Our Week

We had a wonderful last week, and here are three pictures for you. Above is our annual picture with Santa Claus at Fantasy of Trees. I think it turned out pretty cute. :) Both kids talked to Santa, and Josiah even hugged him at the end of the photo shoot. So super sweet.
Josiah's half birthday was on Thanksgiving Day this year. He is officially 5 1/2 years old. Granna and Z-pa bought him a turkey cake to celebrate. He told me today that his favorite part of Thanksgiving week was celebrating his half birthday.

To complete our week, last night Mackenzie's other top front tooth was so loose that I insisted on pulling it. On the third try, I got it! Here is her new smile. I believe she is adorable in this phase. She says she is embarrassed to be missing those two top front teeth. After assuring her that she is beautiful, both inside and out, I tucked her into bed. The tooth fairy came while she was sleeping. All is well in our world that seems so full of fun milestones these days!

Christmas Parties

We had a day full of parties! My new job's Christmas party was following our case manager meeting at lunch today. We laughed so incredibly hard during the gift exchange. Fun times. Then, we enjoyed being guests at my new boss/Josiah's best friend's parents personal Christmas party. I was honored to be included among their friends and family. The kids had a blast together. And, a special visitor came... Ya know, I think this picture of David, Santa, and me turned out pretty good!
Here's Josiah and Mackenzie with Santa at the party tonight. Mackenzie asked Santa for a puppy, which is what she's been asking for all along...Josiah was a hoot! He asked Santa for everything that he could think of, which ranged from a long list of Star Wars characters to a variety of Legos, such as Atlantis and Star Wars. I loved their original thoughts to Santa at The Fantasy of Trees, myself, where Mackenzie asked for a puppy and Josiah asked for everything the puppy needs.

I snapped this picture in route to school this morning. Yep, we had a wintry start to the day full of Christmas parties! How cool!!! He, he. ;) It was 20 degrees as we headed to school. The snowflakes pouring from the sky were just gorgeous. Too bad it didn't stay around longer. Maybe we'll get some more this winter! God's design and changing of the seasons is nothing short of amazing.

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!!!

Fantasy of Trees

The 2008 Fantasy of Trees was a lot of fun! We have a family tradition of going on Thursday after enjoying a Thanksgiving meal together. The kids were looking forward to the crafts and rides, as well as visiting with Santa!
I was very impressed that both kids remembered the 3 things they planned to ask Santa for this year. Mackenzie asked for a Barbie Bike, Care Bear Cub, and Medical Plastic Earrings. Josiah asked for a Skate Board, Cars Bike, and Cars Scooter. Hmm...I see a pattern with his items...Go, Josiah, Go! :) He does like to be on the move.

Josiah in the train.

Mackenzie in the train.

My favorite thing from the Fantasy of Trees is my set of pot holders with each child's hand print. I have a set from last year, too. Mackenzie wrote her name on hers this year, making it that much more special to me!

David's parents and brother were with us for Thanksgiving and we all enjoyed the Fantasy of Trees. Being an employee of Children's Hospital, I'm a big fan of the Fantasy of Trees as the proceeds go to support the hospital! Fun times, good cause. Hope everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving.