Beauty Day

My little Ellie loves to be all made up. So, today we deemed the afternoon beauty day while Reid napped. We did make up and played beauty salon. She was loving every minute of it. She also wanted curly hair (which she asks for frequently). Her hair is so stick straight that it doesn't always do what she wants it to. So, with a little online advice, we went into the bathroom to have at it. And here is what happened....

I curled all her hair up and then pinned each strand that I curled. Oh, and I used lots of hair products. Lots.

Ellie was admiring her curls in the mirror.

Yippeeee! Curls!!!

My pretty girl. Love that face!

There she is! Curls and all!

I love having a girlie-girl!

Move over Betty Crocker...there's a new girl in town

We had a blessed Christmas all in all. We have not had Christmas with my mom and brother yet, but that is to come. My mom has been really sick for a long time and hopefully sooner than later, she will be feeling up to par and we can go enjoy another family gathering. We love them.

Speaking of family, my brother in law, Aaron, came from Rhode Island for a great visit. We were hoping that we would get to keep him here with us because of the huge snowstorm in the east. Unfortunately, he did have to leave us this week, however. His girlfriend, Christina, was with her family in North Carolina, but was sweet enough to remember Ellie and Reid. She sent gifts which the kids were thrilled with.....but truly I think they would have enjoyed Christmas a lot more if she could have been with us instead of gifts. Maybe next year! Ellie got a cute baking gift set along with other gifts as well, but we thought we would give this one a try. Reid was napping nicely one afternoon, and it gave Ellie and I perfect baking time! Thank you, Christina!

What an ensemble! Complete with muffin mixes!

Betty has nothing on Ellie!

It's very important to spray the baking cups since Mommy had no paper baking liners.

Mixing and more mixing...
Scooping and more scooping...

Dropping and more dropping...

Tah-Dah! The perfect muffins! Thanks again, Christina!!!! Miss you!

Ellie's Letter from Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/_ZWs_A8VAjG-ne76Btrf8w

Reid's Video from Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/7YNE1DNKDpc63RgvcVej7A

Tis the Season

The countdown is getting really exciting at our house. Ellie has been putting cotton balls on Santa's beard since the first day of December to count down the days until Christmas. We are officially into the REALLY exciting stage because Uncle Aaron is home and presents from far away family members are coming in the mail. I think this Christmas will be very fun for the kids because of their ages. They are both so excited.

It has also been nice doing special things along the way to show the kids what Christmas is really about. Getting gifts for kids who are in need was a really special event this year because Ellie really gets that now. I loved seeing how happy she was to give to others.

We hope the true meaning of Christmas shines brightly at your house this year. Merry Christmas!

Aunt Holly sent gifts in the mail from Florida, and as you can see, Ellie was in shock that Aunt Holly sent accessories for her Zhu Zhu pet that were just perfect!

Ellie all dressed up for her holiday music program at school. I am amazed how grown up she is!

Seeing Santa was lots of fun this year. Reid was asking Santa, "Where is your mouth?" And the entire time he sat there, he was fixated on trying to figure out where Santa's mouth was. Needless to say, all the people in line behind us had a great laugh.

Ellie and Santa having a little heart to heart.

Santa was asking Ellie if she had been good this year. She wouldn't look him in the eyes! Maybe a little guilt set in due to terrorizing her brother from time to time!

Clean (but messy) fun...

Need a good way to get your countertops clean and allow your kids to have fun at the same time?

Edge shaving gel is all you need....

But be careful.....6 year olds and 3 year olds can take it a little too far....(and I guess the 34 year old in the above picture can, too!)

Add some paintbrushes to the mix, and life is just grand! And if you are asking how the shaving cream became shampoo to Reid....do you really have to ask??? It's Reid...remember!

I am not sure who is to blame......you decide.

Shaving cream fun.....wow....a completely messy way to get some good, clean fun!!!!

Christmas- Diva style

So, who says Christmas can't be girly? Now don't get me wrong....we celebrate the TRUE meaning of Christmas at our house. We love celebrating Christ's birth. It is the focus of our holiday. But when celebrating, Ellie likes to show her true spirit....which is.....

PINK and girly. This tree is in her room, and she decorated it all on her own.

It does get me all fired up for the season, that is for certain.

She asked me if Jesus would be ok with her having a pink tree??? Pink tree or not....we are excited to start celebrating this most special time of the year!

Preschool has begun!

Well, Preschool has officially begun for Reid. I had issues with sending him. Not because I didn't want him to go, or because I thought the program would not be good for him. Actually, just the opposite. I think that the structure and daily routine is good for him, and I think that having him go into the program that he is in is wonderful. It is a gift to Reid, for sure. Reid qualified to go because of speech issues. He really speaks quite well, and I am so proud of how far he has come. He tries to say anything you ask him to say, and usually with little difficulty. He does have lacking sounds and some nasality issues, but all in all, we are blessed by what his speech teachers have been able to accomplish with him so far.

Reid had an IEP written for him in the areas of speech and language development, and was able to go to a wonderful preschool program with speech services weekly targeted for his IEP goals. What a gift. And even more so, he can go for this year and the next two....with no cost. What a blessing. And my issues, you ask? He is my baby. Yes, he is stubborn and so strong-willed, but he is just 3, and he seems so little yet.

My mom was able to go to a Thanksgiving celebration in his class last week, and she was able to report that Reid was able to listen to directions, follow along, participate in a class "play" and even walked up to the microphone and clearly state, "I'm thankful for my family." Mom had wonderful things to report to me, and said that he just looked at home there. My heart is relieved. She took some pictures, and I wanted to share. Now, keep in mind, in his class are 3, 4, and 5 year olds. It's funny to see him as the "little one" because he is so big....but I think he is in good hands, and I think we are blessed to have him in this program.

Reid's class. Doesn't he look small!!!! He is the last one on the right.

My baby.....first in line for food! Wonder where he gets that trait????

This little one has a true place in my heart. This is Makenna. She was also born cleft. Her family and ours live in the same town, and have become great friends through this journey that we are on together. Reid and Makenna share a bond much deeper than just the cleft. They are, and hopefully will be, great friends for a long, long time.

How did I think he would not like preschool? I think this picture says it all. And I think everything is going to be just fine.

Novermber Photo Shoot

I have to completely applaud the lovely folks at Portrait Innovations. Anyone who can take 96 pictures of Reid and have me stumped for an hour on which pose is the best should be commended. They were on time, efficient, clean, and took absolutely wonderful pictures of the kids. Seriously....96 pictures. I wanted to post just a few that I thought were super cute. Don't look too close.....you may be getting some in your Christmas envelopes before you know it! See what you think!

Reid did not want to lay down for this shot. We had to bribe him and told him he could ride on the fire truck prop if he cooperated. That's all it took!

I wasn't even going to get Ellie's picture taken since she had school pictures that just came home. But, since we were there....might as well, right? I was glad I did.

I got this picture for one reason. My dad. He always loved Ellie's lashes. When I saw this picture of her looking down, showing off those beautiful lashes, I had to smile. I can hear my dad saying, "Ellie, where are your eyelashes? Too bad you don't have any..." So, this one is for you, Dad.

I am so glad my kids love books. I like the quiet moment portrayed here. There aren't too many moments like this at our house!

Ellie....hard to believe she is 6 already.

This is just Reid's personality perfected! Love it!

3 already....amazing.

Doens't he look so grown up???

My little man! A perfect portrait session! A happy mama!

Good Ole' Days

Remember the days of no microwaves???

Read thought that our "Old Fashioned" popcorn popper was amazing.

He had never seen such a cool machine before. It amazed him.

And then when the popping actually started, we about had to have a party because of all the excitement at our house!

Who would have thought that such a simple Friday night snack would be the highlight of the evening?

But trust me, it definitely was!

Quiet for too long

When Reid is quiet for too long, I start to panic. I panicked too late today.

He had already attempted to "help me take out the trash". And yes, those were his words.

I never knew cleaning paper shredders could be so much fun for the high-energy 2 1/2 year old.

But as you see, it was LOTS of fun for Reid.

But all fun must come to an end....

And cleaning up is a must. Thanks for giving me a laugh today, Reid. And also thank you for making me clean up the computer room...a job needing done, anyway. Your help is always appreciated!

Special Visitors

There is nothing better than when family comes home to visit!!! Brian's brother, Aaron, and his girlfriend, Christina came "home" to visit last weekend. We were blessed by their visit, and we are hoping Reid did not scare away Christina from coming back again. She definitely got a good taste of what "family" is all about! It was a gorgeous October weekend, and we spent a good part of Sunday in Pappy and Grandma's boat. What a great way to spend time together.

As you see....Uncle Aaron brings out the best in us all! Here is Brian taking a moment to pose for the camera.

Here we are....enjoying our day together. I am surprised Reid was smiling so well. He hadn't had a nap and was about ready to take a crash landing at any moment!

Grandma Carol and Ellie-Bell!

Ahh....yes....my photogenic one!

Uncle Aaron and Christina. We were so glad to have them with us!

Titanic, anyone????

Christina, Ellie, and Uncle Aaron. Ellie would not leave their side. She cried when we had to say goodbye. It's never easy to send someone off who you love.

Uncle Aaron and my girl!

Thank you Christina and Uncle Aaron for being with us!!!! Come back real soon! We love you both!