Out of the mouths of babes...

Just thought you may get a chuckle out of a few conversations we've had or overheard at our house lately...

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While riding in the car one day Eva said something to Jaden. Apparently he couldn't understand her because his response was,

"I can't understand WHAT you are saying...you sound like you are speaking Spanish!!"

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Jaden: "Mommy, is juice made out of mud?"

Me: "MUD??!! No, juice is not made out of mud."

Eva: "NOOOOOO JADEN!!!! The only thing made out of mud is chocolate milk!"

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Jaden received a game that involves drilling screws into a board in a pattern for Christmas from my sis and her husband. When he opened it Eva got all excited and said,

"THE SCREWING GAME!!!!! I LOOOOOVE THE SCREWING GAME!!!"

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Unfortunately, I know there are a few more that slipped my mind lately. I'll update this if I think of them!!

It's a big step....

There are certain milestones in a child's life that are big. HUGE.

Taking their first step.

Losing their first tooth.

Well....a little while back we hit one of those milestones. Eva has officially learned to tie her own shoes.

I know to some this may not be a big deal....but in our home it was a VERY big deal.

She has worked hard at it...and she has definitely had to practice patience.

And when she finally did it the look on her face was priceless.



Love you Eva and we are sooooo proud of you!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope everyone out there had a wonderful Christmas! We looooove Christmas in our home. It's such a magical time. Aside from our little guy and Matt not feeling 100% this year, we had an amazing Christmas season filled with love and time spent with family and friends.

When I was a little girl my parents would always capture a picture of my sis and my faces when we first saw the Christmas tree after Santa had visited. I've stuck with the same thing with my own little kiddos....even way back when they were babies and didn't know the difference we still have pics of them first thing Christmas morning. Here are our little ones this year (poor little guy still wasn't feeling well)....

Another little thing we do is purchase a special ornament for Eva and Jaden. The ornament has to represent something special from the past year and they are allowed to open these on Christmas Eve. I love to see their excitement over opening something so simple. They both know it's an ornament...but they looooove to see what Mommy and Daddy picked out this year!

Jaden received a pirate ornament this year (he is slightly obssessed with pirates) and Eva got an ornament that celebrates her losing her first tooth this summer!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Just a reminder...

This is often a busy time of year. A time of family, friends, gatherings, and alllll the glitter that the Holidays bring. This time of year is so special.

But I have one request.

Amid all that glitters this Holiday season, I encourage you to take a little time this year to think of others that are not as fortunate as you.

Take a little time out of your busy Holiday schedule to make someone else's Holidays that much more special.

Something simple.

Take canned goods to your nearest food pantry.
Go to a local nursing home and spend some time with the residents (even if you don't know them).
Stop by a local school and offer to purchase a warm coat for a child that needs it.
Put cookies on the porch of someone that lives alone, ring the doorbell, and RUN!
Ask your church if there is anyway you can make the Holidays brighter for someone.
Write a letter to a soldier stationed overseas.

These are just examples...the list is endless.

And more importantly....if possible...I encourage you to give anonymously.

In giving we receive far more than we would ever ever imagine. Capture the true spirit of this Holiday season and make the world brighter for someone else.

Hugs....
Jamie

Staying Active!

Both Eva and Jaden love sports! It's so important to me that they stay active...especially in the winter months. This past session both of them gave up tennis for something else the Athletic Club we go to offers called Impact Sports. Impact Sports offers the little ones 8 weeks of tennis, baseball, basketball, and soccer. Eva and Jaden loved it!

Seriously....how cute is this? Love how tiny they all are. Love even more that their coach has so much patience with them and works hard to make it fun!

Our little guy practicing his mad tennis skillz!!!
Not sure what Jaden is doing...but it's obviously ticking off the kid next to him! Ha!

Eva practicing fielding grounders! She's ready!

They both love a little time in the bounce house during Impact Sports!

Eva is ready to make a catch! Love the smile on her face!

On top of participating in Impact Sports Eva has also been participating in a basketball clinic her school was offering. She was able to spend a little time with the varsity and JV basketball teams and practice all kinds of skills! During half time of a recent JV game she was able to show off all she learned. It was a short little demonstration....but Eva was in absolute HEAVEN!

The little ones ran out with the JV team and circled the gym just like they do for real games. I wasn't sure if Eva would be shy or not in front of all of the people. I think it's fair to say she is IN HER ELEMENT when she is participating in sports - she ran out with GUSTO and a HUGE smile on her face. Here they are ready to RUN....

Love that this girl still waves to her Mama...

She's got some talent when it comes to running and dribbling the ball.

Her favorite part of practice? "Goooooo EAGLES!!!!"

One of my favorite parts of Eva's practice was that at the end the little kids would all huddle around the coach...and then the JV and Varsity boys would surround the little kids. Together they would bow their heads and pray. I love that my daughter has a chance to witness role models of hers practicing their faith.

"Kids sports is a vehicle for self-discovery."

--Paul Clements

Welcome Winter

Today was one of those perfect winter days....I love that. We woke up to the first true snow of the season. The excitement in Eva and Jaden's eyes was contagious. They were soooo excited.

After we picked Eva up from school we went out to lunch together (and we were lucky enough to have my sis join us)...such a special treat! Afterwards the kiddies and I came home and all three of us took a looooooong winter's nap. I loved it. When I am sandwiched between my kiddies like that and can feel their little breath on my cheek I just soak it in.

After we woke up Eva and Jaden got bundled up to go play in the snow while I made some hot cocoa for all of us (we have a tradition in our house that we don't drink hot cocoa until the first true snow of the season).

After that we did one of my favorite Christmas time things....

We turned on Christmas music, started a fire, and snuggled up by the Christmas tree to color. I loved it...again, soaking in the moment.

These times are so special to me...so so so special.

"Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand...heart to heart and hand in hand."

--How the Grinch Stole Christmas