Missing Friends

With today being the 29th of December we start to realize we are entering a few lasts of the year 2010. Such as the last week, the last snow fall, and now we have experienced the last play date till 2011. Clarissa was hanging out in her room and we (Clare, Kimmy, and I) were all talking during nap time/rest time. Clarissa said that she was missing her friends and I understood that she is used to seeing her friends everyday and so she asked if one of her friends could come over today. I said sure and that I would call her friends mom. We got everything set up and the girls had a great time. They played Barbie dolls, played piano and danced, along with making friendship bracelets. I can't tell you how excited Clarissa was to see her friend and I know that 2011 will be filled with MORE play-dates but this was the last one of the year.

Looking Good

We have had all our family Christmas's and the girls love all of the gifts they received. They got several new outfits and today both girls are going to my parents house for an over night since Clarissa is on winter break! They both wanted to wear one of the new outfits they got and Clarissa picked out the outfit from my grandma and aunts (her great grandma and great aunts) I then figured that I would put Kimberly in the outfit they got her so I could take some pictures. They looked awesome and had fun posing for pictures. Clarissa told me (while taking pictures) "Mom I'm looking good!" I agreed with her and then Kimberly said "I rock in this shirt!" I had a great time taking pictures before they left for my parents house.

Precious Painter Moments- Part 3

Sunday June 6, 2010~ Kimberly today asked "Me how big is love?" I wasn't ready for this question from my 3 year old and before I could answer Clarissa responded with “Kimberly love is as big as you want it to be. There is no real way to measure love." Kimberly also had the measuring tape in her hands. She put it down and hugged Clarissa. SO CUTE I love these girls. Also Clarissa went to Mama Mary’s (my mom's) house to make cookies she measured and poured everything together. She even helped my mom with her oxygen when she needed a break. After they made cookies they drank lemonade and ate the yummy cookies after Papa Ray (my dad) finished mowing the lawn. Today one of my day care mom's came over to give the girls birthday gifts. She went over the top and got them a planting set, cloths, stickers, cabbage patch miniature toys, and a butterfly nets. She also then took both girls to their FIRST MOVIE (in a theater), Marmaduke. The girls had a great time and couldn’t stop talking about the movie when they got home. I’m so happy that they did well for Erica and that the girls enjoyed their first movie. I wish I could have been there but I knew that with having kids there will be several first’s you don’t see.

Wednesday June 9, 2010~ Today was a good reminder of what amazing kids I have. It was 85 degree’s out today and I thought it would be fun to get out the water sprinkler. I got the girls in their swimming suits and rubbed them down in sun screen. We got outside and Kimberly wasn’t very fond of running threw the sprinkler. Clarissa then went over to her and talked to her about how much fun it was. She also showed Kimberly different ways of running threw the sprinkler. Clare then offered to hold Kimberly’s hand and Kimberly was quick to agree. They ran threw several times while holding hands. I was a very proud mom watching from the side as my children solved a problem by using team work. They also were happy to help each other get dressed and undressed in and out of their cloths and swim suits.

Saturday June 12, 2010~ Today was an exiting day when the girls woke up from their naps we took them swimming. They had a blast and were so helpful to each other. They got home and played with their Barbie doll’s for the rest of the night. I love that they enjoy playing with the same things because it makes for less fighting! I love watching them play with their Barbie dolls!

Saturday June 26, 2010~ Today was my dad’s surprise retirement party. We had a great time and everyone enjoyed themselves. It took so much work to pull everything off. Quentin and I put together a slide show and us kids (my brother, sister, me and the 4 grand kids) even did a Salty routine like us “Knapp Kids” used to do. All of us siblings minus my oldest sister were here. She couldn't make it because she just got a new job in Idaho and couldn't take time off. My brother and his family surprised mom and I by showing up but I did have a feeling they would be there. My dad’s Sister and brother in law also showed up and that was a HUGE SURPRISE for my dad. But when his friends started to show up at 5:00pm that’s when my dad got chocked up with emotion. Oh and my Grandma and two Aunts (my mom's mom and sisters) also came and they had a foster baby with them and he was such a sweetie pie and a blessing to have around. We all love my dad so much that this event was very important for us to do for him. His actual day of retirement was June 24, 2010.

I made this for my dad!

RANDOME NOTE: This summer has been busy and we have had so much going on, but both Clarissa and Kimberly make me happy each moment of each day. I truly have been enjoying the ages 5 and 3 years old.

Sunday July 4, 2010~ Today is the 4th of July and sadly it rained all day so we didn't get to see fire works and we didn't have the parade but we still had a great time with family and friends. The girls looked great in the shirts that they made. Clarissa did her's all by herself but Kimberly got some help from me. I put a picture of Clarissa making her shirt back in June.

Thursday July 8, 2010~ I was checking my e-mails when Clarissa wanted to practice writing her words so I would say a word and she would spell it. She got all of the words right and I was so proud of her. You can tell in this picture that she's proud too.

Friday July 9, 2010~ Today we went to an cubs game and it was both of the girl’s first times ever going. They had a hot dog, French fries, water, and even a cubbie cone J When the game started The camera was right on Quentin and Kimberly for quite a while I didn’t even think to take a picture of the big screen but it was so neat. Clare was bummed because she wanted on the screen too. I told her that it might not happen and that we need to be happy for daddy and Kimberly for being on it. Well who was to know that later on during the game our whole family was on the screen we all waved at the camera and were exited we were all able to share that moment. We went with several of the members from our church family and it was a great time. At the end of the game were AWESOME fireworks and I video taped most of them but tried to take a few pictures between videos.

Saturday July 10, 2010~ Clarissa went to Grand Camp with Papa Ray. Its only an over night but still camp and still fun. The E.D.G.E program (every day God experiences) paid for each of their E.D.G.E members to attend one camp compliments of the program. The only camp that Clarissa could attend was Grand Camp. We asked her who she wanted to take and no surprise she chose Papa Ray. They left at 3:30pm. We where to thankful for their generosity and made sure to send them a thank you with pictures from the trip.

Quentin and I thought it would be fun to take Kimberly fishing at Spring brooke. We didn't catch anything but Kimberly did enjoy trying to fish and then enjoyed the play ground and digging in the sand. She made a few new friends and had a great time. We then got back to town around 6:30pm and brought my mom some dinner. Kimberly and I enjoyed some as well and Quentin went off to work on a few things at home before coming back to pick us up. We got home and Kimberly wanted to go camping since she knew Clarissa was and we just were on a camp ground. I said OK and we set up the tent in the back yard. We bought a small char coal grill for a “fire pit” and we blew up the air mattress so we could get settled in for a night of camping in the back yard. I took so many pictures and even some video from the night. It

did start raining at 4:30am and we did get a little wet but thank goodness we were on an air mattress. We had a BLAST and only used the house when necessary.

Tuesday July 13, 2010~ Well today was day two of swim lessons and Kimberly swam a short distance with out any help. She did go I was very proud of her and she even told me “mommy I want to do it again please!” Clarissa is doing marvelous in swim lessons as well and is doing more than was expected of her. The only thing is she needs to get more comfortable in the deeper water but that is something we can work on. We planted a garden this year and its been so fun and doing so well Quentin and I have decided to grow a few more things next year. I’m so excited to be growing pumpkins this year. I tried last year but they didn’t do well at all but I took some pictures while outside today and the garden is growing wonderfully and the pumpkin vines are all over. This summer has really flown right by. I’m so happy that this year we have been able to do as much as a family. Our vacation and mini weekend vacations have made this year such a wonderful year. This year is still not over yet and we hope to add more. We are going to oceans of fun with sister and her daughter on the second to last weekend of this month. Then next month will be our 6^th wedding anniversary and Quentin’s sister’s wedding. Well anyway a few little things from the Painter Clan!

Side note: I'm not posting pictures from swim lessons here since I don't have permission to post pictures of the other kids in them.

July 24, 2010 Saturday~ We are in Kansas City and at 10:30am and left for Oceans of Fun with my sister and her daughter!!! The girls kept talking about what they wanted to play with and do. We knew that several things the girls would be to young for but there would also be several things they could do. They went down several water slides and where all over the place laughing and smiling. Clare did get stuck in one of the water slides but one of the workers went down and helped her. She still went down a few more water slides despite getting stuck. The wave pool was awesome, crazy, floating fun! My niece acted like she was floating away and Kimberly, Clare, and I had never been in a wave pool before so our first set of waves was quite funny. We then got the hang of it for the next two sets of waves. We had a yummy picnic and then had a few little problems getting back into the park but all 6 of us got back in to finish some fun. The girls enjoyed the pirate ship while Quentin and I went on the highest water slide in the park. In one tube you can fit 4 people (perfect for our family in the future) We were put in a float with 2 other people and we had a great time. I seriously felt as if I was going to fall out of the inner tube. After we went on it I told Quentin that my sister needed a turn and since Quentin started getting a headache he stayed with the kids and then Megan and I went on it. This time it was just the two of us. Clarissa and the other girls wanted to go back and go down one more slide but we saw rain clouds forming. As we started to put the life jackets on we saw lighting. We figured that we could let them each go down one more time and then leave. Well then the crashing thunder and MORE lighting. We then knew we needed to leave. It was 4:00pm too so we had a a good 5ish hours in the park. We then had to return keys and get all the way back to the van but then rain started coming. Quentin was still waiting in line but motioned us to get going fast and he would catch up. We then made a long chain of little hands and 2 adults. The rain and lighting was scary and I even screamed along with the kids because it was so loud. The rain started coming down harder and after a little while Quentin showed up we each grabbed a child and RAN to the van. It was pelting rain on us. We got back to my sister's house and each girl got to pick a movie to watch. Kimberly chose Barbie in a Mermaid tale, Alina picked Little Mermaid, and then Clare chose Toy Story. Then we all ate dinner then cake left over from my nieces 4th birthday that was on July 17th. Then off to bed for everyone.

Sunday July 25, 2010~ We headed down to my sister's pool and the girls had a blast swimming, splashing, and playing in the out door pool. Quentin stayed on dry land to take pictures and relax before our 3 hour drive home. We headed back for pizza hut for lunch and when we got back I enjoyed talking to my sister on the back patio while the girls played inside with Quentin supervising. We shared some special stories and after an hour (or so) We went back inside so I could get things ready for the trip home. We left around 4:00pm but not before exchanging hugs, kisses, and a few I'm going to miss you tears. Us girls are going camping with dad/Papa Ray the second week of September. Its always nice when we know the next time we will all be together again. I truly wish we lived closer!!!

Monday August 2, 2010~ Today was the first day of vacation bible school. Clarissa will be the only child attending this year because Kimberly has to wait till she's 4. A family friend will be picking her up and bringing her home and it is a true blessing for her to help us out. I also wanted to add that a friend of Kimberly's (they met at story hour) had her mom call me and see if she wanted to attend the after noon bible school with her. Kimberly got excited and knew that Clarissa was in bible school so she felt very special attending bible school with one of her fiends.

As I watched Clarissa and Kimberly sleep I remember earlier years with them. Rocking them to sleep packing away clothes as they grew and even watched several first’s that I still experience to this day and I hope those never stop. They change so much in ever single moment the way they say things, their mannerisms, and even the way they handle different situations. My children are not babies anymore they are young ladies growing like wild flowers in a meadow, and just like those flowers each tiny detail is so beautiful and unique for words and you can spot your most precious flowers out of the entire meadow. My love for my daughters is beyond words. I’m already proud of them and I'm their biggest fan. When people tell me how wonderful my girls are I smile and know that God gave me the best kids I could have ever dreamed of. They are beyond what would describe as beautiful and outstanding. My tiny blessing growing and learning with each day THEY are my heart walking around the world. Quentin is the most understanding and loving man. He is my everything and to this day I get butterfly’s knowing that he loves me. My wonderful little family in the small town in Iowa isn't much to some but to me they are the greatest treasure. Thank you God for showing me that miracles do happen and happily ever after never ends.

Thursday August 26, 2010~ Today Kimberly climbed up on Clarissa’s bike and wanted to ride it so I took it outside to see what she would do and who would have known she rode her bike down past our neighbor’s house and then came back WOW she’s only 3 years old and can ride a big bike.

And then I started my blog on August 14, 2010. It just so happened to be on our 6th wedding anniversary. I hope you enjoyed our Precious Painter Moments.

Precious Painter Moments-Part 2

Sunday May 16, 2010~ Today we have several neat stories to share. I was in the Kitchen getting things ready for lunch. When I start to hear Clarissa reading. At first I thought she was making up a story but as I started to listen a bit closer and heard her sounding out the words in the book and reading one of her I CAN READ books. I'm so proud of her working on sounding out words. On June 1^st I’m going to sign both girls up for the summer reading program at the Library. I’m exited to check out easy read books to help Clarissa learn to read! I’m thinking that I would like her to know how to read simple words before entering Kindergarten.

Today at church was Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day. I did sub for the Kindergarten/first grade class last week and I’ve helped out in the nursery and Pre School Class. I didn’t think anything of it and I was sitting with Clare, Kimberly, and one of their friends. Knowing that her mom and grandma would be up front because they are the Pre School Teachers I felt that sitting with the kids would be fine. They called Kimberly's teachers up because they would take care of Kimberly in the nursery.Clarissa's teachers were then called for. Then for Kindergarten/first grade class they called the main teacher and her main sub. Then my name was called. I froze I couldn’t believe that just last week (mother’s Day) was the first and only time I had ever taught and this ceremony had been planned for quite some time. The person in charge looked up at Quentin and asked “Where is Molly?” He pointed down at me and she said come on up here Molly! I stood up and sat there thinking wow this is so nice of them to think of me. I had less then a week to prepare something for class and had no idea what they were doing in class or what would be fun for them. I had a great time teaching and thought that it was so nice of them to think of me along with all the other teachers. I was given a Burger King crown, a limp animal balloon said to be a worm, and a big cup cake with my name on it Quentin took 2 pictures of me up front with his phone but I’m going to take a picture of what I received. Then 3 of our congregation members created fun singing group. They made a funny song about each person/group. For the nursery class teachers like training puppies and so they joked about how they practiced with telling Kimberly to Sit, Kimberly Speak, etc. I was laughing so hard. With me they made up a song about scrap-booking and how I had the kids scrapbook 600 pages and I over analyzed them all. BACK STORY one of the singing group members called Quentin earlier this week and asked what interesting/weird things I liked to do for fun. His answer Watching baby shows, SIMS 3, scrapbooking, and how I tend to over analyzing things. Out of those things they made a song about scrapbooking. I was so honored by them thinking of me. What an amazing church we belong to!

Thursday May 20, 2010- I've been so exited for several months about having a week off from "work" I'm still a mom but I will have no day care kids May 24-31st. I'm much exited that I was going to be going to school with Clare on her birthday. I plan to take pictures of her sitting in the birthday chair. Help her hand out the goody bags and everything. I even talked to her teachers about being there and they were more than happy to have me. Today all three of us girls had dentist appointments. When I got home I started working on her birthday goody bags because we finally had everything we needed. Clare asked me how to draw a lady bug and step by step I told her what to draw. Her lady bug turned out GREAT and when she brought it to show me she said:

Mom we need to talk. I was talking to daddy about you not coming to school on my birthday and he said I needed to talk to you. Mom I don't really want you to come and take pictures of me on my birthday. None of the other mom's took pictures and stayed in the classroom and I'm ok to do it by myself. She asked if I was mad and that she was sorry if she hurt my feelings.

I was fighting back tears not because of her hurting my feelings but this was such a big girl conversation. Something that was heavy on her heart. She took it to dad but he knew this was something Clare and I needed to talk about. Clare gave me a big hug and I told her everything was ok and that I wanted her to finish her beautiful picture. As she walked away I lowered my head and a tear came from my eye. She's not a baby anymore and she doesn't need me to hold her hand. She's also seeing what other parents do and that she would have stood out if I would have stayed. I'm so proud of her for telling me how she felt and she picked such a kind and gentle way in telling me... Mom sometimes you just have to let your little girl grow up.

Monday May 24, 2010~ HAPPY 5^th BIRTHDAY CLAIRSSA! Today was your 5^th birthday and your special day was all about you. After she got home Clarissa checked the mail (like everyday after school) and right on top was a card with the name Miss. Clarissa Painter on it. She got very exited and asked to open it right away. I said sure KNOWING that there was $1.00 in it from a very special family friend. She opened the card and got so exited. I read her the card and then she asked me “Mom I can now buy Kimberly those sunglasses you know at the store that she wanted.” I was in shock I asked her “Are you sure you don’t want to buy yourself a gift like make up, lip gloss, or put it in your piggy bank? She didn’t hesitate to say no and repeat that she wanted to buy Kimberly a pair of sunglasses for our vacation. (We leave on Wednesday May 26, 2010 for DenverColorado) When Clarissa and Quentin left for the doctor’s they stopped at Wal-Mart and found a pair for each girl BUT Clarissa handed the clerk $1.05 to “pay” for Kimberly’s. This moment was a treasure and I’m so proud of my sweet 5 year old. Clarissa weight’s 39lbs and is 38 ½ inch tall J

We celebrated here at home and Clarissa picked that she wanted daddy to grill for her birthday. This has become a tradition with out ever realizing it but a fun tradition non the less. She wanted a pink cake and I had a cute idea of doing 5 stars since she's 5 and putting a candle in each star. She LOVED her cake that (like always) Quentin baked and I decorated. She loved all her gifts and got lots of great things. I'm still in shock that she's 5 years old.

May 31, 2010~ Today is Monday and also Memorial Day. We got back from our family vacation to Colorado on Saturday May 29^th. I wrote a journal entry every day that we were gone to cherish so many of the precious moments and memories. Today we went out to Chuck and Laura’s (Ma and Papa’s) to enjoy a BBQ dinner prepared by everyone. While we were waiting for Chuck and Quentin to finish grilling Clarissa and Mom (me) were playing a cute game made by Dr. Seuss You spin a spinner and it can land on any number from 1-6 then you have to move your game piece that many spaces. On the spaces there was a big letter and a small letter so A-a-B-b-C-c and so on. When we would land on a letter I had us say a word that started with that letter. A- apple B- ball and so on. Clarissa landed on I and I asked her to think of a word that started with I with out a second thought or hesitation she said illustrator. Laura and I looked at each other in shock that she thought of illustrator out of all the “I” words out there. It was a neat moment to capture forever.

June 2, 2010~ Today (Wednesday) the girls were playing dress up. Clare wore her Belle dress and Kimberly was wearing her Tinkerbelle outfit. Clare was walking around light on her feet and talking in a very royal manner. Kimberly was jumping off of the couch, table, and chairs. When I asked her to stop she said I’m not hurting myself see, and she lifted up her dress revealing her legs and my little pony underwear. I smiled and said well you’re not hurt but you could break the table Kimberly. She quickly put her hand up and said No mommy I’m Tinkerbelle. For the whole day while she was wearing her costume you had to call her Tinkerbelle or she would not respond or tell you no I’m not Kimberly I’m Tinkerbelle SEE! Clarissa also has her address and phone number memorized now. She’s loves to learn new things. Maybe we will tackle learning how to tie her shoes NEXT!!! I never got a chance to take a picture of Clare wearing her dress.

Thursday June 3, 2010~ Today was a very special day in Clarissa’s little life. She had her first last day of school. She will return to school as a Kindergartner in the fall. She got to school and washed her hands and gave both Kimberly and I a hug and kiss good bye. When I was outside waiting for her to show up I couldn’t help but think about how much she’s changed this year. I kept looking at the picture of her on her first day and the picture of her on her last day and got lost in memories of her from when she was little to now. She walked home with Grandma Laura. When Clare saw me she started to run up to me jumping into my arms with a huge hug. I love her so much and she’s so proud of herself. She’s exited to be a Kindergartner and so am I. She’s such a big girl and I love her more with every passing day.

below are first and last day of Pre School pictures!

wanted them to get married but not have kids yet because they were to young. They got all dressed up for the wedding and Ken said his vows “With this ring I take you to be my wife I love you” My mom was eager to hear what Clare would come up with for her vows. Clarissa’s doll then decided she didn’t want to get married and walked back down the aisle. Ken turned to the people at the wedding and invited them to enjoy cake and ice cream anyway. The neat thing about Clare playing with my mom’s dolls is that I remember when my mom let me play with her dolls. I was so carful and LOVED when she played with me. So that all really happened on Thursday night June 3, 2010. Today Kimberly slept in and woke up around 7:15am. She climbed into bed with me and we cuddled and talked about breakfast. She then told me that she had a dream about going to the zoo. I thought it was neat to hear her talk about the different animals and what things she enjoyed while being there. She then got down and asked me “mommy we can go to the zoo soon right?” I said hopefully sometime this year we could go. We try to go once a year but this year has been so busy so far. Hopefully we can go in the summer sometime. Kimberly also wanted to paint one of the dinosaur stain glass hanging ornament (for window’s) that we got when we were on vacation. She painted the Tyrannosaurus Rex because Buddy from Dinosaur Train is a Tyrannosaurus Rex. She did much better than I thought she would and I went to get the camera and realized Quentin took it to work. So we are going to wait to paint her second one. We read several books today, we read the following - Safe at home (indoor safety) this book is great for learning what to do in different situations. They ask a question like what would you do if…. you found a bottle of pills on the table? It then gives you 3 options and only 1 is right. When you pick the wrong answer the red light lights up and said try again if you pick the write answer the green light lights up and it says good job. Its so neat and perfect for both girls to learn what to do in different situations. The second book was Mind Your Manners (a pop-up book) Its about the sesame street characters and how they use their manners. I love this book too because it teaches kids to use kind words and be kind to others. Kimberly loves it because it’s mainly about ElmoJ. The third book was Hello Herky! Its by Aimee Aryal and illustrated by Julie Reynolds. It’s a cute book about how Herky gets ready for the Iowa Hawkeye football game. After we read the book Kimberly wanted to read it on her own. She did pretty good for reading it off of memory. She’s a sweet girl and I cherish the one on one time I get with each girl when my mom takes one of them for an over night. I’m exited to see what fun things I do with Clare when Kimberly stays the night sometime soon.

Precious Painter Moments- Part 1

I may have started blogging in August but I have been documenting things since March of this year. I titled it Precious Painter Moments and since I started this blog I've not added anything to it. I have printed out these for the girls to have in their scrapbooks but I would like to share them in groups on here because I have so many I will post them with the day, date and year of when I wrote them. I have been big from day one of having Clarissa to take pictures all the time and then as the girls got older my mom gave me the idea to start writing some of these moments down so that I would never forget them. I know that some of this might come across as bragging about my kids but this is truly not meant to be taken that way. I just was documenting different things that I felt where important to remember and look back on. Not everything is going to be posted but SEVERAL of the things I wrote will be. I hope you enjoy our Precious Painter Moments. This has 3 parts to it.

Monday March 12, 2010~ Today at 7:45am while on the way home from taking Clarissa to Gingerbread Pre School Kimberly (2 Years) started to tell me what ways to turn to get home. She would either say right, left, or strait. We got home and I couldn’t believe what a good job she did! I’m so proud of her.

Friday April 16, 2010~ HAPPY 3^rd BIRTHDAY KIMBERLY! Today you enjoyed your special day with two parties and a trip to the Doctor. You enjoyed your party with family. You enjoyed your special cake that daddy baked and mommy decorated. You wanted sprinkles and 3 candles. I added a crown because you REALLY wanted to wear one. You ate your cake and ice cream and then opened presents. When asked what we should have for dinner you asked for a hamburger, french fries, AND broccoli. You got lots of neat things and you always said thank you to the person who gave you the gift. Now that you’re 3 you are very proud to tell EVERYONE you meet that your name is Kimberly and your 3 years old.

Wednesday May 5, 2010~ Clarissa was playing and ran up to me and told me Mom you’re amazing I love you so much. Thank you for loving me. WHAT A PRECIOUS moment that was. I gave her a hug and told her don’t forget this moment EVER she smiled and said I won’t. I'm happy to say that I won't forget this moment either!

Friday May 7, 2010~ We have Remington today and for the weekend. I was a little tired so while the girls were eating breakfast I decided to rest for about 5min. In that time Clarissa felt that Remington would like it if she shared her Apple Jacks. I walked into the kitchen and Remi had yet to eat it but I thought it was sweet that Clare didn’t want him to be left out!

Side note- I didn't get a picture of this but I remember it like yesterday!

Friday May 7, 2010~ Today my niece was visiting and I took all three girls swimming while Quentin was golfing with his dad and Charlie. Before swimming I thought it would be fun to take all three girls to McDonalds to get a happy meal and a TOY! The girls ate up all their food and were ready to get swimming. WE HAD A BLAST! We got home and the girls wanted to play with their Barbie happy meal toys. I smiled and got out the three toys. Clare and Alina both got a Barbie toy but Kimberly got a book. She was crushed and was crying that she wanted her Barbie. She even said please mommy I would like my Barbie too. After 15 min of trying to explain to Kimberly they gave her a different toy Clarissa handed Kimmy her toy and said here Kimberly I’m not playing with mine right now. They hugged each other for about a min and Kimberly said thank you Clarissa I love you. Clare giggled and said I love you too sis. Clarissa was so proud of herself and I told her how proud I was of her too. That was such a big girl move for a 4 almost 5 year old.

Thursday May 13, 2010~ I was down stairs doing laundry and the girls love helping me. I try to make sure they put their shoes on because its quite dirty in the basement. Kimberly came down and says “Mommy Barney is over. May I have a nap time kiss please?” I smiled and kissed her. She helped me with the putting the rest of the cloths into the dryer and then we headed up stairs. She quickly ran to the bath room and went potty. She got her M&M and then she headed off to bed. She got all tucked in and then looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said “ Thank you mommy I love you so much.” She then giggled when I hugged her and read her a quick story.

Clarissa has also been doing some big girl things. She has been telling stories to me. She loves to make up songs and stories. I hope to start writing her stories down but it seems like every time she tells one I have nothing to write them down on. Hopefully soon I will get a chance to. She enjoys getting coins for helping me around the house. She puts them in her piggy bank and talks about what she’s saving her money for. Lately she’s been wanting a sandbox and a puppy. We will have to see about that puppy.

UPDATE ON FAVORITES!

Clarissa- She loves drawing pictures with markers (washable) and painting. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite sport is soccer and swimming. Her favorite thing to do with dad is airplane and her favorite thing to do with mommy is play games (guess who, puzzles, memory, candy land, and some card games) She loves being read to and is ready to start learning to read. Her birthday wish is a backpack with wheel’s and a baby bed for her baby doll.

Kimberly- She loves playing dress up and putting on make up. She always has her finger nails, or toes painted usually both are done but her nail polish comes off allot quicker. She loves helping mommy and daddy around the house. She’s also a very good girl when it comes to waiting her turn and helping other kids. She’s 100% problem solver not a problem maker. Her favorite thing to do with daddy and mommy is cuddle and read books. She’s a goofy girl and always knows how to make you laugh. Her birthday wish was the Tinkerbelle Movie (she got it) Her favorite color is purple and she loves wearing polka dots!

Thursday May 13, 2010~ continued~ Today we headed to Sam’s Club and Target to get a few things. We hardly EVER take the girls to Sam’s Club we usually only go to Target, The Mall, or Kohl’s. While pulling out of the Sam’s Club parking lot Kimberly looks out her window and says Mommy look its Wal-Mart. Quentin and I look at each other and we are both puzzled on how she would know that was Wal-Mart. So I asked her how do you know if that’s Wal-Mart Kimberly? She simply stated with a big grin “Mommy because it says it right there see?” I nodded my head and said yes it does say Wal-Mart. I still don’t know how she knew it was Wal-Mart but hey she’s a smart girl.

Christmas Morning 2010

The girls woke up at 7:30 am and where so surprised to see a big tent for Kimberly and a double stroller for Clarissa. Clarissa has been wanting a double stroller for so long now but we have had a hard time finding one that would be tall enough for her. Well good thing Santa's workshop can make custom toys because the stroller and Clarissa was beside herself. Kimberly loves her tent and climbed in it wanting to open all her gifts in it but we told her that we wanted to see her open her presents. The girls DUMPED out their stockings and since Santa delivered the items they knew they where all from him because nothing was wrapped. Santa doesn't wrap his gifts they discovered that while we watched the original (released in the 50's) Santa movie. I thought it was neat that Clarissa pointed out that the wise men didn't wrap their gifts for baby Jesus either. Quentin and I have been (from the beginning) have shared the true meaning of Christmas with the girls and the way they always find ways to incorporate Jesus in the excitement of presents. Clarissa made mention on her own that she hope that Jesus's birthday cake is delicious. Kimberly then added Happy birthday Jesus. Both girls then started talking about his birthday party. I think that was one of the greatest gift of the day.

Both girls loved the new movies that were in their stockings. The stockings also had LOTS of other things like Silly bands, special marker's and coloring pads, a santa activity book, hot crazy straws, and candy. After they went threw the stockings Quentin read the story of Jesus's birth from the bible.

I have yet to get pictures of the girls with all of their gifts but I hope to do so tomorrow. but here are some pictures!

My mom got this book for Kimberly and as I looked threw it

I could see how similar Nancy and Kimmy are!

Clarissa's Thank you- Thank you EVERYONE for all my gifts. I love my barbie car and Cinderella barbie SO MUCH but I'm so happy that I got my double stroller.

Kimberly's thank you- Awwwww My tinker bell was really from Tinkerbell and Princess Ariel gave me a Ariel BARBIE! WOW thank you so much. Thanks everybody, Happy birthday Jesus. I love it and I love you.

So I sit here as the girls are giggling and I look around at all the NEW toys around the room I think of Mary and how she must have felt the say she held the Christ Child for the first time. Knowing that the savior was here and she was his mother. The gifts that where laid before them and the surroundings being not NEARLY what a kind deserved but still a story that is told time after time and its truly the greatest story ever told. Happy Birthday Jesus, and Merry Christmas.

OH and I wanted to make note that we had a white Christmas this year!