Fun

One of Grace's most favorite things to do is to go to Jungle Gym (gymnastics) at the Community Center.  After a three-week hiatus from the mats, we finally made it back today.  Fortunately I remembered to take my camera this time (something I always forget to do) to capture all the fun.  I think Grace was making up for lost time...

The trampoline is always Grace's first stop

 I wish we had one at home--she'd never get off

A little dramatic

 She loves the balance beams

"Jump!"

I love how she holds her little arms out

 Pushing things around--another favorite activity

Hanging...

 Somersaults on the wedge (with a wedge) 

And... lots of running!

And then...I have one tired girl who's ready to get her hands stamped and go home!

Help-Portrait

Today I spent the day volunteering for Help-Portrait.  It is a national movement that brings the talents of professional photographers together with those less fortunate; many of whom have never had professional photos taken.  My friend Jackie coordinated the Help-Portrait in Lansing.  She is an amazing photographer who works for Canfield Jenkins in St. Johns.  When I heard she needed volunteers for this project, I thought it would be a great way to help others and learn more about photography at the same time. 

I got to be an assistant to one of the pros.  I definitely learned a thing or two.  It was neat to see how everyone set up their lighting, posed clients etc.  We had a wide variety of people come:  some mentally disabled clients from group homes, a few single mothers, students getting their senior pictures, as well as families.  There was even hair and makeup and refreshments for everyone.  It was pretty impressive, especially considering it was all organized in less than a month. 

Sadly, none of the local news outlets showed up.  It would have been a really great story to cover, in my opinion anyway.  It was definitely a great experience and a blessing for me to be involved with.

Here's a link with photos and video from our day:  Help-Portrait

Second Snow

Grace and I didn't get outside for our first snowfall.  We chose to snuggle up indoors instead.  Today before we went out shopping, Grace asked me if we could play outside in the snow.  We had fun for a few minutes, but both got cold fast.  Grace kept saying, "It's so cold, it's so cold!"  It didn't help matters that she wanted to pick up snow with her bare hands.  Looking forward to many more snowy days...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

We've been slowly getting into the Christmas spirit.  Last night Dave finally strung up the lights on our tree (three days after we brought it home).  This morning Grace and I added the ornaments.  I guess in my mind it's a little early for all of this.  Early until I opened the blinds this morning and saw snow--lots of it--big, fluffy flakes falling from the sky and sticking to the ground.  I was so excited for Grace to peek out the window.  We've been talking and reading a lot about snow lately, but I wasn't sure what--if anything--she remembered from last winter.  But as soon as she looked outside she squealed, "Snow!"  I'm thinking we'll have to break out those new snow pants pretty soon.

I thought it was only appropriate to  put on a little Christmas music while we were decking our halls.  Jingle Bells has become a big hit with Grace.  We've been singing it in music class for a couple of weeks now and I think she already knows all the words.  Grace's version is heavy on the maracas and tambourine. She is a musical girl, for sure (she definitely doesn't get it from me).

We've also been enjoying our favorite Christmas books again: The Spirit of Christmas and Twas the Night Before Christmas, as well as wintertime books like The Snowy Day (one of my favorites) and The Mitten.  (I'm hoping with these "new" books that maybe we can shelve Curious George for a while.)

I also can't help but think about the Christmas traditions from my own childhood:  Re-discovering ornaments every year and going through all of Mom's Christmas things--the stockings, the nativity scene, the decorations.  The Christmas specials (particularly Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) on television were another favorite of mine.  I also loved having an advent calendar and getting to look behind a new "door" everyday.  Then, of course, there was the excitement of Christmas morning.  Nothing compares to that when you're a kid.

We've been pondering what traditions to start in our own family.  We definitely want to keep Jesus at the heart of whatever we do.  A gingerbread house/cookies are definitely on the agenda.  I'd also like to come up with a special Christmas meal that we would enjoy having every year.  Lots to do...I guess it is Christmastime after all!  In so many ways it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Hanging the first bulb

Homemade ornaments from last year

Checking things out

Watching the snow fall