She's got the joy joy joy joy . . .

After dinner, Rebekah got out some modeling clay.

Rebekah: Can I play with this?
Sarah: Not right now. It's too messy.
Rebekah: But Jesus said yes.
Sarah: What?
Rebekah: Jesus is in my heart and I hear him saying yes.

Annabelle update

Annabelle is now nine months old, and she is a speedy little crawler. For the past few days she has been standing up on her own--I think the record is twelve seconds. She seems like she is ready to walk any minute now. She weighs 22 pounds now, about the same that Rebekah weighed at her age. Last week she didn't feel so well, and it turned out she had two ear infections. This is just the second time she's had one, so we're doing pretty well on that front. She is feeling much better now and is back to her perky self. She expresses herself loudly, whether she is happy or sad, and she has a great big laugh. I wish I could show what we call her "nosy smile"--when she's really happy, she wrinkles her nose and smiles with her whole face. We haven't managed to catch it on camera yet, but that is my mission next week.

free rice

This message probably sounds like spam, but I promise it is a real post from me, Sarah. I just wanted to share this website with you.

If any of you need a brief diversion, go to www.freerice.com. It is a word game that tests your vocabulary, and for each word you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated to fight world hunger. You don't have to sign up for anything--you don't even give your name. The "rice" is donated in the form of money to the United Nations World Food Program. The connection between your word game and the donation is when you click on a word an advertisement appears at the bottom of the screen. Companies pay for the ad space, and the Free Rice organization donates that money. I've looked into it, and it appears to be completely legitimate.

And, besides, word games are fun.

Overdue Christmas wrap-up

Wow! It feels like Christmas was a year ago! We started our travels at night a few days before Christmas and stopped in a hotel to break-up the long drive. Unfortunately, the hotel's crib was already begin used and we discovered that Annabelle MUST sleep in a baby bed. Every time we put her in the floor or in bed with us, she thought it was party time. After a long night, we went to Hooks to visit Mamaw and Papaw Evans (or G.G. and Great-Papaw, depending on who you ask), where Rebekah tried to "speak" to the dogs in their own language, barking through the window, while Annabelle took a dip in their water bowl. This is why we don't have a dog! From there it was on to Arkansas where the girls got to play with TEN cousins!


We had an early Christmas celebration (which Annabelle slept through!), and drove home on Christmas Eve, so as not to miss Santa Claus. He came through for Rebekah, bringing exactly what she asked for--a violin and a piano (electric keyboard). We're hoping the toy versions encourage her interest in music so that maybe next year she can start taking instrument lessons. She has definitely inherited a love of music from both sides of the family. Annabelle got a very simple toy that has been one of the favorites--a set of stacking/nesting bowls that also fit together to make four balls to roll. They both play with that toy every day.

After Christmas, Mom and Dad came down, and we had our third Christmas celebration. They gave us a PlayStation 3, which I resisted until I learned that it plays Blu-Ray DVDs. I got a dancing game that lets you play your own CDs, so I've been dancing to a lot of 80s pop in my living room--that is officially my new work-out plan. And rest assured, you won't be seeing pictures of that here!

Sisters

To use or just amuse

A crafty blogger has posted a PDF of printable gift tags. They are really funny, but you could also print them out and actually use them. I will try to have at least one good post this week about all the pre-holiday fun we've had, but I have some serious, heavy work goals for myself. Keep me in your prayers--I need some extra strength to push through some work problems I've been struggling with.

Christmas shirts

Here are the girls in the Christmas shirts I made for them. Annabelle's says "Jingle Belle" and Rebekah's says "Jingle all the way." The holly berries are red buttons. I liked this picture better than the ones where they were looking at the camera because this is how they look most of the time--Rebekah is making silly faces and Annabelle is looking at Rebekah. You can click on the picture for a closer look.

Shannon's job

Mary has requested an update on Shannon, and since he can't seem to get himself in here to do it (he's too busy checking on the Razorbacks every time he gets near the computer), I guess I'll do it for him. He likes his new job at the bank. The transition from restaurant management was smooth because the work is similar--he's still managing a team of people who are serving customers. He has said that the lifestyle is totally different, in a good way. The hours are predictable and consistent, and he's home with us every night and every weekend. It's fantastic for all of us. He's been through a lot of training, but it's stretched out over a few months instead of condensed. He also likes being able to wear nice clothes that he picks out every day instead of a uniform. He's thrown out all his greasy black pants and gray shirts! Hopefully he'll get in here and give you some more, but for now, that's what's up with Shannon.

Hooray for Christmas!

We're all excited about Christmas out here. We've got the house decorated and we've been enjoying the festivities around town. I'm awfully proud of my mantle. I got the decorating idea from a Southern Living Christmas book that Mamaw Evans sent me for my birthday. After I hung the stockings, Rebekah walked in the room and said, "Mommy! You decorated red socks! That's so silly!" and she laughed for about ten minutes over it.



Our tree looks like something out of a department store because we bought a big package of red balls at Sam's and that's all that's on it now--except for one little white bear that Rebekah found and stuck on there. It will be more personalized and less Martha Stewart-y once we get out the rest of our ornaments. I've always wanted to be able to put my Christmas tree in a window that you can see from outside, and this year I can.



On Saturday we went to Christmas in the Park where we saw a friend perform with her dance class. After that we stood in line for an hour and a half to see Santa. Annabelle tolerated the wait well considering we didn't get done until 9:30. When we finally got to Santa Claus, we knew it was worth the wait. This year was Rebekah's first time to see Santa because I was determined not to subject myself to the long lines until she asked for it herself (we didn't even try with Annabelle). Rebekah crawled up in his lap and hugged him and touched his beard--she was starstruck! She wouldn't even look at the camera because she wouldn't stop hugging him. She did manage to ask him for a piano. When we left she said, "Santa Claus loves me." On the way home both girls fell asleep and Rebekah never woke up even when Shannon changed her clothes and put her to bed.



On Sunday we went to the Christmas parade, which lasted for over two hours! It was so hot that we were wearing short sleeves, and I took off Annabelle's pants and let her just wear a onesie. I actually saw some little girls in sun dresses. Santa was at the end of the parade, so we hung on until the end. Rebekah and Annabelle both perked up for the marching bands, and of course, I'm encouraging that. I just know I'd be the best band mom ever :)

language arts

On Friday, Rebekah brought home a note about what they had been learning in school for the week. For the literacy section, they read a book called Diary of a Worm, so I asked her to tell me about the worm. She began, "Once upon a time there was a little worm..." and told me the story. For the language section, they learned about articles, adjectives, nouns, and verbs. I asked Rebekah if she could tell me about nouns. She said, "Once upon a time there was a little noun..."

We are easily amused

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1131872382

first pets

Rebekah is now the proud owner of her first pets, a trio of goldfish named Goldie, Cheeto, and Cheese Puff. Eventually she will have a larger pet, but I am maintaining my stance of no babies and dogs at the same time. I also stand firmly against rodents and birds. I am so not interested in cleaning cages. For now, she is quite pleased with her fish.

Cooking has commenced

I have made a caramel-chocolate-pecan pie for the adults and turkey sugar cookies for the kids. The pie filling is made of caramel candies instead of Karo syrup, and the crust is crushed pecans instead of pastry.

Halloween Belles

Halloween was a big hit. Rebekah was Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast--and she was not alone. Every three-year-old girl we saw at the church Fall Festival was a Disney Princess. Coordinating with her sister's yellow dress was Bananabelle, who seemed to enjoy the festivities, too. Her costume was a hit, but the Chiquita label did not hold up well to the excessive drool :) And by the way, please pardon the snotty nose in every picture--it was unavoidable. She conked out before we left the church and did not make it to the trick-or-treating portion of the evening. Fortunately, even though Rebekah is old enough to insist on trick-or-treating, she is young enough that three houses satisfied her. Exhausted, Rebekah has passed out on the couch. Annabelle, refreshed by her late evening nap, is up for another round.

Sunday project: fairy castle bedroom

All of us were pretty much stuck at home today because we are sharing one big cold--just in time for the girls to start their new daycare/preschool. I did manage to get a project done. I created a fairy castle bedroom for the girls out of a Wallies paste-up mural. I have been looking at them online and when I saw them on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $14, I couldn't resist. The kit had a big castle and a little one, so it was perfect for the girls' shared room. Take a look:

Rebekah's side

Annabelle's crib

the window between their beds--Granmommy made the letters on the window

Annabelle's side

Punkins!

We've been to two pumpkin patches in the past week, and we may be going back this weekend. Rebekah is in love with pumpkins and Halloween in general. She keeps asking if she can go trick- or-treating, and then she follows it with an explanation so we'll know how to do it: "If I go and knock on someone's door and say 'trick-or-treat' then I will get lots and lots of candy." I keep reminding her that it only works on Halloween--otherwise it's just begging. I have told her that we are going to our church Fall Festival for Halloween, so she says she will knock on the church door and say "trick-or-treat' and get candy. I can't wait to show you their costumes next week. Last night we painted our pumpkin family. Everyone did his or her own pumpkin, except for Annabelle, of course. I painted hers, complete with one dimple and one tooth. She held it yesterday for a picture, but since we used washable (and non-toxic!) paint, she ended up with green all over her mouth. Below is a close-up of Rebekah's pumpkin. It actually ended up with a face, albeit a small one. Her first concern was to use every color of paint, and once she accomplished that, she was ready for the face. If you look towards the top, you can see two dots for eyes, a dot for the nose, and a straight-line mouth. Above the face is blue hair and below it are feet. It also has ears with blue earrings. She did a good job for her first pumpkin, and she is awfully proud. To see details of the pictures, just click on them.

return of angel baby

Going through hand-me-down baby clothes, I once again found the cutest pajamas ever. I love seeing Annabelle in the clothes Rebekah wore so I can relive some happy memories while making new ones (I know it's corny, but it's true). Stay tuned for pictures of the cutest hat ever--it will be making a comeback as soon as the weather gets cold.

More Annabelle action

Annabelle had her six-month check-up, and she's still in the 90th percentile for height and weight. Adding to her list of accomplishments, she can also pull herself up to standing. Once she gets up, though, she can't go anywhere or get back down, so she just stands there and cries until we come to help her. We have let her fall back down, but she doesn't land on her bottom as she should--she falls head first and lands on her face. Last night we discovered the tiniest ridges of her first tooth poking through her bottom gums. We were so excited and called the grandparents to share the news, but that mood changed when her emerging tooth combined with a fever from her immunizations kept her up all night. Poor baby! (and poor Mommy)

settling in--and Annabelle crawls!

We've moved into our new house. The settling in process is long, especially since every one of us got sick while we were moving, but we already like our house, and everyone is sleeping a little better now. I was worried that Rebekah would have trouble since she's been sleeping in my bed for the last two months, but she was so happy to see her own bed again that she took right to it and hasn't complained (about the bed, that is--she has found plenty of other things to complain about, but that's just a symptom of being three). We had a great visit with family before we moved, and Shannon was happy not to be rushing back to work. He starts his new job on Monday.

In the midst of all this, Annabelle starting crawling--not scooting on her belly, but real actual crawling! She started about three days before she turned six months old. She is all over the place now, which is not the best timing for a move. We keep having to catch her to get things out of her mouth. Rebekah seems to have taken her sister's new mobility as a threat and has launched a preemptive strike, showing that baby who's boss. Most of the time she is sweet and hugs and kisses and plays with her--even as we speak, Bekah is putting on a puppet show and Annabelle is giggling with delight. But several times a day, we have to rescue the baby because Bekah has pushed her over, dragged her across the carpet by her head, or STOOD ON TOP OF HER! We are on high alert because never know when the sweet Bekah will slip away and Bekah-monster will take her place.

Woo-hoo!

Shannon has a job offer for a management position at a bank. We won't have details until the end of the week. Today is his last day at his old job, and he's pretty excited, especially since getting the call this morning. The timing has worked out well, too. He wanted to take a vacation this week to visit family without his cell phone ringing all the time with work problems, and he'll be able to do that. It won't be a real vacation for me, as I will still have to beg, borrow, and steal work time throughout the week, but it will still be nice to see everyone. I hope Shannon will log on and actually post something about this whole thing himself, but based on previous experience, I have to be laid up recovering from childbirth for that to happen. I have some news for Shannon, too. Tomorrow he can sleep in as long as he wants and enjoy his time off. But he better relish it, because no more late nights working means no more sleeping half the day. (And since the girls wake up at 6:00 a.m. every day, 9:30 is sleeping half the day away to me.)