Ginger Bread Train

Every year I see the ginger bread houses or trains and think how much fun that would be for me and kids. Well, this year we got the train. And you know what - I did not think I would be a good parent in putting together the train. So again...waiting for my parents to come and help. The kids and the grandparents but the train together. They worked so well together. They all so much patience. It was fun to watch :)

Sam turns FIVE

Sam is now a WHOLE HAND!! I can't believe he is 5. I am a little sad - mainly because he is my baby and I want him to be little forever. But Sam is not little. He hangs with the big kids like he is their age. He plays so well with them and with Andrew.

For his birthday Sam got a baseball bag, Paddington Bear and book and a wooden farm. He wanted the farm while we were at the Ranch. They had one in their gift shop. We could not fit it on the plane with us, so Sam got it for his birthday. I think he was really surprised.

At five years old Sam loves to play. He loves to be outside. He loves the water hose. He loves to be with his brother. He does not like to be alone. He is still pretty picky when it comes to food. He still loves milk and drinks so much of it. I don't think he has a favorite food - because he really doesn't like to eat.

He does not sit still for long. He does not watch much tv or really care about tv. The only exception to this is in the mornings. He will come and get me up around 5:30 and we watch peppa pig together before the rest of house wakes up.

He loves back scratches and head scratches. He is a sweet and funny kid. Loves to tell jokes and make people laugh.

Life is better because Sam is here in our world. Love him so much - just wish he could stay small. But he is ready to conquer the day and world. No staying small in his mind...he wants to be apart of life and adventures.

Christmas Parties

This Holiday season was busy for Owen and me. Owen had a lot of work parties this year and we had a few friend parties. On Dec 23rd our friend the Maksi's had a holiday party. My parents were in town so they watched the kids for us.

All season long the boys had been asking to go to zoo lights. I could not find a time for us to go - but my parents were able to take them and I was so grateful. The boys had a great time. These pictures are of them lifting very heavy weights. :)

Oh Christmas Tree

Sam really liked the Christmas tree this year. He wanted to touch and examine every ornament. He was also enthralled with gifts under the tree. The first week it was up - we would catch Sam just staring at it.

AR Goals

In first grade the students start reading for AR points. I think this is a universal program where the student takes a test on every book they read. It helps with retention and keeps up with their progress. Andrew loves this program. He is a good reader so getting AR points is exciting to him. He was rewarded with the highest AR point certificate and the most growth as a reader.

School Holiday Parties

Both Sam and Andrew had holiday parties. The first grade teachers planned their party. They had hot chocolate and watched a movie.

Sam's class had a party as well. The parents brought food and then we got to stay for the end of the prayer and songs. Sam's teacher is a very special person. Anything she does is fun and meaningful.

Economics Fair - 1st grade

First graders at Sacred Heart had an economics fair. They make something to sale and Andrew choose to make picture Christmas ornaments. He made them himself. He also made his poster to advertise this ornaments. From what I hear it was a fun day!

Sam did not go to Andrew's classroom to buy things from him. He made a point to tell us this. Sam in true Sam fashioned managed to get as many things as his $2 would allow.

The elementary school students went to the 1st grade floor and purchased items. The students could only bring $2.

Do I see Santa??

Every year since Andrew was one I have been "writing" to Santa to see if he will come visit the boys before Christmas. It is a great way for them to get excited and to know that the holiday season is here. This year Santa brought shark tale blankets. He asked them to listen and be nice to each other. He said he could not go to everyone's house before Christmas and looked forward to coming back to their house on Christmas Eve. It was a magical experience.

Sam's 5th birthday celebration at school

 



The last full of school, Sam's class celebrated holiday birthdays. There is a lot of them! Sam wanted a cookie cake and milk for his snack. The class sang to him and I loved seeing how much he liked the attention. Then I got to stay and do the end of the day prayer and light the advent candle. It was a sweet day. Our baby boy is getting too big.

Andrew as a Wise Man

Sacred Heart put on a Christmas concert for kindergarten and first grade. Andrew was chosen as a wise man. He had a speaking part and did so well!

Community Helper Week - Sam

In Sam's class they studied Community Helpers. They went to the library, post office, police station and fire station. I went with them to the library and fire station.

While at the fire station they had a real life emergency which was very exciting. The class saw the firemen race of and the lights on the fire truck were turned on and rushed out of the garage. Very exciting.

The library was neat too. The librarian read stories to them and they colored a snow flake. The librarian was the same one who told stories at Sam's Mickey Mouse party. She has moved to the downtown library.

I was happy to be able to see Sam on the field trip. He has such a sweet class.