Chores

We get 'em started early around here...





Recently, we have started a chore chart with the kids. Let me tell you, they have done more chores since we began this chore chart than they have ever done. It's awesome! (You can get all the FREE printables at Confessions of a Homeschooler.com)

Christmas 2010

Well, we certainly got our wish! Three days before Christmas we closed on our new home, and with no problems at all. The same day, we started moving in. We were determined to be in our new home for Christmas. A few people thought we were nuts, but everyone else was eager to help us make it happen! The day after we closed a moving truck pulled up at our old house and loaded all of our stuff into a 26' truck. They filled it to the brim and even had to strap a few things on the back. By the end of Thursday, all of our furniture and boxes were safe and sound in our new home. Thank you, Dad and Kim!!

While waiting for the moving truck to arrive, I had the house to myself for a couple of hours. Kate and Josh were with their Uncle Brent at Monkey Joe's. Since I had my priorities in order, I set up the Christmas tree first thing. We spent the rest of the day getting bedrooms set up and unpacking enough to get us through the next few days.

Christmas Eve morning we decorated the tree and made cookies for Santa (Costco chocolate chip cookie dough cookies, to be exact). That evening we headed to dinner with friends. It was a very chill night with good company. On the way home we drove through a really neat neighborhood full of Christmas lights. We even ran into Santa and Mrs. Claus on the way out. What a treat!

The kids went straight to bed when we got home and Ben and I began our Christmas Eve duties. The most important one this year was getting Kate's dollhouse put together. It took Ben about 3 1/2 hours to get it all done. He was a trooper.



Christmas morning the kids came in and woke us all up around 8am. And we headed downstairs to see if Santa had come! He sure did! The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of present opening, chocolate eating, cinnamon rolls and lots and lots of wrapping paper. I love it.







That afternoon we jumped in the car and headed to Grandpa and Nana Kim's house for more gifts and lots of yummy food. We stuffed ourselves silly and loved every minute.




When we arrived back home on Christmas night something really amazing happened... it started to snow!! Snow on Christmas!! It was awesome! We woke up the next morning to several inches of wonderful, snowman quality snow. The kids and I bundled up and headed out to play. It was perfect. A Christmas I will never forget.

All We Want For Christmas Is...

... a brand new house!! Do you think Santa can fit it in his sleigh? I doubt it. He is letting us open our Christmas present a little bit earlier. We are scheduled to close on our new home on Wednesday morning. Yes, three days before Christmas. Yes, we are nuts. But we are so excited! Please keep us in your prayers that everything will go smooth at closing. Also, I would like to give a huge shout out to all those who are making this move possible. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends. Thank you. We love you.

So, do you want to see a picture of the house...? Drum roll please.


And I would like to introduce you to my new kitchen. I think I'm in love. :)


But this house just wouldn't be any fun at all without this bunch bouncing around inside. Aren't they so cute!

My sweet Wesley! He is such a good baby. Don't you just want to pinch those big cheeks?

What a hunk. Joshua is turning into a little man.

And last but not least. Katelyn. I have no words. Those who know her understand.
We love you Katelyn. You are growing up way to fast. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Summer is over, but Fall is here!

Every time we go to Walmart Josh asks me to buy donuts for daddy. He knows when we are getting close to the donuts and gets upset every time I turn the cart away from the direction of the donuts. So... when we do buy donuts "for daddy", I get a very happy boy out of the deal.


The last few weeks of summer were fabulous! Some good friends invited us to stay with them at a beach house in Topsail Island, NC. It was such a fun week. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time. Want to see what we did? Enjoy the pics.

The end of the boardwalk. Josh was pretty nervous about the big waves.

"Ocean gonna get me???"

Kate LOVED the water, as long as it was shallow.

The kids and I opted of the beach one day and headed to a
park right along the Intercostal Waterway.

Cool play set!

Cute kids. :)

One morning the kids woke up really early so we snuck out to the boardwalk to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful and one of my favorite memories from our trip.

Sleepy-eyed kiddos.

This was Wesley's toy of choice for the week.

Katelyn started dance class again. We weren't sure if we were going to sign her up this year, but as the first class got closer and closer, I couldn't help it. This was her first day of class. So cute!


Wesley went in for his 6 month check-up. Our little man weighs 21 lbs. and 11 ounces! No wonder his mommy walks so crooked! His is definitely healthy. We started him on solids last month, and now he is eating 3 meals a day with the rest of the family. He also decided that it was time to start sitting on his own so he can keep on eye on Kate and Josh for me. We love him so much!

Going Private

With all that is going on in the world these days, we think its best to make our blog private. If you would like to be part of our blog family please leave a comment with your email address or send me an email letting me know at JulieMarieBurgess@gmail.com.

Thank you!

August

Where did August go? Did I accidentally sleep through it? (No... I would have remembered the extra sleep.) It has flown by which seems to be consistent with how life has been since Wesley was born. I need to put a leash on our days and make them last just a little bit longer or before I know Wesley will be walking, Josh will be eating his third birthday cake and Katelyn will be a kindergartner! I do remember a few things from the last few weeks. We've had some silly moments and some sad moments, but all in all life is treating us well.

"School" Stuff

Practicing writing letters and numbers in a tray full of shaving cream. (Easier to clean-up!)

Practicing upper and lowercase letters with playdough.


Teaching the Important Things

Learning the right way to eat an OREO. (Dipped in milk, of course.)


Showing Wesley how to smile for the camera. (Can you believe he is 5 months old?!)


Free Day at Discovery Place

Playing at the Water Works



What kid can resist beating something with a stick?


Kate's favorite part of the whole day was getting to touch the starfish... :)


The Aquarium


Push-O-War with Ben and Katelyn


Last but not least... the drive home.

We had a great time at Discovery Place. I am pretty sure the kids will be talking about it for quite a while. We saw two 3D movies while we were there. One about a taking care of our oceans and the other was about sharks. Good times!

Sorry!

Wesley at 4 months old!

Weight: 18lb. 13 oz
Height: 25 1/2 inches
Smiles: Immeasurable!

Sorry for the lack of posts. We've been busy having too much fun!