My Little Van Goghs

The girls were painting mittens the other day. 

It seems as though they always end up painting themselves.

They even painted Arianna's knees and my feet.

I am pretty sure I have posted pictures of our painting adventures before, but I just love this paint.
It comes out of anything so easily.  I let the girls paint the floor and use my steam mop and its back to new.

Annabelle Sings!

I caught Annabelle singing! 
I secretly recorded her.
If you have a few seconds you should listen. 
I love that she is singing about Jesus.

Snow Fun!

I took the girls out to play in the snow.  This isn't something I like to do, but for some reason I offered to take them out today.  I went out once with Annabelle, but I don't think I have ever been out with Ariel.

It took us about 18 minutes to get bundled up (and take pictures)

 

 

We were out side for about 11 minutes.  We went down the slide, followed bunny tracks, slid off Daddy's Escape, played on the rocks, and then went inside. 

Basically the best part of playing in the snow is coming in for hot chocolate. 

New Year's Resolution

I like to make New Years Resolutions.  I also like to keep them. 
If I were to make a goal to eat healthy or exercise or something like that I would fail. 
I like all things beginning with the letter "C" (candy, chocolate, cake, cookies, cupcakes, chips, carbs, etc.) (amazing how many things start with c, isn't it?) and I don't like to be sweaty.

So a couple years ago I decided to write a letter to someone each week.  I was over 50% successful at this one. 
Last year I decided to use glitter more.  I did pretty good at this one.  I glittered a few picture frames, letters, shoes, and other random things.

This year I am going to write to my little compassion boy (although he isn't little anynmore) from Ethiopia once a month.  I was feeling sort of bored with it.  He would write the same things to me in each letter, and I never really felt a connection.  A few months ago at church someone from Compassion International came to speak.  There was also someone who was once supported as a child.  She was saying how much the letters from her sponsors meant to her.  I realized that I might be bored because I am not giving it my all.  He is a kid, I can't expect him to entertain me.
I am hoping that by writing him a letter each month he will know that I am praying for him and his family.  I started supporting him when he was 4 years old.  He is now 13 years old.  I love that I have been able to be a part of his life for so long. 

What is your New Years Resolution?

New Year's Eve

We spent our New Year's Eve at Chuck E. Cheese.  It wasn't as busy as we thought it was going to be.  They all had a fun time riding rides, eating pizza, and being together.

All three of them are in this picture.

After Chuck E. Cheese, we came home and made cookies. 

Ariel fell asleep, but Caden and Annabelle enjoyed 2 cookies and some sparkling
grape juice.  They did decide is was a little spicy and switched to milk.

Happy New Years!

Christmas Cookies

 Have you tried these cookies?

They are quite a tasty little treat.  My friend Sarah and I used to eat them all season long when we worked together.  She said they go great with a cup of coffee.  She said she was going to find out which taste better:  the red or the green cookies. I am a fan of the green, but James thinks they taste the same.

I have only seen them at Meijers and Family Fare. Next time you go to the store you should pick up a package and have a little treat.

A New Tradition

I think traditions are so fun. 
I am hoping this will be a new one for us.
I wrapped up Christmas books (you may have seen this on pinterest) and the girls get to each open one every night until Christmas.

The first night the Christmas Tree Fairy visited and left a little present by the front door.  She left the book, a little fairy for our tree, and a note telling the girls to remember to think of others during Christmastime. 

The second night one of my friends from highschool was here with her daughter so we got to read 3 books.

The girls seem to be enjoying opening a present every night even though they know what it is.