Llama Llama Red Pajama

We gave Johanna the book Llama Llama Red Pajamas for Christmas this year. To say that she's obsessed with the book would be an understatement. She LOVES this book. We read it around a dozen times a day. Of course we read it with tons of expression which she loves even more. She can't say "Llama" yet so she says "Samma" instead. She repeatedly comes up to me and says "Samma, samma" all day until I read it to her. We just ordered Llama Llama Misses Mama and Llama Llama Mad at Mama from Henry's book order so that I can hopefully just read the original a couple of times a day.

If you aren't familiar with these books, you should really check them out! They are definitely cute!

Nella Hampton

I don't remember how, but about a year ago I was introduced to the blog, Enjoying the Small Things. On January 22, 2010 Kelle and Brett had their second daughter, Nella. She was born with Down Syndrome and they did not know she would be. The birth story of Nella, written by Kelle, is probably one of the most beautiful birth stories I've ever read. I've read it so many times and each time tears stream down my face. I've continued to follow Kelle's blog over the past year. She's a talented writer, an amazing photographer and her views of life are inspiring.

Go ahead, read Nella's story, meet their family.

Nella turns one on January 22. Her family is having a big party for her. They are raising money for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) calling it "Nella's ONEder Fund." Kelle's original goal was to raise $15,000. After 12 hours of the fundraiser she changed her goal to $30,000 because of the amazing response. You can read the post about it here.

Won't you consider making a donation? On behalf of Nella (because if you've read her story I don't know how you can't!) or on behalf of any of the other children you know with Down Syndrome? Times are tough for everyone, but even $1 would make a difference.

Nella's ONEder Fund Donation Page

Christmas Card 2010

Christmas Eve 2010

We celebrate Christmas with our family on Christmas Eve. That means that Santa comes to our house on the night of the 23rd every year. This year the kids wrote him notes and left cookies and milk.
Here's Abigail's "novel" she wrote to him. It's quite cute...she asks a few times if he's real (see previous post) and also tells him the cheers that she did at her Christmas program.
Here's the first note that she wrote...again asking if he's real and also asking how old he is.
This year we did something different for the kids. Each child was getting four gifts from us that followed a theme that I read about online. They each received:
Something to wear
Something to read
Something they want
Something they need

It worked out SO well for us and is something that we will do for many years I'm sure! The gifts for the kids were more thoughtful and the kids knew about the theme and were excited to open each one.



Henry's gift from Johanna...Playmobil vet and horse and vet and dogs.
Johanna and her Fisher Price mailbox that I got on Black Friday for $0.99!!
Abigail opening her jewelry box.






Johanna is sitting on her "need" gift...a new potty!
Abigail showing off one of the pieces of clothing in her American Girl trunk...underwear...so funny at 7 years old!

Here's what the kids received, following the theme.
Something to wear: Robe and socks (Abby), Robe and slippers (Hanks), Pjs and slippers (Jos)
Something to read: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew books (Abby), Drawing books (Henry), Llama, llama, Red Pajamas (Johanna)
Something they want: American Girl trunk with outfits (Abigail), huge Playmobil set (Henry), FP Mailbox toy (Johanna)
Something they need: Jewelry box (Abigail), Alarm clock (Henry), Potty and underwear (Johanna)

They also got gifts from each other and then some great loot in their stockings.

We had my parents over again and had Lou Malnati's Pizza (YUM!) as is our tradition. They kids had a lot of fun and were really good. They got to play for awhile and are now fast asleep.

Tomorrow we celebrate with Colin's family in the morning and my family in the afternoon. What a fun day!

Henry's Class Christmas Party

I volunteered to help organize Henry's Young Fives Christmas Party this year. We had a fun afternoon playing "Musical Chairs" and "Bingo," decorating cookies, doing a craft and exchanging gifts with friends.
Henry and Lee are the only two boys in their class of 11. They were the last two left in "Musical Chairs." Henry ended up boxing out Lee and winning the game. :)
The kids did a candy can heart craft that reminded them what the colors of a candy cane mean.
Henry and Julia were having fun goofing around while waiting to exchange gifts with friends.
Each child brought 1o little "somethings" for their friends and then passed them out. Henry brought a little tub of Play-doh with a Christmas cookie cutter for his friends.
Lee and Henry doing some serious art on their sugar cookies. Sprinkles were a BIG hit!

Merry Christmas from the cutest five year-old that I know!