St. Vincent’s Christmas Program

St. Vincent’s School had their Christmas Program tonight.  Ella was an angel in the play.  When Jesus was born the angels sang, “Alleluia, Alleluia”.

I adore my sweet little angel.

In the past, the Christmas Program was performed by only the Pre-K classes.  This year, we have a new music teacher, Mr. Cleaver.  He is wonderful and all the kids love him.  He worked with every grade up through middle school.  The first grade class sang “Silent Night”. 

The Christmas Program, just one of the innumerable reasons I love St. Vincent’s School.  Merry Christmas.

 

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Seeing Santa

After a yummy dinner tonight at Uncle Buck’s, we visited with Santa at Bass Pro Shop.  Ella was super excited.  Aleck was excited, but he still has a “I’m gonna play it cool” going on in the picture.

The people at Bass Pro Shop are pretty smart on how they layout their merchandise.  The entire section leading up to Santa, was lined with cool toys that any kid would love to have.  Aleck spotted a toy truck that pulls a boat.  For the rest of our wait, he could be heard mumbling, “Red truck with boat and trailer. Red truck with boat and trailer.  Red truck with boat and trailer.”  He didn’t want to forget what he just saw, but nonetheless had to ask for from Santa.

Ella has been asking for a Monster High Doll.  I have told her many times that Mommy doesn’t think she is old enough for a Monster High Doll.  Mommy thinks they wear too much makeup and their clothes are a little edgy for a four year-old girl.  When Ella got to talk to Santa, of course she asked for a Monster High Doll and Batman Legos.  I explained to Ella that although Santa tries to bring toys that kids will like, Santa has to listen to Mommy if she says “no” to a specific toy.  I’m not even sure where Ella saw a Monster High Doll.  I suspect a commercial.  I sure hope Ella wanting a Monster High Doll isn’t a sign that as a teenager she will dye her hair black, wear black combat boots and all black attire and way too much makeup. 

 

I love how she is holding the elf’s hand for the picture.

“Mommy, take a picture of me with the snowman too.”

 

UPDATE:

A few days later we ran into Santa on the street in Downtown Grapevine.  He asked Ella what she wanted for Christmas.  She looked at him then looked at me.  She softly replied, “Jewelry will be just fine.”  That little girl of mine is one smart cookie.

 

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Crazy Cousins

 

These two cousins adore one another, which makes these pictures all the more special.

 

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Trick or Treat

We love our new neighborhood, especially on Halloween.  We went Trick or Treating with the neighbor kids.  Our street is a happening place to trick or treat, with great candy and decorations.  Ella and AJ picked out their costumes, Power Rangers, back in September on a trip to Costco.  I was so surprised that Ella didn’t want to be a princess, but the pink costume won her over.  Occasionally, she would mention a princess, but I reminded her that since we already had her Power Ranger costume, she was committed.

I dressed as myself, Brenda the Good Witch.

Ella and AJ had been talking about all the decorations in this yard for weeks.  The person giving out candy was dressed as a wolf, but that didn’t slow Ella down one bit.  She is happy to snuggle in for a picture as long as a chocolate candy bar is in it for her. 

I’m off to scavenge through the kids candy while they sleep.  Does that make me a bad mommy?

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St. Vincent’s Halloween Carnival

We had dinner and a little carnival at church tonight.  The kids love the games, parade and trick or treating down the hallway.  Mommies love all of the above, and the fact that we don’t have to cook dinner.  Good times with good friends.

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St. Vincent’s School Chess Club

Aleck found an old chess board a few weeks ago and started playing around with the pieces.  I don’t play chess, so I couldn’t teach him.  Luckily, the St. Vincent’s School Chess Club just started and he was so excited to join.  We are so privileged to have Dr. Alexey Root as an instructor.  She has written six books, and won the U.S. women’s championship in 1989.

Aleck is obsessed with “castling”, whatever that is.  He was reading instructions from the chess game in the car one day.  He was asking me questions and I said, “Aleck, Mommy doesn’t know how to play chess.”  He replied, “That’s OK Mom.  I’ll teach you.”  I love my sweet little man.

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School Work

 

Ella used vegetables to paint this picture.  I can see corn, potato, and onion patterns.  I love how creative Ella’s teacher, Mrs. Dashner, can be.

I love Aleck’s drawing illustration making a new friend.  It makes my heart smile.

I am so impressed with the math word problems that Aleck is solving.

Pay Attention

This was floating around Facebook today.  I have no idea who wrote it, but it spoke to me.  All parents, at one time or another, get so busy that we can forget to relish today.  I am thankful for this little reminder to “breathe”, “notice” and “study” today.

Girl's Day

Today, we stopped at Jason's Deli for lunch and ice cream.  Ella loves it so much that she will ask as she is getting ready for bed, "Is tomorrow Girl's Day? " She loves it as much as I do, and that's a lot!

Happy 50th

Some friends helped surprise Tom for a birthday celebration today.  The first couple of families showed up and Tom said, “Did you know they were coming over?”  I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and went on about my business.  When the next two families showed up, Tom knew it was a surprise party for him.  His face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when he realized it was all about him.  It was awesome!

 

 

The kids had a great time swimming while the parents visited.

 

Tom doesn’t really like care, but he loves my brownies.

We only had one near CPR event with all these kids in the pool.  OK, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little.

Let’s celebrate!

The next door neighbor even made a visit to wish Tom a Happy Birthday.

Dickey family, Siek family, Wolfe family and Campbell family, we love you guys and are so blessed to call you friends.

To steal a phrase from my kids, “It was the best day, ever!”

Happy 50th, Honey.  Here’s to the next 50!

Saint Vincent’s School Rally Sunday

We love Rally Sunday at St. Vincent’s Cathedral.  On Rally Sunday, the children from St. Vincent’s School wear their dress uniform and attend the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.  Since the school is the church’s biggest mission, it is a wonderful opportunity for the church to meet some of our school families. 

Rally Sunday is actually how our family was introduced to the church side of St. Vincent’s.  We attended Rally Sunday when Aleck started St. Vincent’s in Mrs. Jordan’s 3 year-old class.  Tom and I were confirmed, and Aleck and Ella baptized the following Fall.  For that reason, Rally Sunday will forever hold a special place in my heart.

 

 

Aleck and his friends looked so handsome in their dress uniform.

Britney did a wonderful job speaking to the congregation.

The Boy Scouts were selling popcorn and recruiting new members.

 

Jana, our Head of School, also gave a wonderful speech to the congregation.  Keal was there, well, because Keal is always hard at work behind the scenes.

 

I love our church and I love our school.  We are so blessed to call St. Vincent’s home.

Girl’s Day and Tea Parties

This is my last year before both kids are in school all day, every day.  Ella is attending preschool three full days a week.  Going into this school year, I decided that Tuesday, Thursday and weekends are going to be special days with my kids.  I will try to get the majority of my work done while the kids are at school so I can enjoy the days that my kids are home with me.  Hence, Girl’s Day was born.  The thought quickly grew on Ella.  When she wakes up in the morning, she says, “Is it Girl’s Day?”  If I reply “yes”, she shouts, “yay!”  Some days we spent the day at home painting and riding our bikes to the park.  Other days, we visit Paradise Pond and have a nice lunch at Jason’s Deli.  Ella always orders soup.  The staff always says, “what will she be having?”  They are always surprised that a little girl loves soup.

On this specific day, Ella and I had cupcakes and tea at Let’s Pretend Tea Parties, a little girl’s tea room and boutique.  Ella loved having her nails and hair done, and she even got a touch of makeup for the special occasion.  She was mesmerized with the cubes of sugar.  She wasn’t too crazy about her cupcake, but she did love eating the sugar cubes.  If you live in Grapevine, TX, and have a little girl, I highly recommend a tea party at Let’s Pretend Tea Parties.

Of course, we call days that AJ is home Girl’s and Boy’s Day.  We can’t leave my little man out. 

I am so thankful for these sweet moments and also thankful that I am aware of how fleeting these special times are together.  In the blink of an eye, my babies will have babies of their own.  I hope they continue the tradition of Girl’s and Boy’s Day.

 

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