Emersyn

Emery really has her own style. Some of the outfits she puts together is interesting but the other day she took it to her hair. She wanted half of her hair in a pony and the other half down. It turned out interesting.  

 We painted nails last night and she asked me what made me special. Two of her toes overlap each other and one time while doing our nails she got frustrated and said she wished her toes were like mine. I told her that her toes being different is one thing that makes her special and that everyone has things that are different about them. We then pointed out things that are 'special' about each of us, like Beck's sweet belly button, the bump on my nose, Brad has moles. It made her feel better to see that we all have things that are different but they make us who we are. So every once in a while she'll ask what makes someone special. Hopefully she can keep this feeling as she gets older as well.

Christmas Decor

Thanksgiving is over and so that means it's time to get ready for Christmas. The kids couldn't wait to set the tree up. They love looking through all the ornaments they have received from Grandma and Grandpa Arrington and all the other ones we have collected throughout the years. 

This year, since we're on a Pinterest project run, we made a few new decorations to go along with the house. We painted the inside and outside of a few bottles and made these. I love how they look completed.  

 Camden was impressed that it looks like these bottles have frost on them. 

We made a wreath out of ball ornaments. It took a lot of glue but Emery loves that we added something outside. 

 We decided to put the stockings in a new spot this year, and even got small ones for Eevee and Luna. The boys all have Star Wars and the girls have Frozen characters. 

 It looks good all set up. The kids already can't keep their hands off the tree. Now the count down till Santa begins. 

Camden

Camden always amazes me. He has stuck with piano for 3 years now, which is honestly a lot longer than I thought he would want to do it, and to top it off he is really good at it. The other day he showed us he can play the "X-Files" theme and he didn't have music for it, he just did it. He is preparing a song right now that I'm going try and have him play in Sacrament meeting soon (which he is very nervous for). 

This week they have had off school and both days so far he has played so well with the younger two. Now that may not sound like a big deal, but if anyone is fighting it's Cam and Jacks, so the peace has been so nice. Today he made balloon animals for Emery and Jacks, and just made them. I think a while ago someone kind of showed him what to do, but nothing to intense. He made a sword and a few dogs/elephants. (the nose was a little long for a dogs). 

 This past weekend he had his first clogging recital. I'm not sure what made him want to try it out, but he has loved it so far. Our niece is on a team with this group, so it helps to see how far she has come and all she can do. It helps him see where he can go. Another great thing is his instructor is a boy and they have a few all boy classes for when he gets into a harder level. It was a lot of fun watching him dance and I really hope he stick with this. This was another thing I was surprised he stayed with. Once Beck stopped I wasn't sure he'd want to keep going, but it's good he did. 

Only draw back to clogging is it's loud, but very impressive with how fast they can move their feet. 

Their dance. 

Jackson

It's been a lot of fun watching all the kids learn and grow as they are in school. I think with Jackson being the youngest I have watched him a little more. When they did the beginning year test he scored a little low, but they said that it's not a big deal. Kids get nervous taking tests and talking to new people, but to help him out a little bit we do flashcards. For every one he gets right he gets one mini M&M. Then he has to count the card and M&Ms out. He loved doing this and gets really excited to see how high he counts to each time. There is always a time when it all just kind of clicks and they really like school and are getting all that they are doing, and that happened this week it seems. He has been sounding out words and trying to read all that he can. My baby just has to keep showing me how much of a big boy he is. 

 Jackson loves playing with other kids at school and is an all around friendly kid. The other day he wore a TMNT hat to school but didn't come home with it. When Brad asked where it was he said he gave it to a friend for his birthday. Jacks was so happy about what he did we couldn't get mad (although now when he wears hats we tell him he has to bring them home). The next day he came home with a note from the little boys mom making sure it was all ok and that we knew what happened with the hat. It's fun to see him so giving at such a young age. 

He is also learning lots of songs in school. He sings the days of the week and months of the year. All week though he has been singing "You're a Grand 'Ol Flag." While a good patriotic song, I'm so sick of hearing it, but will listen because it makes him happy to know a song the other three don't know. 

He and Emery are the best of friends and love to play with each other. It's nice to see them pretty much always get along. They always make each other laugh. They laughed for a while when they saw each other in these hats at the store. We thought they were kind of creepy. 

Disk Golf

We have recently started a new sport that the whole family can enjoy... Disk Golf. I have a friend from work who loves it and she's been trying to get me to go out and play with her. Brad and I did the other day and had a lot of fun. It's a sport that all the kids can do, although we like to go just us sometimes. The only bad part it we decided to start a summer sport at the beginning of winter. Good thing Idaho weather changes from day to day; who knows tomorrow may be really sunny and we can go and play a round. 

They've all done well with it, but you do have to watch out when Jacks throws, his get a little crazy. 

Halloween

This years Halloween was a lot of fun. It was our first in this house and we discovered it's a good neighborhood to trick-or-treat in. 

First we went to dinner at Pizza Pit Cafe with Aunt Teresa and some of her family. The kids had their costume on and Jacks had to take his mask off. I took a picture of his hair to show him how crazy it looked. 

I have slowly discovered that 10 years seems to start the weird ages. I guess after a decade on Earth you figure might as well get moody, weird, rebellious, air-heady.... and many other words. I have heard it doesn't get easier from here on out so I guess we're in for the long haul. The boys went for weird this year on costumes, a hot dog and banana. I am happy though that they didn't just go with the flow of their friends and went for something fun.  

Emersyn is Super Girl and Jacks is Catboy from "PJ Masks" on Disney. He was so happy to be him and would run and yell "super cat speed" like they do on the show.

Could they be more cute? It was a fun night and we got A LOT of candy.