you've found new things to enjoy.  You are doing great at reading and I'm so proud of you.  It makes me so happy to see you "write" out what you want to say using only consonants.  You are really sounding things out and starting the beginning stages of reading and it is so exciting for me.  I love reading and hope you will love it too.  It will make your brain stretch and grow and your world too. You have made several new friends too! Even with the start of school you are still Mali.  We continue to have our battles.  Your strong leadership skills show up here at home...with your mommy...quite a bit.  You definitely want to be the leader over me.  It is a struggle to always be patient and kind with you with your "leaderships skills" and I'm not always the mommy I want to be for you...but I'm trying and I'm praying and I hope that each day I improve as your mommy.  Because you absolutely deserve it!   Your heart is tender and open beneath those "looks" and that "attitude".  You are a sweet sweet girl.  You have also become a huge helper.  You are doing chores that are required of you; unloading the dishwasher and making your bed.  You really enjoy helping and like to ask me what more chores you can do.  Of course, it is usually because you want to "earn back" a toy. But I don't mind and love seeing you become responsible and capable of helping.  And truth be told, I enjoy the help!  You are GREAT at unloading the dishwasher!  This year has also been huge as I've watched you grow spiritually.  IT was such a joyful day when you decided to be baptized.  Just like life, each day is a journey. I pray and hope that I'm guiding you in the right way and teaching you that loving Jesus isn't about perfection its about turning to His perfection. I love our moments of cuddling and laughing together. You have such a beautiful smile that lights up my life!  I'm so thankful for six years with you!

Birthday Celebration!

Birthday Donut

We had lots of celebrating to do for Mali's 6th birthday.  The day started out with pink donuts for breakfast and getting to watch cartoons.  Mali dressed in a new birthday outfit from Grammie.  Up next, Eric, Eleri and I took her Chickfila for lunch along with an extra special shake to drink.  Eleri and I were back up to the school at 1pm for Mali's school party.  Mali helped make cupcakes and even frosted them herself.  Mali got to pass out the cupcakes to her classmates and then they sang their special Happy Birthday rendition to her.  Mali did start crying when they started singing Happy Birthday to other kids in the class. I think she was just tired.  Her teacher and I couldn't figure out why she was crying.  After school, Mali's preschool friend Hallie that had moved to Missouri stopped by to play.  Then it was time to get packing to head to Dalhart and eventually the cabin.  Mali had requested Lasagna as her birthday dinner, so the girls and I ate crock-pot lasagna.  When Eric got home, we headed to Dalhart and to one last birthday celebration.  Aunt Chrissy made Mali a yummy confetti cake and we sang to her and she blew out her birthday candles.  She also got birthday spankings from Grandpa.  Mali was pretty tired and pretending to fall asleep.  She opened her presents from everyone...all means to go swim with the dolphins and go to Walt Disney World in a few weeks. Mali was very blessed.

6 years old

Birthday Lunch

Classroom party

The birthday girl at school

Birthday song

Fun with makeup and Hallie

Birthday Dinner

Birthday spankings

Backpack from Nana and Grandpa and money

Money

The girls and Daddy at Mali's birthday lunch

Pajama Party

This year we decided that it was time to have a "location" birthday party since we would be inviting Mali's whole kindergarten class to her party per public school etiquette.  We also needed something easy to schedule and plan last minute in case AHS didn't make it as far in the playoffs as we wanted them too.  And, on my list was something affordable especially since we are taking Mali on a trip as her present from us.  We decided on Chickfila!!!  And it was the perfect place.  It was the easiest party that we have had so far and was pretty enjoyable too.  We had it at breakfast and I just ordered a large party tray of chicken minis and a gallon of lemonade.  I made Mali "Monkey Bread" as her cake to go along with her theme.  Mali decided that she wanted a giraffe party so we assembled as much giraffe looking decorations as we could.  The girls and I got to Chickfila early and they played while I set up.  This was really the easiest party and the best part was I left my house a mess!;)  Mali also wanted this to be a pajama party since it was at 9:30am (to beat the Saturday crowd).  The timing was perfect and I think the girls loved wearing their giraffe pajamas.  We were done and home by 11 with nothing more to clean up!  Mali and her school friends and ballet friends played in the play area.  Sophie, Ben, Lauren, Katlyn, Sara, Brynn, Jack, Haley, and Mattye all came from her kindergarten class.  Addison, Kate, Scout, Tatum, and Reese came from her ballet class.  It was so great to have them all contained in one play area.  Eleri had a ton of fun too and Sophie's sweet big sister Rachel played and took care of Eleri until Mimi came and took over that fun duty!:) I think Eleri played more than the big kids.  After playing, they all ate their chicken minis and created things with their Bendaroos that I got has party favors.  The dads were great at helping with creating.  Then it was time to sing to Mali.  I had looked all over for a lighter last night and this morning and couldn't find one, so we just sang to her.  She acted a little shy, but at least no tears! Then we served the Monkey Bread.  Lauren and Mattye's moms and Donna Dorman were a huge help in helping me serve everyone and clean up.  Mimi had impeccable timing and fed Eleri and even took her potty for me.  After eating was more play time and then we finished up with presents.  Mali said that was her favorite part.  She was very generously blessed and we are so grateful. (Even though the invite did say gifts not necessary!;)) Mali has such sweet friends that have such sweet moms.  We really enjoyed the whole celebration.  I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.  It was really just perfect!  The girls and I loaded up and came home to play with all of Mali's new gifts. She was so sweet to share with Eleri.  There were a few fights but she was not stingy at all and even let Eleri play with some her toys before she did.  The girls played with the Zhu Zhu pets and the playdoh together before it was time for Eleri to nap.  Then Mali and I were going to get "our" time to play with all the big girl, girly things she got.  First she wanted to make a fairy house from one of the gift bags and watch Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue.  Mali had a great day.  She was very polite and thankful and had a lot of fun!

Giraffe Pajamas for a Giraffe Pajama Party

Party at Chickfila

Mali and Sophie

Mali and Brynn

Just a few of the guests and the Birthday Girl

Singing Happy Birthday!

Opening presents

Just one of many excited faces captured

What did I get?

Eric and I decided that this year we did not want to get Mali gifts but to give her a trip.  There is something about turning 6 and the monument that it is that a big, fun trip felt right.  We also will be combining the girls into one room and really don't need more toys, especially since Mali's toys are residing in the attic.  So, last night we gave Mali her card and brochure to let her know that for her 6th birthday present she will be going to swim with a dolphin at Discovery Cove in Orlando, FL.  She was pretty excited and so was her daddy.  We can't wait to make these memories with her!

Cousins

Jove came to play with his cousins last night and we practiced having three kids and a boy!  I'm not sure Jove will come back to visit us but the girls are still talking about him.

Thankful

This is what Mali is thankful for.  And I'm so thankful that she is beginning to read and sound things out and write what she sounds out! Isn't she amazing???:)
(translation on pictures 1&2: my dog Aspen and Scotty and Shank too. My giraffe I bought the other day)

Dentist Visit

Mali had her second dentist appointment yesterday. She did really great for the dentist and was so brave.  She told me that it hurt for a little bit and I asked her if she told them.  She said her mouth was full and I told her, "well you could probably just pat them and they would let you talk".  Mali said "I didn't want to interrupt them."  Mali ended up with one filling and one cap.  After the appointment while I was checking out, Mali started having a hard time and just started crying.  The receptionist helped me get her some tylenol.  They had warned me that when she came off the anesthesia she might get upset...and she did.  She probably screamed and cried for 30 minutes that her lip hurt.  I couldn't take her back to school in that state...to a young, male substitute teacher no less.  So, we went to the Wendy's drive thru conveniently located across the street from the dentist and got her a Frosty and fries and then rented two movies from the Redbox.  After Eleri screamed and cried and refused to take her nap because her sister was at home went down for her nap, Mali and I cuddled on the couch and laughed at the movies together.  About 6, her tylenol wore off and she got a little cranky again and was in bed by 8.  Out of the blue, Mali did exclaim, "well I guess I really am my daddy's girl because I match him" (Eric has a crown or two as well.)  Mali also kept referring to it as her tooth ring.  Anything that makes the experience positive I guess, however I DO NOT want to pay for any more mouth jewelry for her. I've decided that when these teeth fall out, the tooth fairy will be bringing Mommy and Daddy reimbursement for them instead of giving Mali money.

I wear my sunglasses....

ALL THE TIME!!!  Eleri LOVES her sunglasses lately.  She started just wearing them in the car and now wants to wear them every where.

WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE

AT BREAKFAST

WHILE COLORING

WALKING SISTER TO SCHOOL

IN THE CAR

WAITING FOR A FRIEND