Merry Christmas

Once again, Jenna loved singing with the children for the children's Christmas program at church on Dec. 16th. After the rehearsal, I asked her what she thought and she said, "I wasn't nervous at all. I was just so happy!" We've got to get her on a stage more often! (See "Mighty Day" video in Christmas 2012 folder.)

I started this post on Dec. 20th and never got to finish it. I think it's still worth posting, though. Our attempt at a timer photo didn't work out too well. Kellen was about to make a run for it. But, it's real. The past few weeks have been a little crazy. A few December events: Kellen's 2nd birthday celebrations, two LPHS basketball games; an all LPHS bands concert; a tree that I didn't think we were going to have this year; said tree falling over; some broken ornaments; lots of fun talking about Jesus' birth (almost) everyday with Jenna and doing a little craft; Jenna's first snow day which also cancelled her first school Christmas party; Kevin being sick on said snow day which also cancelled his beginning band concert (many 6th graders so sad to have a snow day!); Jenna deciding to stop sucking her thumb and was successful (4 days). Successful that is until Dec. 21st, when she woke up with a fever the day we were to leave town for Kansas. She was acting fine, though so we decided to go anyway. Just before we left, I started feeling sick and had a fever by the time we got to the hotel that evening. Jenna got better by Christmas eve, then Kellen got sick Dec. 26th. He announced his fever by throwing up in my lap as I was reading him a story for nap. Fun times! Kellen and I are still sick, but glad to be home in our own beds and taking antibiotics. More Christmas pictures and stories will be posted later.

This post was originally intended to wish Merry Christmas to you and yours. We still wish that even though it's past. And, here's to a new year! We are thankful for the greatest gift of all - Jesus!

Kellen 2.0

Kellen is 2 years old today! He weighs 25 pounds and is 32 inches. He is sweet, funny, and opinionated. If things aren't quite right, he will let you know! He only likes to wear comfy clothes and hates jeans. He loves wearing his winter hat and gloves. If he could spend every day in PJs, he would (and sometimes, I let him)!

(favorites: PJs, hat, gloves, and ball)

When you peel a banana for him, you must leave the peel on his tray until he's done eating. Do not try to throw it away right after you peel it! He is saying new words every day and beginning to put a few words together. After he asks for a snack ("nak"), he'll add that he wants "two." Pretty appropriate for being two, I'd say. A typical morning conversation we have goes like this: I go in and say "good morning." He asks, "Da-ye?" (That means, is Daddy here?) I say, "No, Daddy is at work." He asks, "Why?" I say, "Daddy has to work so we can have our house, food, and toys." He says, "Oh." For yes, he says "ah." He is quite the cuddler - love it! Sweet boy. I still suspect that he's going to be left handed and his two best buddies to sleep with are still his puppies "Baby" and "Blue." Here's an example of things he does to make us laugh: (See video 0044 in Kellen folder.)

 And, here's some sweetness: (See videos 0092 and 0093 in Kellen folder.)

We had his birthday party on Saturday. I picked out two cakes that I thought would be fun to make and let him pick. He picked "ah-ee" aka Frosty. He also picked "bee-ba" (pizza) for the meal.

Rainbow chip cake for the snowman, brownie for the hat.

It was fun to do a Snowman birthday party. What other time of the year can you do that?! I found a bunch of plain birthday hats, then got snowman stickers and each kid decorated their own hat.

Sweet 2!

He really wanted to get that candle blown out! And, once we moved it closer, he got it! We didn't even instruct him about that part. I guess he's been watching during other parties. (See video 0057 in Kellen's 2nd bday pictures folder.)

 "Two!"

 I found a pin the nose on the snowman game that was fun.

Although, I think a few of them could see under the mask.

Lots of really nice gifts

Saturday evening, we went to the parade of lights. He really loved the "ma my" (Christmas lights). Tonight, we turned his car seat forward to look at Christmas lights. After all, driving around looking at Christmas lights is what we were doing 2 years ago, just 3 hours before he was born!

Here's a look back:

 The birthday

 One-year party

 One-year-old

My favorite 2-year-old

Jenna 5.5

Jenna is 5.5 today! She weighs 43.6 pounds and is 43 and 3/4 inches tall. She's grown an inch since the start of school. This is her fall kindergarten picture. Her favorite color is still green. And, she loves horses and unicorns. In fact, what she wants most for Christmas is this tiny little unicorn with a comb to brush the mane and tail - found in one of those dollar-type bins.

She has a budding sense of humor and is beginning to show signs of her Daddy's quick wit. Kellen will inevitably do something funny, then she'll look at me with this smirk and look that says, "We're going to laugh at this, right?" And, then we do! She is so fun to laugh with! A couple of my favorite funny things she's said lately: "You guys are great parents." Then I said, "Okay, what do you want?" Then she didn't miss a beat and said, "Chocolate!" And, while we were singing Christmas songs together she said, "Hit it Mama!" Every morning, we find her with her sheets kicked down, but she's still covered with her comforter. I'm not sure how she does this - funny girl!

Monday, Nov. 5th, Jenna, announced at breakfast that it was Scruffy's birthday. His 8th birthday to be exact.

We just happened to have three cupcakes, some leftover hats, and candles, so we celebrated after dinner!

She continues to love to sing and dramatize. If you watch a movie or play with her, be prepared to act it out as soon as it's over. We commonly hear, "Now, let's play . . ." It was a thrill for me to take her to a live performance of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, one of her favorites. I think I had more fun watching her!

Daddy took her to see Cinderella, this fall, and she was thrilled to meet the actress . . .

and to sit in the carriage!

She loves to decorate with me and has some really good suggestions. She was really excited to decorate for Christmas and to read the Polar Express again. She's been wearing a Santa hat as much as she can and even slept in it a few nights.

She brought home a little book yesterday with the assignment to read it to us 5 times within a week and then bring it back. It's so exciting to hear her read! And, she is excited about it, too - she read it to us 5 times within an hour!

I have been super proud of her on a couple occasions lately. At Casa Bonita recently, the cousins and Papa were going to go into the cave. I could tell that she didn't want to go, but she said that she would. I took her aside and told her that it was her decision. She ended up standing her ground and not going.

Then, earlier this week, she asked, "Mommy, is Daddy your boss and you have to obey him?" We talked together about what the Bible says about the husband being the leader and loving his wife, then the wife should follow/submit. The next day, I found her at quiet time with both of her Bibles laid out on her bed. She said, "I was interested in finding the husband and wife story in my Bible, but I couldn't find it." I helped her look through hers, but it wasn't there. She said, "I know my Bible isn't the real one (meaning not all the stories are in there)." Then we went and found it in mine. So proud of her for taking the initiative and looking for truth and answers that are from God's word!

Tonight, we ate at Chick Fil A and then went to a top-your-own yogurt place - two of her favorites. We love our 5.5 year old girl!

A little trip

Sunday, Nov.18, Papa, Mima, two cousins, and the four of us loaded up and headed to Estes Park for a little pre-Thanksgiving mountain time.

Ready to hike

Monday morning, we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park and hiked around Sprague Lake.

 Nice easy hike for kids

Two cute bundles!

Such a pretty hike

Kellen was ready to get out of the pack and do some hiking of his own. He loved it!

 Tuesday morning, we hiked around the Lawn Lake flood site.

These guys were best buddies (most of the trip). They all agreed that the best part of being in the mountains was the hot pool and hiking.

 After all that hiking, it's good to curl up and watch a movie!

This boy fell in love with his hat and gloves while we were there! I just couldn't resist taking this picture. He chose to be clothed this way!

Wednesday morning, we loaded up to come back home. Then, we stalled for time playing on a playground before we left town - it was freezing! But, what's a trip to the mountains without a stop for lunch at Casa Bonita on the way home?!

Happy Thanksgiving

Jenna's class had a Thanksgiving program on the last day of class before Thanksgiving. They performed about 12 different little songs, skits, and poems. Here's a taste (she's the first from the left, front row): (See video 0012 in Jenna Kinder 2012-13 pictures folder.)

These things are right up Jenna's alley and she had a great time practicing these at home for us. Kellen even caught on pretty quickly! (See video 0019 in Jenna and Kellen movies folder.)

After the school performance, Jenna's teacher announced that the original song didn't have the "pshew" sound of the arrow firing at the end of the song. But, that Jenna added it one day and all the kids loved it. So, they kept it in the song.

She made her place mat, turkey, and headdress. The characters on the band tell a story in Indian symbols. Each feather of her headdress has something she's thankful for: Family, friends, and toys. In addition to these, her teacher had them say something they were thankful for each day that week. Day One: "my whole family, brother, me." Day Two: "cousins." Day Three: "God and my family." Day Four: "fireworks."

After the dessert feast, they performed this dance that they had just learned that morning. Comedy! Enjoy! (See video 0016 in Jenna Kinder 2012-13 pictures folder.)

We are so very blessed and thankful! Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween

We started celebrating Halloween early with Papa and Mima, on Thursday, Oct. 25. They hosted a fun dinner and party at their house.

Cat and Finger Sandwiches and Skeleton Veggies

 Ghost and Finger Sandwiches and Mummy Dogs

After dinner, there were party games. Bobbing for apples . . .

 and pinata.

Candy Frenzy!

Kellen just wasn't sure what to do, but we helped him get plenty of candy. (See video 1412 in Halloween '12 pictures folder.)

 More bobbing for apples

Saturday, October 27, was trunk or treat at our church. A cute Fire fighter and Smokey the Bear came with me.

Mima had made him the bear costume and I added the jeans, hat, and "smokey" when I found out Jenna wanted to be a fire fighter. Mima made Jenna's costume, too.

Jenna and her BFF

The Cousins - Karate, Jasmine, Luigi, Fire Fighter, and Smokey the Bear

Kellen and his "na-ey" (candy)

Cute tail sticking out

One of Jenna's other friends was also a fire fighter.

Halloween Day - Trick or Treating started at 4pm in Downtown Monument, so we decided the earlier the better. Then, we met up with two families from church to eat at Souper Salad. All kids in costumes ate for free. Then we all went to church for a study we've been doing.

When Jenna decided to be a fire fighter, I dug out my old dalmatian costume from when I worked in children's day surgery in Austin. 2002, I think. She talked me into wearing it with her tonight. "Mommy, it's the real Halloween, and I need a dalmatian."

We even had a chance to pose with a fire truck. A fun Halloween!