Another annual tradition

Last weekend we continued our annual tradition of going to a local church in our community that presents a little live nativity play. The girls love it and so do we.

Poor daddy was exhausted! Not only had he just come home that afternoon from the annual Christmas party in New York, but he had taken Amanda to not one, but two birthday parties within an hour of arriving home. One party ended at 2:30 and the next one started at 3:00. While we are thrilled that our daughter has made a lot of friends, she sure does keep up very busy with her social calendar! Between her parties and play dates, we barely have time for anything else! I can't even begin to imagine our social butterfly when she is a teenager so we just won't go there because I get tired just thinking about those years.

Amanda's favorite angel was there for the third year in a row! She loves this girl and met her this Fall at the Fall festival this church hosts every year. She couldn't believe that she met the angel and when she saw her come out, her eyes grew three sizes! She's her angel idol!

They added two other angels this year which thrilled her but the middle one is still her favorite.

The girls had a chance to pet the animals for a while since we arrived early. (Hubby was there!)






Amelia loved it however, the lady behind us did not! She complained that Amelia screamed too much. She was just excited, and then got cold. She also has a new habit of when and where ever she hears someone scream, she imitates them. It cracks me up but the lady behind us said, "You sure are a screamer!" in a nasty tone. ha ha I guess the spirit of the season just hasn't touched this lady yet! Poor thing!

The animals were so laid back.

The donkey was beautiful! What a wonderful tradition, the only sad part was we didn't see our neighbors there and we normally do. In fact, that was where we originally met. They were such a lovely and kind couple with two small children. Unfortunately, the husband lost his battle to cancer this past August at only 50. My hubby said it was sad we didn't see them there this year. Say a prayer for that sweet family. I drove by their house that is normally filled with Christmas lights, but this year, only a wreath. While everyone else is celebrating, they are grieving and just two years ago they stood there as a happy family with us at the live nativity. What a reminder to truly live, every single day, to the fullest, and in doing so to care for those who aren't celebrating happily like we are!

The other side of the Island

This is what I found on the other side of the island in the kitchen..........

















I heard uh-oh and found that my little sweet heart had gone into the pantry and found some spaghetti, (she loves it) and I guess she was telling me to make some but emptied it first?
Communication can be difficult for toddlers since they are just learning......







Can you make this for dinner mommy?











She knew she was in trouble and since we don't have a doghouse I guess she thought she could hide in the box!












Her precious sister quit playing and helped her clean up the mess! What a sweetie, I think all of the dressing up like Mary and acting out the Christmas story has really helped her cause she's being extra helpful!

She must be listening

Sometimes I think the big five year in our house isn't listening to a word I am saying. Sometimes, I know she's not listening. But today when we were in Toys R Us and Amelia and I were dancing to this Mickey Mouse that was dancing and singing........Amanda turned to us and said, "We are in a store, now stop it!" (We were kinda loud!)

We were embarrassing her but at least now I know she does listen to me because that's a phrase she's heard time and time again!

October visitor

I am still catching up from the past view months while trying to keep up with the present as well! We had a special visitor in October and we took him to a special pumpkin patch that we loved! It was our first time at this patch and we actually liked it more than our favorite patch. Plus, it was so much closer!

Amanda loved the tractor.

Those girls!

I can't believe how much Amelia has grown in the past two months. Wow, they grow so quickly it makes me a little sad......

The farm had a lot to do and we ran into a friend of Amelia's. The girls had a blast together.

Our special visitor was Grandpa! We took him on a hayride and it was Amelia's first!
There were some spooky things in the trees that Amanda didn't really appreciate.......

Amelia loved it!

Amanda still loves the moon bounces and tunnels.

But the slides are definitely her favorite!

I know one day she will no longer find going down a slide like this all that exiting but it sure is fun to watch her go now.

We are NOT late?

Today Amelia had her 15th month check up which went well. She went way up in both height and weight and is developing nicely! We have to go back in 2 weeks, and then a month, and then at 18 months for more shots! She had 2 today and watched. She made no noise, she did not cry, she didn't even try and move......I thought for sure after the first shot she would make a sound or try and get away but again, she just watched and was so interested! The nurse thinks she might grow up to be a doctor. (With Obama's new healthcare plan I just might need my own physican so I am all for it!)

Amelia is just like her big sister who had a shot today and didn't say a word! She had a choice between the flu mist or shot and she chose the shot!
I really am shocked that I am their mother, how can they be related to me and act like this?

We arrived at the doctor's office 30 minutes early and I said, "So we are a little early so you guys can have a little snack while we wait."

Amanda said, "We are early? We are usually late! Ummm.....That's unusual, you just don't see that every day!"

We, I mean "I" am working on being on time, I really do try it just rarely works unless my hubby is home! I am so thankful that my girls are developing healthy and at their own rate, in God's perfect timing!

Our New Cleaning Lady!

Hubby has been wanting me to hire a cleaning lady for some time now...........and I finally found someone worth keeping!










If you can keep her from eating the cleaning wipes long enough to actually clean she's pretty good at cleaning glass tops.

She takes pride in her work and actually appears to enjoy it!

She loves to swifer!

She had a real hard time understanding why she couldn't get the pumpkin on the floor cleaned up!

Overall, she is fabulous but due to child labor laws she can't work too many hours a day.

Toy Story On Ice!

For Amanda's birthday weekend daddy bought tickets for us to go and see Toy Story On Ice. We love ice shows and this one was fabulous!

Amanda chose a small Jessie doll for her special treat and after she received a bigger one for her birthday she told her little sis that she could have the small Jessie doll. Amelia took her up on it and loves that doll. I thought that was so sweet that she shared like that and told her that she didn't have to give her doll away to her sister that it was OK to have two, but she said she really wanted her sister to have the doll. I have to write things like that down so I can pull it out when they are fighting teenage sisters because I have heard that day will come!













Amanda chose a snow cone for her drink. I think because it came in a Jessie cup!

She had her picture made with Woody and Buzz.

Mickey was there!

Hubby surprised us with second row seats which allowed Amanda to see all of the characters up close and she loved it! Daddy is so good at getting good seats at a good price but it helps that he was able to get them months ago before they opened them up to the public. GO Daddy go we don't know how you do it but love it!

How slinky dog skated on ice I do not know. I think there is more than one person in that costume.

Rex and Jessie






She just loves Jessie!

Donald was there.





The potato heads were there. I always wonder if they are planning to have a little spud of their own someday.

Barbie was there and oh, so was KEN!

Popcorn time!

My favorite Minnie Mouse was there! You know how we love her!

Amanda had a wonderful time and it was fun celebrating her 5th birthday together!

Where was Amelia you ask? Don't worry she was in good hands and spending the day getting spoiled with her mammaw and pappaw!