Hey! Satan!

During the Christmas season we like to remember God's gift to the world of Christ's birth. This year we have been very aware of Satan as well. Each time we passed a nicely decorated house or saw someone wearing a red hat with white trim a little someone would yell out "Hey! Satan!" We tried to each Allie how to say "Santa", but it never stuck for long. Actually, she might have said Santa once the proper way. But, yes, Santa was known as Satan this year.

Visiting Santa... again

Mollie's preschool invited parents to watch the children in their Winter Sing. After the performance with a wide range of holiday songs Santa came to visit the classroom. Each child was allowed to sit on his knee and have a chat with him. Just before the visit Mollie had scraped up her hands and knees outside and torn her new tights. She was very upset and the visit with Santa wasn't the happiest. Today we went to the mall to get out of the house and there was Santa again! We stood and watched him for a few minutes and the girls were very interested in him. I wasn't planning on visiting Santa again, but since Allie was interested I thought it would be nice for her to have a turn. Can you see it coming? Screaming when we got close to him! She would not go near him, even when I was holding her. So Mollie got to have a visit with Santa... again. I'm glad we did it; the picture turned out much better than her sad visit at preschool!

Tree Festivities

We have had some fun with tree decorating this week. We decided the girls are old enough to start driving up the mountain to cut down a tree. We picked an area that had fewer trees than other areas so the girls could get about a little more easily and lead the way in exploring.

From start to finish, Mollie and Allie found a way to have fun.

Today I took the girls to my parents' house. They have a playhouse in their backyard and it is decked out for Christmas! A tree was set up inside for them to decorate. Mollie was much more interested in it than Allie was.

Girls Only

This weekend I took Mollie to a birthday party that was all about being a girl. A table set with face paints and glitter and beads kept the girls busy quite a while. They dressed up as rainbow fairies, had a tea party and danced. What more could a little girls want? Happy Birthday Amber-May!

Sweet table setting for fairies

Dancing rainbow fairies

Amber-May and Mollie

Trike-A-Thon

One evening we were watching television and there was a short thing on Noggin about the Hot Peas 'N Butter band and their involvement with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mollie paid close attention and wanted to know more about the hospital and the children that go there for help. She also picked up from the television that kids can be in trike-a-thons to help. She was so excited about wanting to help the sick children and doing one of these events. So Scott and I seized the opportunity and "helped" her organize the event. St Jude provided all the materials and Calvary Church provided the location. There were 7 kids total. Altogether they rode 157 laps and raised nearly $700 for the hospital. I'm glad she has seen us giving in different ways and realizes she can give in her own ways too. Already she is looking forward to coordinating another trike-a-thon. Maybe next year...

Ready at the starting line. left to right: Noah, Tyler, Caleb, Mollie, Grant and Amber-May. Allie was still on the side line on her own schedule.

Can we go yet?

Allie walked around the lap 7 times with help from Grandma.

Here I come!

Noah making his way around again. Are you keeping track, Mom?

Caleb found a sneaky way thru some bushes while going around his laps.

Tyler and Mollie seemed to keep one another going.

Amber-May took it slow and steady and did a great job.

Halloween Fun

We had fun throughout the month of October. There was the pumpkin patch, trick or treating at San Jose History Park and parents' observation for Mollie's Dance class.

Dress up fun at Dance Attack.

Getting ready to start trick or treating!

The tractor was the most fun part of picking put pumpkins.

Welcome Back Monarchs Day

Scott and I took the girls to Natural Bridges for a butterfly party. The things parents do for kids surprises me sometimes. This party was celebrating the return of the Monarch butterflies for their winter stay there at the park/beach. Tables were set up with activities and crafts for kids. Mollie had fun at a few of the tables. Allie had fun everywhere. Running and exploring everything was her goal for the day and she succeeded! For several months Mollie has be in love with butterflies. She insists that we pray for them with her at meals and bedtime. We went on a short walk into a grove where the majority of the butterflies rest for winter. Although they aren't all there yet in massive quantity, it was fun to seem them in the trees and flying overhead. One was resting right along the path and allowing families to stop and take a close look. I know Mollie is young, and Allie even younger. But I hope some of these outings stick with them and they remember having fun growing up.

Summer Vacation

Scott was able to take a day off work in August and we did a family vacation day to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We had been putting off taking the girls to this place because they are scared of pet stores. And I mean the kind of scared where they start crying and screaming just walking in the door. I blame the loud parrots that surprised them one day. Even little simple animals like fish have frightened Mollie in the past. But once we were at the aquarium it was like all past fears seemed to disappear. Both girls had a great time. We all had fun! Mollie liked learning about the different animals from a nice safe distance. Allie liked getting right in there, seeing things as up close as she could. Their personalities are quite different and how they explored the aquarium showed that.

Mollie with Grandma Nancy

Learning from a volunteer.

Not sure who Allie is smiling at; the fish or her reflection!

Good thing Dad was holding Allie. Otherwise she'd be getting her whole body into the pool for sure!

Getting Started

So many people these days have their own blogs. I gladly admit that I enjoy reading the blogs of my friends. It may not be as personable as an email. And who writes real, honest to goodness letters these day?! This is my attempt to keep my family and friends updated on the little life things that happen in our home. So please forgive the time gaps that may occur between postings. And please forgive misspellings. This is real life and here is a glimpse of ours. Thanks for stopping by!