Hanging on by a thread

Emily lost another tooth tonight.  This one has been hanging on by a thread for quite some time now.  It was so loose that she said "it moved out of place and I put it back with my tongue."  After much convincing, Emily finally let us get close enough to wiggle it and let Daddy pull it.  As always, once it was out she was so happy.

Study aid

Jacob had an assignment to make a board game to help him study for his upcoming test on the revolutionary war.  He choose to make Memory.  He made trivia cards, one red set and one blue set.  I helped him make a box to put his game in.  I thought it would be cute to say "from the Jacob Taylor company".  Jacob wasn't so sure, but he humored me, and did it anyway.  He told me later that his classmates and teacher liked it.  (Score one for Mom!)  He did a great job coming up with the idea and making his game.  He did great on his test because of all his hard work and prep!

Emily's 8 year check up

I took Emily tonight for her 8 year check-up.  Here are her stats:  53.5 lbs, 51 inches tall, 50th % for weight, 75th % for height and a BMI of 18.  (I found it interesting that they are now telling you the last stat for children.)  What I found out from all of her stats is that she is one fit and very muscular girl!  She told the doctor her favorite foods are shrimp, strawberries and olives to which the doctor put in her notes "eats very well and has sophisticated taste".  It was a great appointment - very neat to see your child talking so well to another adult!

Tea party anyone?

Emily was home from school today, having come down with a fever yesterday.  She got to feeling much better in the afternoon and made an invitation for me to come to her tea party.  It was really creative and sweet - it even had an rsvp (our home #) to call if I couldn't make it!  She set it all up for us and we had a tea and cookies, pretend of course.  Little girls are so fun! 

Jacob had jersey day at school, which of course Emily missed out on, so she decided to make her own Chicago Bulls jerseys to match her brother.  Very creative that girl!

Emily's latest creations

Emily made an "If I was a nurse" paper at school.  She wrote all about how she'd help people and take care of the babies.  She also made a beautiful picture with oils and watercolor.  It was framed on black paper and looked really great.  She is always drawing something and made a page all about sushi - there's spicy tuna, shrimp roll and even a mystery roll.  She loves to draw it and eat it!  I love seeing everything she makes.

Let the season begin!

Another season of Upward basketball is upon us.  The kids have practiced for the last few weeks and today was their first game.  Emily is the tallest kid, and only girl, on her team.  She has a lot more confidence, understanding of the game and more general interest in what's going on than last year.  I think this is really going to be a growth year for her.  Jacob is now playing full court and shooting at a 10 ft. rim.  His age group is also getting more competitive and interesting.  We love watching the kids play - even if it makes for a crazy Saturday with Emily's game in the morning and Jacob's game in the afternoon!

Until we meet again

On January 19th, Mamaw Taylor passed away and entered heaven.  She had been sick for quite some time now and had gone downhill rapidly these past few weeks.  While we are so sad that she has left us, we are rejoicing in the fact that she is no longer in pain and is being comforted by our loving God, having entered heaven to be with Him for eternity.  She had a beautiful service today, quite fitting for a beautiful lady.  Mamaw with the chips, you will always hold a special place in our hearts and memories.

Gotta love our kiddos!

Emily had her weekly library day today at school and you'll never guess what book she checked out - breakdancing! Folks, we're getting ready to go back in time!

 

Scott dropped Jacob and Emily off at school this morning. Jacob always says something funny on his way out and this morning he said, "Bye, see you in the morning! Happy Easter!"  That boy is hilarious!

Couponer in the making

It's no secret that Mommy is a couponer, hey it's a hobby with great financial benefits!  While working on my grocery lists tonight Emily sat down with me and took my expired coupons and put them in her "coupon book".  She was so cute about sorting them into categories.  I asked her if she was going to use coupons when she grows up for her family and her answer was "of course, Mommy!  Just like you do!"  That's my girl!  Financial training in progress can happen even at the young age of 8!

Bengals in the playoffs

The Bengals went to the playoffs AGAIN this year!  We were so excited.  We got all dressed up for the game and even had game time food because let's be real, this playoff game is like the Superbowl for us Bengals fans!  It was a fun and exciting game which sadly ended in a loss.  Guess it's time to pack up the jerseys until the fall...

Starry Night

Emily channeled her own Vincent van Gogh and came up with her own creation of Starry Night.  It seems we have the quite the little budding artist on our hands!

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

A few days before Christmas one of the most horrific school shootings took place at Sandy Hook elementary in CT.  20 innocent children and several adults were killed in a senseless act by one man.  The news coverage was everywhere - tv, radio, newspapers.  It was hard not to see it and get lost in the raw emotions of what the people in that town must be feeling.  I could not image losing my child of just 6 or 7 years old or losing my spouse, especially right before the holidays.  When the kids got home from school that day we hugged them a little tighter and counted our blessings even more. 

The principal sent out an email about school security and it included information on "Snowflakes for Sandy Hook" where the PTA of that school was asking for children to make snowflakes and then send them to the school so that they could turn the school into a winter wonderland for the children when it was time for them to go back after the holidays.  The picture below is Emily's snowflake that she proudly made and I mailed in.  We pray that our children and those across this nation remain safe while they are away from us at school.

Happy New Year

We had our own New Years Eve party at home this year.  We let the kids stay up late, not quite to midnight, donned party hats and played games.  We are so thankful for this last year that we have been blessed with and look forward to what 2013 has in store!