A Trip to the Park with Nanna

Playing at Nanna's house

Pinkalicious

"I'm sooo excited," squealed Kristen, pumping her fist in the air and hugging me tightly. "I want to make them now! "
"I know, sweetie," I replied, "but you need to stay in bed and go to sleep... that's the deal, remember."
"And I have to ignore Daddy typing on the computer and STAY in bed."
"That's right."
" And then we can make PINKalicious cupcakes!"
"Yep."


For those of you without a three year old girl, "Pinkalicious" is the name of a picture book about a little girl eating so many pink cupcakes that she turns pink. It is my daughter's favorite book (well this month) and she requests it for one of her two bedtime stories almost every night.




Recently, Phil and I have been struggling with keeping Kristen in her room at night. She comes out often claiming she is not tired. She also likes to stay up until everyone has vacated the downstairs. Unfortunately, our computer, desk, checkbook, bills, and laundry are all in the downstairs... so we can't exactly leave the downstairs the minute she asks us to.... or when would we do all of our tasks?

So, we started using a sticker chart. Kristen loved the idea of stickers as a reward, for about two days. Then we decided she could have a treat if she stayed in her room for a whole week, or 7 stickers on her chart. This worked for two weeks. One week she recieved pudding and the next week ice cream. Both were big hits. But I could tell her interest was waining and I need to step it up again. And then the idea of Pinkalicious Cupcakes hit me. And wow, did I pick a winner. Kristen was surprised, excited, delighted and anxious for the next morning.





We decided to make the cupcakes at Nanna's house because Audrey had been sick for the last three days and I was exhausted from staying up all night with her. Having an extra pair of hands to entertain Audrey or help with the baking definitely helped. And both of the girls love their Nanna.






The girls enjoyed helping us mix the ingredients, line the pan with wrappers, frost the cupcakes and put the cherries on the top.




















The cupcakes were delicious and we had a great time making them. Thanks Nanna for the use of your kitchen and your help. Thank you Uncle Bryan and (future) Aunt Aimee for purchasing the "Pinkalicious" book. ANd thanks Mimi for delivering it.




P.S. I have no idea what to do next week to motivate the princess to stay in her room and what could possibly trump Pinkalicious cupcakes? Let me know if you have any ideas.

Joy! Joy! Joy!

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10 and 11

Joy does not come from having a holiday celebration with family that resembles a hallmark tv special.


I should know, my Christmas Eve was nothing like I pictured it. Audrey kept me awake from midnight to five am, and then Kristen was roaring to go at 7 am. A stupid misunderstanding with my husband that led to an hour-long argument put me in a bad mood. A tantruming three year old tested me and Phil throughout the day. Target DID NOT have any cameras in my price range left, so we had to use a 5-year-old camera that shoots really grainy pictures. (Our good camera sort of got, um, dropped a few days ago and has not yet been replaced.) And even with our old camera, I did not get the perfect family picture. Kristen didn't want to cooperate at first... even with the promise of gummy bears, and then when Kristen was ready to pose for the camera, Audrey was tired and cranky. Drool, milk and who knows what else was spilled, wiped and dropped on my sweater (and yes, I CAN see it in the pictures, and I can see the dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep, too.)


But in spite of the less than perfect day, my family and I were filled with joy. Because joy does not come from perfect days or perfect pictures. And joy can not be taken from us no matter how bad the circumstances.


The joy that is for all people comes from the fact that our God became flesh and dwelled among us. Joy comes from the Savior! I am loved unconditionally by the Creator of the universe. He is what brings me true joy. Thank you God for saving me from my selfishness, bad attitude, thoughtlessness, impatience, and unforgiveness. Thank you for not counting these sins I committed today, or any others,against me. Thank you for taking on my punishment at Calvary. Thank you for joy, love and peace that cannot be taken away. That is the reason we celebrate this Christmas. Not Santa, parties, presents or even family and friends. We celebrate that Holy Night when our God and Savior left His place in Heaven and came to earth as a baby to allow us a way to have a relationship with Him again. JOY! JOY! JOY!




Oh and we did get a couple of pictures that weren't terrible. Some were kind of cute.





And our Christmas day was much, much better:)

Nanna's