Trimming the tree

I love Christmas! I love Christmas decorations! I love the joy that resounds in my house this time of the year!

This year, in our new home, we are able to have the tree in the living room instead of the front room. I love it! I love that Leah loves turning it on and keeping it on all day! I love that it is right here in our main living space. Christmas morning is going to be so much fun!!!!!

Here is the tree "before".

Chiara has gotten so tall!!!!!

The ballerinas with their ballerina ornaments!

David buys the girls ornaments the day after Christmas each year when they go on sale and gives them out the night we decorate. We were not sure Mayah would still love Toothless from Tarin Your Dragon, but she was freaking out excited!!!

Leah is all about the musical ornaments this year!

Mayah's 5th Birthday

Mayah turning 5 is a BIG deal. Five is a big deal,but for Mayah it is even bigger. She stretches me most as a parents. She makes me think outside the box. She tests my patience. She keeps me on my toes. She loves with all her being. She gives the best little kisses. She is our peanut.

She does not walk anyway....nope. She hops, leaps, skips, twirls....and falls....a lot. She is sensitive and sweet. She is head over heels for Emma, which I adore seeing!

This year for her birthday I surprised her with a special lunch guest. Kelcie Robinson is one of my former students and Mayah's former gymnastics teacher. Mayah fell in love with Kelcie the first day. So, having Kelcie over for a birthday lunch was perfect.

This year the girls made their birthday cakes with David. I used the girl's crayons for glass and wrote a message on the back door and bathroom mirrors. Mayah was all smiles!

I have decided to start doing the girl's yearly pictures. Why have an awesome camera and not use it for these beautiful princesses! Here is a sample of my special one-on-one time with Mayah. We went down to the Villago entrance and watched the ducks, fish, and geese. Mayah does not pose for pictures so it was about catching her in action. What I love best in these pictures is her hair....I have always said that it is a wonderful representation of her personality. Crazy, wild, beautiful, all over the place, and feminine. Love it.

Mayah's birthday party was small and sweet. It was a Rapunzel theme (though she will tell you Dragon was there too). Her friends Cristina, Ranelle, and Madeline were able to come. It was princess fun with painting on canvas, Chick-fil-A, and chocolate cake!

Leah's 3rd Birthday

What to say about Leah??? She is a spitfire. Determined to be independent, outspoken, and loud. She is the jokester of the house. Wanting to get the laugh seems to be her goal at dinner each night. She is superverbal and so very smart. I am impressed with what she knows...and I certainly cannot take credit for teaching her. She counts to 10 (sometimes higher), knows almost all her letters and some letter sounds. Shapes, colors, and lots of words to songs. She has an amazing auditory memory.

For her birthday she made her vanilla cake with her Daddy. Vanilla because Cinderella has yellow cake. Leah logic. She wanted a Cinderella birthday theme, but when it came down to it she wanted a "strawberry cake". I think she saw one in the grocery store and fixed on that. It was a hit!

I truly loved watching her open her presents. Such joy and thrill with every card, every inch of paper had to come off before even looking at the gift, and she seemed to use her leg to hold everything up. It was hilarious! I love that even with all the excitement of every gift she would still throw it down ready for the next in line!

For Leah's birthday dinner she wanted Chick-fil-A! A gift for me too! What an extra blessing was the baby cow came out (because they were having a fundraiser night). Awesome!

Here is the sample of pictures I took for Leah's birthday. The only way I got her to do this was because there were ducks, fish, and geese. I could not believe she would look at me and smile. It made my day! She is still not a huge fan of having her picture taken so this went really well. I can't wait to see what comes this next year for our Leah Jo.

Emma is FIVE Months old!

It is hard to believe 5 months ago I was spending the day in labor that I knew would end in a c-section. Five months later I am sitting here listening to her babble talk and talk and talk....oh yes! She is one of ours!!!!

This road has been tough-tummy issues, sleeplessness, and stress. However, she warms my heart when her chubby little face lights up when she sees me. She is called a "Mommy's Girl", but I am alright with that.

She is babbling, trying to roll, (finally!) grabbing her toes, playing with toys, putting her fist in her mouth, and drooling everywhere!

Mommy's Birthday

Thirty-two.....I remember when 30 seemed old. HA! I am so young!!! I wanted a picture with each of my girls and one with my gorgeous husband. Simple, but perfect. David got me a gift card to get a massage, the girls made cards, Mayah made me a shirt, and Leah said Happy Birthday. Dinner at Applebee's and 2 specialty cupcakes.

I GOT IT!!!!

Look at her!!!! She was so excited to find this toy in her hand...not even sure she knew how it got there!

I love this part..it's like watching synapses in the brain connect! Amazing how we are created.


I thought I would be sad with each developmental milestone Emma hits, since she is our last baby, but I am instead enjoying them and celebrating. It has been a tough 4.5 months so anything "normal" is wonderful!

Extracurricular Activities

This year the girls are both participating in dance. Chiara is in Ballet II and Mayah is taking her first class, Creative Movement. Both girls are going to AWANA at Grace Church this year. This is Chiara's second year in Sparks and Mayah's second year in Cubbies. We are thrilled with the decision we made to move them to this program.

Chiara is taking a sewing class through our homeschool group. The list of projects is awesome! She has made a tote bag and a pillow case that was given to charity. Currently she is working on a pillowcase dress. It was so much fun taking her to JoAnn Fabrics to pick up the supplies. She is also trying to knit....that has been fun because I have taken it up to so that I can help her as needed. She even picked out yarn for me to make her a scarf. All these activities are keeping us busy, but I love watching them grow and mature!