For the Love of School Children: LET IT SNOW!

The snow began at 3:22 p.m. at our house today.

By 3:25 p.m. the deck was covered.

4 p.m. it was still coming down really heavy!

By 4:15 p.m. the trees were covered.

By 5:00 p.m. the branches were coated even more.

6:30 p.m. the snow hasn't let up much... maybe 2 inches?

Still coming down at 7:00 p.m....

A little more by 7:30 p.m. but not as hard as it was as earlier.

The Sassy Spalding's were doing a "Snow Day" dance this evening. They decided it would be wonderful to have an extra "S" day! (I think they are right!) It would be nice to have a sleep in -- pj's all day -- no work -- play all day -- day! Did I mention there was a chant to go with the "Snow Day" dance?  Here are the lyrics to the "Snow Day" dance chant... "Snow, snow please stay! We need a really good snow day! Please blow the snow all over the road and make it so the snow plow cant go." I admire their brilliance! These little Sassy's went to bed with such hopeful, sweet, giddy smiles... oh let there be a snow day... that hope and giddiness almost makes me want to "create our own" snow day tomorrow.
If there is a snow day... or a created snow day... there will be an update tomorrow!

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Quick Update: There IS school (apparently 4" is not enough for Petoskey Schools to close)... dang it. The Sassy's believe that if they would have sang a little louder, danced a little harder and wished a little more that they would have had a snow day... I may agree... they also think I should have done the snow dance and chanted but I was far too busy writing down the words to chant or dance... so to that I disagree. Daddy would not allow us to have a "created snow day" either. Go figure. I tried the 'ole well, Concord Petoskey closed but he wouldn't have it. So off to school the Sassy's went in their snowpants, thick coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. They were not overly "thrilled" but they didn't protest going either (because they both love school) . They did however try to talk me into bringing their sleds to school to use at lunch time. I will not fall for this... it was fine when I was working the noon-hour at school but it's unfair to leave my child's sledding safety to 3 adults who have to watch over 120 other children... so for now unless mommy goes back to work doing noon-hour the sleds will be safely tucked into our garage awaiting the Sassy Spalding's arrival after school.

The Moon Rise!

Picture it, 7 p.m. all is dark and still. The moon is slowly peaking out from behind the earth. I hear, "MOM, COME QUICK!" I dash the 13 steps (yes thirteen, I've counted because I've been dashing that direction for the last 6 years and was bound to count - mind you it was a dash not a walk... a walk total is different), to find 2 Sassy Spalding's staring out the window. I asked, "What's wrong?" Gracie says, "Look mom, it's the moon rise!" I look out the window and this is what I see. (See above pictures)
It's magnificent - your probably thinking I'm referring to the above pictures but really it was the sparkle and wonder in their eyes. I tried to get a picture of the Sassy's from outside the house taking in the splendor of the Moon Rise but the camera wanted no part of it. So I set it down on the front of Jon's truck and this what we came away with. The glory and beauty that is now and forever captured in these pictures are not really the glory and beauty that I see, it's the excitement and the beauty that those 2 Sassy's found in this view.
Kailee said "Jesus sent us this moon rise mom because we said our good night prayers."
Gracie believes that it wasn't because of our goodnight prayers, she thinks it's because they were good girls today. Whatever the reason for the emotionally charged, memory captured moon rise, I will always treasure it.
Since I couldn't capture them taking in the moment, I took a picture of the moment with my heart as well (this is something that one of my dearest friends told me about - take a picture with your heart sometimes because the picture only tells part of the story). It's easy to forget how amazing everything is to children, what they see and how they interpret things are new and fresh perspectives. Their innocence is so pure that I swear it's Angels talking through them at times. My daughters have created Heaven on Earth for me and for having that opportunity to experience Heaven on Earth with them... it adds to my many blessings of being a mother.

Bird of Paradise

10 years in May.

1 of many flowers.

Do you see why it's a bird of paradise?

This plant was bought May 28, 2002 in Hawaii during our Honeymoon. Jon grew it, as I am not a green thumb and cannot keep a plant alive to save my life. He, (thank goodness), has a knack for greens! 

So today, Kailee and I were sitting on the floor looking at the bird of paradise and she said, "mom how old is this tree?" 

I said, "well, it's 9 1/2 years old, and it's not a tree, it's a plant." 

She smiled, then said, "mom, a plant should not be as big as a door."

I said, "Yes, I know but it is a plant, they can get to be 20' tall if they have the room." 

Kailee said, "Well, I don't think we should do that mom because it would be too big for our house." 

I said, "yes I agree." 

Kailee said, "Mom, so this plant is 2 years older than me?" 

I said, "Can you believe it?" She said, "So this was your first baby?" 

I smiled and said, "No, Lilly Sue was my first baby, the 'Bird' is Daddy's first baby." 

Kailee laughed and said, "Oh mom we both know a plant can't be a baby." 

(That Sassy has a point.)

She then adds, "but, it's still a pretty tree mom, the flowers are so pretty, how does a Hawaii plant grow in Michigan?"
I just smiled and said, "Let's ask Daddy." 

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Quick Update:
Today Kailee had done NWEA Testing which is a computer testing that measures academic progress.
She scored a 204, which is above her grade level.
 The purpose of them doing this testing is to see where the teacher can improve their curriculum and
to see if the child would qualify for a program for advanced learning.
Personally, I think it's wonderful that she's done so well but Kailee is a tender soul who gets a little
overwhelmed when she has too much thrown at her at once. So, after a nice discussion with her teacher we decided it would be best to just hold off and allow her to progress within the structure of the classroom.
I may regret my decision at some point but for now it's what has to be done for the love of Kailee and who she is at this moment in time. Her brilliance, her tender heart, her kind soul and her love for everyone is astounding. She makes me so proud to be her mommy.

Chicken Salad

On our way home from school today, (which was FUNtastic - incase you were wondering) I asked what the Sassy's wanted to eat for dinner. Both said, "CHICKEN SALAD", (not the typical as you would assume)... our chicken salad consists of a hodge podge of things from the pantry and refrigerator. The Sassy's get to make their own salad... here's what their salads consisted of (both ended up making exactly the same)...

• Chicken
• Salad (iceberg, romaine, and spinach)
• black olives
• mandarin oranges
• clementine oranges
• blueberries
• raisins
• crunched up bacon

The finale to top this off was RANCH DRESSING (fat free ranch but they don't know the difference because I always put tape over the label). The Sassy's always get help from me doing this as well, it's not that they are not trusted but we had an incident a few weeks ago where an ENTIRE bottle of ranch dressing went onto 1 salad... so mommy always helps aid in assessing how much would be considered "appropriate" for that size salad.

The Sassy's loved their salad! They ate the entire thing and asked for 2nds! LOVE dinner nights like this!
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Quick Update:
Today the littlest Sassy lost her 2nd tooth! O.M.Goodness! It doesn't seem possible that 2 teeth can be lost already... kinda makes me sad but the joy on her face and the immediate "I did it all by myself!" was perfectly amazing... all these big milestones keep occurring and too soon there will be very few milestones left to reach. Maybe Mommy will just have to make up a few of my own milestones in order to make myself feel better and keep them little a weensie bit longer... the life of a mommy is bitter sweet. We want them to reach these milestones and be independent, brilliant, loving people... but we also want them to need us a little bit more, hug us and snuggle us for just a few moments longer... I hope my moments of snuggling never end!

Blessed Sundays...

Twice during the month the Sassy pair has Sunday School. It's a commitment because twice per month you have to make sure that Saturday nights are earlier bedtimes and Sunday mornings are as early as school days... so we maintain our school week routine starting on an "S" day and that's rough some weeks... especially when we're warm and snuggly in bed. No one wants to leave the warm comfort of the covers to begin the routine that we acknowledge as "school morning's" knowing that we'll have 5 more days of "school morning's" still coming for the week. So, with Jesus in heart we gather the muster to climb out of bed (of course to the smell of coffee brewing just like on a "school morning") and begin the routine. The girlies know their place and fall in step; breakfast - check, clothes picked out and put on - check check, hair brushed and pretties nicely done - check check check, teeth brushed - check check check check... socks, then shoes (yes shoes because all of our snow melted on Thursday because it was 42 degrees)... and out the door we go by 7:55 a.m. (technically 10 minutes later than a "school morning"). Our journey to the Cross is beautiful this Sunday morning; the air is crisp and the sky is this beautiful pinkish, reddish color (to which Gracie compares it to visions of cotton-candy). . This is the Lord's blessing for us for getting out of bed on this crisp morning, this was the Lord's way of saying, you see beauty when you give of yourself. We gave of ourselves this morning... we are all adjusting, as a parish to the newness that has endured our Faith. We have a new priest, Father Mike, who is very nice, yet very by the book with the Catholic laws, we also have new wordings and phrases that are hard to adjust to throughout the entire Catholic religion. The Sassy's leave mass early today because they have Sunday School at 9 a.m, which is directly after Father's Homily. (Which is about the birth of Christ and the gifts that were brought to Jesus and Mary learning about why they were given to Him.) As the Sassy's leave the church, one on each side of Daddy, holding on tightly to his large hands. (Their hands look even tinier in his big hand.)  I see the beauty of the Lord again, I see it as they walk away... I see their youth as a blessing from God, my marriage to his man who is their daddy-another blessing, I see it and I feel God's blessings in my heart. It's more than just a Sunday... it's a Blessed Sunday.

Tiny Hands

Kailee's hands typing on the computer.

Gracie's hands playing with Littlest Pet Shop.

My daughter's are never going to be this little ever again. Tomorrow their hands will not be as small as they were today. These little hands do amazing things, they make music, they craft unbelievable works of art, they even do implausible things like clean up toys and believe it or not; fold and put clothes away. These little hands like to slap booties and pinch tushies too. It isn't rare for these little hands to get themselves into trouble as well. Leaving messes like toys in the hallways is a dangerous hazard in this clumsy household. Some may feel that  leaving hand prints on the windows and finger prints on the walls would be included in this list of trouble but in this Sassy House of Spalding, it is encouraged. One day I know that these little hand prints won't want to leave hand prints on the windows or finger prints on the wall... and one day I'll miss them but for now, I love each and every one. I hope I never get the urge to wash a wall or window. I want these little hand prints forever be embedded into my heart and soul so I never forget how tiny they are.

Movie Night # 1 of 2012

Every Friday night we try and do a movie night. On tonight's movie reel we have Mr. Popper's Penguin's playing. The cost for admission is a hug & a kiss. The seating selection was either a sleeping bag on the floor or a comfy cushion on the couch. Of course there was a concession stand of  popcorn with a special treat at the bottom of each popcorn cup (lifesaver gummies & sweet tarts). The movie has had it's "highs and lows", but thankfully there have been no scary parts which is good. The slow parts of the movie has left the Sassy's a little restless but we have had a fun filled evening of happy memory making.

Goober Smoochers

These sweet faces...

Can make the silliest faces sometimes.

And are the most perfect.

These silly, perfect faces are the reason for the happiness that makes our house a home.

We have the most intense, beautiful conversations about school, life, wants & dreams. 

Fairies are another hot topic in this house of Sassy's.

Magic fills this house every day just with their laughter. This is a "call" to the fairies you know.

The fairies are attracted to a child's giggles and can feel happiness. Smiles are like frosting for fairies.

If a home is filled with good, hearty fun... the fairies will come.
When the fairies come to our house, it's like Christmas morning! EXCITEMENT beyond anything you can imagine! We have a fairy house... our friends the Conklin's told us all about these fairies. Even though our fairies are not able to visit often; because there are so many happy children to enjoy -- it gives us a little slice of joy... especially for mommy & daddy.

Watch out -- your home could be over run with fairies too, especially if you have very happy children!! 

We will continue to enjoy the magical journey these fairies bring us on when they can visit. 

Maybe we will be able to get a picture of these fairies sometime... if we do we will post it for you!

Us.

Daddy being... well... daddy.

Kailee doing bedtime routine. (Gotta love the look on her face!)

Lily and Grace getting a little snuggle time in.

Gracie took this picture of mommy.

Updated: 1/6/12
Define: Us -- "our family" --
Defined by Kailee: "Our family is special. We have mommy & daddy, Gracie and me. We have lots of fun. Our family is important because we always talk about favorites of the day before we say our goodnight prayers."
Defined by Gracie: "Our family has lots of hugs & kisses. We always help out and do nice stuff. We keep Jesus in our hearts too."

Favorites from Christmas Break

Gracie said this was her favorite toy from Christmas, "The Polly Pocket Rolly-Coasterer"

Kailee said this is her favorite from Christmas, "The new webkin, Lily the Poodle." 

These are Mommy's favorites from Christmas. This one is from Gracie.

This one is from Kailee. This brings my plate total to 11.

*Yawn* Back to Reality!

Lazy days of playing Lalaloopsy's, Wii-Sing it!, and Zhu Zhu track fun is over... we're back at the grind of routine. Something that Kailee loves, yet is not a fan of. Gracie is definitely not a fan... she could be a pj's-all-day kind of girl... is that good or bad? Of course because today was an actual "wake-up-to-the-alarm" day... neither Sassy would get out of bed! For the entire 10 days of vacation; neither would sleep past 6:45... at 6:55 both were STILL sleeping today. THAT NEVER HAPPENS... I told myself (after waking them up to "Good Morning Merry Sunshine" {courtesy of Great Gram Ruth}) that I would let them sleep in the next time. I think there's a rule that says, "never wake a sleeping baby"... so the next time if they are still sleeping at 6:55... we will sleep until they awake on their own and if we're late for school... we're late for school I suppose. {Not to worry this was a fluke and will never happen again.}

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Per a very dear friend's request here are the lyrics that I always wake the Sassy's to every morning.
"Good morning, merry sunshine, How did you wake so soon? You've shined away the stars above, you shined away the moon."
Those are the lyrics that Grandma Ruth would sing.
The actual poem goes as such:

"Good morning, merry sunshine, 
How did you wake so soon? 
You've scared the little stars away, 
And shined away the moon. 
I saw you go to sleep last night, 
Before I ceased my playing, 
How did you get way over there, 
And where have you been staying? 

"I never go to sleep, dear child, 
I just go round to see 
My little children of the East, 
Who rise and watch for me. 
I waken all the birds and bees, 
And flowers on my way, 
And now come back to see the child 
Who stayed out late to play." 

Source: "Eloise Wilkin's Poems to Read to the Very Young," illustrated
by Eloise Wilkin 

Christmas Break Day 11

Last Day of Christmas Break Pancakes!

This is the, "Hmm you can't be serious it's the last day of break" look.

Sad because it's the last day of break.

Kailee didn't want a "snowflake" whip cream, she wanted a double decker.

This Christmas break has gone by so very fast. It doesn't seem like we should be sitting here feeling sad that it's come to an end already. We started the Christmas break with a festive house, beautiful decorations, yummy pastries and smiles. We're ending the break with no more Christmas magic, a "plain-old-house", no more goodies left, and sad looks upon our faces. We're going to hunker down and snuggle in for a long afternoon of movie watching, wii-singing fun, and some webkin playing as well. It was kind of a bummer of morning because our dear friends, The Himebauch's were suppose to come for a pancake breakfast but, the roads are very icy and Jon said he wouldn't recommend driving. So, the Himebauch's did not come and we stayed in our jammies and tried to make the best of our morning. Daddy is more of the "football fanatic" in our house, but we're enjoying the Rose Bowl parade for him since he had to go back to work today. Poor daddy!

New Year (Days 9 & 10 of Christmas Break)

New hopes and dreams! We had the best visit with Great Grandma Joy! We played with cousins and were spoiled by Grandpa, Grandma, G.G. (great grandma), Great Aunties, Great Uncles, Auntie Angela & Uncle Josh! There were fun pictures taken and many kisses and hugs exchanged! We know since we rung in the new year with fun- it will be filled with it!! Happy New Year!! Love, The Sassy's

Kailee's New Years Wishes: I don't know, I'm tired.
Gracie's New Years Wishes: Food for me cause I'm hungry driving in this car.

Day 8 of Christmas Break

Happily on our way to make our stops to see Grandparents! After beginning our 3.5 hour trek, exactly 10 minutes being in the car Gracie asks are we there yet? Yes only 10 minutes. We've been on the road an hour now and she's asked 7 times since... We are quite the travelers!

365 Blog

The Sassy House of Spalding is going to start a 365 Blog, which means (hopefully every day) we will post a picture... There may or may not be commentary but the pictures often need none. Come check it out!

http://sassyspaldings365.blogspot.com

Christmas Break Day 7

...will be spent, packing, playing and partially putting away Christmasy things. Even though I love looking at the Christmas stuff, part of me doesn't want to come home to the big challenge of putting it all away... so if I start now doing a little a time; with my little helpers... we should be able to accomplish quite a bit today. OR we will just snuggle all day and play Barbie matching game instead. (That sounds like more fun!)
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Update: ... the morning was spent "puzzling it" Sassy Spalding style. Next came a little packing and then some Sassy Spalding Barbie Matching game! Then the dreaded de-Christmas'ing began. We began with the windows... oh they are so bare. Next came the shelves... oh so empty. Now the wall tree is losing all it's pretty Christmas luster. All the Christmas cards are off the wall and it's sad to not see the cute faces of the families who blessed our walls this season. Now I'm sitting here looking at a floor full of ornaments that magically change a tree into a "Christmas Tree". These memories are so special... even though our tree is cluttered with ornaments... they are our ornaments and I WILL FOREVER put these ornaments on the tree just as the girls want them, I don't care how tacky, cluttered or messy it looks... it's OUR family tree!
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Update: ...it's just a "tree" now... the Christmas magic is gone... the tree will come down at some point...probably in the New Year, since we don't dare part with everything Holiday'ish since it's still technically a Holiday week. Kailee has managed to talk us until keeping up the tree in their bedroom along with the lights that Diego Sparkle put up in their room and the play room. Daddy just cannot say "no" to those girlies. Too cute.

The Little Things

Today was a "puzzle-together-making" day. A "talkie-walkie" using day. A "weensie-bitsy" piece of heaven kind of day. It was a brillantly well said kind of day.

Christmas Night Pictures