Winter Break continued...

I've said it so many times, it truly does take a village. And we are so thankful for ours!

Many thanks to all our parents for watching Rea this week while school is on winter break.  Half of the week peanut had fun up north, the other half she'll have fun here down south.

Rea sportin Gramma K's robe:

Peppermint play doh bunny photo bomb!

Helping Grandpa in the shop!

Whether you are working or staying home with the littles, I hope everyone finds some joy this winter break!

Christmas 2015

This year we celebrated four different Christmas's over three days...it was a whirlwind but so much fun to be with family and friends. Thanks be to God for our Christmas blessings and joy-filled holiday.

But first, the prep! Making cookies for Santa:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...

Christmas #1:
Christmas morning with our lil family of three:

Santa came!

She has been asking for her own bible for awhile now...

Christmas #2:

Christmas with Andy's side of the family:

Christmas #3:

Christmas with our dear friends, Aunt Nette and Uncle Davy. I love our tradition of celebrating on Christmas day. Reagan was so excited to host a party!

Selfie!

Christmas #4:

On Saturday we headed north to celebrate with my side of the family...

Group shot:

And the best way to end any crazy busy schedule.... snuggled in with Gramma reading stories...

Merriest of holidays and best wishes in the new year!

Winter Break fun!

We started winter break out with a bang!

Sleepover fun-

Santa and Rudolph:

Having fun at the mall!

Neither of them wanted to ride Santa's train this year... they are growing up too fast!

Getting rid of some holiday spunk at Skyzone!  My first time and it was really cool. Next time I may even jump myself!

Date night!  We celebrated our friend Justin's birthday- Happy birthday J!

The presents are wrapped, cookies for Santa are made and now we just wait for the big guy's arrival! Reagan is beyond excited for Christmas day but a little sad that Elfie will be going back to the North Pole.  I, however, am ecstatic.  Merry Christmas!

Firsts

I remember the day Reagan brought the list home... the dreaded star (sight) words.  Eighty eight words all needed to be memorized by the end of the year.

I could tell Rea thought this seemed impossible.  She is the type that she either wants to know something right away, or...pushes it aside. It occurred to me then the importance of teaching practice. There will be so many things that she will need to practice in her life. I wanted to teach her that practice is a good thing...

So every day after school we tackled the list. Little by little... We talked about what it means to set a goal, practice that goal and finally, to achieve that goal.  Rea was the first (along with 2 others) in her class to know all eighty eight star words before Christmas.  She got to enjoy lunch with the principal and more importantly, knowing that if she practices something and sets goal, anything is possible.

Practicing by the tree:

Celebration lunch!

Oh they're off to see the Wizard!

The wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Reagan got a fun surprise this week when her Aunt Nette surprised her with tickets to see the Wizard of Oz!

She was ecstatic to say the least.  Rea has loved this movie since the first time she saw it with her Gramma W. and she used to call it Lizard of Oz, which always gave us a good laugh.

She had such a great time and said, "Mommy, it was the best ever!"

I love her face in this pic... "I'm not sure what to expect but I know I'm gonna love it!"

She had so many fun stories to share and loved retelling all the fun moments in the play. Thank you Aunt Nette for making lasting memories with Rea. She will always treasure going to see the Wizard of Oz with you!