Our Week

Our week began with the arrival of Granna and Z-Pa on Monday for Thanksgiving week. Uncle Zac joined us on Tuesday, and we've had a great week. Tuesday, November 24, was Josiah's half birthday. I cannot believe that he is already 3 1/2 years old, and yet in some ways he seems so much older than 3 1/2! He is counting and saying his ABC's all the time now. He loves to count to ten in Spanish. He is able to legibly write his name. He loves to play with gadgets and anything that transforms, like bakugans. He loves things that go, like cars and balls, and enjoys playing computer games and watching PBS Kids. He goes to sleep at 7:00pm, same as Mackenzie. He wakes up between 5:30 and 6:30am as he only requires 10 1/2 hrs of sleep per night! (Mackenzie still requires almost 12 hrs per night!) He loves school and all his friends at school. He can lay it on thick with his perfect manners, complete with yes ma'ams and no sirs and lots of hugs and kisses; he can also demonstrate a great lack of manners complete with a rude tone of voice. He certainly keeps us on our toes these days!!! He is an affectionate little boy, and we love him dearly. He weighs 34.5 lbs and is 39.5 inches tall.
He enjoyed his half birthday celebration with Granna and Z-Pa. He even got the chocolate dinosaur cake he requested! Thanks, Granna and Z-Pa, for making his half birthday a special one.

Here's the first ever chocolate pie that I made from scratch! I used my momma's crust recipe, and my Granny Long's chocolate pie filling recipe. I let everyone choose whipped cream or Redi Whip to top their piece of pie! I was kinda proud of how it turned out!

After enjoying a Thanksgiving meal (and that chocolate pie), we went to The Fantasy of Trees. I love this as it benefits Children's Hospital, which I'm kinda partial, too. ;) The kids sat in Santa's lap and I got our traditional picture. I'm so happy with how it turned out! The kids told Santa what they want for Christmas, and we enjoyed making our annual hand print potholders and thumbprint ornaments. (Josiah told Santa he wants a light saber and a toy motorcycle for Christmas, and Mackenzie told Santa she wants a swim suit, Barbie doll, and Dora Saves the Mermaid DVD and Dora Dance to the Rescue DVD.)

Both kids enjoyed the train and put put golf at The Fantasy of Trees, too. We've had a great week, full of activities. I have so much to be thankful for...that could be a whole other post! For now, I caught the blog up with some pics and our latest activities.

Also, Mackenzie is 38.5 lbs and 44.25 inches tall. She is now 5 years and 3 months old. As I tucked her in earlier this week, she began asking questions about Grannie Horn (her great, great, grandmother who died when I was 18 years old). I enjoyed telling her about my own Thanksgiving memories at Great Grannie Horn's house during my own childhood. She asked one question after another and we ended up having a terrific conversation about death, faith, and Heaven. Her questions struck me as deep from a five year old. One of her questions was, "Mom, since you and Dad are older than me, does that mean that you'll die before me?" Again, the answer was lengthy and in depth, but her response was, "I want you and me to die together, Momma, because I need to be able to see you, talk to you, and touch you at least once every day." She melted my heart. Such a sweetie. I pray that some of what we talked about regarding faith, death, Jesus, and Heaven sunk in!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!

Nutcracker Field Trip

Today, I was able to join Mackenzie and her Kindergarten class for their first field trip--to the Nutcracker! The class rode the bus while the parents followed behind forming a caravan. Here's a picture of Avery and Mackenzie sitting side by side, ready for the show to begin!
I was surprised by the number of Dad's who made the trip in place of the Mom's who were otherwise occupied! I counted at least 8 Dads, and maybe 4 Moms. All the kids were happy to see parents at the auditorium as they got off the bus. It is fun to see the kids recognizing who's parent is who's, and it is fun to be greeted by multiple children, too! :)

Thanks to the Mease's for keeping Josiah this morning so that I could attend the field trip. It was a huge help to know that he was in good hands and having a fabulous time! He woke up at 5:45am, asking to go on over to the Mease's house. By this afternoon, he was tired...and crawled into his sleeping bag in the warmest spot in the house where the sun comes in the windows, and he fell fast asleep. Don't worry, I pulled the top back so he could breathe! ;)
And to think, he even fell asleep while Avery was here to play! He was definitely tired. The two girls had a great time playing on this Friday afternoon, though!

Dollywood and Thanksgiving Party

This past Saturday we were able to enjoy Dollywood's Christmas Festival. This is the third year in a row that we have taken the kids to see Babes in Toyland, which Mackenzie just loves. We all four enjoyed the rides, and while David and Josiah rode the scrambler together, Mackenzie and I tried some rides that are new to her. I was so proud of her bravery! She tried, and loved, the swings, sky rider, and shooting star. Josiah enjoyed the Veggies Tales roller coaster with her, and the Bumble Bees and Scrambler, too. A fun time had by all! Above is a picture of Mackenzie in front of a Christmas tree with pink lights. I think I read that Dollywood has over 4 million lights this Christmas!!! It was beautiful.
I could not get Josiah to pose for the camera, so I snapped this candid of him studying the Dollywood map. He LOVES the map. We always stop and pick up a map for each child on our way in the park. It's a highlight of the trip. ;)

Here's David and Mackenzie getting off of the Shooting Star (or Falling Star?) that goes up in the air and drops you, kinda like a free fall. This was Mackenzie's very first time on that ride. She loved it.

Later that evening, Mackenzie and I rode the Shooting Star ride together. What fun that she's tall enough to enjoy some bigger rides now! :)

Today was Josiah's Thanksgiving Feast at school (MDO). I was thankful to be able to join his class for their celebration at Noon today. Here's Josiah at his table with Kameron across from him, Brooke beside Josiah, and Brady across from Brooke.

Josiah was so proud of his "J" pretzel! We had fun together today, and I enjoyed seeing Josiah interacting with his friends.

Kindergarten Turkeys! (Update)

Update: My friend, Tracy, who also has a daughter in Mackenzie's class, took this picture of the two of us during the craft time. I am so excited about how it turned out! So, even though I posted this several days ago, I'm updating it to include the above picture of Mackenzie and me!

Yesterday I was blessed to be able to attend (and plan and coordinate) a Fun Friday Craft time for Mackenzie's Kindergarten Class! I had another Mom plan and prepare the pine cone turkeys, and I was responsible for the handprint turkeys. I love the above picture of Mackenzie at her desk with her two crafts!
Here is part of Mackenzie's class, all listening intently to the instructions being provided for the pine cone turkeys made from pine cones, pipe cleaner, pompoms, and googly eyes. Very cute!

Here's a better overview of the class with their crafts in front of them. They are some sweet kids, and some busy kids!!! I think they all enjoyed our craft time. I know I sure did!


Here's the children, very focused on the instructions being given and the craft in front of them. Mackenzie's in the bright blue shirt watching the demonstration about how to fold the pipe cleaners.

The handprint turkeys were made using washable paints in brown, green, yellow, orange, and red. The palm and hand are brown. Each finger is a different color. Then you draw a gobbler on the turkey and feet on the turkey, too. Then glue a googly eye on the thumb/head. Using tacky glue, attach 1x1 in squares of felt in fall colors to the plate perimeter. You're finished! Oh yeah, don't forget to have the kids write their names and date on the back of the plate before you start. Makes a great keepsake! David typed the poem in a rainbow pattern for the kids to attach to the top of the plate, just under the felt squares. The poem is:

This isn't just a turkey, as anyone can see.

I made it with my hand, which is a part of me.

It comes with lots of love, especially to say,

I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Disclaimer: I did not create any of these ideas. I found them via a google search for turkey crafts. I did not write the poem, we simply found in on the Internet!!!

These are easy enough to do and lots of fun, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Amy & Aaron's Bonfire

This afternoon and evening was the first annual (yes, we're hoping for another one next year!) bonfire and ride (minus the hay due to allergies) at Amy & Aaron's house. They have a new house with 2 or 3 (maybe 2.5?) acres of land. Aaron built a bonfire and we all roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. The best part was sitting around the fire visiting with friends and listening to the kids sing as they made loops around the yard on the trailer behind Aaron's 4 wheeler! Above is a picture of David and Mackenzie roasting our hot dogs.
Aaron pulling a trailer load of 10 kids and Holly, too! :)

The kids LOVED it!

Here's the kids taking another ride after dark, with Amy, David, and Holly, too! (Mackenzie's in the blue looking over her shoulder, and Josiah is wearing green and sitting beside David towards the middle of the picture.)

Thank you Amy & Aaron! We had a wonderful time!

Halloween Week

Halloween week began with David and the kids carving pumpkins! Mackenzie and Josiah drew faces on the pumpkins and pulled the gooey stuff out, while David carved them! Above is Mackenzie showing off her messy hand. She enjoyed pulling the seeds out and separating them for us to cook.
Josiah spent most of his time drawing faces on the pumpkins.

Both kids were very focused!

If you look closely, you can see the face Mackenzie drew on her pumpkin. It has a square nose, triangular eyes, and a smiley mouth...just like the jack-o-lantern in the story of the Pumpkin Parable! I forgot to get pictures after the carving was finished, but suffice to say that David did a great job!

He loved getting to use the Sharpie, and he does a great job holding a marker correctly. He drew smiley faces on all the pumpkins!

On Wednesday night we attended the Trunk or Treat at church. The kids loved all the activities. Here's Mackenzie with her Candy Corn person!

Allison, Mackenzie, and Lauren...almost on their way out the door to Trunk or Treat after Bible class on Wednesday night. Josiah was already outside!

Here's all four kids: Josiah, Allison, Mackenzie, and Lauren. They enjoyed trunk or treating together after church. (Josiah had wanted to be iron man, then decided he just wanted to be a little boy! I dressed him in his flannel shirt and overalls...as a "little boy" or a little farmer boy!Mackenzie stuck with her idea of being a lady bug all the way through this year.)

Josiah searched his bucket after every stop, looking for a Reese's peanut butter cup. Once he found one, he held onto it and announced that he was finished and ready to go home! He had certainly been a man on a mission.

I loved this picture of both kids peering into their buckets!

Seriously, he spent half the time peering into that bucket! I love the above picture of David holding Josiah's bucket for him and laughing while Josiah searched for that Reese's cup.

Now...fast forward to Thursday morning at Josiah's "school." (MDO) They had a hayride! And, since it was one of my two days this month to work, David was able to take the day off work and be present for Josiah.

The above picture is of Josiah, laughing with his friend Kenley. We hear a lot about her! They are definitely buddies. Sitting to the right of Josiah is Kameron. We a lot about him, too! Josiah really enjoys the other kids in his class at school. There are 8 of them total.

Here's all 8 kids, from left to right: Lexi, Brady, Mrs. Missi, Kenley, David, Josiah, Kameron, Kameron's Mom, Zachary, Brooke, Ava, and Ava's Mom. :)

An adorable class picture in the "pumpkin patch," right outside the school! One child announced that is was neat that God made pumpkins grow right at their school for them to pick! Ha. Mrs. Tina helped those pumpkins "grow" in the grass. ;)

Here's Josiah picking out his pumpkin.

Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you that it was pajama day that Thursday, too! :)

Here's the kids enjoying some yummy snacks, including the Thanksgiving Turkey Treats that Josiah helped me make for his friends.

I love this picture of my two boys playing together at the train table during/after the party! :)
Then on Saturday night...a very rainy Saturday night...we enjoyed getting to trick or treat in our neighborhood with our friends, the Meases.

Here's Allison, Mackenzie, Lauren, and Josiah, in front of our house ready to begin!

I love how this picture shows all the kids with their umbrellas. Josiah, Mackenzie, Lauren, and Allison, on their way up to the first house to trick or treat.

Josiah and Mackenzie walking from house to house on Halloween night.

An adorable picture of Cindy with both girl's Dora umbrellas! This picture seems to capture our evening! :)

A tired, wet, crew enjoying their loot.

Josiah with a Reese's cup, soaking wet, after trick or treating.

Mackenzie enjoying an Almond Joy.

My two kids with their buckets after trick or treating.

My little ladybug, checking out her loot!
We had a wonderful Halloween week, but it surely was a busy one! By the way, congratulations if you made it to the end of this extremely long post! I did not make time during the week to update the blog, or this one post would not be so crazy long! Sorry!!! That catches us up for now. Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, too.