Keeping Her Little…..

as long as I can! I recently went to a Christian Woman’s Conference called “True Woman 10” The conference was a wonderful reminder to strive to be the woman that God created me to be.

I was also heavily convicted at this conference to do everything I can to teach Ava to be the woman God wants her to be while she is YOUNG. I was alerted to the alarming statistic that the pop culture and fashion industry targets to reach young girls by age 7 now as opposed to about age 12 when I was a little girl. So I have the daunting task of reaching her NOW, between age 3-6.

One way I have decided to do this NOW, is to saturate her with playing with her dolls. As she plays with her dolls, I talk to her about God’s plan for her to be Mommy one day!

I recently made the decision to be careful in the dolls I purchase for her and the companies that I support with my dollar.

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Although a little pricy, I love American Girl Dolls! I have a conversation with a friend lately that they line up the best with the way I want to teach Ava to play. The dolls also imitate the way I want her to dress. They are modestly dressed. She can choose ANY outfit for her doll and I don’t have to worry about it showing cleavage, etc. Another thing I love about American Girl dolls is they do not promote the doll having a boyfriend. Little Girls DO NOT need boyfriends! The Dolls are based on historical adventures of spunky yet all American Girls!

Baby Scarlett sporting her new Christmas Dress, hat and shoes….the name of the dress “Sweet Scarlet Dress” Perfect!

Taking Baby Scarlett Shopping the weekend before Christmas! Ava loved strolling her baby in the mall with all the “Big Mommys”

The Christmas Story

“Mommy, did you get my Christmas Story?”

“I did! I love it!” “Were you so surprised?” he says.

“Yes! I love it!” “Mommy, Can I read it to you?”

“Please! I can’t wait” I say, as Levi grabs a book he made at preschool and curls up on my lap.

Then, my newest 4 year old proudly turns these pages and retells me about our Savior's Birth!

Precious! Precious! Precious!

Hmmm..only one Wise Man looks happy.

Under each picture is the corresponding scripture.

Oh Christmas Tree

A few days ago, my mom sent me an email asking to see a picture of our “Foyer Christmas Tree.” So mom, this post is for you:)

ONE Christmas Tradition that Gordon and I had in common when we got married is that both of our families always had live Christmas Trees in our homes.

I have had fun decorating a 7-9 foot tree every year since Gordon and I moved into our first home north of Dallas. We have a large entry way that well accommodates the large size of the tree.

Here is a picture from Christmas 2006…right after Levi was born. Our first Christmas with TWO new babies! (I decorated in October this year..this picture is 2 weeks post C-sec!)

The following 3 years, I have taken various shortcuts and last even a “Christmas Tree” Vacation” last year because of the busyness of the babies turning into toddlers who wanted to touch EVERYTHING…and adding even another!

Now that my toddlers are at the ripe ole’ age of 2,4 and 4…..I have added back a tree and fully decorated my home again. However,I decided early on that I was not going to have a grandiose tree this year but rather a small tree that I could let the children decorate. It didn’t take much time, very low stress, and they have enjoyed adding their very own ornaments almost daily.

So Mom, here is my tree this year!

One day, Levi said “Mommy, we need to go to Hobby Lobby and buy a Star” I said “Oh wait, we have the perfect star…..Ava made it!”

The children go to the most amazing Christian preschool near our home! Here are some of the treasures they have brought home to add to our tree.

One of my favorites, made with fingerprints!

Under our tree is this amazing nativity I was given the year we got married. Over the years we have lost the Baby Jesus….look what Levi made!

And I can’t wait to open this on Christmas Day!

N is for Nativity

This week the kids are studying letter N. Levi was also the V.I.P. for his preschool class which meant that he got to bring home “Mr. Froggy” for a visit. Levi’s assignment was to teach Mr. Froggy all about the letter N.

The first thing Levi showed Mr. Froggy was our Little People Nativity Set.

After they played with the Nativity for a little bit, I read Mr. Froggy a book about Baby Jesus.

Next, I gave the kids a page of stickers and let them create their own Nativity on paper. They did a great job.

And then it was time for my favorite activity for the day! Last year, my friend Eve did this with her kids and I have had it “tucked away” since then.

We made a Gingerbread Nativity Scene.

First, ice your graham crackers with icing.

Then you “glue” them to the side of your box. We used 1.2 of a butter box.

Then you put a glob of icing down and arrange pretzels for a manger.

Next, add coconut (colored yellow) for the hay.

Then, add your animal crackers!

(They stand easily in globs of icing)

Next add Mary and Joseph. We used

Gingerbread people:)

Finally, place a star on top.

I used a cookie cutter and cut out a piece of bread and then toasted it so it would stand up.

HAVE FUN!

Birthday Building

On Levi’s birthday he invited just a few “local” friends over to decorate cookies and watch The Polar Express. When I say local, I mean that I knew you wouldn’t have to fight traffic on a Monday night to get here! We actually had 16 little men and woman running around the house! So much fun though.

Levi got some great birthday gifts this year from friends and family, but this seemed to be the year for building! I love that Levi loves to build. It is commonly known that kids who have access to building toys allows them to put into practice early cognitive skills of recognition, great hand eye coordination practice, and encourages creativity!

Nana and Papa Liner sent Levi this cool Gear set…

Grandpa and Grandma Donaldson gave Levi the toy he has been wanting for a long time…The Toy Story 3 Lego Train. I was amazed how fast he put it together.

Mommy and Daddy gave Levi a Magnet set

His friend, Kenzie gave him his first Trio Set. He LOVES it…and his brother does too. I enjoyed watching (and helping) the 2 of them work together to build this tower.

For a great article on Building Toys click here