Springfield, IL

Last Monday and Tuesday, we visited Springfield, IL where we toured Abraham Lincoln's home, Lincoln's tomb, and the old and new state capital buildings.  We also spent hours exploring the exceptional Lincoln Museum.  It was a fun and educational mini-vacation.  Did I mention that it was really cold, and that Springfield received 11 inches of snow in a matter of hours?

This is the actual building where Abe Lincoln practiced law before running for president.

The Old State Capital Building was amazing.  I couldn't help but picture it bustling with activity so many years ago.

The only home that Abe Lincoln actually owned....

This is the very spot where he accepted the Presidential Nomination.

My Top Ten Favorite Memories:
1.) The Lincoln Museum
2.) Watching Andrew and Olivia arrange and perform a synchronized swimming performance.
3.) Bottomless popcorn at the Drury Hotel
4.) Teaching Andrew how to hold a spoon correctly.  (I have no idea how we managed to miss that lesson when he was a toddler.)
5.) Andrew Irish dancing down the snow covered streets in downtown Springfield.
6.) Polite, courteous, non-complaining kiddos.
7.) Taco pizza from Godfathers.
8.) My inability to read a map sending us on a wild goose chase to find Lincoln's Tomb.
9.) Learning more about an average man who accomplished greatness.
10.) Viewing Abe Lincoln's top hat which had worn places in the brim from his constant hat tipping.

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2013

Last night, Scott and Olivia attended their third Daddy/Daughter Dance which just so happened to be a Masquerade Ball. 

Scott ordered Oli a charm bracelet and a heart shaped daughter charm.  He plans to add a charm every year.  She was incredibly proud of her new piece of jewelry.  

(BTW...I did her hair all by myself.)

 In this photo, she is overcompensating for her fake smiles.

 Notice her nails.  She insisted that one hand be painted turquoise and the other be painted purple.

It was such a special evening for all of us.  Scott commented that this was his favorite dance yet.  Olivia told me that she felt beautiful, and I managed to do all the "girly" things without having a mental breakdown.

As I look through the photos, I tear up thinking about how much she has grown the past 3 years.  I am confident that next year she will have lost her 2 front baby teeth, have grown several inches taller, and be more aware of who God has created her to be.  SO thankful for my sweet Oli Grace!

On the other hand, Andrew stated at dinner that he is very glad that he isn't a girl.  This getting dressed fancy to go to school to dance sounds like an evening of torture to him.

Comin' Out of Her Shell

During Talent Show practice on Thursday, the school librarian approached me and commented, "That Olivia is really coming out of her shell!"  Minutes after our conversation, I was approached by another mother who spends a lot of time at the school.  She quickly stated, "Boy that Olivia is really coming out of her shell!"

Scott logged onto facebook this evening, and giggled as he read the music teacher's current status.

"As my first graders filed into music this morning and sat quietly down on the risers, one little tyke raised their hand and said, "Mr. S, you look like a gummy bear." I'm not sure if they were referring to my very bright yellow shirt or to the fact that I'm kind of soft and squishy. I'm telling myself it's because I'm sweet!"

Scott asked Oli which first grader said that Mr. S. looked like a gummy bear in class today.  She quickly responded, "I did!"  

Oh boy!  Where exactly did she leave her shell?  I think that we might need to put her back in it.

Talent Show 2013

Last night, My Sweet Scotty and the kiddos made their second annual appearance in CA's Talent Show as Spiffy, Zippy, and Petals.  They performed the "wet paint" skit, and they were absolutely fabulous.  Believe it or not...they both love to perform.  Scott kind-of likes it too!    

 Andrew's third grade class danced to a medley of songs (Lullaby, KuFu Fighting, Cotton Eyed Joe, YMCA, and We Are Family).  The students were the heads and feet while the mothers were their hands.  It was super funny.

 Olivia's first grade class danced to "I Am a Gummy Bear".  They were absolutely adorable.

 Their teacher, Mrs. K., even joined them to do the Bunny Hop.

It was a super fun night, and we were surrounded by proud parents and teachers.  I love nothing more than seeing kiddos use the gifts that God has given them which just so happened to be this year's theme.

One of Andrew's friends taught him how to make an origami Yoda finger puppet.  Andrew took it upon himself to create a bigger version.

The Mud Ball Factory

I find these photos absolutely disgusting and precious at the same time.  Gross.  Fun.  Disgusting.

(This photo is just a tad overexposed, but there is just something about it that I love.  I didn't have the heart to delete it.)

Don't worry.  They were scrubbed, and their clothes were trashed!

Weekend Top 10

1.) Listening to Olivia read Wemberly Worried and giggling as she stated, "This reminds me of Andrew!"

2.) Filling out adoption paperwork for our dear friends.

3.) Watching my children play in the mud.

4.) Roller skating with 120 of my favorite friends and making a few new ones.

5.) Crafting a mask which just so happens to be covered in glitter and feathers for a special little girl to wear to her Father/Daughter Masquerade Ball.

6.) Adding fun material to the back of my China cabinet.

7.) Chatting with sweet friends over lunch.

8.) A LONG Sunday afternoon nap.

9.) Sunshine and time spent outside

10.) Listening to My Sweet Scotty announce his excitement over creating his very own clown troop.

It was a beautiful weekend filled to the brim with beautiful people!

Our New Addition

We are now the proud owners of this beautiful, black beauty.  She has already filled our home with so much joy and peace.  We are all in love, but this fella is head over heels smitten.

We are not in the least bit surprised that Andrew's musical ability is really starting to shine.  He has been learning how to read music at school and playing a recorder.  Scott showed him middle C, and A immediately started to play all the songs that he has learned so far.  He is breezing through his beginner piano book, and playing the piano now occupies a lot of his free time.

I am so very thankful for this new addition to our home.