Mara's Kindergarten program last spring was so very cute. There were kids dressed as pigs, sheep, cows, farmers, probably some more animals I can't think of since it's been seven months since the program, and some very cute chics.
Here's Mara doing the very cute "Cute Chics" dance.
And my cute chic after the show.
Can you see it in her eyes?...."Can I take my costume off now?...How bout now?....I really want to take it off now....Now?....PLEASE!"
It drives me nuts when people ignorantly criticize large families like the Duggers. The most repeated complaint that I hear is about their "buddy system". Each older sibling is responsible for one or two younger siblings. The criticism is that "babies shouldn't be raising babies."
My family isn't exactly big enough to use a "buddy system", but we definitely talk a lot about how it's our responsibility as a family to love each other and take care of each other. That could mean helping your brother tie his shoes, or holding your sister's hand to help her feel less anxious about walking into school, or feeding the baby a bottle so mommy can go pee!
So call it what you want..."babies raising babies", or (I prefer) learning what being a family really means...it definitely happens in my house.
Since Christmas is 'only' 74 days away, I thought I'd get you into the Christmas spirit by sharing pictures from last year's preschool Christmas program (and desperately try to catch up on blogging!).
Emily got to carry baby Jesus.
And Becca was an angel....oh she looks so sweet and innocent here...the little booger!
Here's Em putting baby Jesus in the manger.
Emily singing....
And Becca singing...
After the program, they both got to tell Santa about the boots they wanted.
And this last picture was taken just moments before Sam realized some big scary guy in red was holding him.
Can't believe that I'll only have one doing a preschool Christmas program this year!
Mara's 6th birthday party was at the skating rink...the same skating rink I used to go to in middle school. So much fun!
The girls did so good after we figured out there was a such thing as "slow-roller" skates.
Look how little Becca Sue looks in these pictures.
Emily was the dare devil of the bunch. She did not want to hold your hand regardless of how many times she wiped out. You can just see the lack of concern for bodily harm in her eyes here!
Love this picture...I think she wore Papa out!
Blowing out the #6 candle. I can't believe I need to buy a #7 in just two short months!
And here's the present opening frenzy...
I can not believe how fast my baby girl is growing up. She's such a lady, and I couldn't be more proud of the person she's becoming. So here's a happy late #6 birthday little lady...love you so much!
We're not doing gymnastics anymore...ballet pictures coming soon...but here are some pictures from their gymnastics class last winter. I can't believe how little they look. I bet they've all grown at least six inches since these were taken in November.
Since fall is here and we're getting ready to do this year's fall pictures...I'd better get around to posting these from last year.
Oh these four are so much work for this mama, but so much fun and full of love.
Nana and Papa with all five grandbabies.
My family...man, I love each of them so!
And here's the chaos of setting up for the previous picture. Love Sam's face here...he's got that 'save me from all the estrogen' look!
All of us together...the Eisher/Jerkins family.
And another shot of the loves of my life. I love Emily's real smile here. It's so hard to get pictures of them with real smiles.
The Jerkins/Butler family.
DeeDee and Grand with all six grandbabies.
I love how Frannie's holding Walt and Becca's hands here, and Mara's goofy smile too.
I'm excited to do fall pictures in a few weeks again (whew, thank you Jesus for the cooler weather)...even though I'll be hugely pregnant.
Let's rewind all the way back to last December...our annual morning with Miss Patty Cake. This was our third year to go see her. Look at how little they were last year (well, I guess technically this post would be "last year's" trip but you know what I mean!)...oh my word, and the year before too!
This time we had front row seats.
We LOVE Miss Patty Cake and can't wait to see her again in just a couple of months.
First ice cream...very important indeed. And look at that face. He's so very proud of both the treat and the mess!
