Abby's Santa Visit

Abby visited Santa at the mall today and for some reason she didn't seem too happy about it. :-)

Abby voicing her displeasure at being on Santa's lap.

7 Quick Takes Friday - Volume 8

--- 1 ---

Abby peed in the potty last night! It was at bath time and I thought she was just pretending to go, but when I went to grab the piece of toilet paper to throw away there was actual pee there! Nate and I were clapping and good-girling all over the place and she just nonchalantly got in the bath tub like it was no big deal. Looks like potty training is in our future.

--- 2 ---

I've been babysitting my almost six year-old niece this week as school is out for Thanksgiving (which isn't until NEXT week but I won't go into my rant on how it seems like kids are in school so much less these days when compared to when I was) and it's been fun watching the two girls play together. On the one hand they're playing means I get more time to do me-time things (some fun some work) but on the other having a six year old in the house who doesn't nap is an adjustment. Constant talking! :-)

--- 3 ---

I organized the pantry today! It's been on my to-do list for months but with Haylee over I finally had an opportunity to do something about it. Isn't it amazing how much stuff you think you have until you organize and realize that your pantry is now half empty?

--- 4 ---

I'm still meaning to post about Abby's Halloween this year but I'm waiting on some pictures that some family members took. I've a big believer in chronological scrapbooking (thank you Creative Memories for developing the side-loading pages for your albums!) so I feel like I can't really post newer pictures until those ones are up.

--- 5 ---

This weekend is a throw-back to how our lives were last summer/fall when Nate was studying for his PE. After successfully passing (woo hoo!) he signed up to be a grader (?) for the test. Basically he takes the test again and then meets with a group of others who also took the test and they decide what the passing criteria should be for this year's test-takers. What this means for Nate is that he has to study again for the PE. I don't think I was aware of this add-on when I signed on for him taking the PE last year. Isn't there some sort of buy-out clause for this type of thing? :-)

--- 6 ---

A few of my friends are experiencing some baby "problems" for lack of a better word and could use your prayers. In my small circle I know of two miscarriages, one very early preemie, and a baby that's been diagnosed with a life altering disorder. Could you please pray for them and their families that they may find healing and comfort in the days ahead?

--- 7 ---

Finally, as I look outside...sigh....it's 5pm and it's pitch black. How I miss sunshine.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Babysitting Haylee

This past week I babysat my niece, Haylee, as she was out of school for Thanksgiving break, and Abby has absolutely been loving having Haylee over to play with. She follows Haylee wherever she goes and wants to do everything that Haylee is doing. On Thursday I took the girls to the Weee Gym that Bethel Church has, which is basically their gymnasium filled with age appropriate toys for the 0-5 range. It's a fantastic way for the kids to get their wiggles out in a warm environment. At first Haylee and Abby did their own thing with Abby racing towards the bounce house and Haylee wanting me to play catch with her. (It was nice getting some one-on-one time with Haylee as I don't get as much of her as I'd like now that she's in school and doing big girl activities.) But soon the girls gravitated back towards each other and had a blast playing together. It's been so much fun watching them interact with each other. At times the age gap (of four years) is very apparent but at other times they are just the sweetest to watch. Haylee has been so much fun this past week that I'm looking forward to watching her next week as well. I think Abby is looking forward to that, too!

Getting ready to go down the bounce slide together. Haylee made sure to wait for Abby and then asked if Abby wanted to slide down in her lap.

All set and ready to slide!

Whee! Big grins on both girls.

 

This was so funny to watch. Haylee was hoola-hooping pretty good (on both her waist and neck) when Abby went over to try her hand at it. She'd grab a hoola-hoop, get inside it, then start turning around in circles laughing the whole time. :-)

I'll end with this video of the two girls on the sit-n-spin. If this doesn't show how much they love each other, I don't know what will.