MEE's Favorite New Ride

While the scooter has made a short trip outside on the trails, it has made many a miles around my house (& kitchen) over the past few days!! Most days, she tells us that she is going to China!

Christmas Favorites

Sweet cousins. The surprise of Santa's visit! Loved that these pictures were captured by Aunt Leah!

Gigi & Pops - and their favorite grandchildren!

The best hug ever - !

My Newest Ornament for 2013

Regan made an ornament this year by tracing her hand 3 times, making the shape of an angel and adding her picture.  Morgan made me a sweet card, but gosh, I love their homemade ornaments (w/pics).

 

Regan's Tonsils & Adnoids Removed

Regan had her surgery today. All went well.  Morgan was sure to introduce Regan & herself (including their ages) - for anyone who may or may not have asked.  MEE asked everyone lots of questions: "Are you the nurse"? Her highlight was wheeling her big sister out of the facility.  REE has been asleep all day (except for about 10 minutes). Tomorrow, we are told, she needs to be up & moving! [Also, the tooth fairy will be visiting - as one loose tooth had to be pulled b/4 surgery!]

Christmas Eve & Day!

I'm hoping that my SIL and mom will share their pictures with me. I'm due a new camera as mine has met its slow demise.  These are the last pictures that I can share from Christmas.  We went to an early Christmas service (4pm), followed by a family friend's party, and feeding the reindeer...!  
My girls in their matching Rudolph pjs - picking out cookies! And, 3 of my favorite boys!

Regan's wonderful letter to Santa (on behalf of all 4 cousins!). Gigi & Pops' new sign: "And the stockings were hung" (b/4  & after Santa!). A quick pic before they dug into their stockings!

Santa Visited & Cookies Decorated!

Santa visited the house on Christmas Eve.  He stopped by w/ a few gifts to deliver, but he had to be on his way rather quickly because he had a big night ahead of him! We proceeded to decorate cookies! Lots of messy icing and sprinkles were used and someone ate more than they decorated!

Our "Charlie Brown" Christmas Tree

Upon our arrival, Pops had a project for the family. We "chopped" down a "Christmas tree", picked berries, strung popcorn, and made ornaments for the little tree. All 4 grandkids made ornaments.

So glad to be in Austin! A little loving on Gigi & Pops!

My Fab 3

As I finished cleaning up in the kitchen, I turn around to see my 3 favorite kiddos sitting on the counter waiting on me. Everyone was anxious to get to Austin! I had to snap a pic!

Our Family Christmas Exchange

Before we headed to Austin, we had a small gift exchange within our family.  Regan bought gifts at her school's Secret Santa Shop for all!  MEE & REE also came home w/ homemade gifts for us from school!

Reindeer Noses - Clever!!

This was a "goodie" that came home w/ Regan from one of her classmates!

Galapogas Islands & Cultural Night

Morgan's class has been studying the Galopogas Islands. Whatever the topic, each classmate prepares a "book" - we have a fruit book, a vegetable book, a farm book, etc.  They have to color each picture and write the word under each. Of course, they have other projects that coincide w/ each topic.

Below are a few projects that came home as part of this topic.

Each class studied a different part of the world and then parents were invited to visit (and experience) each "world" and culture.  Our family went to Culture Night - & enjoyed seeing the kid's work. You have to use your imagination for the Galapagos Island (see the turtle pic below w/ girls). I also wanted to show one of Morgan's recent "lists" - she will look through a book & start writing down words.

Snowman Project

Courtesy of our neighbor who was kind enough to think of our girls when it came to leftover supplies for a snowman project.  She left little notes w/ each baggie of items.  It all started w/ 3 small paper plates stapled together - followed by twigs, buttons, pipe, hat, scarf, & carrot nose.  Both girls enjoyed the project - Morgan's focus was on the hat and body; Regan went for the traditional look!

Visit to See Ho Ho!

The girls were all smiles to see Ho Ho!! They sang Jingle Bells with him and told him their wish lists!

Pines Snowball Run

At a cold 33 degrees (w/ many layers of clothing), we supported the Pines Montessori 5K / 1K / 100 yard dash this weekend.  REE finished her first "official" 5K- w/ me - lots of walking, but it was fun.  C & MEE finished the 1K. Then, both girls completed the 100 yard dash for their age category. 

Disney's Frozen - Sisters Forever!

We didn't do much over the Thanksgiving break, but we did take the girls to see Frozen.  We all loved it!  This should have been Morgan's "official" 1st movie (sold out theater).  She was mesmorized & didn't move an inch from my lap! She proudly wore her new Frozen shirt to school today!

Handwriting Practice

I love how Morgan continues to practice writing her letters.  She is constantly asking how to spell different words.  You can see her interests clearly! This is exactly what Regan used to do!

Morgan is 4 ~!

Enjoyed a relaxing day at home w/ the family~! My attempt at a breakfast pancake "# 4" took two tries, but both girls enjoyed them nonetheless. Presents and fun all day.

Our Little Lady is Turning 4!

Morgan had a great 4th birthday party with 12 school friends! Just a perfect turnout!

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for the festivities.

Ladybugs were everywhere!

Loved wearing her new tutu from Ms Sarah!

Non-stop smiles. And, a little sisterly competition. 

Birthday song and cake!



Thanksgiving Lunch @ Pines

Enjoyed a Thanksgiving celebration w/ Morgan and her classmates [MEE, Brenden & Arnav].

The Montessori Way

We continue to be impressed with the Montessori teachings. As part of their fine motor skills development, they do a lot of tracing & "punching out" of designs. Morgan recently completed the World Continent map whereby she individually "punched out" each continent (with what looks like a pencil - but it has a sharp point instead). The teachers sit w/ each child & show the different types of animals found on each continent.

During "Come Watch Me Work Day", Morgan showed me how she counts to 10.  First, she pulled out her mat and gathered her supplies (cards and animals). Next, she lined up the cards 1-10 and then placed the appropriate number of animals next to each number (& they teach them to group by 2s - to learn odd and even).  Finally, Morgan put everything away into its proper place.

    

Fall Festival Fun

We girls enjoyed our local elementary's fall festival today.  C is still fighting his cold. The girls waited in a long line to do this "jumping" exercise - no fear, only fun! Non-stop smiles. Regan even did flips!

Happy Halloween 2013

The 2-day heavy rain fall stopped just in time for a wonderful evening of trick-or-treating.

Daddy, albeit under the weather, took the girls around the neighborhood. The girls loved every minute! With some damp, humid air, I love how Morgan's curls multiply. I'll take 'em while they last!

Whooooo's that in the Pumpkin?

Our long weekend started with 2 sick kids on Thursday (flu & strep) - lots of homework, Saint project,
Cat in the Hat play (our first disappointing play at Main Street), and carving pumpkins/roasting pumpkin
seeds on Sunday. Plus, Mom & Dad ran the Houston Half on Sunday morning in the rain! All good fun.

Regan designed her own pumpkin this year (the cat) - and she even cut out the ears & nose on her own! Morgan actually participated this year, but preferred to compile the seeds and then clean the gooey containers! I used Morgan's bedroom theme (the owl) as her design. Whooo could resist?

Pumpkin Patch

I'm pushing the pictures this month. I'm accepting any smiles that they are willing to offer the camera! :)

Barn Time Fun

Loving the fire pit and roasted marshmallows.  Smore time!

Cold weekend in Blanco! We attended Caden's soccer game on a very chilly Saturday morning.

Playtime

Who needs expensive toys?

Halloween Preview - Cleopatra & Miss Peacock!

Perhaps we should always take pictures in costumes, because the girls were all smiles throughout this photo session.  Up first, the background that did NOT work for these particular outfits!! :)

These backgrounds are much improved! [Sadly, the "pretty" side of Morgan's wings are not seen!]

Regan had lots of ideas, but once she put on the Cleopatra costume, she was sold. Plus, it fit her perfectly. I was hesitant b/c I wanted to ensure that she knew who the person was in history. She replied, "Of course I do, Mom, she did this, this, this..." Bottom line, she knew more than me! 

As for Morgan, her only criteria for a costume was a tutu & wings! And yes, I know that the actual peacock is a male bird, but I don't expect to see any boys running around in a peacock costume. My choice for MEE must be okay b/c 1)  she loves it & 2) even Gymboree is selling a peacock costume this year!