Jesus Loves Me

Yippee! Belated birthday presents!

There is something to be said for belated birthday presents. It is a nice surprise when you were not expecting it. It spreads out the joy. My kids were super excited about their belated presents. Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Amie sent them some super duper cool gifts that they got to open today.

Haven is stylin' in her new Dora sunglasses and cute sundress. She loves all things stylin'. When it comes to watching videos, Levi's first and only choice is Barney. So it was very cool to get his own Barney! He already is fighting his sister for it. He also got this new ball cap. In this picture we put it on his head, but he prefers it like.....

 ......this. We made the mistake of letting him wear it during snack time. He reached is messy applesauce hands up and placed them on his new hat.

 There was nothing belated for Hannah since they brought her gift personally when she was born, but I just had to include some pics of her since she has been growing lately. She has a smile that lights up her face. Of course we couldn't get her to smile big when the camera was out, but she did grin for us.

 Look at her with her little belly. Her arms and legs are filling out too.

Good Listener? Really?

Our local High School has a pre-school program that is for four months during the school year. The high school students have to come up with the lesson plans and then teach them to the pre-schoolers. It is three times a week for 2 1/2 hours. Needless to say I thought it was a perfect opportunity for Haven to socialize a bit since she loves to socialize. This was her first year and she loved it. I would ask each day what she learned and she really wouldn't tell me, but little things would come out during her playtime when she mimicked the teachers.

They had their year-end program a couple of weeks ago and they handed out awards to each of the kids. Some of the awards were a bit strange if you ask me....best hair? Really? Most random? Most serious? Anyway, for some reason I thought they would be more of an academic award. Some of them were. Haven got best listener. That was a shock to this mommy since she doesn't seem to listen that much to me! I am glad to know she is a good listener in school. I was very proud of her. During the singing part of their program she was a very enthusiastic singer/dancer. We had heard a few of the songs leading up to the program since Haven loves to perform.

 All the kids were getting their picture taken with the adult teacher, but since the students worked with her the most, I wanted to get a picture with the teens. I am so glad they make this program available!

Siblings

Haven and Levi like to "play" with Hannah. Sometimes it is a bit rough and we are always saying "gentle". Sometimes they play nice. A couple of weeks ago Haven decided to read to Hannah. I thought it was sweet!

 Levi enjoys laying beside Hannah when she is in the boppy and of course Haven couldn't be left out.

 I guess Levi thought Hannah needed a few toys to play with.

 Hannah has the best smile. This is just a small one, but when she smiles fully it lights up her eyes and face. It is quite contagious.

 Even though she is still super small, she is getting big. If that makes sense :o)

2011 Mother/Daughter Banquet

Haven, Hannah and I went with mom to her church's mother/daughter banquet. It is hard to believe I am a mom, let alone have two daughters now. Seeing myself in this picture makes it real! I hope I love my children at least half as much as my mom loved me.

Haven had a special treat. Her friends Lexie, Leah and Mary Ellen were there. They had come to sing for the group. They did such a good job. My mommy's heart broke for Haven though. She wanted to go up and sing with them and was heartbroken when she could not. A few of the ladies notice this and mom's friend Peggy offered to let Haven sing a closing song. Haven got up there and asked if she could sing a "long song". Which means she would have made up a song with random lyrics about anything she happen to see...i.e. the tables, the girls, the purses, the food, the lights, etc. I quickly put my two cents worth in and suggested that maybe she sing "Jesus Loves Me". I didn't get my camera ready in time to catch it all, but I did record some of the first time around. She finished and then asked if she could sing it again. Needless to say, she got her five minutes of fame and was very happy about it. I do have a little performer in the family. My mommy heart was happy that she got to do what she loves to do. I guess it is time to work on a song for her to sing as a special in church.