Anna's 8th Birthday Party

We had a christmas cookie decorating party for Anna this year. I had been waiting years for Anna to be old enough to really enjoy this type of party, and now we finally have a kitchen big enough to accomodate a bunch (18) of girls. It was so much fun- the girls got to decorate four cookies (penguins, snowmen, stockings and ornaments) and they took their time and really did a good job. We had sanding sugar and dragees for them to use as well.

A good friend was kind enough to make a pinata in the shape of a cookie for us, since we couldn't find one to buy anywhere. She did an awesome job, and the girls had so much fun in the front yard trying to break it. (I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed the screaming girls.)

The biggest hits of the party were not the cookies that I spent weekends making or the cookie cake, but the hot chocolate, marshmellows, whipped cream, and straws. We went through countless pots of hot chocolate and three cans of whipped cream in a few hours. Sugar rush, anyone?

It was really fun, and will be a great memory for our family. I could not have done it without Andrea, Diali, my mom and of course, Scott- thanks!

Decorating the Tree

We were especially excited this year to be putting up our Christmas tree since we were able to get a really tall tree to put in our new family room. In fact, I did not realize just how tall the tree really was- it did not look so tall in the store! We started on the tree around 8:30 in the morning, with Uncle Tim over to help, and didn't finish with the last ornament until around 3 pm. It was a big task! Anna got to get on the tall ladder to assist and actually was a big help.

Thanksgiving

We were so excited to host Thanksgiving this year for all family members who were in Florida for the holiday! It was wonderful to have everyone over and the house full of kids and good food. I don't have many pictures of the day, though, so hopefully someone (Heather) will email some so I can post them!

Sewing Lessons

Anna's Brownie troop has been working on their sewing badge, and part of their project was to sew a teddy bear, which Anna whipped out in one night. They also got to use the sewing machine to make a tote bag, and she has been taking hers everywhere!

Cool Weather!

We have actually had some decent fall weather this year! It is so rare to need a jacket in October in Florida, so Anna took advantage of the cool temps to deck herself out in all of her gear!

Halloween

Anna decided to dress up as Sadako for Halloween this year. She and Ansley (who was Little Bo Peep with Jasper as her "sheep") walked around our neighborhood. It was fun seeing friends and neighbors and it was actually cold!

Family Photos

A friend kindly offered to take our pictures for our Christmas card this year, and here are some of the pictures she took.

Thank you, Tim!

Huge thanks to Tim, who came over and cured my computer so that I can now post my pictures! I will now post on a more regular basis and I look forward to everyone else's blogs!

Last days at Disney

Last year we bought annual passes for Disney because we knew we wanted to be out of the house alot on the weekends because of the addition. We have enjoyed the parks tremendously over the year, and are sad now that our year is drawing to a close. Here are some pictures from the year.

At Epcot, the Japanese women were kind enough to dress Anna up in a kimono as part of her research on Sadako.

Here we are in front of the first big roller coaster that we were able to ride as a family because Anna was tall enought to ride!

Anna the reader!

The first time Anna went to visit Mike and Heather in Georgia (January 2006), they bought her the first Addy book (American Girl series). We have had since then, and I have tried to get her to read it many times, but she never was quite ready. This summer, though, she finally expressed interest, and we have been reading the series together ever since. Here is a picture of her reading the last book of the series! We are so excited about her interest in reading! (It didn't come as easily as Emma's.) She was also able to take the AR quizzes for the books. Now we are reading the Kit series (thanks, Emma, for letting us borrow it).

First week of class

Here are some pictures of our class during the first week of school. One of the things that I really enjoy about my class is the multiage aspect, which means that two-thirds of my class returns each year. I get to spend three years with each student, and we really get to know each one. So the first week many of them can really jump into their work. In one of these pictures, Anna is working on a lesson with Niles, a friend she has known since PK-4.

The first day of school is always an ordeal for us, since I am not only excited about getting Anna ready, but getting myself ready as well. Our tradition is to take pictures with the new uniforms and school gear, and some years Anna is cooperative, and other years she is not. This was a good year, and we got some great pictures! I can't believe she is in the second grade!

Brownie Camping Trip

A couple of Saturdays ago, we met at an ungodly hour to collect Brownies and drive to Camp Wai Lani, a Brownie camp, with Anna's troop. The girls had a great time at the camp, and the mom's had a great time hauling their stuff around :).

Anna's Presentation

This Monday our school had a historic timeline presentation. The students picked someone from history to write a report about, dress up as, and present in front of a PTA meeting. Anna chose to be Sadako Sasaki, a little girl who lived in Hiroshima in WWII, and contracted luekemia after the bomb was dropped on Japan. She made 644 paper cranes when she was sick, and the cranes are now known around the world as a symbol of peace. Here are some pictures of Anna presenting:

Georgia

We traveled to Georgia to visit more family and had a great trip. We were able to visit the Atlanta Aquarium and the American Girl store as well as hang out with everyone. We also got to meet the newest member of the family- Kyle. Anna, Scott and I had so much fun cuddling with him. Anna has cried every day since we left because she misses the Georgia crowd so much.

1st Post !!

Welcome to our blog. My sister Betsie got married on Monday so the whole family gathered in Lakeland. We enjoyed time together at the beach before the wedding.