Happy 4th Birthday Carleigh!

My Dear Little Girl,

You are Spring Sunshine and a Summer Thunderstorm all rolled into one. A girl of fantastic imagination and a loving heart. I admire your honesty and your ability to take life in S-L-O-W-L-Y. You equally enjoy playing battle with your brother and having girl time painting your nails or playing dress up. You love princesses, ponies, singing songs and snuggles. You wear your heart on your sleeve and have more empathy at four years than many adults I know. Be patient with me my sweet girl as I learn to understand your constantly changing needs. I love witnessing who you are becoming. You are strong-willed and admittedly a challenge some days for Mommy and Daddy, but we wouldn't change you for anything and thank God for blessing our family with you.

Seeing Santa

For the past three years I have been taking the kids to see Santa in Downtown Winchester at a community center. Its such a great opportunity for parents because the photos are free with your own camera and they have crafts to keep the kiddos busy while you wait. Andplusalso, the people in charge really wised up last year and assigned each family a number as they entered so you don't even have to wait in an actual line. Sounds perfect, right? Except for one thing...the wait. Last year we literally waited 4 hours to see the big guy in red. Crazy, I know. But this Santa is awesome...real beard, very personable, and takes his time talking with your children about what they want and if they have been naughty or nice (thus the wait). So tonight when we walked into the community center to discover it was a totally fake looking different Santa, my heart sank. But guess who didn't care? That's right, my AMAZING kids. The wonder and excitement of the season was still there. There smiles just as big, their eyes just as wide. And to top it all off...when they each received their very special candy cane after sitting on Santa's lap, they explained to all who would listen the symbolism behind the confection. Now THAT touched this momma's heart more than any picture with Santa ever could.

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

A Princess and a Pirate

Happy Halloween!

First Day of Homeschool

"The A says 'ah,' the A says 'ah,' every letter makes a sound, the A says 'ah'!

Apologies in advance if you continue to have that song ringing through your ears the rest of the day...I know I did. But you know what? I love it. I have been terrified nervous about this day for months. I have been worrying myself to death over how I would start homeschooling the kids and how they would react. And you know what? they LOVED it. And so did I! I can do this!

I'm not going to get into a debate here about homeschool versus public or private school. I know  awesome homeschooled people and amazing traditionally schooled folks (myself included). And on top of that, I know unbelievable homeschooling mommies and just as many working and stay at home moms who do not homeschool. Everyone is different and isn't that great? I am beginning down the road of Homeschooling because John and I have prayed about it and it is what is best for our family...right now.

So today we started a preK program loosely following the Letter of the Week curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. With my own stuff mixed in (thank you Pinterest.) A lot will be review for Nicolaus since he went to preschool last year. My goal is to have both he and Carleigh up to speed to begin a Kindergarten curriculum next year. Nicolaus is showing pre-reading interest so I plan on working on that with him also.

Hopefully you will enjoy coming along with us on our Homeschool adventure as the three of us learn together. Below is just the start of what we did today. If you are a homeschooling mom and have any tips or tricks to share, please do! And I appreciate any and all prayers for our family as we head down this road.

Lesson From a Three-Year-Old

Yes I said three-year-old. Somehow between Apple Blossom celebrations and Mother's Day picnics my baby girl turned three!

Carleigh May, you are so full of a zest for life. You live every day just like you eat a cookie or some other sweet treat you love--very slowly. You savor each bite, enjoy every morsel and what it has to offer. I pray that I can learn from you and take time to enjoy what life has to offer, what God has blessed us with each day. You truly are excited EVERY day with the rising of the sun, the green of the grass, the singing of the birds and the softness of our kitty's fur like it's your first time experiencing these every day occurrences.. Too often we rush to playdates or off to run errands and forget to enjoy the little moments. God created this amazing Earth with lavish colors, amazing flavors and infinite stars for us to adore. Thank you baby girl for reminding me to enjoy it!

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

WW | Snow Day!

We found Mr. Jason shoveling when we went on our walk.

Thanks for taking our picture Mr. Jason!

WW | First Nail Polish

Zz

Zonked

Ss

Swinging Siblings

52 week ABC photo challenge - Join the fun!

Two Year Stats

Carleigh is growing right on track. She is in the 50th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight (she certainly doesn't get that one from me!) She has even grown 2 inches since her 18 month appointment. Perhaps that explains the spell of grumpy, tearful nights we went through.

* 24lbs 10oz
* 34 inches tall

She's Two!

Miss Carleigh May,

You are sweet and sassy, smart and determined...some have even called you a diva. You love your "bankie," babies, petting Roxy and giving kisses. My little social butterfly, it is hard to believe you are the same baby who would barely let anyone besides your mommy hold you. You enjoy "booming" your brothers army men and taking the toys he loves, yet cannot go to sleep without giving him a kiss and hug. You are brave, seeming fearless at times. You climb to the top of the highest slides at the playground and squeal with delight going down. Nicolaus won't even do that! Mommy wishes you would eat and drink a little more, but it doesn't seem to keep you from growing. Don't grow up too fast my baby girl! Tonight after stories you asked me to rock you too sleep. I'm so happy you did, it means you're still my baby girl!

* 24 lbs
* Sleeps 10-12 hours at night
* Naps 1.5 - 2 hours during the day
* Goes on the potty, though not potty trained 100%
* Speaking in 3 and 4 word sentences
* Despises shoes and walks on tip-toes
* Loves dresses and galoshes
* Enjoys singing
* Counts to 15

No More Wuh-Wuh

Carleigh has said good-bye to her Wuh-Wuh (or pacifier), and it happened without planning on anyone's part. Last week when John put her to bed, she fell asleep without it and we haven't offered it since. This makes the sixth day in a row she hasn't had it. She has asked for it only a couple times and I have successfully been able to distract her with a toy or food and she forgets about it. Hooray! I am so happy we will easily be able to capture her beautiful smile in pictures now instead of trying to coax the piece of plastic from her. Don't get me wrong, I am greatful to have used pacifiers with both my kids...they (or maybe I) needed them, but I'm happy when we don't need them anymore...except for the fact that it means my baby girl is growing up!

Carleigh's First Haircut

Yesterday Carleigh hit a big milestone...she got her first haircut! I think its pretty amazing because it seemed to take forever for her hair to grow even a little bit. It was only last Easter that I was able to put a bow in her hair and just recently she has been sporting pigtails (if I can get her to sit still long enough for me to do it). But because of her slow/sporadic hair growth, her hair was all different lengths. So yesterday Tara of Hairspray Salon in Woodstock, VA gave her a haircut! Just enough off the back to bring it all to one length and a bit of a trim in front so she has actual bangs. Our baby looks so much like a big girl now!

Waiting patiently while her brother gets his hair cut

Before 

During

After!

Gg

Gorgeous

52 week ABC photo challenge - Join the Fun!

Cc

Carleigh

Happy Halloween!

Nicolaus and Carleigh dressed as Hansel and Gretel for Halloween this year. Nicolaus wore the Liederhosen which were John's when he was little and Carleigh's nanny sewed her beautiful dress. They are so cute I just want to eat them up! Does that make me the wicked witch of the tale?



Wordless Wednesday | Where's Carleigh?

Wordless Wednesday | "I see you!"

Wordless Wednesday | Kitchen Help

More Words Everyday

It really does seem like Carleigh says a few new words every day. Just this morning she uttered a perfectly recognizable "milk" and even said a half-recognizable "excuse me" when she passed gas at the dinner table (what a proper little lady, I know, but at least she had manners enough to laugh excuse herself).

Carleigh's Words:

Daddy, Momma, Buddy (for Nicolaus), Nanny, Nana (both for her Nana and banana), kitty, pretty, milk, baby, bite, ball, balloon, bubble, please, piece, cheese, more, moo, woof, eyes, teeth, bath, pee-pee, poo-poo

And if this picture doesn't say "DIVA" I don't know what does. And she's only 15 months...