First Piggy Bank

Bracken has been saving his money to buy Christmas presents this year.  He really wanted a piggy bank, so  I helped him make one by cutting a hole in the lid of an empty hot chocolate can.  He's been scouring sidewalks and store floors for pennies, and doing chores like helping me scrub down the bathroom, mop the floor, and do the dishes to earn nickels.

Today his Aunt and Uncles sent him a letter with pictures and stickers, and "oh boy!", Sarah sent a dollar.  She tripled his Christmas savings.  He was soo excited and hurried to pull out his piggy bank, pay his tithing, and count his money with Chandra to see if he has enough to go Christmas shopping yet.

Popcorn Popping

Such a fun morning with my kids!  We pop popcorn often...(much to Brian's chagrin as he's usually the one who vacuums out the couches) and today we made a LOT of it!  Bracken and Chandra's favorite part was when the lid to the popper fell off and popcorn flew everywhere. They started screaming and chasing after each piece.  Then they helped me sweep the floor.

Concentration...

   Bracken spent over an hour this morning working with newspaper, a paper bag, glue, spare buttons, ribbon, and LOTS of tape to make two swords.

   Tonight Bracken and Brian had an intense sword fight.  Bracken hit all the buttons off of Brian's sword, so Bracken won. :)  There was a lot of giggling.

   Yesterday Bracken found his "real" hammer.  He went outside with Brian in the dark and worked on chopping pieces off of a dead stump.  Tonight we started a mini fire with Bracken's wood, ate cookies, then came inside and drank hot chocolate.  The kids love playing with their Dad, and I love having him around more too!

Not enough waffles

We started out very happy at breakfast.  But when Bracken heard their was only one more waffle left he was very upset.  He wanted "lots and lots more" of them, not just one more. He got over it eventually. :)

Letter to my Little Girl...

Dear Chandra,

I love you.  I’m so glad you’re our little girl.  You are so determined and adorable.  We love your kisses, your fishy faces, how happy you get when we let you have your binky at naptime.  Your pathetically cute little meows as you paw at us and pretend to be a cat. Your giggles and squeals when you tease us, or when we tickle you.  The way you try to “read” and yell or gasp the sound effects as you turn the pages of a book.

You certainly have a spit-fire, moody, infuriating side.  But I think it largely comes from you knowing exactly what you want, and being so frustrated when you try to move heaven and earth…or at least a chair…to get it and not being successful or having someone tell you “no.”  That determination is a good thing.  Sometimes I just have to remind myself. J  I’m so excited for you to start talking more, I think that’ll help both of us a lot. 

In the mean time, know that I am so glad I'm your Mom, that Bracken adores you and watches out for you, and that you're Daddy's little girl.  We all love you.
                                Love,  Mom
                       

Day 4: Reading their Favorite Book

After Bracken has a book read to him a couple of times he usually has it memorized.  He often "reads" to Chandra and me.  Chandra loves it.  Some of their favorite books are the "Elephant and Piggie" books by Mo Willems.  They make all us laugh out loud almost every time we read them.  Chandra's little book is an "Old McDonald has a farm" pop up book that she likes to have me read to her before her nap.

Our favorite Elephant and Piggie books are:  Can I Play Too?, Should I Share My Ice Cream?, Watch Me Throw the Ball, We are in a Book, and  Are You Ready to Play Outside.