Author: Jenny Irvine

Advent Kick Off

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Last week we kicked off our advent count down with lots of fun activities.We attended our cities tree lighting ceremony..complete with reindeer, hot coco, donuts, and Santa.

 K.Bear enjoyed her donut before bed! She had little interest in the hot chocolate,but did send Mommy on a mad mission to find a drinking fountain. Since I have a phobia of them I of coarse grabbed a cup to fill!
Mr.Smiles had about 8 layers covering him and was in a frozen state of “awww” !!

We live in a great city with wonderful friends and neighbors (although I would still love to live in the country) there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t see, play, or hang out with someone in the area. So of coarse we ran into friends at the tree lighting ceremony and had our own little ‘group’. The girls even spotted a “Santa star”? A star in the sky they both agreed was Santa’s sleigh. And wouldn’t you know it when Santa arrived to the city we looked in the sky and the star was gone!! What a great testimony to a child’s imagination and appreciating the little things in life. 

Pumpkin had the honor this year to help Mommy decorate the tree. She was thrilled to stay up later than the little ones. I was pleasantly surprised by the great job she did!! She is now looking forward to our sleepover under the tree on December 23rd.

This picture is a bit dark..but we really are in it!! The decorating committee (Mommy, Pumpkin, and Teddy)

We have two trees in our home a real tree (above) and an artificial one we put in the basement (below). I grew up having two trees so this is nothing out of the ordinary for me. There was the entertaining tree and the “Santa Tree” and yes, the entertaining tree would be in the room where the kids were the least.  Growing up this was in our living room… the room of pristine cleanliness…the room of look don’t touch. Now, having 3 little ones myself I find great comfort in those little “home” get a ways..I love my kids dearly, but love my space too!! In our home now, that is our basement!!

Get to “Re-know Us!”

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The girls have been having a blast with all of our Advent activities….I printed these super super cute ornaments and put them up on our “Advent Tree”. Printed on the backside of each ornament is a “fun” activity* which we do that particular day/night; anything from “Root Beer Float Night” to making a Paper Chain Christmas count down. We are having a blast this holiday season and are so glad to share it!!

K.Bear is enjoying a new found “independence” at the ripe age of 2yrs 4 mo…I said it once, I said it “100x’s” this girl is going to light the world on fire. She is a little ball of energy, a sweet sole, with a spunky attitude, and truly our family comedian. On any given day she can be found climbing dressers, making her independence known “Me Do It!”, playing babies, playing dress up, or just showcasing her pearly whites.

Pumpkin is busy at work on her Christmas cards…Miss. Inquisitive, the perfectionist, the organizer, our first born leader…this girl is destine to be in politics and/or law with her arguing skills!!

And, the newest member to our homeschool Mr. Smiles officially makes his debut…..I love this boy!! His smile (although not in this picture) can light up a room. His mind is always going, he loves his sisters, and is typically full of giggles and grins…O’ how I am blessed. I have been caught saying “I would have a fourth” if I could guarantee a boy..  don’t hold your breath on that one though!!

I think some of my favorite things about having children is the ability to watch them learn, grown, and excite in the littlest things…for instance the 5 snow flakes (o.k maybe a few more that that) falling from the sky. There is nothing better than walking outside hearing your “5” yr old say “Mommy I’m catching snow on my tongue”..so sweet!! These little moments make me appreciate them for the little sponges they are!!

We have also implemented “The Elf on a Shelf” in our home. Our Elf’s name is “Critter” …not sure why, but that is what the girls decided on. He watches over them during the day and reports back to the “Big Man in the North Pole” at night. K.Bear does not fully “get-it”…but their excitement each morning finding “Critter” is priceless.

St.Nicholas also visited our house December 6th…we placed our shoes outside on the front porch at night…and wouldn’t you know it …candy in the AM!! The girls enjoyed a “sweet surprise” for breakfast M&M’s, Smarties, and play tattoo’s?!

K.Bear with her sleepy little face was not quite sure what to think….but Smarties in hand, she was ready!! This girls is always ready (never leaving the house without a backpack packed..she is truly a Mommy in the making!!)
So, I know this was not exactly a “school” post but more of a “get to re-know us” post… know that we have lots to share..and are excited to see what the future holds. We are getting bigger each day, learning more, and exploring together is what we do best!!

Back in the Swing of Things

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 So even my best efforts could not begin to “go back” and recap all that we have been doing…but we have kept busy with school, field trips, and just exploring the world around us!! It has taken the past 5mo after having Mr. Smiles to get things in order but I finally feel like “I’m getting somewhere” ?!

The girls worked on our family Gingerbread House this weekend and it came out beautifully. Pumpkin (take note) did most of the decorating while K.Bear was the silent observer eating the candy. Even now as it sits in the corner of our living room the little munchkin has been picking away at it…what a stinker!!



Pumpkin was very proud of her masterpiece….but she too has taken a liking to the candy. I fully expect the house to be picked over by Christmas!!

 The weather was quite unseasonably warm …so it was nice to take advantage of the  nice weekend and pick out our Christmas tree. The girls ran around the Nursery looking at all the trees. Ours should be delivered by our lovely Uncle Bob this weekend!!

This year we are trying something new…an “Advent Tree”…I have pretend ornaments hung on two little trees on the back of each ornament is something “special” we will be doing. The next 25 days are guaranteed to be fun and exciting.


Our December 1st ornament was “make a paper chain”…the girls loved linking them together and working as a “team” to link, glue, and attach each piece. (Mommy had a to help a bit as the glue was not cooperating; we then switched to tape!)

No picture in our house is complete without one big “CHEESE”

Yes, although it is nearing  the end part of 2010… there will be lots to share, lots to “catch up on”, and lots to look forward too!! We are excited to share the rest of our 2010 with you and bring in 2011 surely with a lot of giggles, wiggles, and exploring along the way!