Thankful for 12/23/15

Stop and smell the roses or...save the Earthworms!

Because when you clear your schedule of all obligations you can take the time stop and save the Earthworms from the treacherous sidewalks on a rainy day!

This year Christmas falls on a Friday. My girls have been out of school since last Friday. That is a whole week of non scheduled nothingness. For this gift of time, I am thankful. I enjoyed December 23, 2015 more than any other year. Gifts are wrapped, the house is clean and the laundry is folded and put away. That left me with nothing but time to spend with my kids.

That leaves us with time to try our hand at homemade Iced Sugar Christmas Cookie for the first time.

 That leaves us time to sit and listen to Reese read a chapter book while the cookies are in the oven (not pictured).

That leaves us time to get out the watercolors and learn new techniques for painting Christmas trees. Painting below by BOO.

 That leaves us time to sit around together and enjoy screen time.

And, yes, that leaves us time to walk in the sprinkling rain to Chick-Fil-A to hear a neighbor sing, but stop and save the Earthworms!

I soaked in these sweet faces on December 23, 2015 and for that I am a happier, more fulfilled person. 

I am guilty of over scheduling myself. But yesterday reminded me that more isn't always better. So I hope to empty my schedule a little so that I can save Earthworms again soon. 

PS- all that may even energize you to allow them to be free of rules the following morning (even if it creates quite the load of laundry).

Rising 2nd Grader

This is getting real people. I am the mother of a rising second grader. No turning back now.

Let's view Brady's first and last day of school.

Now while Brady didn't sprout quite like Reese. She only grew a measly 2 inches compared to Reese's three. Brady was too busy absorbing all the teacher has to offer. Like how to read like. a. PRO! Brady advanced from a later kindergartner reader to a early 3rd grade reader during this school year. The first timed math test they took, only one kid got them all right the first try...yep, my kid! She got the citizen of the month in November and Star Student in June. She was voted "most wants to be the teacher" by her class.

I don't think I was prepared for how well public school would suit her. I really do like, no love, montessori school but for Brady the structure of public school is more comfortable for her needs. This comfort allowed her to excel to new heights. The school system identified Brady as gifted and she will be in a cluster class (about one third of the kids share the label) next year. A resource teacher will come in regularly and supplement the cluster with brain stretching material.

Next year is going to be a great year too, I can feel it!

Brain vs. Brawn

Last year of preschool has come to a close. This year has been quite the battle. Her amazing brain verses her ability to grow like a weed. 

BRAIN!

Reese learned to read this year. Not just slowly sound out each sound and then blend, I mean READ! She started the year being able to sound out a hand full of three letter words. Reese can add. Reese can tell time and calculate duration. Reese can critically think like none other. I have been asked questions about the government and taxes and why we have them. I have been asked "If the Earth is round, then why does it look flat to me?". I have been asked "Why does Elsa's ice castle have no furniture, does she just visit it, then leave when she needs to go to bed or potty?" (I betcha didn't even think about that one, did ya?)

Here is a video of Reese reading. We plucked this one off the shelf. We didn't practice before the video so you are seeing her true ability to read.

 BRAWN!

Reese has grown out of clothes and shoes like there is no tomorrow. Look at these side by side pics of the first and last day of school. The dead bolt moves from eye level to shoulder level! This year's adventure down gluten free alley has been awesome. Reese is healthier, happier, heavier, and TALLER! Isn't it a funny thing what the ability to adsorb your food properly will do to a kid?

Either way, whether BRAIN or BRAWN won, she has found her way to the finish line. She is now looking at being a Hermitage Viking KINDERGARTNER!!!!! 

Get some popcorn

It is about to be movie hour!

I thought I would share some of our latest happenings with videos. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show(s).


Brady was choosen to preform in the school pep rally for standardized testing. She is the one in the lime green. She had to memorize this song in three days, but you know my girl, she had it down pat in one.

Reese demonstrating the skill of "skin the cat" awful name, I know, but cool that Reese got this. Her coach said only a handful of her preschoolers can do it!

Speaking of gymnastics, Elli has shown SO MUCH growth in her little class. I love seeing her getting stronger and leaving her diagnosis in the dust!

Now, can't leave the puppies out of this line up. I think this video needs no introduction. Simple happiness.

This one may be worth watching a few times. Pay attention to what the animals are wearing. Though it is hard to tell, Elli is identifying the color and clothing for a lot of them.

Another one that is simple happiness. 

Don't want to leave out yet another production!

Cousins playing together, I can't wait to see what they get into once they really can play games together.

I guess I must say 'awe man' alot!

A Little Diddy About Brady

I was just saying to one of my friends...

"I don't have a favorite child, but I am sure my blog audience thinks I do. I blog in an uneven amount about each child. The one year old hits milestones so those naturally pop up on here. The five year says and does the darnedest things, so those make appearances. But, that six year old, she is such a rule follower that her awesomeness doesn't usually translate into good blog material."

I guess I spoke too soon...

Tonight was Reese's turn to pick out the good night story. Reese is one of those kids that gains confidence in hearing repeated stories; so, naturally her older sister has to HATE hearing the same story one hundred times in a week. So when Reese picked out a story from the Usborne Fairy Tale book, Brady rolled the not again eyes. I told her to read quietly to herself if she doesn't want to listen.

Brady trots right out of the room without speaking a word. Daddy says 'I think she went downstairs.'

I give her a few and then go to investigate. I speak while walking down the stairs. You know that rule I always tell my kids. You must be looking at my before you speak. Someone ought to practice what they preach!

"Brady, I understand you may not want to hear this story, but you still need to spend this special time with the family."

Brady walks to meet me at the bottom of the stairs... holding a cleaning cloth and spray in her hands.

Yep, people, she didn't want to listen to the goodnight story, so she went and cleaned the dishwasher and fridge, oh, and swept. So rude! ;)

Oh, and while I am typing this, she left her room (suppose to be going to sleep) and states "Reese and I think we don't need all this stuff! We want to get rid of lots of STUFF in our room." Now instead of going to bed she is decluttering her room...THE NERVE! :)

I love the individuality of my three girls. They are all very different yet all very awesome. LIFE. IS. GOOD.

The Big Purple Chair

The local Children's Museum has a giant purple chair that is the perfect photo op. So of course we take our picture every time we visit.

This is December 14, 2008. The day before Reese was born. It was our last hoorah for Brady before her life changed forever (for the better obviously). 

Elli made her debut shortly after we moved back to Virginia Beach. This is February 2013.

Then we visited about a year later. These pics are from March 16, 2014.

 Glad to have a flock to fill up the chair now. 

Life is Good!

Here are more fun pictures from our recent visit.

Cold windy Brady

 Elli wanting momma.

 Reese rocking the Pixie.

 Orthner shadow

 Reese in her domain...performing

 Brady learning how to run light and sound board.

 Things that go.

 Karl using his muscles on the pulley chair.

 Cha-ching

 Stray dog in the museum.

 Another lost mutt,

 Cutest fire fighter EVER!

 Three little Orthners in a bubble!

 Book worm

Another item on our bucket list completed!

The Munchkins

I love my three little munchkins! They bring me smiles daily. Life doesn't get better than this. I am a little bit behind in posting on 'events' so here are some snapshots of life here in VB lately. 

 Love is in the air!

I try to play down valentines since I feel it is a holiday about have and have nots. I don't care for a holiday that leaves people out. What I did for them this year (last minute idea) was throw together place mats that highlight their best qualities. I want to teach them that they are individuals. I love them for who they are, and I don't want them to be someone else. 

Reese is spirited, inquisitive, brave, huggable, faithful, creative, unique and smiley. 

 Creative, spirited and unique...yes sirree. She keeps me laughing!

Inquisitive, not too many five year olds want to stay inside to read instead of playing and running outside. 

 Elli is cuddly, helpful, passionate, curious, animated, bright, loyal and independent.

She found the only puddle in the whole area. Call her curious George. 

 She is one bright star. At library PJ story time, the librarian read a story we have never heard before. Elli immeadiately walked over to the book rack in the room and plucked the same book off the shelf. She had memorized the books on the rack and wanted the matching copy.

Elli is in a early interventive parent child preschool class run by the city. She is thriving in this class. I was prepared to hate it and I love everything about it. She is so independent in the class.

Brady is dedicated, affectionate, kind, supportive, thoughtful, graceful, hard-working, and understanding.

This hard-working graceful ballerina has almost perfected her leap. I am in awe of her. I thought I didn't want a daughter that liked ballet, but I am really getting a kick (no pun intended) out of this. 

Brady LOVES being a big sister. She brought Elli in for a special show and tell.

Brady loves to put on shows with her middlest sister. Here she was exploring the idea that tears can be result of happiness or sadness.

I will keep them! All while counting my lucky stars!