Finishing Up December

This month has been so full of activities and fun family times. Today has been the most restful, though--full of playing on the play ground, roller skating, bike riding, playing dress-up, building a gingerbread house, etc. No schedules, no time frames. It was so nice. What a great way to end the year!

Here's a look at our Christmas in North Carolina:

Cherish prayed for two things: Moon Dough and snow...

Cherish's first time on a sled:

We hope our readers have a WONDERFULLY BLESSED New Year!

Bethlehem Visit and Gaither Homecoming

Every year we head out to visit "Bethlehem"--a huge outreach done by a local church. This year, Cherish was fearless and wanted to experience everything. She was running over to animals and petting them before we even knew it. In years past, we had to coax her to even put her hand out.

She even pet the camel!

Getting ready to make a woven bracelet:

Then we had a MARVELOUS night with the Gaithers! It was their last night on tour before Christmas. Bill Gaither was moved to tears over and over again. It was a highlight of our season of celebration!

Cherish stayed awake for the full four hours and thoroughly enjoyed herself! (As was evidenced by her dancing and singing.)

Time out for gingerbread:

Cherish Turned 4

We had an enjoyable celebration. Cherish had a princess party and enjoyed the company of four little friends--each of whom dressed the part. Also, daddy dressed up as the king, and mommy dressed up as the queen.

We began the party with hair, "make up" (sparkles), and nails, followed by "princess" games. The little ones transformed into the part they were playing. It was so cute!

"Princess Says" (like "Simon Says"):

My first attempt at a decorative cake:

So-o cute!!

 

This weekend was so busy for us. It began Thursday evening with date night (seeing "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Alhambra), a birthday party and a Christmas party Friday, two Christmas parties on Saturday, followed by church and a Christmas program on Sunday. A full weekend to say the least.

Date night picture:

Cinderella Shoot

Pappy and Nanny always get their grandchildren to have their pictures taken around the age of three or four—in full costume in whatever interest they may have. Well, Cherish lives in the world of the princesses—specifically Cinderella.

She had a hard time taking the pictures since the camera ladies wanted her to act like Cinderella (pretending to run, pretending to be shocked that she lost a shoe…), and Cherish really didn't want to pretend with people gawking at her and taking pictures. Thus, this was our second time to the photo studio, and this time went much better.

This time I put "jingle bells" in Cherish's hair--which made her laugh when she shook her head. So, we got some smiles:

Where our hearts are:



Ice and Snow in Florida

Cherish has been praying for God to send snow to Florida. Well, Gaylord Palms in Orlando brought the northern weather to the south. =) First stop: "ICE!"

Getting ready to head into the 9° Fahrenheit weather
(the parkas were provided):

 Mom, Julie, Cherish, Derek:

 It's all ice--colored ice:

Cherish got stuck coming down the ice slide:

 Lunch with Mrs. Claus:

 Waiting to head into "SNOW!"

 Snow--under a big tent:

 Snowball fights with dad:

 Snowman building time:

 Not much space or loose snow, but you use what you've got:

 Time out for some shows:

A very nice day out at Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FL!

Cherish eats up learning!

Cherish woke up this morning, picked out her clothes, got dressed, did her hair, found this math book, came to me and asked if she could do some math--all before breakfast. She loves "school" (as she calls it).

This is unplanned and unrehearsed:

When she doesn't have enough fingers:

We pull a math book out maybe one to two times a month--because she begs me to. She's always asking questions and seeking knowledge. (She knows subtraction as well.) We are thinking of possibly homeschooling her, but it terrifies me. Maybe a co-op....

Getting things done

I have had more time on my hands lately (due to some changes), so I have been busy getting things done that have been on my "To Do Sometime" list.

So, Cherish and I donned our painting clothes and got to work. We had large doll furniture and children's furniture to prime and paint.

Here's Cherish priming her doll highchair. Priming was great for her, because the raw wood drank up the globs of paint =).

During this time together I got so many comments like:
"I LOVE painting!" "I love you, Momma!"
"I love spending time with you!"
Sweet child!

This doll house was build by Derek's grandfather for

Derek's older sister almost 40 years ago!

Popsie did a fabulous job!

Aunt Rhonda passed the house down to Cherish,

and we gave it some new life:

 It doesn't have "bling-bling" yet,
but at least the "work" part is done: 

What Cherish doesn't know is that for her birthday she will be receiving doll furniture to fit into this house. In the past, she's just been using other items to play "house" with.

Also, we got sand for Cherish and set up a new-to-her sandbox. Of course, we let Cherish play in the sandbox in her pajamas the first night it was set up. Perhaps that's one benefit of being a child of an older parent. You realize that going outside in the dark and playing in pajamas really is ok. (She had a shower and changed pajamas afterwards so she wouldn't be sleeping in the itchy sand-filled pajamas.) We'll have to do that again very soon.

Play--it's work for kids ;-).

Bed time and all the animals are in the exact spot they need to be in! If they are moved, she'll notice--even in the middle of the night!

Good night, Sweetheart!