Momma's getting crafty!

For this month,  I had planned to do some fun christmas craft or activity for each FHE, but due to family emergency and us having to go out of town, we missed the 1st two Mondays of December.  So last week for FHE we read a children's book about the first Christmas and discussed the nativity.  Then we decorated our gingerbread house.  This past Monday for FHE we made our handprint snowman ornaments for the tree.  I think they turned out pretty cute.  I don't do crafts unless one of the many talented girls in my ward shows me, and it has to be beginner level:)  Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

THE Big Man and His Little Helper

The Big Man (aka Santa) and his little helper actually live at my house!  I am one lucky girl, but I guess that means I have to be extra good b/c they are always making lists and checking them twice!

Baby Ollie!!!!

3D Pictures are amazing. There is so much detail in them. In the first picture you can see that he already had a 'Larson' chin and the second picture is of him on his belly and you can see his butt and legs crossed. I am in love!!

December 7th...... Pearl Harbor

We decided since we live in Hawaii and considering the historical significance of the day, we would go to the World War II monuments and Pearl Harbor.  I am so glad that we did.  We got to see alot of servicemen in thier full regalia and see a flyby and just take in all of the ceremonies.  We took the  boat over to the USS Arizona memorial and it was great. We told Cole that he had to be reverent and he asked if we were going to church. We told him the kid version of the story of events that happened there and he was most worried that the bad guys were going to bomb the ships while we were there and that it might be too loud.  Colby said that it happened a long time ago and that the bad guys are gone and the they are actually our friends now.  Cole said that if bad guys bombed him they would not be his friends!! Too Funny.

I am so glad that we live in the United States and I really do reverence  all those who have been and are currently engaged in service to our country. The opportunities that are available to us because of where we live and because we know the truthfulness of the gospel are great blessings! I am sure that all of you recognize this and especially so when speaking with Mom and Dad and hearing about all of the monetarily less fortunate whom they serve. They may have so much less worldly goods than we do but to hear of how they 'treasure' there membership in the Lord's church is humbling and makes me reflect.
 

The gifts of the Sisters...

I just ate the best hot buttered roll delivered by my VT, Sister Yarn as she came over this morning!  Tuesday night was our Christmas Enrichment Program and it was so great.  We had a delicious Middle Eastern meal (think hummus, pita, pistachios, pomegranates for appetizer; baked chicken, couscous, a sweet carrot/yam dish for entree; Turkish Delight, sesame wafers, and fig/pistachio cookies for dessert).  Afterwards the coolest  program:  blindfolded while music plays of Christ's life and objects are placed in your hand (baby blanket, hay, star, small wreath of thorns, nails).  Ford was the baby Jesus, placed in each sister's arms to hold and love.  Go Relief Society!

Sunday Snacks!

Matt and I have both had a problem shedding our extra pounds for the past 4 years.  I am wondering if it has anything to do with Sunday snacks?  Pretty much every Sunday evening, Matt craves a treat.  So, I usually make cookies, brownies, or any other yummy baked treat.  Well, a couple Sundays ago I heard Matt's famous line, " So what treat are you going to make us tonight?"  I asked what he wanted, and was told biscuits with butter, honey, and our homemade boysenberry jam.  Done!  He did not have to ask me twice.

Wagon Wheel Preschool

So, 2 of my friends and I have started our own preschool just for our own kids.  We were all 3 elementary school teachers, so we have gone big with the whole thing.  We got the name from the name of the preschool Lily on the show "Modern Family" attends.  (It was a funny episode) I have had my rotation the past 2 weeks.  It is on T/Th and we go from 9-12.  It's free and I am much happier with the education Molly is getting now then when she was in the community's preschool.  Here is bits and pieces of what the kids and I have done these past 2 weeks.

the kids start by coming in, sitting on their matt, and reading books quietly.  We then do a question of the day, then calendar time, and we start centers.  We have 4 centers ( dramatic play, ABC, writing, and math).  the kids love it.  we then have snack, music time, story time, a learning activity that goes along with the book we read/theme and letter of the week.  we then do art time, and then about 20 mins of play time until they get picked up.  It requires LOTS of planning, but worth every minute.  Molly  now writes her name everywhere, as well as the letters B, T, F, O.  She is counting a lot better, and well, she loves being with her friends!