Come, let us worship the LORD!

We can worship the LORD in so many ways, inside and outside of the church building.  This month, the kids have had some special opportunities to serve and participate in corporate worship at church.  Here's Hannah Reece, an old pro with the palm branch on Palm Sunday.  I loved hearing the girls that morning singing a song they learned at Community Bible Study earlier in the week:

"Ho-ho-ho-Hosannah, 

A-a-allelujah, 

He-he-he-HE saved me,

I love HIM!"

 Millie's first time to participate in Palm Sunday, Daddy was rounding up a small palm just for her when I took this picture.  :)

 Graham and cousin Logan attended acolyte training this month, a special opportunity for children ages 9 and up.  It was so special to see these boys serve the LORD by lighting the candles as worship began on Resurrection Sunday.

THREE

Our sweet Camille Grace is three years old! 

My heart if overwhelmed with feelings of love and nostalgia as I look back at the last three years of this little girl's life.  She brings laughter, silliness, and tenderness to our family in such special ways.  When the environment is tense or stressful, her countenance almost immediately reflects that with tears and a desire to be held and hugged.  When the atmosphere is happy and peaceful, she cheers, jumps up and down and just revels in that.  It's awesome.  :)

Camille is an encourager.  When Dan is building something, when Hannah Reece is making an art project, when Graham is tying his shoes, when I'm in the kitchen preparing a meal, she's right there cheering "Go ______ Go! Go _______ Go!"  She has this sensitivity to know what we struggle most with and is so eager to come alongside and hug, kiss and encourage us.  

Camille, you are such a blessing to our family.  In you, I see the tender heart of God towards his children.  Your smile lights up a room.  (Those dimples!!)  It's easy to see when your "love tank" is empty and I'm grateful for that.  You remind me to be present, to enjoy the moment, to take time to express my love for you.  Your cheerful heart and good nature is such a "lift" and a joy to all of us!  We love you, precious girl!!

At age three Camille:

-can reach the light + fan switches

-can climb up on the potty by herself with a little white step-stool

-wears a size 3T in bottoms, 4T in tops and an 8 1/2 in shoes

-is excited to be a big sister to "Livia Kate" and regularly sweet talks and sings to her (Hush Little Baby)

-enjoys black beans + rice, ice cream, gummy fruit snacks, corn chips, oatmeal, yogurt, carrot souffle, smoothies and does not like meat, eggs or veggies.  Girl's got a sweet tooth!

-loves to color and paint

-enjoys dressing up and being a princess

-sleeps in her own bed sometimes, but still prefers momma and daddy's bed (working on that!)

-has demonstrated a few temper tantrum (meltdown's)  ususally when she's tired or over-stimulated

-loves hanging out with her big brother and sister

Birthday interview questions:

How old are you?  Holds three fingers up (three)

Who is your best friend?  Taylor (Bunt)

What's your favorite thing to do?  I love when daddy throws me up in the air and gives me sugars (big smile)

What's your favorite food? "umm, let's see...." yogurt and strawberries and hot chocolate"

*******************************************************************

A few more pics from Millie's birthday:

Camille LOVES to jump.  She jumps when she's happy, she jumps when she's sad and she really goes to town on the trampoline in our backyard.  :)  So when we were trying to thing of something fun to do as a family for her birthday, we were excited to surprise her and take her to Pump it Up.  It has several rooms FULL of bounce houses, mazes and slides.  

We got there, bought the kids wristbands and were ready for two hours of jump-a-palooza.  And this is how the birthday girl felt about Pump It Up:

 I think maybe it was too dark, too many kids, too much noise? Whatever it was, it was a no go.  So Daddy took her to the party store to pick out paper goods for her family party later that night, and I stayed and watched Graham and Hannah Reece jump, climb and slide to their heart's content for the next to hours!

 Nana has a tradition with the kids that she takes them clothes shopping for their birthdays.  The girls especially get into this, and it was fun to see what Camille picked.  She picked some really cute outfits with Nana, mostly pinks, purples, tulle, sparkles and frills.  Here's her very favorite outfit from Gymboree, complete with pink princess sparkle shoes a matching headband and bracelet.  I'm pretty sure she took it off about two days later when I insisted that it was time for she and her outfit to have a bath!  :)

 Graham: age 9, Hannah Reece: age 6 1/2 and Camille: age 3

Same day, new outfit, plus her princess birthday crown that she and Daddy picked out at the party store.

 Daddy has decided that three is the inaugural age for "real" Lego sets.  :)  Camille was so excited to play with her Friends Lego pool! Hannah Reece decided she would put it together for Mill and she did! :)

 Millie + Emma

Some of Millie's birthday gifts:

a new hat, mini magnadoodle, sticker sets, Cinderella duplo carriage, hairbands, clothes, some seed-starter kits (which are growing on the lanai!) and crafty supplies

Momma + Big Sister's Day Out

Reecie and I enjoyed a special time together on a Friday morning, just the TWO of us!  What a treat to "play" together.  :)  My friend Rebecca had gifted me a pedicure for my birthday, so it was the perfect opportunity for Hannah Reece's first pedicure.  I love the finished product but am so ticklish that it's hard for me to relax.  Reece on the other hand looked like she might fall asleep during the foot rub...she LOVED it and asked me if we could get a pedicure every week!  :)  I picked a bluish-gray color and Reece picked turquoise glitter polish.

Next, we headed to Starbucks for cold vanilla milk and a pink cake pop for Reecie, and chai tea latte and lemon loaf for me!

 I had planned to take Hannah Reece to a ceramic shop where the Smith's had given her a gift certificate for her birthday.  The night before, Aunt Choley texted to see if we had plans, so I invited she and Raeghan to come along.  The girls had fun painting together and afterward, we had lunch at Subway.

I am so grateful for my big girl Hannah Reece!  She is sweet company to keep.  :)

Graham is nine!

Our big boy is "halfway to grown-up"---I can hardly believe it!  How did nine years pass SO quickly. Here are a few highlights from Graham's birthday, nine-year-old style.

We woke Graham up with a lively rendition of the Happy Birthday Song, piled up in his bed and served up a "Graham Special":  hot chocolate with loads of whipped cream and mini-marshmellows.  :)

It's tradition that the birthday person gets to choose our meals for the whole day (or at least breakfast and dinner! )  Graham's choice for breakfast was an Egg McMuffin, hashbrown, and I made strawberry-banana-pineapple smoothies for everyone.   

And for dinner:  Papa John's pepperoni pizza.  It HAD to be Papa John's, because they go light on the sauce, just the way D.G. likes it.  I am still amazed that he chose pizza for dinner because until this year, he's NEVER liked pizza. Of course he had his favorite most favorite drink with his pizza, Fanta Orange.  

Special birthday signage, made "better" by Millie.  

This was the best shot I got of Graham blowing out his birthday candles.  Proof that I am moving slowly these days.  :)   Also proof that Graham was so surrounded by his adoring family that even the mama-razzi couldn't break through the crowd of cousins gathered closely 'round.   

Time to open gifts.  Lots of Lego sets, clothes, glow-in-the-dark nerf football and even a homemade marshmellow shooter (thanks Uncle Matt and Aunt Choley for that little gem!)  ;)

Colton makes the coolest Lego cards.  The Lego creation is hinged and opens up to reveal a paper card inside with a sweet message from the Bunt family.  Graham loved it. 

This boy who made me a mother nine years ago.  And we are so grateful for our sweet son! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAHAM!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

D.G. lately

Today was Graham's last "summer" session of swim lessons.  This is his second week and WOW what a difference a great coach makes!  Graham's coach, Edwi, has been awesome with him.  Graham has learned the backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke, froggy kicks, and some side breathing. He is also swimming the length of the pool!  It's been HOT on the sidelines with the sweet sisters but so worth it to see our fella gaining confidence and working hard/having fun in the water. He doesn't want to stop so we decided to keep up with the next session.  Hannah Reece is ready to swim, too.  

waiting patiently for his turn  (he's one of two in Edwi's class)

working hard to keep those toes pointed

Ready for a celebratory-last-lesson-game of Marco Polo!  They let the beginners wear life jackets in case they get fatigued while treading water  during the game.

Graham loves to play the game "Angry Birds" on Dan's tablet.  The last time we were in the Apple store, he played "Angry Birds Space" and since that time, he's been asking Dan if he could download it.  It costs $2.99, so he agreed to pull the weeds/grass that are encroaching on the flower beds around the pool cage.  He was out there for an hour and did an awesome job, not a single complaint!  Here he is, working hard for that new app.  ;)  And he spent his entire "techno" hour on Angry Birds Space today.  The joys of summer!  For a few more days....

happy camper

The teeth are falling out of our people's heads this week, I tell ya!  Reecie lost two and then Graham lost another on top. He's so sleepy and all wrapped up in his favorite "sports" blanket that Nana made for him.  It was about 11 o'clock when that thing finally came out!  His teeth always seem to get wiggliest at the end of the day and then he has trouble going to sleep until that wiggler comes out.  I helped him twist and turn that thing in every way, and then he finished the job-so brave!

We've been busy for the last few days laundering, packing, making a list and checking it twice because Graham's going to sleep away camp!  He is so excited to go to Cedarkirk with his "home brother" Johnathon.  Graham and Johnathon have been best friends since, well- since baby-hood!  I met Jill and Craig when Johnathon was about 9 months old and I was in my last trimester with Graham.  We were fast friends.   The boys have very different personalities, but boy do they love being together.  Sometimes we laugh, because they often remind us of two little old men with their banter and interactions.  They know each other well and it's fun to watch their friendship grow as they do.  Cedarkirk is a Christian camp and conference center, and they offer sleep away camps for all ages.  At Graham's age (8) it is a 3 day, 2 night camp.

Nana came and picked Graham up on Thursday for a little lunch and shopping for camp essentials like shower flip flops and some cool camo sunglasses.   Then this afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa came by and brought Graham his very own journal, pencils and a bookmark.  We prayed together that this would be a special time for Graham to meet new friends and that God would meet him in a special way at camp.

The "just in case" allergy medicine stash

Bible, journal + pencils, sunglasses, disposable camera, hat, swimsuit, bugspray + sunscreen and each outfit /pajama set bagged  with a special note in each bag.  I saw this idea  to bag complete outfits (down to socks + underwear) on pinterest and thought it was brilliant!  Plus, it'll prevent dropping clothes on the wet shower floor, I hope!

Millie's staying behind with grandparents so that we can focus on getting Graham settled in, and Reecie's coming along for sisterly support.  :)  Dan spent many summers at Cedarkirk and so he'll be able to show D.G. the lay of the land, I'm sure.  So happy for our boy to have this special opportunity and maybe camp at Cedarkirk will be a summer tradition!

Hannah Reece's "holey" smile :)

Reecie pulled her 2nd and 3rd teeth...all by herself!  And within one day of each other!  That dern tooth fairy was somewhat delayed due to a stomach virus.  Yuck.  But word is, she's making a special double delivery tonight.  :)

While I'm thinking of our special girl, she snuggled up next to me and wanted to chat yesterday.  She wanted to tell me about all of her favorite things...

I like to play my guitar.
I like to listen to my cd player (my favorite cd is taylor swift).
I like to watch The Greening of Whitney Brown and Curious George.
I like to play with my friends.
I like to play PBS Kids on the computer.
My favorite colors are turquoise and purple
My favorite foods are beans and rice and mac and cheese.

Hannah Reece always wears a little cardigan or shrug with her tops.  Sometimes I'll tell her it's too hot for that, but she insists on being "modest".  I'm so grateful that daddy encourages modesty by taking her shopping for clothes, affirming her beauty and helping her pick out appropriate clothes.  She handles "no" to inappropriate clothing SO well and we just stay positive about it saying, "well, guess we'll just have to KEEP shopping even longer!"  And she smiles.  May the LORD be glorified in you, as you honor HIM with your modest beauty.  May your beautiful heart and godly character SHINE, Hannah Reece.  I think you are positively radiant.

Last week Hannah Reece expressed that she wanted to have a special mommy-daughter date.  I just happened to have a coupon for a free brownie sundae burning a hole in my pocket!  So we headed over to the "Chic" and shared a yummy treat with a heaping side of giggles.  Maybe it was the sugar?  We could not stop laughing.  It was the most fun I've had in a long time!  :)  I asked Reecie if she wanted to play on the playground there for a couple of minutes.  She had the whole thing to herself and momma's undivided attention.  She was a little nervous to go in the tubes alone.  I encouraged her to go on and give it a try, so she did.  I heard her shoes banging the side of that tube slide and then jumped when I heard a loud "MOOOOOOO!"  Well, I think my girl was surprised too, because she came wide-eyed FLYIN' out of that tube!  Ha!  We laughed so hard.  I love you Reecie-boo.  xoxo

Before I forget...

Thankful for this little place on the www that is a "drop zone" for memories.  If I don't drop it here, I'll forget!  :)

***

Camille

-{This morning on the way to CBS} exclaimed, "Dee-sus live!" (with a long i) Sweet, sweet, so sweet.  (Reminds me of Psalm 8:2)
-has been wearing DRY panties for 3 days!
-is putting two and three words together this week "momma go ouside." "here I am!" "go poo-pee" "i luh voo" "daddy nukkle (snuggle) bed"
-starting to say the "s" sound here and there
-comforted by thumb and blanket
-eats her ketchup with a side of food
-had her first stomach virus this weekend.  so sad.  can't look at spaghetti and meatballs for a while.
-loves to "help" me unload the dishwasher
-can name all nine of her cousins (without a picture even!)
-thinks of "Nanny" (Nana) and mentions her name throughout the day
-names and insists each clothing item either came from Nanny or "Ta-git"
-learned how to jump with both feet off of the ground last week and can jump like a champ on the trampoline.  It is the cutest sight!
-asks for "Twinkle, Twinkle" song before falling asleep and knows the words.
-favorite book is Goodnight Moon
-takes one 2-3 hour nap after lunch and still goes to bed easily
-at age 2 wears a size 2T in clothing and a size 7 in shoes

***

Hannah Reece

-favorite show is Curious George cartoons on Netflix
-eats cream cheese on everything
-wakes up at 7:30 (on the dot), immediately makes her bed and gets dressed and is ready to begin her day
-is a planner and a natural leader (we're working on patience and gentle assertiveness)
-hair is as long as it's ever been and has some big soft curls at the end
-arts and crafts are her favorite activity
-went to the eye doctor and her prescription is almost the same as last year
-comforted by thumb and blanket
-just got her first diary (with lock and key) and is very protective of her special book
-loves to play in the back yard and learned how to swing all by herself last week!
-does a great job fixing her own hair daily...she even knows how to put it up in a ponytail and a braid!
-enjoys helping in the kitchen
-pretends to be an ice skater by sliding around the house in my fluffy socks
-loves her alone time with grandparents
-growing independence is the theme of this season
-packs her overnight bag (well!) when spending the night with grandparents
-reminds us that when she is gone she misses us a "little" but misses Charly the "most"
-at 5 1/2 wears  a size 6 in clothing and a size 13 shoe

***

Graham

-loves playing computer games, especially games on Lego.com or Disney.com
-is into anything related to Avengers (super heroes)
-favorite spot in the house is in front of the computer screen or (close second) on the trampoline
-told me after a haircut several weeks ago "my hair feels like cat fur now."
-informed Dan and I this week (with a huge grin)that "I came from mommy's tummy, God's plans, and Daddy's......(.wait for it).....PRAYERS.   :)
-loves to throw complicated words and phrases into his conversations to add interest and drama. For example, today he said "Mom, I told Daddy that you would fall into convulsions when you heard what I had for lunch today. "  Wait, maybe I am the dramatic one?  ;)
-laughs until he is hysterical when watching AFV (america's funniest home videos).  I love to watch him watch it!  :)
-is becoming quite a homebody and would sleep until 9:00am if uninterrupted
-wants to be a comic strip writer when he grows up
-dips most foods in honey mustard
-asked if he could see his "memory box" this week with lots of items from his babyhood.  He especially enjoyed his newborn outfits
-REALLY wants a baby brother (or several would be fine, too)
-at 8 yrs. + 4 months wears a size 7 in clothing and a size 2 in shoes

***

 "My children have taught me that it was more important to become what they needed than for them to become what I wanted." -Ray Kane

Just one more thing...

I find myself saying those words (in my head) several times before bed.  My just-one-more-things tend to last for at least another 20 minutes before my head hits the pillow. 

So tonight's just-one-more-thing includes this here blog post.

This is the start of our first full homeschool year.  We began in January of this year (2012) and I was under the gun and pretty much in survival mode working hard to help Graham finish second grade well, one coming home from Pre-K and one curious, energetic 2 year old.  When folks ask me about our homeschooling experience, I usually preface my thoughts with something like "I am definitely not the poster child for homeschooling mother!"  I know it sounds quite negative and self-depreciating, but it's true.  Prior to Graham starting Kindergarten, I spent a good chunk of a year researching every.single.option.  Private schools, public schools, charter schools, Classical schools, hybrid schools, and yes-even homeschool.  Though the benefits of homeschool intrigued me (rich, individualized learning; flexability; more margin for the things we want to spend our energies on) homeschool was not my first choice.  It was not my original plan.   "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."  (Prov. 19:21) Three of the options that stood out most then (almost 4 years ago): Calvert School, Classical Christian education + Classical Conversations are now at the heart of our homeschool plan.  I am amazed at how God's plan has unfolded and I will share more about that later.  We start our "school year" later this month and I am happy to say that while I'm not the poster child for the overly-enthusiastic-homeschool-momma  (grin)  I trust God, HIS love and HIS plan for us, praying that He'll make us poster children for his grace, a precious gift that I do not deserve. 

With that, I have a funny story I want to remember:
Yesterday, Graham asked me Medusa, Paul Bunyon,

And a couple Millie-isms for the day...

Tonight Millie woke up screaming...saying "my nose is RAINING!"  She has a runny nose.  So sad, so adorable.

Millie usually wakes up crying around 2:30 am.  Sleep is precious to us in this season. So, one of us goes and brings her  into our bed and we all pass out again.  This morning, I heard her waking and she was smooshing my cheeks and saying her usual "Git up, Momma!"  "Let's go, Momma!"  I cracked one eye open and she smiled and said "You my bes fwend mommy."   :)

Letter to Graham

Dearest Graham,

I can't believe that you are EIGHT!  God has used your life to refine my character and draw me to him like nothing else.  You are growing in wisdom and stature and I love hearing your perspectives on life, faith, and everything in between.  You shared with us that you'd like to be an inventor or an engineer, making new creations and designs to help people.  Daddy and I are excited to see all that God has in store for you in your ninth year and beyond, Graham!

You have transitioned from a little boy into a big boy this year.  You have demonstrated a need for more independence this year.  Sometimes this need is expressed verbally, and other times it shows up in your need to debate even the smallest of directives, blatant disobedience or a lack of confidence when trying something new.  I confess that I think I've protected you too much...held back by my own fears that you might get hurt or exposed to danger.  So, this is the year when you learn to exert your independence, and I learn trust God with your life and watch you spread your wings.  :)  I love you so much, son! 

You are quite the comedian!  You have a dry, sometimes snarky sense of humor...and often when you are being funny, you say it in this low deep voice that makes you sound a little like Jerry Seinfeld, ha!  Maybe because daddy has indoctrinated you with Seinfeld humor??  You also LOVE to jump out and surprise/scare your sisters and I...or your Nana, who had the shock of her life  when you jumped out from behind the counter in the kitchen!  

You love to read.  Some of your favorites are Calvin and Hobbes, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, the Narnia Series (CS Lewis), Missile Mouse, and Fantastic Four.   It is not uncommon for you to read a chapter book in one day.  You are content to snuggle up in bed after the girls are asleep and read quietly.  You still enjoy perusing a new Lego magazine.  Right now,  your favorite Lego series is Ninjago. 

You are very interested in American and World history.  In addition to a few fun gifts, I'm pretty sure your favorite gifts were the loaves of  banana bread from the Bunts (that no one else was allowed to touch!) and your new history primers from Nana and Papa.   

This year, we decided not to renew our Disney World passes.  You were not too disappointed about this.  In fact, we were watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with the girls one afternoon and you told me (very politely) that maybe we shouldn't go to Disney for a while, it was not to exciting anymore.  My heart ached a little, observations like these make me realize how much you are growing up!

You still enjoy any type of Wii game or computer game and would be content in front of electronic devices of any kind.  We really work to set parameters on your "screen" time and remind you that the use of these devices are a privilege, not a given to be abused.   With cellphones, facebook, texting and constant access to technology, I think it is safe to say that we are working setting limits on these devices as a family!  :)

You continue to shine academically!  We began Lee Virtual School this month, and I think you really enjoy that time with Daddy and I (Daddy teaches science and social studies and I cover core and math.)  You also love to learn about God's word and can memorize scripture so quickly! 

You are a great brother, Graham.  You and Hannah Reece are fiercely devoted to each other, and you are very gentle and protective with Camille.  Your sisters think you are so special, and when you encourage them and speak kindly, they follow wherever you lead.  :)  It's so precious to watch.  I pray that you would grow in kindness and that God would continue to keep your heart soft and teachable.  

This year you have learned:

how to ride a bike

how to tie your shoes (double knot and all)

to follow the directions to complete a complicated Lego set all by yourself

how to swim

Some of your favorites:

fried chicken

tracing paper and drawing books

the library

math

Ninjago spinners

Wii (pretty much any game!)

hanging our with your "home brother" Johnathon

playing a computer game

lemonade and Sprite (as a special treat!)  :)

fresh fruit

camp outs in the living room

morning snuggles

your "guys" (stuffed animals)

super heroes

nerf gun wars

being home

Yogurt Mountain (build your own sundae)

Chick fil A

bike riding to McD's with daddy for breakfast

comic books

telling jokes

Here's to another year of you, D.G.!  We love you and thank God for the gift of your life!

Love,

Momma

Camille's First Silly Face

17 months

Camille, our darling girl with the most delicious little dimples,

It is hard for me to believe that you are almost a year and a half old!  Your smile is so contagious and we get so tickled at your little giggles!  You love to be chased, tickled, sugared up and entertained by your big brother and sister.  Here are some things I want to remember about you at this age:

-when left unattended you usually go to one of the following to play: the toilet, the bunk bed stairs (thank goodness they're removable!), momma's closet (to play in my shoes, of course!), to you play kitchen in the corner of the living room, the pantry (gung-ee!) or to the playroom to fiddle with sister's barbie stuff.  I in turn am always hovering over you while you explore.

-you can identify eyes, nose, mouth, ears, teeth, feet, hands, hair, knees (that's a new one!)

-want to put your shoes on first thing in the morning

Words you say:
goo-ga-good girl
bubba-Graham
dissy-sissy
shoooo-shoes
Na-ha-eese-Hannah Reece
Poo-poo
bi-par-diaper
po-eee-potty
ma-mi or nee nee-momma's milk
gung-ee-hungry
doos-juice
wa-wa-water
pippy-sippy cup
teet-teet-tweet tweet/bird
Ca-oo-Charly
Dada-Daddy
Momma-you say this over and over for anything that is urgent to you, whether you are talking to me or not!  :)
Bam-pa/Bam-a-Grandpa & Grandma
Nana & Papa

the old apple trick....

worked again!   Graham loves his new look and has been doing his best alligator wrestler impression.  ;)  His hair has gotten SO long and has got some serious curl in the back.  Daddy's ready to "summer-ize" his look, but I like it.  The longer it is, the younger he seems to me, and I'm sick 'n tired of all of this growing lately!   I'm so grateful that even though he's getting bigger, he's never too busy or proud to spare some sugar for his momma.   It's amazing to watch my boy becoming more and more independent.  Speaking of independence...he also learned how to ride a bike this week!  Yay!

It's been a big week for Mr.G.