Week of Service

To go along with our Christmas projects we are having FHE based on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Last week we encouraged the kids to do small acts of service and see how they feel at the end of the week. It was a lot of fun seeing what they do and how they react when they get service done for them. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with my mom about the kids and how to handle 10 year old. One thing she said was to pick battles, which is harder than it sounds, but she also said how she would sometimes make our beds so when we got out of the shower it was one less thing to worry about. I have thought about that a lot decided it would be my goal for the week (and after that as well). I tried to make their bed every day and one day I did all of their chores so they could just relax after school. The boys figured out I was the one making the beds and other things, so their service was writing me a cute note. Little do they know how much that really means and how it always will bring a tear to my eye. I love the emoji Camden did on his. 

 This is Beck's. It took a bit but the blank spot is supposed to be where the magic card goes and should say magic. Beck also came and gave me a big hug one day. If you know Beck you know that isn't something he does everyday, so it meant even more. 

 This is Jacks note... or numbers he left for me on the bed.

The week was good. All the kids did little things at home and at school, like helping other students with school work or helping their dad shovel the sidewalk. All and all it was a good week. 

Emery's Concert

One of our Christmas projects was going to Emery's school concert. It was short and sweet but she loved doing it. Only a few more years of these programs left. Jacks has his first in a few days and he is even more excited for it now. 

More December Fun

The other day we went to an activity that the hospital helped sponser. There were lots of Christmas themed activities the kids could do, and our had a lot of fun.

The wrote letters to Santa, and if you put your address, Santa may write you back. 

 Then there was a Stuffed Petting Zoo/Adoption Center. They had a ton of stuffed animal to choose from and you could pick one and take it home with you. They even had to fill out adoption papers. 

 Emery met Tinker Bell, which she loved. 

 The boys med Darth Vader. Jackson was way too excited when he say him at first and couldn't wait to get a picture with him. 

What Christmas Party would be complete without seeing Santa. They gave us a printed out picture with them next to Santa as well. 

 There was also face painting, breakfast, meeting the fire, police departments and paramedics. You could frost a sugar cookie, listen to a puppet show and they even got a piggy bank pig from ICCU. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast.  

Movie Nights

One thing the kids love to do is have a movie night. We watched "Pete's Dragon" the other night and Emery and Jacks found a box to make it a drive though. 

 For the past 3 weeks we have been watching one Harry Potter movie with the kids on Sunday after church. This week, after the movie, the boys were making up their own spells to say and then having wand fights with the ones they got from Universal Studios. It's good to see the wands go to good use and to see them having fun. 

 Beck is more like me, he was a little reserved yelling his spells out, especially when he saw I was taking a picture. 

December Fun

For the past few years I have planned things with the kids in December, but they always fade away and I stop them. This year we will make it through all of them! 

First we made countdowns. We used chalkboard paint (which actually works!) and they could paint on it of just use chalk.  

When we just had the three kids I did an "elf" that would watch the kids and bring little things to them through out the month. Well you start something like that and they somehow rememeber it each year. When we were putting the socks up the first thing they all said was 'now the elf can come.' So our elf is back. There was a note left and a little prize on December 1st. They don't come every night, but enough to keep them excited. 

 At Target you can but a big sheet of rice crispy treats, so to make a faster way to cut things out and decorate, we did that this year. The kids liked it and it was tasty to eat. I also found a cheap gingerbread house pack that had 5 small houses. The kids ask to do them all the time but I actually really hate doing them. The tiny ones were a good compromise. 

I'm not sure they're meant for eating, but Beck ate some of his house. 

So far so good on doing all the things we had planned, but it is only one week in... 

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.