D.S. Day 6

When the girls woke up this morning D.S. was in the tree. Just sitting there with his hands around his knees. The note he left was blank... yesterday was a bickering type of day. So, when the girls bicker D.S. warned that his Christmas Magic doesn't work as well, so his letter didn't show up on the paper. But, since they had such a good morning it looks like he's happier because he grabbed a snowman and he's hugging him tight.

D.S. Day 5

Diego Sparkle made friends with Tinker Bell and they are playing UNO. Look at D.S. he's cheating! Silly Elf!

 *****
Ellen just came on TV and Kailee asked, "Why do they call her Ellen De-generous?" Grace replied, "Well, it's because she is SO generous Kailee. She gives away stuff to people all the time. Remember how mom starts to cry when we watch her give people money."   
I love my girls!

D.S. Day 4

Apparently even D.S. needed a break from his naughtiness!

Yet, he still managed to be witty!

Choir Performance

Beautiful job tonight Kailee! We are so proud of you!! You had a big day, you went to 4 different schools and Independence village to sing plus you did your long performance tonight! Very impressive!! You sang your tired little heart out! It's an amazing moment to see you on stage, you were a little star, shining so bright! You couldn't hold back the yawns but it was a sweet moment. A mother cannot express herself adequately in situations like these; seeing you up there being brave, confident, and ever so magnificent brought such pride and joy to me. Your bravery amazes; you want to express yourself and love that! You try not to let timid and shy get the best of you! I cannot wait until your Christmas Concert where you have a solo! Your shining bright my little star and we are so excited for you!

Day 3 of D.S.

Oh Diego Sparkle... three days here and he is absolutely out of control! I cannot believe he wrote on the bathroom mirror with toothpaste!!! What is going on with him?!! I may need to call Santa myself to discuss consequences of a naughty elf. Yikes!

Mischievous Elf Day 2

This morning we woke up to your stocking gone and your UNDERWEAR in its places and tootsie rolls inside! The note D.S. left began with a song he wrote that went to the tune of Walking in a Winter Wonderland:
"Under things you be missing. I didn't ask for permission. I'm wearing your clothes and your mommy's silk pantyhose, walking around in your underwear!"

Oh the crazy elf is just out of control!

Diego Sparkle Day 1

Diego Sparkle arrived today! It seems the joyful house dressed in true holiday attire brought him back! He left a note insisting you behave and get along so we don't have to cancel Christmas. I know what you're thinking but seriously it has been horrid with the arguing and bickering but his Christmas magic must have calmed you both because you've been doing great with getting along!! You both got to go sledding too which was an hour of fun in the snow! I watched from the window envious of you both but not to worry your smiles, screeches of holiday bliss was just enough to fill my heart with what I have missed.

D.S. drew upon these beautiful pictures with dry erase markers! Oh that silly elf!!

Ho Ho Ho!

Sweet girls with Santa! Look at them smiles! When you seen Jolly Ole Saint Nick you both nearly jumped out of your coats! It was priceless to watch. I love the smiles; the beautiful believers that you are make me proud and love the holiday so much more!!

Oh my word Santa's Reindeer!

This is what Gramma Deb, Gramdpa Lou & Gg did while Kailee, Mommy & Daddy were in the Parade!

Mommy rode on the RTV with Chief Al. (Yes I sacrificed style for warmth!)

Kailee walked the entire parade with everyone. Gracie Smith was Kk's parade buddy!

Daddy drove the fire truck!

Grampa Lou took all the pictures! I'm mighty impressed!

Holiday Glory!

Today we finally decorated the tree!! Daddy was big about holding true to our Black Friday tree decorating tradition.

After the lights were strung with expertise and ornaments were "grouped" together by each little hoolie... daddy came to lend a hand!

And mommy sat as per doctors orders, drinking coffee and taking pictures!

Finally this year I did it; I took a picture of every one of your ornaments and I will do the pinterest idea of making a book for each of you with your special ornaments! You each have about 40 ornaments each... which is QUITE a lot in your short life! At this rate by the time you graduate you will have 100 each! Yikes you each will need your own 9 foot tree by that point! I love our cluttered, traditional, colorful, special handmade ornaments and the store bought ones too because each has a special meaning behind it! I cannot wait to get started on your ornament books because you both will learn so much about things you forget year to year. Tis the season to be jolly and we are!

Daddy decorated the entire living room for us too! It's magnificent!

Mommy got pinterest crafty again and hung up Great Grandma Joy's ornament she gave me long ago. I love this!

The stockings were hung with care!

Gobble Gobble!

There were three very excited little girls this morning in our Sassy House! Abby Doo decided she wanted an Auntie Ria afternoon which lead to a sleep over! We spent turkey day at Grandma Debbie & Grandpa Lou's. Auntie Angela, Uncle Josh, Jordy, Abby Doo, and Great Grandma Ruthie were there to enjoy the scrumptious meal. Between turkey, cranberry/apple salad, green bean casserole, smashed potatoes & gravy, fruit salad, sweet potatoes, and daddy's famous punkin pie you hoolies came home with smiles and full bellies. We created pictures with the photo props mommy made. We also made cinnamon/apple sauce ornaments. There were lots of smiles, lots of food, and lots of cousin time. As traditional past time; before, during and after the bountiful Thanksgiving meal; football over-took the television programming. The Lions played hard but lost in overtime. Why this matters; I don't know but that is what daddy did for 4 hours yesterday... so I thought it was worthy of mention.

 After dinner but before the Black Friday sales began we made our way home with an extra in tow! Abby Doo decided she wanted to come and play with K & G. It was fun to see you all cozy on the floor in your room; snuggled close with your little Christmas tree beaming bright; just enough light to give mommy a glimpse of your sweet angel faces while you slept!

Not an Average Monday but it Should Be!

Today Grace and Mommy had our doctors appointments. Daddy drove us to Traverse City to have Gg's eyes checked, then we tooled around Target, had lunch at Qdoba and started our trek to Grayling for mommy knee recheck. (Which was a good one! Only a 15 minute wait and I can apply 30 lbs of weight on the knee now!) Then because we were back so soon, daddy took us to Walmart, Grace and I sat on a bench and an elderly man sat down next to us. We chatted for about 15 minutes; he shared his stories about being in the military, he shared wisdom to Grace saying, "Love everyone because one day it will be all you have to remember." Then we thanked him for serving our country and wished him a Happy Holidays. It was a priceless moment.

On Friday, Nov. 23 we seen in the paper that he passed away. (We know it was him because he told us his name and he served in the Air Force in Korea.) It's amazing how people come into our lives even if it's only for a fleeting moment... and how they can change it. Something to remember always my darlings is that no matter who we meet; we should always be kind. When that nice man sat down; Gg and mommy had a choice we could be kind and say "hello" or we could have ignored him. If we would have ignored him we would have never had the opportunity to learn about his life, we would have never been able to thank him for serving our country and we wouldn't have received the wisdom that he bestowed upon us. We should try and be caring, sweet and lovely ladies through out our lives. You both are wonderful young ladies and I hope that as you grow older that you try hard to make positive impacts in other peoples lives. Sometimes it's as easy as a smile at a stranger. If they don't say hello back or smile, that's okay because we do not know what they have been through. Maybe they having a bad day and just need the gentle smile of a stranger to feel love in that moment. Little actions; little looks, little smiles and "have a great day's" mean a lot to many people. 

xoxo

Pinteresting

So while you hoolies have been at school mommy has been ultra bored... I mean SO BORED that I can barely stand myself. It's the kind of bored that makes you batty and start talking to yourself. It's that bored that makes you talk for cat too... I mean I'm talking bored.bored.bored. So while you were away I decided to play... in well mommy fashion. Daddy (the greatest man on Earth) brought up my craft table and lots of my goodies that allow me to get all crafty. Well, I have been trying to just be craftier in hopes of passing the time. So yesterday I created 2 simple candles... just ribbon around the candle with a button. Cut, simple, easy... then I decided I wanted a challenge so I created our Advent Calender for our family this year. We've never done this type of Advent Calender so it should be fun. I hope I remember to post the pictures on here once they are off the camera for you to see. I painted the clothes pins gold, cut out the red paper, typed up and printed out the daily fun, plus I stamped the numbers on the back of the cards so we can have the official countdown! You both were VERY excited when you seen it strung up. Mommy is going to try and do more pinterest ideas since these ones went over so well. xoxo

P.S. Pinterest is an online website where you can find all kinds of things to save and look at later: mommy's favorite is anything Christmas! (I just found a great bird seed ornament one that we are totally going to do!)

In Review.

It's been quite a week here... Our last week started out great -- we have adjusted to G's rip old age of 7 now. (Ok some of us have, mommy & daddy have not.)  We ended the week (technically Thursday after school) with two little sickies! Which equals extra mama lovin' (which I love)... but kind a difficult since I only have 1 side of a lap to cozy up in... - the other side still has the brace on it making less than cozy. Both of you had the fever down and outs for a couple days, by Saturday night G was feeling good and Sunday morning K was back to about 70% Good, 30% I-dont-feel-like-school. There has been a lot of Lalaloopsy playing going on in this house since G had a little gift unwrapping party with Grampa Bob, Gramma Sandee, Aunt Gina, Makenna & Aunt Stacey on Sunday. They took the chance of catching the fever bug and brought G her birthday gifts complete with "Red Violet" cupcakes. (I believe G meant Red Velvet but Violet is way cuter.) By Monday morning K was coughing just enough to give daddy and I a little bit of a scare to not ignore it - so we whisked G off to school (we equals daddy) while K & mommy got cozy in my bed and watched Cupcake Wars. (I know those are your most fave G... I'm sorry but we just had to watch them! It was either that or Good Luck Charlie - again. I just couldn't watch another episode.) At 11 a.m. daddy came home picked up two of his girls and took us to the doctors. Once Dr. Decker listened to your lungs (three times...yes she knows me well), I felt much better to know it's just drainage causing the cough and not pneumonia. This week is all about review here... we have both of you with spelling test on Friday AND Kailee has her first science test on Thursday. It's a big week! One that is already half over!! We have some big time studying tonight. Sorry no pictures my babies... I will try harder... Mommy hasn't been feel either. I'll take some with more than my phone camera soon. xoxo

One Month

One month of essential groceries... looks like this (when daddy does the shopping).

And the receipt is longer than mommy's leg!

Tomorrow marks one months since mommy's surgery and well, one month today since a major grocery shopping trip has been done. Daddy did this major shopping trip all by his lonesome because you hoolies have been feverish still. He naturally in true daddy fashion strayed from the very detailed, eloquently written, quite specific list... he came home with cookies and candies and things that are not considered "essentials" in mommy's budget friendly list. Daddy tends to make some impulse buys that make me laugh, like candy at the check outs... or doughnuts at the bakery... oh daddy we appreciate you and your ability to use both legs! xoxo 

My Dearest Gracie...

In this moment it was exactly at 6:29 p.m. you were talking to Gramma Deb on the phone and I think you were thinking it was going to hurt to turn officially 7... but it didn't. xoxo

Today you turn the superb age of seven... in your seven years you have gone through so many developmental milestones! In this last year you have began reading fluently, become a SUPER SPELLER, and learned to ride your two wheeler all by yourself! You went on your first adult roller coaster at Cedar Point, you got see your Uncle Lou twice, you went to your first funeral and learned about life and death. You are always curious, always happy, you still love your "wanky" and you do suck your thumb (which mommy secretly loves... when I first glance at you I see my baby girl that lay next me in the hospital bed again... that first night you were born you had that thumb in your mouth. It is who you are my love.) You are confident, ready to take on anything presented to you, and smile all the time.

We all have our grumpy days but yours are very rare! You come home skipping every day, you are always excited to tell me about your day at school and even more thrilled to share what you and your friends do! You have your first real friend who is a boy, you have always has lots of them but you never have spoke about them like you do Jimmy. He is a nice boy, who you say is your BFF. He admires you as well, he says that you are super fun and will play fun games with him.

This summer you loved playing in the pool that Santa brought. You would go in the pool if it was 66 degrees outside and would swim for hours. You LOVE LOVE LOVE swimming! You have gotten really good at it too this summer! You go under water and can swim almost the length of the pool. Daddy and I are trying to get you into swimming lessons. I hope we can!

You are whiz in school - phenomenal at math. When I ask what you're favorite part of your day is, if you don't say one of the specials (Art, Music, or Gym) you say, math! You are writing stories (many stories) all the time. We have notebooks full of stories that you have written. Your writing is particularly important because you understand that stories have a beginning, middle, end and they have morals. I love the stories where you put the moral at the end (they are my favorites). You have been so helpful to mommy. You are always concerned about what mommy needs for her leg. You look at me with such sympathy and express empathy (another favorite). You always try and make me feel better, often telling me that my "leggy is lookin good."

You love wearing dresses (finally) and you have started to love anything and everything teal/turquoise. You have a lot of compassion for your sister too which is nice to see. We were going to take you to the movies as a surprise on your birthday but Kailee had a bit of meltdown because we did not prepare her for this surprise. You didn't get upset that we couldn't go to see Wreck It Ralph, you said, "It's okay mom, she made it better actually, now we can go to Walmart and look at toys. How about I buy Kailee something with my $10 from Auntie Angela." You are an amazingly compassionate child. I love that especially about Gg. We have come to terms with not being able to call you Gus-Gus anymore and daddy has sworn he is going to pick you up and rock you every day for the next year singing, "lullaby and goodnight." **A little background -- when you were only 2 1/2 months old, when daddy would sing lullaby and goodnight to you, you would cry and sob because you knew that meant bedtime... (Amazing KID - at 2 1/2 months was able to associate a song with bedtime.) this could also be why you are a mommy's girl. When you were 9 months old, when daddy would sing the song you would cry and push his hands away and so "no,no". Precious... we're giving you just enough disfunction Gg to make you funny... we promise. xoxo

For your birthday you woke up to a decorated doorway and dining room (like you do every birthday). Daddy made you cherry pancakes with whip cream and a cherry smiley face. You wanted to open Kk's presents, so you opened up the Lego Friends and Polly Pocket boy that you had been asking for. Then we got ready and went to Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou's house to celebrate because Grandma Sandee wanted to go to a baby shower for one of daddy's cousins that was down state today. So they decided it would be easiest to just celebrate with daddy's family next weekend.  So, we went to Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou's - where there was a large "turkey"-ish bird in the front yard with a Happy Birthday sign! When you walked in the house it was decorated beautifully just for you!! You requested hot dogs, mac n cheese, chips and pop for lunch so that is what we had. Great Grandma Ruthie came to watch you open your gifts from everyone.

Once I get the pictures from Gramma Deb I will update your "loot list" but I cannot remember everything... and we forgot to put the battery in my camera so mommy didn't get to take any pictures. boo hoo... but Auntie Angela did with Gramma's camera so I just have to get over there and email them to myself. Which I will do soon! 


Thank you for being the sweet Gg that you are... daddy, Kailee and I are so blessed to have you... even more blessed to be able to love you this much. Love you baby girl...