Santa Claus

We saw Santa Claus for the 3rd time this year at Summit Bank last night.  David Franklin loves Santa and runs straight to him. This Santa remembered him and said, Hi David Franklin.  He couldn't believe Santa remembered him and it was so sweet.  He had some new, rather strange items on his list last night... a shark with one fin, eyes, and monster claws. (huh?)

Nora sat on Santa's lap for the first time on Sunday at the Country Club brunch and wasn't a fan.  Last night, I thought it might be better because it was a smaller crowd and this Santa helper was very friendly and had toys.  Not the case, she didn't totally melt down, but she didn't care for him much at all. Poor Santa.  I bet next year, she will change her mind! 



Round 1 at the HSCC, not happy!

Ran right up when he arrived at the bank!

 

Santa even tried crawling on his hands and knees for Nora, but she still wasn't having it.

This Sunday DF sang in church for the first time!  It was one song that they preschoolers sang the chorus of and we were so proud of him! He was so happy to see his grandparents in the audience and his sister got to come to big church to watch too.  She said "Bubby" and clapped!  It was a proud moment for all of us. 



Singing "The Gift goes On" at church for the first time. Pretty sure he licked the mike stand- ha! (Sorry it's blurry)

Christmas Tree

 

 

Christmas time is officially here. We went and cut down our tree from the Christmas tree farm which is something we love to do each year. We had some great helpers this year. The lady saw how much David F liked it she said for him to come back when he's 16 and he could have a job. First job offer at 4!

We also went to see the beautiful lights at Garvan Gardens with a few other families this week. DF ran full force ahead of the group while Nora moseyed along looking (and pulling) on ever string of lights she could reach. It was a mild night and not a lot of people were there so it was a great night for our kids to go through it anyway they wanted without bothering anyone. The hot chocolate at the end was a hit for DFB and Nora loved the marshmallows. She packed them in her cheeks and asked the ladies for more 3 times. We had to cut her off :)

Little full.  Lotta sap.

 

All Aboard!!

We went to Branson to ride the Polar Express train last weekend with the McBride and Herndon families. We rented a cabin on lake Taneycomo and all had so much fun!

The train was cute and the kids wore their Christmas pjs, had unlimited sugar cookies, hot coco, and talked to Santa and Mrs. Claus. We sang Christmas carols and the Polar Express book was read on board. The "big boys" had so much fun together. Nora was out numbered in the boys club but she had no idea and hung right with them- tough chick in the making!

 

Operation: Bless!

This year as I was searching my very favorite website for ideas, Pinterest, and I came across a wonderful idea. One that I am going to amend, personalize and ATTEMPT this Christmas Season. I make no assumptions that I can carry it out everyday but I will try.

It's an idea that I'm excited about and one that has crazy, good potential... It's a version of what I read called RACK...
25 days of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. I looked at the lists of others who have tried it before and got so inspired!
I created a list that our family can try to do around here. Our advent wreath is going to be an old fashioned ring pull away but written inside each ring is our act for the day.

I am excited about this for a number of reasons. First of all I want to teach my children to give and experience that joy. Secondly, I want people to have unexpected blessings during Christmas. I want this season to be less about our wish lists (although that's fun) and more about the spirit of love and giving and the true meaning of Christmas.

I have a "Good Deed" Bonus opportunity for my students and I wanted in on the action. I want to model for them by example, not a list of ideas I pass around.

It's my hope that this verse to comes to life for us this Christmas season "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35

I will try to blog about our highlights, but I want to be present and do it for the sake of others, not necessarily blogging or documenting it. It's just too exciting not to share and anyone is welcome to join us, on one day or everyday! That's why I'm calling it "operation: bless" because its my prayer that many are blessed this Christmas!!!

Sugar and Spice

We started the day with her favorite- Chocolate! (Nutella on toast)

The two curly heads who have quite a love for each other!

Our little girl is 18 months old today.  Nora is a year and a half...  She still seems like a tiny baby to me and in so many ways, yet grown up too. We are CRAZY for this girl.  Nora Ligon Bass is sugar and spice, she is razzle dazzle, and Miss Personality.  Her great grandmother said yesterday, there are lots of beautiful babies but none of them have such a personality like she does.

First of all, she is sugar sweet. She is very snugly.  She loves to be held and rocked and pushes her face right up against yours.  She is a social girl and makes fast friends.  She will often cry when one of her favorite mommy friends (many of my girl friends, especially Wesley and Kim) put her down or drive away.  If she decides you're her friend, she loves you forever and is stuck like glue.  It isn't uncommon for her to be carried by numerous other people at parties.  She is the favorite of many; many nursery workers, babysitters, etc. have told me "Nora's our favorite baby girl".  She loves to hug and kiss and will run to you with open arms when you ask for a hug. She loves all of her people to be together and will call each of us to come down where she is and do what she is doing.  Momma! Sit. Daddy! Sit.  Bubba! Sit.  Bey-ya! (bella) sit. as she pats on the floor beside her in the tee pee. Then she will look at all of us and just smile and laugh.  She likes to be close and she likes to all be together.  She is a people person and doesn't like to be alone for long at all.
 

Secondly, she is spice.  She is independent and likes to do things herself.  If she makes her mind up, she will do everything she can to achieve what she wants. (Love that about her, but it might be a challenge in her older years!) She will come and grab your hand and pull you to whatever it is she wants to go.  She doesn't want to be left out and wants to be in on all of the action.  She and her brother have already started fighting over toys, etc.  And she definitely knows how to say "MINE!" and she will yell it over and over.  She shakes her whole body from side to side when she says No and is very animated.  She shakes her booty when she walks and is total sassafras! She is athletic and fast, she when she runs,  those little legs can move! She inherited that from her daddy, along with her curls!  She has the cutest head of blond curls which just floors me.  I never thought I'd have a curly blond headed baby, but am I so glad that I do! She loves to read books, sing (even though it's gibberish) and she loves to play outside.  She is girly, yet tough. She is absolutely special. I know I am biased, (very biased) but I can reallysee a spark in her that is electric.

Nora is resilient.  She has been sick much of her little life.  Nothing serious THANKFULLY, yet I think the doctor said it best this week, She seems to be a magnet for viruses, etc.  She has had many ear infections (tubes), 4 cases of strep, respiratory infections, allergies, etc.  We are hopeful she will outgrow it sooner than later. Yet even while feeling crummy a lot of the time, she's a very happy girl. She is easy to smile, goes with the flow and a tough cookie!  We are proud of her and love her dearly.  I am forever grateful for the gift of my precious daughter.

Now for a few stats, mostly for my sake:
Still 2 naps a day most days.  Anywhere from 1-2 hours each.
Sleeps from about 7-6
Drinks Rice milk, but will try dairy again soon.
Eats mostly fruits and meats, likes some vegetables and loves chocolate!
Size 4 diapers, and in 18-24 month clothes.



Thanksgiving Day 2012!

We have so much to be thankful for and felt our blessings abundantly today. The thing we are most thankful for is Love. Love from and for God, our beloved family, and our dear friends.

David Franklin the Runner!

                    

David Franklin ran in his first race, The Spa Squirt! Hot Springs puts on a 10K and 5K race every year and they have a 1K (1/2 mile)for kids.
We aren't trying to push any activities, but trying to expose him to different things to see what he likes. He always likes to race his daddy outside so we thought we'd try it with his buddy, James.

It was a long way for our little guy, but he finished it with quite a determined face at the end! We are so proud of him for trying and not quitting! He got a medal that he was happy to get. I was thinking how big he was until he grabbed his blanket.

The Spa Squirt was a success! And he even made the Sunday Sports Section in the Sentinel Record.

The cheerleader