Yooper Accent?

For those of you who have been around Kristen for any length of time, you know she has a different accent or pronunciation for certain words--especially those beginning with r's. Occasionally we will repeat what she says like she says it back to her. She usually says, "That's not what I said!" And then we say it correctly and she says, "That's what I said!" She gets pretty defensive about it and we aren't making fun of her. We just think it is cute!

Anyways, yesterday she was making a "coloring and activity book" to play with and this was one of the pages. She asked me to spell a couple of things, but sounded out others. This is the result!


Mach the Wiming Words

And this is how she talks! It is wiming (not rhyming) with her speech, but when repeated back to her she knows which one is right! Strange. Aaron and I have chalked it up to her being born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and thus inheriting the "Yooper Accent!"

By the way, I am not making fun of her! I love how she says these words and I know she will be saying them correctly soon enough and I will miss it! So I documented it here to someday reminisce over!

Bubblegum

This morning as Haley was getting dressed, she picked out her shirt and socks. As I was helping her put them on, she said ,"They match!" And they did. I have been trying to work on colors with her so I asked her what color her shirt and socks were. Her answer? Bubblegum! And she was exactly right.

FUN

I have emphasized to Haley that she gets to stay home with mommy "all by herself!" Maybe a little too much sometimes because she cries when she has to go with Aaron. She survives though. Anyway, last week we met mom and dad at SDC in Branson. We had a great time even though it rained a little. It seemed odd not to have the other kids. These are the many faces of Haley while I was trying to get a decent picture of her. Oh, well!






I have emphasized to Haley that she gets to stay home with mommy "all by herself!" Maybe a little too much sometimes because she cries when she has to go with Aaron. She survives though. Anyway, last week we met mom and dad at SDC in Branson. We had a great time even though it rained a little. It seemed odd not to have the other kids. Haley had fun being the only one though. She only rode one ride and didn't want to ride anymore. That's Dad and Haley in the teacups and then exiting the ride.

First Day of School

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Luke--5th grade

Cailin--3rd grade

Kristen--1st grade

Haley--with Grandpa helping open the door for everyone

The kids were all excited about starting school this year--even Haley. She didn't quite understand that they were staying at school and she was going with mommy, but she has done quite well. Cailin and Kristen are in the new building. Luke was a little disappointed that he was in the "old" building, but excited see his friends. The Lord has blessed with another great start to a new year!

Luke is 10!

My little boy is 10 years old! How time sure flies! He is so excited to finally be in the "2 digits!" He is still very interested in basketball, as you see from the cakes. I think I have done these cakes at least 2 other times! He is not hard to please. Our church just completed a new building which includes a gym. Luke is very excited about someday being on his school team--just 2 more years. I know it will be here sooner than he (or I) thinks!

We are thankful for the young man he is becoming! He enjoys helping others and has put in many hours cleaning and assisting with the gym which makes him all the more eager to play ball. He is still playing the trombone. We are thankful for Luke and know that it is an awesome responsibility we have in rearing him for God's glory and service!

Happy Birthday, Luke! We love you!

Kirsten Is Here!

Kristen got here American Girl Doll today! She is so excited! We ordered them on Sunday and they were here on Friday--what fast service! Cailin's also came in, but she is at a friend's house so pictures will be up soon of her! Haley is VERY interested in the doll also and I oredered the Bitty Twins for her birthday. She will love them!
Notice Haley's eye. She fell down the steps today and it looks like she will have a black eye. Amazingly, this is the first fall down these steps. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt any worse!

Cailin's Glasses

Cailin has been complaining that she couldn't see the board at school. Her teacher moved her which seemed to help. And then I started noticing that she was squinting when she was looking at things far away. I dismissed it for then and decided to keep watching her. She REALLY wanted glasses and we wanted to make sure that she really needed them. Her thinking was that she would buy her American Girl doll first and THEN buy glasses--after all, which is more important? The Friday before Spring Break she went to the eye doctor and, sure enough, she needs glasses. They came in while we were at Nanny and Papaw's house and she was so disappointed she couldn't have them NOW! Well, we picked them up this afternoon and she is so excited. I am thankful for that--at least she doesn't hate them!

Happy Birthday, Cailin!

Cailin turned 8 on February 16! (Yes, I know I am behind and out of order!) She had a small party with family. I made a cake from one I saw at Wal-Mart. It was easy and turned out nice. I decorated a cookie cake for her class at school. That was so much easier than cupcakes!!! Cailin and Kristen are both saving money to buy American Girl Dolls. With the money they saved at Christmas and the money they got for their birthdays, they will be ordering their dolls very soon! Cailin got saved this year and we are eager to see her grow spiritually and physically! She loves to be dramatic! Sometimes TOO dramatic. She is still taking piano lessons and enjoying 2nd grade!

Happy Birthday, Kristen!

Kristen's 6th birthday was Sunday. She had a party with a friend over and family on Saturday. We are thankful that Grandpa and Grandma YooHoo were able to come! The huge blessing from that is Grandma made and brought the cake! I have had a rib out for about a week now and I was not feeling up to decorating a cake. Grandma's was much prettier! Kristen is saving her money to buy an American Girl Doll. She finally has enough and she and Cailin will be picking out their dolls soon! They are so excited!

Kristen has been telling everyone for days that it was her birthday soon. On Sunday, she was asked during church when her birthday was and she said, "Today!" When asked how old she was, she proudly held up 5 fingers and said, "Five--I mean six!" (as she added another finger)! She hadn't quite gotten used to being six!

Kristen is enjoying K-5 and has really caught onto reading! She loves her teacher and enjoys reading, spelling, and TALKING! No, she hasn't gotten in trouble, but she can sure talk! We are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use Kristen as she gets older! This is the cookie cake I made for her school class. I forgot to get a picture before I served it, so it is missing a few pieces!

New (to us) Furniture

We were able to buy some furniture this weekend. Right now it is in our living room, but after Aaron finishes the basement it will probably go downstairs. Aaron found it at a really good price and we are thankful that the Lord provided it for us. These pics are kind of dark. I'll try to get new ones soon.

Spirit Week--Stripes & Polka Dots

Today the kids were to wear stripes and/or polka dots. Cailin LOVES to dress accordingly. Don't you love her sense of fashion?Luke, on the other hand, told me he just wanted to wear his school uniform. Well, I had him wear a striped shirt and it was conservative enough for him. And poor Kristen didn't get to participate. She is sick--AGAIN! I think this is the 3rd time since Christmas with the same bug! Poor thing! Please pray that she will get over it quickly!

Spirit Week--Western Day

Well, again I am behind, but here's to a new day!



The first day for Spirit Week is Western Day! The kids had tons of fun throwing their "get-ups" together! Luke's smile is nonexistent, but he was trying to be a "real" cowboy. The girls were all smiles!