Our Little Graduate

Alea has done a fantastic job in Kindergarten this year! We completed the "My Father's World" curriculum for Kindergarten and are going to use A Beka next year.

We have been involved with the end of school rituals with my nieces and nephews the past few weeks and Alea began to feel as though she deserved a Kindergarten graduation. I couldn't agree more! We, as home school parents, have to make an extra effort to make our children feel special-just as the Lord sees them. I threw a graduation together quickly and with the help of family! It was really cute and she was beaming all day and into the next day. She borrowed her cousin, Miriam's (ooohhh, aaaahhh) graduation cap and gown, Greg got Pomp and Circumstance, we used LaDonna's church stage and viola, graduation to the rescue. Thirteen proud family members looked on as Alea glided down the isle (cappless since it was too big), she sang school songs and said her phonetically correct alphabet. She ended with a special song about elephants and glided back down the isle. We followed the ceremony with Capri Suns and Little Debbies!

Happy graduation, Alea, we are so proud of you!

A Perfect Wedding

Saturday, June 5th, my sweet sister-in-law, Lauren Cooprider was married. It was such an awesome day and all around perfect in every way. I was worried about the weather being too hot and it was not. I was worried that my child might get a blister on her foot (as she was the flower girl I thought that might disrupt the wedding a bit), but she did not. I thought I might cry like a baby when Lauren came down the isle but alas, I did that during rehearsal so I did not. Everything was wrapped up in a happiness and a magical uniting of two lives beginning a new journey together.

I have never seen a pastor, accompanied by groomsmen, preceed down the isle to Michael Jackson-until this wedding. Derek apparently really likes Michael Jackson and integrated him into the wedding and reception-pretty impressive. One of his groomsmen even dressed up like Michael and made a "special appearance". From the seating in the outdoor gazebo wedding to the dancing at the reception, I felt so honored and priviledged to be a part of such a celebration. I almost felt like I was watching a movie, it was so perfect!

I hope Lauren and Derek have a blissful marriage and that the honeymoon never ends! We love you two and are so proud of you-God bless you!

Beauty School??

Ok, every child does it, right? Well, we have now had our turn. . .



Thankfully, that is hair from the DOLL! Alea and Benton snuck off to the bathroom with scissors and butchered their doll's hair. It looked like a regular barber shop when I opened the door-hair was every where. Uggg. . . Alea did get in trouble but we just kept saying how thankful we are that it was the doll and not her own, she's in a wedding in a WEEK. This too shall pass. . .

The Two Chocolateers

Alea and her cousin, Gideon, are true birthday buddies--May 17, 2002/2005! We celebrated their birthday with a big splash of CHOCOLATE!! We did pudding painting, chocolate Cheerios necklaces and armpit fudge. What? Yes, we supplied all the ingredients in a ziplock baggie and they squished it in their armpits (in tune to a wonderful chocolate song) until a nice ball of fudge was created-in theory-actually, they all got preoccupied and didn't bother with making the fudge. It was a great party with chocolate to dip goodies in and a chocolate canvas "finger-printed" by all the guests. We also made a great party favor of: chocolate, chocolate lip gloss, hot chocolate and chocolate stickers. It was great fun and Alea had a great FIFTH birthday party!! Happy Birthday my sweet daughter!

"Princess P"

Whoo-hoo an Easy Bake!!

Happy Third Birthday, Benton!

BIRTHDAY BOY

I think he's partied too hard!

About to blow out his Birthday

brownie candles.

The Party. . .

What cool presents he got!

Today, we celebrated Benton's third birthday! It was quite the celebration and I can't think of a better thing to celebrate than LIFE!

Three years ago, today, I gave birth to a 9 lb. 4 oz Iowan, baby boy. We knew we wanted to name him Benton after his great-great grandmother, Nettie Benton, and Gregory after his father. I didn't get to hold him until he was many hours old and when I finally got my hands on that little, pudgy, pink bundle, my heart expanded! There was such a peace about him and I just snuggled him silly at the hospital. He smiled while still in the hospital and I got to see his TWO deep dimples, I knew I'd be seeing them a lot through the years.

Benton, Ben-Ben, Benner, yes, he's our party boy. He's always ready to laugh, be laughed at, or make someone laugh. Every morning we are greeted with a "BOO" and a giggle when both Greg and I act like we're really scared.

Benton at a glance. . .

Some of his favorite phrases are: "Na, na, boo, boo", "Wanna pay (play with) me?", and "Dope (thank you)". His favorite activities are: playing with trains, cars or trucks, doing anything with his sister, riding bikes, watering the grass and snuggling with his Waee (aka Rillo). His favorite foods are: oatmeal, poptarts, tortellini, Ritz crackers, yogurt, bananas and chocolate pudding.

The other night he woke up in the middle of the night, he's been having a hard time breathing. I sat in the recliner with him and snuggled with him for a little while. While I was holding him, he looked up at me and said, "Mama, you're my best friend." It was really sweet-I'll never forget it! The days are flying and I know that times will change but for now, I'll cherish these moments I have with both of my children.

That's our Ben, he is one sweet little bundle of fun--Happy Birthday, Son!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2010

We had a great Saint Patrick's Day party! Of course green was the theme and we had green tattoos, green cupcakes, green sugar cookies, green jello jigglers, green kool-aid and green yogurt. We did a mean green craft, or two, in which the kids painted green balls which they placed on green pipe cleaners which they wrapped around head bands thus creating google eyes. They also glued jewels on their green hand prints. I couldn't find St. Pat's cups or green paper cups but what I did find was plastic shot glasses-NICE! I did it, I bought them for the kids-it was a hit. I can't say how many times I filled those silly little shot glasses with green kool-aid. That was about all I accomplished during the party. We had a great time and at least this time I remembered St. Patrick's Day! Unfortunately, I only snapped one picture during the ENTIRE day, so here it is.

My niece, August, showing

green fun!

I Wanna Be Like YOU-HOO-HOO

Ok, no visual here so just imagine. We're shopping in The Children's Place with some friends. Alea and her friend find dresses that they really want. They asked to try them on so they can strut in front of the full length mirrors they have in the dressing rooms. I volunteered to go back with them and took Benton. Once the girls were strutting around the store having such a great time, Benton began whining. Finally, I took the time to listen to the root of the whining. He told me that he wanted a dress, too. Of course, I said he couldn't wear a dress.

He did not like this answer! He sat down in the middle of the store, knees up, head down on his knees, arms wrapped around his legs, CRYING! "I want a dress, mom, I really want a dress like Alea!" How comical that my BOY wants a DRESS so badly he is willing to cry and pout in the middle of the store. I wish so badly I would have snapped a picture of him so I could tell him how silly it really was. I desperately surveyed the store in search of something for him to try on, but there was nothing flowing, shiny and pretty on the boys side of the store-sorry Benton.

A fellow shopper was passing by and saw/heard the whole thing, she was laughing out loud! I did NOT get him the dress. . .

He just wanted to be like his sister and at home I could not care less if he wants to strut around in a dress-guess that carefree attitude backfired in this instance.