Kid's Holiday Party

Grace had a double treat for the holiday party this year.  It was held on December 19th, Her Birthday!

So after school we quickly got dressed up, jumped in the car and headed to S&P Global.  We ate snacks, talked to people, and Grace and Glen got to meet many new kids.

Finally Santa came and handed out the presents.

 Grace is trying to hug Santa.

 And here both kids got the hug from him.

They also got presents.
Glen got a small Lego set.  Grace got a kit to make your own Slime.  She later used that slime and packaged it up to sell in her Mini Society community that she is involved in at school.

They had such a great time at the party.  Then we got to see Matt's new work desk (he went from the basement to the 4th floor).  This is always such a fun event for the family and the kids.

The Nutcracker

 Right before Thanksgiving Grace asked me, Mommy are we going to the Nutcracker again?  We had gone two years before.

About a week prior to that question one of my friends who's child is in the Nutcracker ballet posted how to get tickets.  So I quickly told Grace, yes we can go again.

I got us tickets and we had a great time at the ballet.  She talked about it for days afterward.

Oh, and she made sure that we got a silly picture.

Turkey Trot

In September I did something to my knee that has prevented me from running (or even walking without some form of ache or pain).  So when Grace wanted to run the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Harrisonburg, my sisters thankfully stepped up to the plate and said that they would run with her.

 I was their cheering section.
Here is all three of them ready to go.

 Amy, Grace, and Carol all running together.

 Grace found a friend from cub scouts and she started to lag behind Amy.  But she still had a great time.

 Finally she realized that she was there to run and not to socialize.  She was also determined to run with Carol so she picked up the pace.

 After the race, Grace got part of her birthday present from Carol and Amy...

A manicure day with them.  She got many new fingernail polishes and fancy jewels that she can place on her nails.  Here is her thoughts about the present.  It got one BIG thumbs up.

Thank you Amy and Carol for stepping in for me and running with Grace.

Winter Boy Scout Happenings

 We are new to Boy Scouts in this house, but we love it.  This was Grace and Glend attending their first pack meeting where they got their first Bobcat badge and their achievement belt loops.

 They were so happy to be able to get rewards for their hard work and acomplishments.

This winter Matt observed as Grace built her own tool box.  She did a fantastic job on it.  Later she painted it electric blue.  She is so proud of it.  It now houses all of ther Boy Scout items (Flashlight, whistle, book, uniform, etc.)

I think we are going to learn a lot through Boy Scouts.  I look forward to it!

Fire Safety Poster Contest

Two years ago Grace brought home information for a fire safety contest.  She drew a smoke detector and won first place.

 This year Grace once again brought home that information and wanted to make a poster that went with the words "Look, Listen, Learn." She had many ideas and in doing her ideas had to learn some techniques such as perspective, shadowing, and some tips with oil pastels.

 After learning those techniques she was off to drawing the picture.  She drew it all on her own, but had the idea to singe the corner of her drawing where the fire was starting.  So I assisted her on the burning of the paper since I did not want it to get out of hand.

 She entered the poster and to our surprise she got first place for her age group.  And she also got the Overall winner which is called the Chief''s choice.  The prize was a $50.00 gift card to Walmart for first place, and yet another $50.00 gift card for the Chief's choice.  She was a very happy girl.

I am so proud of her and her desire to learn more about art and try out new techniques.