Surprise for Mom

Got home to find the girls have had me lunch and a sweet note, I had a turkey sandwich, nuts, yogurt, and a protien bar, with some chocolate milk. And a note that said, "Mom we made this all for you with no help. We did it by ourselves." So AWESOME! LOVE!

Feb. 26th Sunday

Daddy's Birthday 2012

On the evening of Feb. 21st, after feasting on soup, we came home and had a party to celebrate Daddy's 46th birthday.  Daddy you are loved!

Leah got Daddy a "Star Wars" card with a poster of General Rex!

Arika picked out a card with a puppy making a cake and there was a mixer on the card that actually spun around!

Each girl put on 3 candles a piece.  They also picked out "tall candles because Daddy is tall."

Pretty cake!

Daddy getting a Menards gift card

Daddy getting ready to blow!

Blowing out the candles on a night of fun!

Soup Night!

Leah and Arika's school has a community 1st grade family soup night!  On Feb. 21st all of the families brought crock pots and supplies. We all "broke bread" and ate soup.  It finished up with a story for the kids.  It's wonderful to have a school that cares about it's families getting to know one another, it really does build community.

"Let's eat!"

Cute Mommy and Arika

Leah listening to story

Srta. Jenny reading a story

Finger Lickin' Good!

BFF's Leah and Aliyah

Laughing and having a great time!

Volunteering

On Feb. 15th the girls did a service project for religion.  They went to a senior assisted living facility in Lino Lakes and had the opportunity to play bingo with some of the residents. We met some great people including Rob the announcer and Glen who sat next to Leah and was from Chicago.  Everyone was super nice and I would love to volunteer there again.  What a great lesson for the girls.

Leah and Glen

"I have a BINGO!"

Arika and friend Paige playing BINGO

Arika and her buddy!

Reading together

Reading with Leah: Me -"Leah what kind of bird is that?" Leah - "Dove! Doves are the birds of Jesus!  Doves are symbols for love and peace and that's what Jesus is all about so that's why Doves are Jesus's birds.  They came to the window on the night he was born."

So sweet! Love!

Valentine's Day 2012!

Well it's Valentine's Day 2012, and we are old fashioned, and we want our girls to feel loved and to expect to be treated to treats on special occaisions, because they are important (our girls and special occaisions).  So this morning the girls were very excited to find presents from Mom (clothes), and presents from Dad (A princess and a mermaid Barbie).  Also Daddy bought all three of "his girls" heart shaped boxes of candy.  Ray and I make a fuss about giving each other our cards and kisses so that the girls will know when they grow up that husbands and wives should treat each other with love and affection.  Fortuneately for us, it's not just acting, we can back up our extra "acting" for the girls with the real feelings! ; )

Arika kissing Daddy because she is so happy about her "Mermaid Barbie" that Daddy bought for her.

Leah reading the card from Daddy, big smile on her face!

Arika showing off new shirt!

Leah looking good in new horsey shirt with "Princess Barbie".

MORE hugging for Daddy!

Arika hugging presents

Leah hugging presents

Leah excited about her "Princess Barbie".

Arika dancing with excitement!

Arika SO excited about her "Mermaid Barbie".

Leah opening clothes from Mom!

Girls, you are loved!

Skate Night!

On Feb. 4th 2012, we had a super fun Skate Night!  The girls' school sponsored a skate night at a local roller rink to raise money for the PTO.  I have not been on skates in about 25 years, but I absolutely LOVED  it.  So much fun.  Leah and Arika loved skating so much, they didn't even want to leave  the roller rink to get a snack! They fell down a little, but they always got back up and kept trying.  I was so proud of them!

Daddy is a big help!

"Look Mom! I'm not holding the wall!"

Cutie roller queens!

Snuggling with Mommy

Getting a lift from Daddy!

"Peace Man!"

The "hold-on-to-the-wall" skate!

Don't let go Mommy!

Sisters helping sisters!

"Lean forward like this!"

Mommy showing off

So much fun!

On a side note, I did fall backwards instead of forward, and as a result, broke a bone in my hand! But I had a blast and can't wait to go again once my hand is better!

Lunch with Grandma

Today, Feb. 2nd, 2012 the girls enjoyed a special visit from Grandma at school to have lunch with them.  So fun!

Arika the Artist!

Career Day at school.  This year they let the kids dress up as what they wanted to be when they grow up, Arika decided she wants to be a painter! 
Feb. 2nd, 2012

Cutie Artist!

She drew her "artist apron" herself, it's a picture of her painting.

"And here we need more blue!" So adorable!