Big Sis and Little Bro

 These two absolutely loved this game.  This was also a nice, 65* day (Monday) before we got more snow.

The Youngest

 They say the youngest one is spoiled one.

Do you see what's going on in this picture?

...

I'll give you a minute to really look.

...

...

That's right.  Tracey is sick on the floor of our bedroom (with a bucket by her head -- she was our last man standing, and she caught the bug yesterday).  Hunter is laying at her feet because he thought a slumber party in Mama and Daddy's room looked run.  And sweet Brady is asleep on Mama and Daddy's bed -- a kingsize bed all to himself.

My Bookends

 Oldest and Youngest

9 Years Old!

 

My favorite first-born daughter turns nine years old today!  Happy Birthday to my spunky, sassy, intelligent, mature little girl.

You have grown tremendously much this past year including trying new sports, facing your fears in order to try new adventures (water slides, roller coasters, and singing a solo in your school choir concert), and you really stepped out of your comfort zone when we moved to Rangely and you had to establish a completely new social network and circle of friends in our new town.  You handled everything with an amazing attitude.

You are so creative and intelligent, I do not understand how you think of the inventions you do, the business plans you have, and tackle the arts and crafts projects you do.  This year you have really come into your own as an artist and an individual.

You are an avid reader and bring a book almost every where you go.  You read incredibly quickly and you remember the story and can re-tell it very well.

You are a wonderful big sister to all your younger brothers and sisters.  Brady and Hunter really think they are little kings because of how much you care for them and spoil them.  Caroline and Lee Lee look up to you so much especially how hard you work, your grades, your style, and your creativity... and Howard thinks you're awesome, which is why you are his favorite person to annoy.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful 9-year-old!

We love you like crazy.

Secure and Comfortable

 She now has her own room, she has a new bed.  A snowstorm is raging outside, and she is contentedly reading until bedtime.

I wish I could always make her feel as secure and comfortable as she feels right now.

So Sweet

 Our oldest and youngest

1000 Words

 1000 Words

1000 Words

 1000 Words

Selfie

 Tracey took a selfie with Hunter yesterday and it is about the cutest thing I've seen all week...

Happy and Horrified

 I called the kids in from outside... and in came Tracey and Hunter... and I cannot express how this sight made me so equally happy and horrified at the same time.

My Girl

 I have not taken many pictures lately and I don't seem to realize this until I get into bed each night and start my blog... I really have just been working like crazy this week, and with any spare minute I have been baking Christmas cookies and trying to put together Christmas gifts for a few colleagues and our children's teachers.

Our kids school did NOT do a spirit week this week... and it drove me CRAZY!!!!  What better week to do crazy hat day, crazy sweater day, and pajama day than the week leading up to Christmas vacation?!?!?!

That being said, I encouraged our kiddos to wear their most Christmas-ey outfits every day and reminded them that all Christmas apparel will be put away soon after Christmas.

So... Tuesday morning Tracey Ann choose one of her Christmas dresses and decided that a bow was everything needed to complete her outfit.

I love my girl!

Older Sisters

 This is life with three older sisters...

Little Readers

 My oldest and youngest readers...

Homework Helper

I've been trying to encourage Tracey to get part of her online homework done first thing in the morning before her brothers and sisters wake up.  She is always the first one awake and I'm trying to teach her how much fun it is to get your work done first thing so that you can enjoy the rest of the day -- you almost forget that you even did it and you can enjoy the rest of the day.

Well, a few days ago, Hunter was awake and had a ball watching Tracey do her online reading work.

Two Wheel Riding

Sunday afternoon Tracey sat on a two-wheeled bicycle for the first time... and Monday afternoon, she was zipping around our neighborhood independently.

Obviously, it was a wonderfully proud moment for us to watch Tracey learning how to ride... but I will be honest, this was especially precious to me because I was the one running up and down the street holding the back of Tracey's bike.  Iw as was the one encouraging her and challenging her and motivating her to keep going... and I was the one to let go of that bicycle and watch her ride away.

It was a great moment as her mother!

Alike

These babies look a lot alike!

 Tracey Ann

Hunter Nicholas

 

Before School

This is what we do before we have to leave for school...

Whomever is dressed and ready first gets to cuddle with or "babysit" Hunter.

 

Like Mother Like Daughter

I had just commented to Hubby that my neck was getting sore from how often I fall asleep nursing Hunter... within a few hours, we saw this.

Like mother, like daughter.

Preschool Graduation

Yesterday, our spunky, kind-hearted, oldest daughter who loves animals, babies, her siblings, and Jesus graduated from preschool.

She has been at the same preschool since she turned two years old, and we are so proud of the little girl she is growing into.  She has learned so much, and made some very sweet friends -- but more importantly than then academics she has learned to prepare her for kindergarten and grade school, she has learned how to work.  She has learned how to get work done independently, or with friends, and how to organize her time and have fun learning.

Yesterday we were able to celebrate her accomplishment and mark the milestone of her moving on to kindergarten.

She is ready, which is such a blessing to be able to say.  A few months ago, she was not.  She would adamantly oppose the suggestion of going to kindergarten, and start to cry.  Now, she cannot wait.  She admits that she might be shy, and she is going to miss her siblings... but she is ready for the new challenges.

Tracey loves geography, science, and counting.  She also learns very well when material is set to music because she loves to sing and can repeat music pretty well.  She is still working on how to sound out letters, and other aspects of her curriculum, but she enjoys learning, which is what we want for her.

Happy Graduation, Tracey Ann!  We love you so much and are so proud of you and all that is coming next in your life.