Anna's melt-down causes me to think!

Tuesday, at Community Bible Study (CBS, for short), as I picked up our older two from class, Anna had a meltdown- in the hallway, in front of all the other moms waiting to pick up their kiddos. Meanwhile, above this, Abigail was whining loudly that Anna had her take-home papers and she had Anna's. These meltdowns of Anna's are becoming more common and frustrating. Knowing we were being watched by everyone, I knelt down to her level and pleaded that she tell me what was wrong...rather than scoop her up and take her out the door (which is always my first instinct). She was wailing! I was embarrassed! Finally- the explanation!

"I didn't get to pray with Ms. Shirley!" [in between short breaths]. The Children's Director, gladly opened the door for an upset Anna, and led her back to her teacher to have prayer before leaving. A fellow mom, ran up and expressed her warm fuzzy feelings- "All she wanted was to pray with Ms. Shirley!" We peeked in through the little square window and watched Anna receive her own personal prayer. And the tears just ROLLED down my face! How precious this was, and to think I could have missed it and messed it up by allowing my frustrations to overtake the situation. It was an eye-opener for me.

I have begun having prayer time with my girls individually. Seperate from our family prayer time before meals and bed where the girls have lifted up names of family/friends; this has been so different...SO INCREDIBLE! I have requested that the one not having prayer time with Mommy go to the bedroom and wait for her turn. So it's just me, one of the girls, and God. As they sit completely STILL deep in my lap, I get to pray with them, praise their accomplishments of the day, and in Anna's case, pray for her belly that's been hurting, and lastly thank God for Anna "who has beautiful curly hair and draws such pretty pictures". We both say "Amen", and she just looks up at me with big, sweet eyes, and my heart beams with love for her! The same with Abigail- I close hers, "I thank you God for my Abigail who is such a good helper around the house". She hugs me and says she loves me sooo much! Aliza, smiling, bobs her head while I say a 5-second prayer with her. Our relationships have changed SO much in just a few nights of doing it, I hate I have missed out on this precious moment with them for so long. I think God was sending me a message through Ms. Shirley. Sadly, I often find myself in the role of Martha...too busy, and distracted with the WORK and the routine that I don't just stop and be MARY!

15 degrees outside, what to do?

Aliza crawled, giggled, and chased her sisters!

Anna calls Aliza, who's in the tube!

Had to get a little creative for free play when we had some brrr Chilly days! We finally got out the tent they got for Christmas, and they played for a bit. Abigail and Anna didn't stay interested in it as long as I thought they would...but Aliza sure LOVED it!

Trip to Knoxville

Aliza loved the rides, just enough motion to keep her holding on!

Abigail and Anna LOVE pool time with Daddy! He's the FUN one!

We saw The Tale of Despereaux...Anna fell asleep. Aliza would rather go after the popcorn than eat HER baby snacks! In a few years, Aliza! This trip to the theater cost about as much as the hotel room, lol!

Aliza in her new car seat FACING the FRONT!

After the holiday craziness, we went on a little trip to Knoxville. Initially, the idea began as taking the girls to Chuck E. Cheese's and the closest was 2 hours away in Knoxville, or Nashville...so we decided to head east and make an overnight of it! Next time we go, we have to take the camper though and GO TO THE ZOO!

NEW DESKS!

You girls were so excited to get your student desks! They were old, but in really good condition and just needed a thorough cleaning. I was so impressed there wasn't any gum in them or under them (I always remember finding chewed up gum when we'd have to clean ours at the end of the school year).

Anyhow, you sure enjoyed playing (I mean cleaning) with shaving cream! You wrote your names, formed letters and shapes in the shaving cream, so it easily became a learning activity! I was pleasantly surprised that the mess stayed on the desktops and not you or the floor! The kitchen smelled so good afterwards!

Abigail's First Sleepover

Abigail slept over at a freind's house Friday night. We were invited to her little friend's 5th birthday party. As the party was nearing the end, her friend Analese came up to us and asked if she could spend the night with her. Abigail pleaded jumping up and down, "Please, please, can I spend the night?" Analese's mom told us it was fine, and we were still in shock over the question! The two girls had already worked out pajama and blanket details!! So Louis and I agreed, and went home to get her an overnight bag thinking when we'd return she might have changed her mind. She didn't! Anna was a little sad that Abigail wasn't coming home. Though they bicker as sisters sometimes do, it's times like these that I know they cherish each other's company. We had a lot to do at home to make Anna's slumber party with mom and dad partly comparable...it's amazing what cartoons and a bowl of popcorn in bed can do for a 4- year old who feels left out. We picked Abigail up Saturday morning. The girls had a fun time, Kelly said, painting toenails, eating, and watching Chicken Little well into the 11th hour! Abigail talked all about her night on the 5 minute ride in the car to our house. She's growing up on us!