Pumpkin Patch and Blog Update

Happy, happy Friday! Yesterday I had the pleasure of going on Noelle's Kindergarten class field trip to the pumpkin patch! It was a gorgeous day and we had a really great time! 

I've posted more photos here on my new blog! Yep, that's right, I have a new blog! I am diligently working on putting together an Etsy shop that I am planning to open soon and for simplicity's sake I've decided to post family updates on that blog, so this blog will no longer be updated and that way you only have to check one blog to see all that's going on with our family! :)

Again, my new blog is www.alterediris.com and that will be the place to be to stay updated on the Johnson Family!

Happy Fall Weekend! 

Our Little Girl's Growing Up

Arbor Creek Elementary, Mrs. Clark's PM Kindergarten Class 2011-12

Today was Noelle's first day of Kindergarten! She was so excited!! Here's a few pix from her big day at 

Posing for a picture in front of her school. 

Waiting in the lobby for her teacher. Sitting next to an otter (the school's mascot). 

A picture at her desk with Mommy! 

Making a letter with playdoh... she made the letter "N", that's new classmates & tablemates Caden & Hope.

Little brother had to give her a quick hug before we left... so sweet. 

Her favorite memory from the day was making a crown with an "upside down rainbow and an inside out rainbow", she made a friend named Sophia ("but not the neighbor next door Sophia, another Sophia"), she swung on the swings a little at recess but Mrs. Clark said she "couldn't do the monkey bars because it's really slippery and some kids have fallen and had to go straight to the hospital", she learned a new song about Arbor Creek, went to computer class but didn't get to get on the computers, and says she had a good time! 

Our February in Review

Wow,  February sure did FLY by for us here in the Johnson home! Here's a little recap of our month of February...  

 

More snow... which means work for Rodney and indoor fun and days spent in our PJ's for Mommy and the kids! :) 

The kids did some camping out in the living room one weekend. 

About once a month we visit Noelle at school and help with snack time. Here's some painting she was doing on the day we visited this month. Parker always has a blast playing with her classmates and in her classroom.

This girl will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall and we've had "Future Otter Night" and now Kindergarten round up as well... getting her all ready to make the big move into elementary school.

And, probably the biggest highlight of the month was this little guy turning THREE!!! We had a spaceship themed party with family and celebrated Parker's birthday together! 

I'll try and do a better job at blogging this month! :)

Here's some favorite quotes from Noelle this month: 

"Parker, I hate to say this, but you're spitting your spit on yourself." 

"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've gotta get back to coloring." said while talking on the phone with Daddy.

"Milk makes me stylish." Said at school during snack time one day(Her teacher kindly shared this one with me!) :)

December 10 & 11

December 10

Tonight we took the kids to see Santa! They were both excited, but I was unsure if they would be as excited when it came their turn to sit on his lap. Noelle was very hesitant last year and Parker cried. I expected the same hesitation this year, but I was pleasantly surprised... 

Waiting patiently in line... 

Big sister leads the way as they approach Santa... 

Bravely climbing onto Santa's lap... 

Telling Santa what's on their wish list for him to bring them... 

December 11 

Today was Noelle's preschool Christmas program... 

She started off a little bit in a daze... but then... 

she perked up once a song she liked was being sung! Such fun!!! 

December 2nd

This is the treasure Noelle brought home from school today. She is always so excited to show me what she makes at school, barely even getting into the car before she's got her backpack opened up and is pulling something out that she's created or that a friend has given her. It's so sweet to see things like this come home from school with her and to see how proud she is of her work. And of course, we are so proud too! ;)

This year I am doing a December Daily album. I did one in 2008 and loved it! Last year I fizzled out over a couple of days but this year I am determined to complete another one. So, I have decided to use this blog to keep track of photos/documentation for some or all of my album. The idea is that you tell one "story" of each day in December up through (or even after) Christmas to document this special time of year. If you want to follow along and see my album as it unfolds, I'll be posting those on my other blog (www.thispaperedheart.blogspot.com). 

I'm excited to share with you our December adventures this year and hope you enjoy being a part of them too! :)

Edited to Add: I just found this really awesome free download I thought some of you might be interested: http://aholyexperience.com/1000/AJesusAdventCelebrationDevotional.pdf

Meet Benjy

Meet Benjy... Noelle's preschool class' "pet". Yesterday was her day to bring Benjy home with her for the evening. She had a grand time with him. Pretty much whatever she did, Benjy did too. At first I wasn't too sure what we were supposed to do with Benjy... right after I picked her up from school we went to Target and she wanted to taken Benjy in... well, I didn't want to leave Benjy at Target and LOSE the class pet, so I said no and then upon getting home I read the letter from Benjy that was included in the bag and saw that Benjy could go anywhere Noelle went (except the bathtub) and realized I should have let her take Benjy into Target... oh well... Noelle & Benjy still had a splendid time watching Clifford, helping me make dinner, reading books (Benjy was even choosing the books, he's a puppet and so Noelle would put her hand in and Benjy would pick out the book), yes Mom even got him a "water" dish and pretended to put water in it for Benjy... she slept with Benjy and his water bowl sat right next to her cup in bed with her. Benjy definitely was loved in the Johnson home for his 24 hour stay!!! :) 

And, just in case you're wondering what Parker has been up to lately... well this pretty much explains it... 

I can assure you that he has no idea what he's looking for in here... when I take him out of the fridge, or out of the pantry, or off the countertop, etc... and ask him what he needs he says... (after screaming and crying for a bit) "Wewa, actuee (actually) want um, um, stuff..." We should have named him George, as in Curious George!!! LOL!! He absolutely gets into EVERYTHING... I thought it would get better as he got older, like I remember it did with Noelle, but it's actually getting worse, it's almost impossible to leave him alone for more than 1.2 seconds!! Haha! It's a good thing he's so stinking cute!!! : D

First Day of School

Yesterday was Noelle's first day of preschool at Aldersgate Preschool Plus! She was so excited! 

Here's her backpack... it's almost as big as she is! :) 

Walking into school... she's getting so big! I didn't think I would get emotional at all as I think I was almost as ready for her to go to school as she was. ;) But, getting her dressed and ready I got a little teary... knowing this is the beginning of a new journey for her... school.

Parker was a little disappointed when he didn't get to stay at school with Sissy. There was a car there he wanted to play with and when I told him we couldn't stay he started crying and when we got home he mentioned again that he wanted to stay with Sissy. :( Poor guy. 

Here's Noelle in her classroom (Blue PM class), meeting her classmates and one of her teachers Ms. Susan. After picking her up yesterday I asked her all about her first day. Here's a little bit of our dialogue: 

Mom: Did you make any new friends? 

Noelle: Yes, but I don't remember their names. 

M: That's ok, you'll learn them soon. 

M: What was your favorite thing you did today? 

N: Ms. Leslie had a wand and she tapped me on my head and then I went to put my bunny rabbit mat away. 

This is going to be a fun new adventure for us both. I am so excited for her and know that she is going to have a blast and learn so much this year! We are so proud of her! 

Quote of the Week

Brought to you by Noelle: 

"Oh Mom, something smells inhorrigible!" 

A New Do

Noelle decided about 3 weeks ago that she wanted her hair cut short, well after making sure that's what she really did want, making sure she knew she would no longer be able to wear ponytails or pigtails we finally got it cut on Tuesday! Isn't it cute? She looks even older now, but still so adorable (yes, I know, I'm biased!) What's even better, she seems to like it too which makes me happy! :) 

Five Things Friday {Sunday Edition}

Here's this week's edition of Five Things Friday, but first things first... 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! 

Got the kids to pose with Rodney this morning for a Father's Day photo! What a treasured sight! Love, love, love these 3... total and complete lights of my life. And Rodney, an amazing and completely wonderful, terrific, 2nd to none Dad & Husband! Love you Sweetie!!! 

Now, on to this week's five things: 

#1: The week got started with a bang when Rodney threw his back out on Monday after picking Parker up one handed and improperly. He could barely stand much less walk on Monday, but because of his consistency with icing it, he's pretty much back to normal now! Yay!!! 

#2: These two are a bit silly... notice those socks they each have on one hand? Yes, that was quite the entertainment for them while they were playing with the trains. I have no idea what prompted this but, they thought this was pretty cool! LOL!

#3. On Wednesday we made these little juice box boats I saw on this blog. Notice Noelle's name on her boat, she did that all by herself! :) 

Little did I realize this bucket I pulled out for the boats would become the kids new wading pool! Although Parker refuses to put on his swim trunks when we go out to play in the water, he'll inevitably get wet and THEN wants to put his swim shorts on!! So funny! 

More fun in the bucket! 

#4: A new sandbox this week, we've had the spot reserved for it as part of our swing set, but it's not had sand in it until this week. It's been a big hit, especially with Parker... we've had a much easier time keeping him in the backyard since we got it! 

#5: And THIS, my FAVORITE photo taken this week! I love, love, love it! Love the way the lighting is, love his sweet smile and those big big eyes! :) 

Five Things Friday

#1: Quote of the week, brought to you by Noelle: As she was getting ready for bed one night earlier this week, she starts rubbing the back of her arm, and in a very serious almost concerned voice she says "Mommy, I have (pause) skin on me." I tried not to show how funny I thought this was but, couldn't help but crack up a little at her seriousness. So, I said, "oh look... so do I! We have it all over us don't we?" :) To which she asked "Why?" 

#2: We had some enjoyable time at the park yesterday which were the only photos I snapped of the kids all week! 

#3: I have to say, this little guy is growing up way to fast for me... it's really hit me this week that he's not a baby anymore but I sometimes have a hard time accepting this. He's losing those baby cheeks, he's talking a ton and is just plain not a baby anymore and although I love watching him grow up I have to admit it makes me seriously sad to have to say good bye to the baby years. They really do go by too fast, which reminds me to do all I can to enjoy & be present in each and every moment.  

#4: We're looking forward to some big adventures tomorrow that include a famous train and a famous bird (unrelated). I will share more after tomorrow when I have photos and stories! 

#5: That's all I got... a much less eventful week than last! :)  

Five Things Friday (Saturday Edition)

Well, I must say, it's been quite a week! So, let's get going! 

#1. This sweet girl has been adjusting to her new smile. She's been asking a lot of questions like; "Mommy what happened to my tooth?", "When will I get my big girl tooth, in 3 days? 6 days? 4 days?", "How will I get another tooth, who's going to give it to me?" and then making comments like; "Mommy, my tooth is gone.", "I'm in my room listening to Jesus, he's going to give me my big girl tooth." And there's been a lot of her just lifting up her lip to show us her missing tooth. It's really so adorable watching her adjust to this change and learn new things. 

#2. We've all been enjoying this new favorite snack of ours... vanilla yogurt, blueberries/strawberries and granola. YUM! 

#3. My grandpa (Papa Southern) is in town from North Carolina... the kids & I got to spend some time with him and my mom on Friday... as you can see we ate lunch at Fritz's at Crown Center... I absolutely love this photo of him (and no Papa, you didn't break the camera!)

We also visited the Clifford exhibit at Crown Center and... 

mostly stood on the sidelines of the fountains... Noelle did run through once but, since Parker wasn't interested in going, she didn't want to go either. 

#4. I have a little personal project going on this month... I'm creating a (scrapbook) layout a day in June! Yes, I know I'm probably a bit crazy, but so far it's been a lot of fun! You can see what I've created so far at my little creative blog here. 

#5. We are now proud owners of a piano, handed down from my parents who no longer wanted it, so Rodney is enjoying some You Tube piano lessons and the kids are having fun banging on it a bit, but having more fun playing with their matchbox cars on it! Haha! 

Our Big Weekend Adventure

This photo shows our biggest adventure of the holiday weekend. Yes, you are seeing that right, our sweet 4 year old little girl is missing a tooth! While playing on the swing set at Grandma & Grandpa Rankin's house last night she knocked out her front tooth!!! It wasn't quite the way I'd imagined she would lose her first tooth... in fact it was quite traumatic for all of us. Complete with tears, blood, racing hearts, frantic thoughts of what in the world do we do!? It was Memorial Day evening and we knew there was likely no way of getting a hold of a dentist much less get her in to see a dentist! 

We were able to get her in first thing this morning, she was so brave and strong (as she has been since it happened). The dentist took an X-Ray of her mouth and found that she would've probably lost that tooth within a year or so anyway. It seems the development of her teeth are a little further along than most 4 year olds... which gives me much relief. With a bit of tylenol and softer foods for a few days, she should be healed up within a couple of weeks and we will all get used to this beautiful new smile of hers!!! 

Oh, and just in case you're wondering... yes, the Tooth Fairy did come for visit last night! She has helped make this adventure a bit more enjoyable for us all! :) 

Five Things Friday

#1. Lots of preparation this week for a certain someone's birthday party tomorrow.

#2. Rodney & I enjoyed a date night last night at the New Theatre Restaurant. Thanks Mom! We always have such a wonderful time and it's always such a treat. The show was fabulous!

#3. Praying for no rain for the party tomorrow... 50% chance... eek! 

#4. The Wiggles has been the "go to" movie this week... the kids seem to not be able to get enough of this show... it actually is a pretty good show and the songs are quite catchy... so catchy that I often times can't get them out of my head! LOL! "Where's Jeff" is a personal "favorite". :) 

#5. When "Letters to Juliet" is released in the theaters, you must go see it... I saw a sneak preview with a friend this week and it's such a darling movie... really... I couldn't stop smiling through most of it... so sweet, so cute, so clean and classy, a true gem of a romantic comedy!