Mia Pictures

A few random pictures of Mia from this month...

 

Captain Hook showed up to help Bama made blueberry muffins one morning.

 She was so proud of herself from drawing this flower!  She couldn't wait to show it to me when I got home.  She has really improved with her coloring and drawing over the last few months; it's fun to watch. 

 I loved this sweet project she made at school. 

Love this sweet girl!

Valentine's Day, 2013

A couple of weeks before Valentine's Day, Lily made this note about fun things for our family to do together.  Included on this list: have a valentines party.

 I shouldn't be surprised.  Valentine's is one of Lily's favorite days of the year.  We decided to it would be fun to have a little party at our house that evening, so we invited the Henderson's over.  Liz and the girls decorated the houses with some cute finds, the kids made cards for one another and Lily made these fun decorations.

 The kids were thrilled with our menu.  Ryan grilled sliders and made mac and cheese; we also had strawberries and heart-shaped strawberry jell-o.  The kids were excited about the heart-shaped ice cubes for their pink lemonade too.  For dessert, we had vanilla cupcakes that I put white icing on.  Everyone then put their own pink icing, sprinkles and sugar galore.  It was a really fun evening!

 The girls also exchanged cards with their friends at school.  One of Lily's 4th grade friends at school, Ashlyn Kelly, gave Lily this sweet card at lunchtime.  Lily was so proud of it!

More Bike Riding

The girls are really getting into bike riding these days which is great.  I posted recently about going out and realizing that Lily's bike was way too small for her.  We started to search for a new bike, had to order it online, it arrived with a bent piece so we had to get the replacement part.  When the replacement part came, it didn't work very well either.  We were so frustrated, we decided that Lily and I would just go out and find another one to replace this one.  That's harder said than done!  We visited six different stores without luck.  Finally, we got in touch with one of our friends who manages a chain of bike stores.  He said they could totally adjust a bike to fit her, so we stopped by and they had one she loved.  Soon after, we headed over to my parents' house because they have a great street for bike riding.  We have been around our neighborhood too, and they are loving it!  It's really fun to watch them learn this skill!

Daddy Daughter Valentine's Dance

Friday night was the Daddy Daughter Valentine's Dance at our church.  Both girls are now old enough to attend, so Ryan had a double date!

They were very excited and looking forward to this.

 Practicing their courtesy.

 Ryan giving Lily a corsage.

  Mia also got a corsage.

 Daddy with both girls. 

They had a lovely time though everyone was worn out when they got home!

The Leotard

On the way to gymnastics on Wednesday, Mia said out of nowhere "Mommy will you please consider getting me a leotard today?"  I didn't think much about it and just said "we'll see."  When we arrived at the gym, I saw that most of the little girls were in leotards, so I walked over to look at them.  They are all...umm, let's see...how to say this...bright...and....interestingly-designed.  I pulled down two in Mia's size (one red and blue, one pink and purple), and then I pulled down a third one.  She immediately said "That one Mommy.  Can I please get that one?"  I said "Are you sure you want this one instead of one of these others?"  Her eyes were big and she replied "No thank you. I want that one please."  How can I say no to that precious girl?  So we went to try it on, and it fit just right.  She was so far past excited, especially when we put the matching scrunchy in her hair.  She ran out to show Lily and dance all around.  I heard her tell three kids in the waiting room that "this is my first time to wear a leotard!"  After her class, she told me how the leotard helped her to do such a good job.  She didn't want to take it off all evening!  I know it's not "things" that are important in this life, but I'll be honest, it made me happy to see how thrilled she was.  The ear to ear grin was absolutely worth it!

Holiness

Yesterday, Lily's came home with a "wow" ticket for going above and beyond at school and a behavior page that said "Wow Ticket :-) Could have given her multiple today!  Lily looks for ways to help when she is finished with her own responsibilities."  I told Lily how proud of her I was; that's so great to hear!  I wrote the teacher back on there (we have to sign the page each day) and noted "Thanks so much for letting us know! She was so excited about her wow ticket!"  Mrs. Worrell then wrote me back again today with a note on the behavior sheet that said "Lily does many praiseworthy loving things each day. I love to 'catch' her doing them."  When I read this to Lily, she asked what that meant.  I said "Basically that you're an awesome kid.  You're developing a heart like Jesus and you help others; that's fantastic."  Her eyes got really wide, and she said "You mean I'm holy like Jesus?" to which I replied "You're getting there because you're learning to live like him."  Mia overheard this conversation and started singing "Holy holy holy! Lord God Almighty!"  It was precious.

As I tucked Lily into bed, I said my prayers and then she began to say hers.  I wish I had recorded all of it, but here was the gist of it.  "Dear God, thank you for Mommy, Daddy, me and Mia.  Thank you for helping me to be holy.  You told Solomon that if he asked for something, you would give it him and I want you to help me be holy.  Amen."  Love this precious girl!  Her class is reading 1 Kings right now which includes a study of Solomon.  I love how this school is helping us to raise her to love God with all her heart!