Reversibles 2

These are not smocked but applique!  They are also reversible and super cute.

 

Orient Expressed

 

Boys Tractor/Football Shortall - size 2 (In my opinion, I think this runs small more like 18 months) - $18

Girls Pumpkin Coach/Ballerina Dress - size 4 - $20  (Sale Pending)

 

There are no tags as they are reversible.  Here are pictures of both sides of garments.

 

Naturally Athletic

It all starts with Bryan.  I met him when I was 16 years old.  If somebody asked me to describe Bryan with only 2 words that best describes him, it would be "naturally athletic."  He is good at everything with really little trying.  Of course you know that he was an all-star soccer player but that is really just a tiny fraction of his talent.  He is a very fast runner (and can "spur of the moment" run a half-marathon or any kind of race for that matter), a killer tennis player, he is an excellent swimmer and diver, and probably could do all sports well if he tried.  He is not afraid to try any sport or feat.

 

Really, he doesn't practice any of this.  He was just born that way.  Isn't that an annoying quality??

 

He has always wondered if his children would be this way too.  So far, Jillian has the competitive edge that he has.  She always wants to win and will listen to Bryan's coaching to learn the skill he is trying to teach her.  She is also quite fearless and will try anything her Daddy suggests. 

 

Now Rocco is a different story.  Rocco does not listen but wants to just jump in and try it.  He will try again and again.  He can  be very stubborn and persistent to get what he wants.  He will do something over and over and over again until he gets the feel of it and gets it right. 

 

At the age of 3 and 3 quarters, Rocco very easily taught himself to ride a bike.  Isn't that amazing??

 

NO FEAR.  ALL SMILES.

 

Naturally Athletic. 

 

 

I think he is totally amazing! 

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 can be summed up with "Less is More!"  I loved it so much! 

We started as we always do with a trip to Grandma Strawberry and Papa Cheese's for Christmas Eve!  We had 9 out of 11 grandchildren present so that is pretty good and also means a lot of chaos!!

 

The hit of Christmas Eve was Rocco got ANOTHER cell phone, but this one text messages so Rocco was estactic!!

 

As always, Hadleigh was not in the mood to cooperate or enjoy the moment!!

 

Bryan had to leave at 5:30 so he could make it to work on time. 

 

 

I took the kids home and they changed into their Christmas pjs.

 

Then Christmas morning....Jillian woke up to find the Tooth Fairy had left a sizeable reward for her latest tooth!

 

 

Bubba got a bike (without training wheels I might add)!

 

Jillian got a new Razor pink scooter!

 

and Hadleigh got a baby!

 

Then lunch at Bill and Summer's with part of my Mom's family and part of my Dad's family (I took zero pictures over there??)

 

Then later to my Mom's to open presents with the 6 kids!  Again, Hadleigh showed how cheery she is this holiday season!!

 

We really had a nice two days of Christmas but the Christmas fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks when we got home Tuesday night.  I am still recovering and I want all of the Christmas decorations up pronto!  Hopefully will do that tomorrow!

Merry Christmas from the Family

I am linking up again today with Kelly's Korner

Today is done!!!!  I am finished with teaching until 2013!!!! 

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!!!

Rocco's Christmas Program

During the first week of December, Rocco had his Christmas program.  He did awesome!!  Did you expect anything else?  He was actually very serious while singing and was very proud of himself for not goofing off like some of the other boys.  Ha!!!

This is Roc and his morning teacher Ms. Dee.  She is wonderful!

The is Roc and his afternoon teacher, Ms. Alina.  She is wonderful too.

Roc has been soooooo blessed with great teachers this year that love and adore him.  We are so thankful that he has had such fantastic teachers this year. 

Here he is singing "Go Tell It on the Mountain." 

Christmas Dance Showcase

Last Thursday was our day to visit Jillian's dance class.  She is now the "older" student in the 4-5 year old class. 

 

 

Showing off her handstand...

 

She did great ballet work!!

 

We have been waiting and waiting for Jillian's tooth to fall out and wouldn't you know???  It came out in the middle of dance class. 

 

 

Hadleigh really wanted to get out there and show off her moves too!  Here she is "stretching."

 

 

Finally, they did a little tap number - I'm Getting Nothing for Christmas.  Notice how much she is messing with her gap!  So funny!!

Christmas Decor 2012

This is the first time I am linking up with one of my favorite blogs Kelly's Korner so if you are visiting for the first time - welcome!!!

Since I have been married our theme has been silver and gold.  I am actually getting a little tired of this theme but I still do it.  Ha!!  Here is our tree.....  I think it turns out really beautiful.  You probably cannot tell that most of the decorations are from Wal-Mart!!  I have no problem with the kids touching the tree although really the kids don't mess with it even Hadleigh.  Don't get me wrong - we have had broken ornaments but I really don't get upset as they are from Wal-Mart. 

This year we did something different and let each child get their own tree.  (I scored all of these trees on Black Friday at Big Lots for next to nothing.  I love a great deal!!!)  Of course, Jillian picked a pink tree with pink ornaments!!!!

Rocco really wanted a blue tree but every Big Lots that we went to was sold out so we settled for a green tree with blue ornaments.  He loves it!!!

And Hadleigh boo got a purple tree with purple ornaments!!

This is our mantle.  Not the best (I probably need more beads and ornaments)  but it works!!!  I do sooo love our stockings from PB.  They are so beautiful!!

 Here is our front door!! 

Finally, we have two nativity sets in our house.  This one, Bryan's mom made and we just love it.  Of course, the kids can't touch this one. 

This is the BEST purchase I have ever made!!!!!  The kids play with this almost every.single.day.  They love playing with all of the characters and love listening to the music.  Seriously, it is such a joyous sound to hear one of the kids say, "Let's play Jesus.  I will be Jesus and you be Mary.  Hadleigh can be one of the sheep."  Ha!!! 

That's what we have this year!  Thanks for stopping by!!!