Christmas Activities

We are always so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas! I've tried to condense the majority of our month into this one post. These are just the highlights, but you get the idea. We had a blessed and memory filled Christmas season.
Each of the girls had a school party. Kaylin had a brunch on the 16th of December.
Annlee had a Polar Express Pajama party on December 17th.

Maryella had a program on the 10th of December and a party on the 17th.


The kids all sang in church one Wednesday night in the Children's Christmas Musical Extraveganza.

Kaylin performed in the Nutcracker as a toy soldier and did a beautiful job!

She was so pretty!

After school was out, we had a week to fill with fun before Christmas arrived. Mema and Papa visited and brought gifts for all of us.

The girls had been begging for this Barbie Jet, so it made a BIG hit!

They also looked really cute in some hats from Aunt Jan.

The same day, we had a pancake breakfast with Santa at church.

The candy canes are a favorite with my candy loving sweeties.

The rest of the week was filled with crafts and fun. We made candle holders with jars and tissue paper.

They turned out really cute!

The girls painted a Christmas tree that lights up.

They spent one whole morning dancing to Christmas music in their jammies.

We drove to Stephen Foster Park one night and saw Santa and some really pretty lights.


They decorated cookies for Santa.

The first row on the left is Elianna's, with help from Mama. The next row is Annlee, then Maryella, then Kaylin.

We also made a Christmas cake to take with us after Christmas to Alabama.

The girls did almost everything and did a great job!

Tea For Two

Kaylin and Annlee decided to have a joint birthday this year, which made things a lot easier on me! They wanted a tea party and we had such a fun time! We asked all the little girls to dress fancy and we made crafts (rings and picture frames) and ate yummy tea party food. And of course, they had tea (or lemonade) in tea cups! Everyone seemed to have fun and the party was a big success! They are already talking about a joint party next year at the skating rink (even easier!!!)

Back to School - Kaylin and Annlee

My big girls started school today! I can't believe I have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader this year - wow! They grow so fast! I took them this morning and walked them to their class. Kaylin said I didn't have to walk her in, but I told her I wanted to take pictures and help carry all the classroom supplies for her. As we were walking up to the school, she quietly told me that she had forgotten where the 3rd grade hall is. Aww, she still needs me after all...
Annlee wanted Kaylin to go first so we went to Mrs. Keen's classroom and Kaylin was so excited to be there. She handed Mrs. Keen the cookies we had brought for the class, posed for a picture, found her seat and was done with me. I told her goodbye, but she completely ignored me on her way to the pencil sharpener to get going on her day.
Then it was Annlee's turn and I could tell she was nervous. We got to her classroom and handed Mrs. Robinson the cookies for their class and got our picture. Then she took my hand and we walked over to her seat and she gave me my hug and kiss and I told her bye. She didn't say anything and I left. She was fine, just shy and nervous.







This afternoon when I went to pick them up, they were both full of fun stories of the day and are looking forward to tomorrow. They both love their teachers and they are going to have great years! I'm looking forward to it all!
And just for fun, these are pictures that I have taken at the sign in front of the school every year since Kaylin started kindergarten. My how they have grown! (I can't believe that Maryella will be in this picture next year!!!)
This year - Kaylin, 3rd grade Annlee, 1st grade


Kaylin, 2nd grade Annlee, kindergarten


Kaylin, 1st grade


Kaylin, kindergarten

Making a Splash

Here are pictures from swimming lessons this week for Kaylin, Annlee and Maryella. Kaylin and Annlee are in level 2, Maryella is in level 1. All are doing very well!
Kaylin and Annlee ready to swim
Maryella waiting her turn to swim

Maryella swimming with the float bar
Maryella does a glide

Maryella kicking her legs

Annlee swimming

Kaylin swimming, she has done so much better than I expected! She swam all the way to the rope already, which is what they must do before moving to the next level. I think that's 25 feet.
Floating - Annlee
Maryella

Kaylin

Jumping In - Kaylin

Annlee

Maryella