Advent

Last Monday we had a "Night Before Advent" party at our house. We brought out our advent book (Unwrapping the Greatest Gift - Voskamp), read the introduction, drank hot chocolate, opened up some new candles, and talked about what advent is. We also collected some branches for our Jesse Tree. This is our 5th year of doing a Jesse Tree.

 The girls are really into advent this year and we have been having some great discussions about Jesus. The girls are getting very excited for Christmas and I love that these discussions are helping them (and me) keep their hearts centered on the true meaning of Christmas... the birth of our Saviour!

We have also been enjoying doing some of the activities that go along with the book.

Musician in the Making

Peter's favorite new toy is the harmonica. As soon as we come home from being out, he grabs the harmonica and starts to play. He also likes to play harmonica while Ella and Juliette are practicing violin.

Peter's First Goal

Late November

In November we have been blessed to have a few visits with our dear friends, the Lungs. They are back in town for a little while. It is so much fun to have them around again! Kara and I were joking about how when we first met we just had Ella and Jonas. Below is our crew now (not including Peter and new baby).

Dan and Laura welcomed a baby boy into their family! His name is Bennett and he is absolutely adorable :)

Last Wednesday was the last day of Community Class for this term. Juliette's class has been learning about community workers. On the last day they all dressed up as a community worker and sang a song for the parents. Juliette is dressed up as a teacher (in the jean jacket and long skirt in the front row). 

Ella's class has been learning about pioneers. They made pioneer houses and wagons. Here she is with her good friend, Abby.

Ella is also very pleased that her good friend Penny is in her class this year as well. Below is a picture of Ella, Penny, and their teacher, Mrs. Krahn.

 4 on the tire swing.

Penny and Sophie come over on Thursday afternoons to learn French with us. The girls have been learning how to read French books. They are doing a great job!

Last weekend we went to the Whalley Library. Whalley has the most beautiful library I have ever visited. We love going there! On Saturday, they were having a Christmas festival right outside the library. There was a giant Christmas tree, face painting, balloons, and a cookie decorating station.

Poetry

We have been using a resource called "Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization". The girls have had a lot of fun listening to, reading, memorizing, and writing the beautiful poems that are found in this book. When the girls recite the poems, their personalities really shine through.

Karis reciting "Ooey Gooey"

Juliette reciting "Ooey Gooey " and "The Little Man Who Wasn't There"

Ella reciting "After the Party" and "Singing Time"

The Honesty of a Child

Ella has been working on adding more detail to her drawings. The other day Ella drew this picture of me. When she showed it to me, she said this:

"Mom, here is a picture of your face. Those lines on your forehead are the ones you get when you raise your eyebrows."

Dates with Dadda

Spencer takes one of our girls out on a date each week. They each get at least one date with him per month. This one on one time is very cherished and special for everyone involved. 

Last week Spencer took Ella to the park down the street to drink tea and play soccer. When she knows it is her day for a date with Dadda, she prepares a special card for him and also picks out a beautiful outfit.

Spencer is an amazing dad and it is my hope and prayer that if our girls get married one day, they will remember how their dadda treated them and look for the same in a husband.

Peter in his Sunday best :)

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Rapunzel, Ariel, Flounder, and Cinderella.

Ariel and Flounder. 

Karis was very excited about these costumes. When we got home from trick or treating she said "next year I will be Ariel and Peter can be Sebastian the crab."

Cinderella and Rapunzel

"Can we go trick or treating now?"

Carving pumpkins on Halloween Eve. The girls loved the roasted pumpkin seeds.

And here are some other pictures:

Peter's favorite book these days is "Little Blue Truck". He is especially fond of the big green toad and gets quite excited when he makes his appearance in the story.

Here are some action shots of our ballet class :)

And even though we were sick for career day, the girls dressed up for community class the following week. Above is Juliette as a singer. Below is Ella as a chef.

And since Karis always wants to do what her sisters are doing, she decided that she had better dress up as a singer to go grocery shopping with me :)

Ella is loving Anne of Green Gables. She is so into it that if I call her during rest and read time, she will often walk into the kitchen to see me while still reading her book.

Chefs in training.

Our sleepy boy holding a baby doll :)

Karis at her orff class. 

Wiki stick art scenes.