Handmade Paper Chain Advent Calendar

The Sassy House of Spalding making a Thankful for... 

Count down to Christmas Paper Chain

 

 

The girls and I each wrote our own set of Thankfuls.

Our Thankfuls included: 

Our Family

Our Friends

Our Health

Stars

Snow

Christmas

Jesus

God

Sunshine

Happiness

Doing good deeds

Daddy

Grandpas and Grandmas

Aunties

Uncle

School teachers

Angels

Fairies

Learning

Candy canes

Christmas

Our Church

Our Priest

Diego Sparkle

This is our elf on the shelf: Diego Sparkle.

He is so sweet and decorates the girls room for them while they are at school.

It makes them strive to want to keep their room clean.

And it makes them well-behaved.

And The Holiday Begins...

... the tree went up on "African American" Friday (Thank you Whoopi Goldberg).  Grace heard Whoopi say it on television and that's her new favorite day to ask about... oye.
Each year since the girls were infants we have done their hand prints as ornaments... well last year our cat broke 2 (both from 2008) of the hand prints and then he threw up on the 2010 ones. :( I forgot about it until Friday and it makes me sad. So I have major regret and now will go to my mother and ask her for her hand print ornaments from those years so I can trace them and "remake" the ones that are forever gone. It won't be exactly the same but it will be close and that's all that matters.
  Our tree is made up of hodge podge of ornaments. All of them that we have received over the years. We have no ornaments on the tree that do not have a special meaning and (as you can see from the photo) we have many people who love us. Our girlies end up with 5 ornaments per year (1 from us that they pick out,  1 from each set of grand parents (2), and 1 they make and 1 of their handprint) that totals 5. Kailee is only 7 years old and she has 35 ornaments! Seriously a 7 year old should not have that many ornaments... By the time she's 10 she'll have 50 ornaments... I think I'll have to figure out a new method for these ornaments... but a tradition is a tradition... and we will always get them an ornaments. We will always make handprint ornaments and we will always make an ornament... so I guess by the time she graduates high school she will have 90 ornaments... enough to decorate an entire 6 foot tree alone. Wow... I think we need a 12 foot tree or another 7 1/2 footer... Jon's choice I guess.
  So, to add to the chaotic beauty that is our tree I bought more crafty items for the girls to decorate this year. I love Christmas!
  Tradition is very important to us; there are so many now...

• Ornaments (1 bought, 1 made, 1 handprint)
• Baking a cake Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus' birthday
• Elf on a Shelf (Diego Sparkle -- he has been with our family for 3 years now)
• 12 days of Christmas -- on December 12 Diego Sparkle brings little treats to the girls each day if they are well behaved the day before. 
• New pajamas that we open Christmas Eve
• Polish Sausage cooking in the crockpot
• Stocking traditions: new fun socks, pez, a card game, small boxes of chocolates, wooden game/toy (this year it is a small spinning top!) and a small doll or stuffed animal.

These traditions mean so much and I hope that if anything my daughters will carry these on or make their own. Tradition for me is part of what Christmas means...

Blessings

The Sassy House of Spalding has had much to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving... our list is long but it must be said.

• Our health and well being... (we've only missed 3 days of school so far which is good for us.)
• Our family and friends. (These people are amazing, fantastic and we feel lucky to have them in our lives.)
• Our faith. (Without our spirituality we wouldn't be counting our blessings as we do.)
• Jon's job. (There is so much flexibility and when we have an emergency he can be there for us.)
• Kailee and Grace both love their teachers this year! 
• Our niece Makenna was born this past September, 6 weeks early and is doing remarkable.
• Our nephew Jordan, had brain surgery on Friday, November 18 and came home Monday, November 21. (He's doing phenomenal!)
• Our grandparents are in good health... minus a tiny little accident with Gram Hoover who is doing pretty well now. 
• The Christmas Tree went up and no one got hurt! (Last year I stepped on a bulb.)
• We have each other. (Which is enough for me.)

Thank you Veterans

 Me and Jonathan

This man gave 4 years of his life to the United States Marine Corps. 

He learned what is truly means to be brave, to honor, to respect and to give 100% of yourself to others. 

I am proud to call this man; my husband. 

Thank you to all the men & women who serve and have served 

our country honorably. 

We, as a nation, are blessed to have those as brave as yourself.

Worries

Being a parent brings all kinds of worries.

• Will my child have a good day at school?
• Will she make good choices?
• Have I raised her well enough to know the difference between right and wrong?
• Is there enough in her lunch box to keep her belly full for the rest of the day?
• Will she play with her friends?
• Will her friends be understanding of her needs?
• What happens when I'm not there with her?

These worries are only a glimpse of what is on my mind as a mommy. I wouldn't trade my worries for anything but I would like a chance to not add more to this very long-- already never ending list. 

The phrase let go and let God is only as good as the guidance, the effort, the trying that we put into our children... so really it's not letting go so much as it is; letting God take over and help guide us to make the decisions that best fit our children.

These 2 little sweet 'ums that gave me the blessed title of mommy, deserve more than 100% effort. They deserve never ending effort. I hope I always (without trying to try when I think I'm trying) give never ending effort to these sweet 'ums because they deserve that. They deserve more really but the least they deserve is never ending effort to love, cherish, provide, guide and take care of them forever. I know in my heart (as my mother is with me) that I will always give them never-ending effort until the end of my days. Then, my hope is that they pass it on to their own children one day. I hope that their lives reflect the effort that I put into them.

Mommy's Interview: Kailee and Gracie

1. What is something mom your daughters always says to you? Kailee and Grace both say "I love you Mommy". Gracie also says, "I'm hungry" a lot too. :)

2. What makes mom your daughters happy? When I play with them and give them kisses and hugs. Also they love it when we read books together.

3. What makes mom your daughters sad? When they have to clean up!

4. How does your mom daughters make you laugh? They tell me silly jokes, they sing me silly songs, they act goofy. Or when Kailee tries to get my belly button!

5. What was will your mom daughter [be] like as an child adult? Both daughters will be smart, independent, kind, caring, extremely passionate women.

6. How old is are your mom daughters? 6 & 7

7. How tall is are your mom daughters? Too tall! I wish often for them to be the tiny babies that I could cradle in one arm while caressing their sweet little cheeks.

8. What is her are their favorite things to do? Play with mommy. Play with their friends. Laugh a lot. Eat candy.

9. What does your mom daughters do when you're not around? Play with their daddy. Eat junk food and stay up late.

10. If WHEN your mom daughters becomes famous, what will it be for? Putting others first and being the nations leading neurosurgeon and pediatrician in the world!

11. What is your mom daughters really good at? They are both good at listening and reading.

12. What is your mom daughters not very good at? Gracie does not like helping clean up. Kailee does not like throwing away things... no matter how small the "junk" may be.

13. What does will your mom daughters do for a job? Kailee will be a neurosurgeon and Gracie will be a pediatric doctor.

14.What is your mom's daughters favorite food? Kailee loves pizza. Gracie loves candy!

15.What makes you proud of your mom daughters? I am most proud of my daughters when they are compassionate people, when they use their listening ears, and when they help out without being asked.

16. If your mom  daughters were a cartoon character, who would she be? Kailee would be Dora the Explorer. Gracie would be Garfield.

17. What do you and your mom daughters do together? We draw, color, play wii, cook, clean, sing, dance, and garden.

18. How are you and your mom daughters the same? We have the same morals and dimples!

19. How are you and your mom daughters different? We all have different shades of hair color. (I love that answer)

20. How do you know your mom daughters loves you? They tell me they love me, they kiss and hug me. They do things just because like get me water or clean up after themselves.

21. What does your mom daughters like most about your their dad? Daddy is the best; they love doing fun things like shopping at Home Depot or the grocery store with daddy. They also love watching informational television programs with daddy; like how the Earth was made.

22. Where is your mom daughter's favorite place to go? To grandma & grandpa's house!

Kailee's Interview

 Kailee's Interview
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you. (YES!)

2. What makes mom happy? When I clean up the room. (Yes!)

3. What makes mom sad? When I don't clean up the room.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? By tickling me. :)

5. What was your mom like as a child? Funny!

6. How old is your mom? 32. (BOO!)

7. How tall is your mom? Half way to daddy's size! HAHAHA

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Wii Bowl (Not really)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Take tests. (Yep)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? For a job or being president. (Thank you Kailee)

11. What is your mom really good at? Tests. (Silly!)

12. What is your mom not very good at? Driving. :(

13. What does your mom do for a job? Work in the preschool room, with the preschoolers. (YES!)

14.What is your mom's favorite food? Tacos. (Ok!)

15.What makes you proud of your mom? When you do good on your tests. (I do take a lot of tests.)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Fanboy from Fanboy and Chum Chum. (?)

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play with our belly buttons. (HAHAHA)

18. How are you and your mom the same? We have the same kind of love. (GOOD ANSWER!)

19. How are you and your mom different? 'cause our hair is different. (YES!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because you give me kisses. (AWE!)

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? Because he is a fireman and because he served for our country. (Yes, wise beyond your years.)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Pizza Hut. (NOPE!)

Gracie's Interview

Gracie's Interview.
1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you.

2. What makes mom happy? If I love her. (YES YES YES!)

3. What makes mom sad? Not helping.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? By tickling me.

5. What was your mom like as a child? You were a brat.  (Thanks Grandpa LOU!)

6. How old is your mom? *shrug* 25 (AWE!)

7. How tall is your mom? "Let me count you to see how tall you are." 23.

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Scrapbooking

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Do stuff without me, like scrapbooking.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? A famous scrapbooker. (HOW SWEET!)

11. What is your mom really good at? Exercising (awe that's sweet)

12. What is your mom not very good at? Running cause you broked your leg. (Yes.)

13. What does your mom do for a job? Working in peoples classrooms and substituting. (YES!)

14.What is your mom's favorite food? Sloppy joes. (Nah!)

15.What makes you proud of your mom? When you do something that you don't wanna do. (Awe!)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? A girl baby penguin.

17. What do you and your mom do together? Snuggle! (YES!!)

18. How are you and your mom the same? We have the same skin color. (Very true)

19. How are you and your mom different? We don't have the same hair color. (Yep!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? 'Cause you do good things for me. (AWE!!!)

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? That he loves you. (SO TRUE!)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To school. (NO!)

Passion for Life

Try and Fail but don't Fail to Try. This saying is going to be framed and put in my daughters room. I want them to remember this. Say it every day. Live this as though it were spiritual. I want them to be risk takers in the most safe sense of the phrase. Learning comes from trying and trying comes from failing and there's no shame in failing as long as you tried. I will never make them feel bad for attempting. I will forever be their cheerleader and encourage them to try and try and try again. If anything then I wish for persevering to show passion since passion is the reason we live our lives. If we are not passionate about something in our lives, then what do we have?

My World

Wife. Mother. Forever.

Poopy-kaka

Yesterday the girls and I were talking about different spices because we were reading a book called "The Colors of Us" (fantastic book about the different shades of peoples skin color.) While discussing paprika came up and their Great Aunt Cindee and Grandma Sandee had mentioned in front of them, a few months ago that Aunt Cindee uses a "secret" ingredient on her deviled eggs. "Poopy-kaka". Both girls found that so funny. So, while discussing the spices; Kailee looks at Gracie and said, "You are the color of poopy-kaka." Gracie said, "No, Kailee poopy-kaka is the color of {pointing to a person in the book} her." They didn't miss a beat and moved right a long. They had no idea how funny that truly was. So, now apparently, paprika will forever be called, poopy-kaka in our house.

Price Is Right and Popsicles

Today I received the first call of the school year, saying Kailee has a belly ache and sore throat. After a very quick, "I'll be right there".  I immediately realized before she even seen me walking into the office that this is more of a "cough-cough, wink-wink, I'm sick" than it is a "too sick" to be at school issue. I briefly wondered if I should just make her go back to class. But, when I looked into those big blue eyes staring at me, she pierced my heart and I brought her home. I made her take medicine -- the good horrible tasting bubblegum kind that NOBODY likes. I made her put her jammies on and get her pillow and bear bear to lay on the couch. So, we'll shirk today and get back to work tomorrow. My magic mommy senses tell me; The Price is Right and popsicles are in our near future.

Spooky Birthday Party

Gracie's  6th Birthday!!!

 

Pumpkin veggy tray

The decorations...

My master piece... the "patch work" pumpkin!

I think the hanging balloons just add so much flare!

Donuts on a string... best game ever!

The treat table!

The cupcakes!

The food: 

Menu included:

Deviled EyeBalls

Eyeballs in Witches Brew

Ghost Pizzas

Fingers! 

Mummy Dogs

Cheesy Worms

Alynna, Grace and Abby Doo

Kailee and Autumn

Ashlynn

Donuts on the string!

My little vampress trying to get that donut!

Happy, Wonderful, Well Behaved Children!

2 of my favorites! Top: Me and Kel Bottom: Dody and Me

Ash and Kailee

Pin the eye on the monster!

Birthday Girl!

Turning 6 Already...

The time goes by faster and faster with each passing day. The moments that I thought would last a lifetime have yet become a blink of my eye. My baby girl, Grace Elizabeth, is turning six. That does not seem possible. I need to freeze this moment and hold onto the littleness that is her now. I've been taking countless pictures with my heart during moments that I didn't think would mean much... Kailee holding Gracie's hand. Gracie brushing Kailee's hair.

Dearest 6 year old Gracie,

I miss you being 5 years old already. I cannot believe how quickly you have grown into this brilliant kindergartener. You are doing the most amazing things! You make all attempts to sound out words you don't know already. You learned the word "THE" and say the rhyme so well too. You know all kinds of amazing facts and love to draw and color. We are having a "not-so-much-a-surprise" Surprise Party for your birthday on Saturday, November 5. It's a Halloween themed party and I know you will love it. We have 17 kids coming to the party! I'm nervous yet excited for you! Daddy and I want you to grow up into a strong, independent, life loving, prayer saying, smile spreading, happiness driven person. We love you Grace Elizabeth... I hope my "Gus, Gus" stays this little for a long long while longer...

Love,
Your Mommy