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!