Candles? It must be a Party!

A few weekends ago, we were up in Ohio visiting Christopher's family. On Sunday we went to their church and as the music was starting we noticed that because the alter had communion sacraments on it, the normal alter candles that the acolytes light were on the piano. The acolytes went up and lit them and Jessica pipes up and starts singing Happy Birthday to the guy at the piano thinking of course it must be for his Birthday! She delighted the people around us 3 different times during praise and worship with her Birthday song.

This past week, we had an evening where the power went out and we pulled out the candles to light up some rooms around the house. It was out for a number of hours and most of that time was spent convincing Jessica that we were not having a Birthday party and there was no cake (which was kind of a shame :) and she couldn't blow them out since we needed the light.
Since the candles were still on the table the next morning, I did let her sing a couple rounds of Happy Birthday and blow out the candles a few time after breakfast!

I think that Happy Birthday is probably one of her favorite songs and my kids are both pretty much pros at singing it, if extended time spent on an activity is any indication of professional status ;)
So if you are in need on any extra Birthday cheer at your next party, know that the McClintock kids are always ready for a party, as long as there are candles! (and cake doesn't hurt either)

Word Play

When I was little, I argued with my parents that the lyrics to  the Song America were not in fact

My country,' tis of thee, 
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;

But sweet land of liberty, of V I C  (whoever Vic is?)

I know that it doesn't make sense but when you believe something when you are little you tend to be
very passionate about it, even if it is wrong.
Well, Jessica sings a little song she learned at school when we say grace before meals.
It goes:
God our Father, God our Father
Once again, once again
We bow our heads to thank you, we bow our heads to thank you
Amen, Amen

Jessica's version is as follows:

God our Father, God our Father
once again, once again,
Bob the Builder, Bob the Builder
Amen, Amen

It makes me laugh and I don't have the heart to correct her 

right now. She will figure it out soon enough and change it

on her own.

So right for now we will thank God for Bob the 

Builder too!

Cold Morning Fun

This morning at 7:30 Jess puts on Ristow's winter buzz light year hat and heads for the door. She wants to play outside. We look outside and see the lightest dusting of snow and a few flakes floating through the air and everyone is sold on the idea of heading out the door to play. We bundle up still in our pajamas, in hats, coats, gloves and such and head outside. Since there is barely even enough snow to draw in with your finger (and it is only 25degrees) the fascination for Ristow quickly ends and after he has spent the obligatory 5 minutes outside he is ready to head in for Hot Cocoa. (why else do we go outside in winter if not for the warm yummy beverage awaiting our return to the house) ;)

Jessica on the other hand, has found a stick and is poking every leaf and blade of grass with a flake of snow on it all while singing Frosty the Snowman the entire time. Why play on the playground, run around the house and dig some more with the stick. After an hour and multiple nose wipes I finally convince her to head in side. Ristow has been waiting for his cocoa and asking when we are coming in every five minutes. I think she would have stayed out all morning if I let her.
We had lots of fun and are now all snuggled up watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and drinking our Hot Cocoa! Not sure which one is better ;)

The Art of Play

Jessica is wonderful at playing. I know kids play all the time, but I love watching Jessica create story lines and scenes out of her fabulous little imagination and suddenly the trains are introducing themselves to mickey mouse and Ernie is riding Scoop from Bob the Builder.
Today's activity involved Jess finding my old Cabbage Patch kids (found in Mom and Dad's move this past weekend). We put diapers on them, fed them, rocked them to sleep, took them to the Doctor and even let them watch a little Frosty the Snowman ;) She was wonderful to them, she talked sweetly and sang songs and all the little special things that I normally do for her, and it made me feel like a pretty good Mom, at least for today ;)
She is so fun to watch as she creates, explores and builds, though she loves an audience and wants you to sit and watch and maybe play a little too.
I am so grateful for my sweet little girl and all the joy she brings!
(We've got to something about that crazy "CHEESE" smile!)