OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Several weeks ago the children went with me to my church and in Sunday School they were given a shoebox to fill with gifts for a child in a foreign country who may have never received any gifts before in their entire life.  The kids were very curious and excited about filling these boxes for a poor child.  Ruby could hardly fathom never receiving any gifts before "Not even one birthday gift, Grandma!"  We talked about it during lunch and thought of things they might like to put into the boxes.  We decided to do one for a boy and one for a girl in the 5-9 year old range, so they could find things they themselves might enjoy.  The instructions also suggested hygiene items, such as toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. 

I could tell they were both really thinking about this idea, because hours later Carson came upstairs to find me and said "Grandma, we need to get pencils and paper for the box because they might like to practice writing their letters!" 

So yesterday I took them shopping to fill the boxes.  We took the empty boxes with us so they knew how much to get and couldn't select something that was too large.  They carefully carried the boxes into the store and put them into cart and we were on our way shopping.  It was a real joy to do this project with them.  Other people in the store said they were shopping for the same thing -- My church is a drop off center for these boxes for our area, and I'm told that last year there were over 8000 collected at just my church alone.  

 

 

 As we were driving to the store we talked about what countries the boxes might go to. (You can sign up on line and learn what country your box ends up in).  Carson said "I would like mine to go to Paris France, or maybe England."  I suggested Africa, to which Ruby replied "Silly Grandma, there are only wild animals in Africa!   Maybe my box could go to a giraffe!"

Here they are putting their gifts onto the belt for the checker to ring them up. 

 

Carson didn't want them to go too quickly!  

 

They were so very proud of their individual  boxes

 

We wrote letters and put a photograph of them in the letter.  

 

The funniest thing happened with Carson.  I got some extra prints of their 5 year old professional photos and was going to let them select which one they wanted to send.  Carson got almost teary-eyed and said "I don't want to send one of those photos!" 

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I don't want to give them one of my pictures.  I may want it"

"Buddy, I can make more"

"NO"

So I let it go.  Later Ruby was talking about the photo she wanted to send and Carson was just listening.  Then Carson was talking about putting one of his own toys in the box, and I told him that they really prefer new toys and not used ones. 

To that he said "Well, then why do we put a photograph in the box?  They are not new.  I've already looked at it!" 

Oh my goodness, it took everything for Katharine and me to not laugh out loud.  Such reasoning from that little guy.  In the end, he selected a picture of just himself that he included.  Ruby picked a picture of her with Carson and their Daddy. 

Grandma's Helpers

 

The kids were over yesterday and I thought we would all work together in the yard, and have fun too.  They were actually VERY good helpers and did a lot of work for 5 year olds.  We just need to keep them thinking that work can be fun!  

 

Carson was all over using the snow shovel to get up the leaves.  He was cracking up telling his Mommy about getting to use the snow shovel on the leaves.   

 

Ruby is trying to figure out how to use two at the same time to pick up the leaves!

 

We are all done and the yard waste bin was completely full.

GREAT JOB RU AND CARS! 

Fall Walk

Can you spy my sweeties taking a walk in the Fall leaves? 

Carson leading the way, of course!

 

Halloween 2013

 

Halloween breakfast.   Yummy. . .

The twins got to trick or treat with pals from school and had a blast!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Through The Years!

2009

 Pea Pod and Care Bear

2010
Little Bear and Elephant


 

2011

 Alice in Wonderland and Robot

2012
Mermaid and Captain America


 

2013

Hunter and Princess

Carson's Prayer

Over the weekend we had a bit of a medical emergency scare with Grandma Carrie.  The twins were keenly aware of it and prayed for her throughout the day.  I particularly cherished one of Carson's prayers. . . .

"Dear Jesus, help Grandma Carrie to get better and to come home from the hospital tomorrow.  If not tomorrow, then the next tomorrow, or the next tomorrow." 

The Lord heard all of  our prayers and she came home the next day after being admitted, and all is well!  

Soccer Score

At the kid's soccer this weekend the final score was 3-0.

Carson's team had 3

Carson scored all 3 points!

WAY TO GO BUDDY. . . 

Yet Another Pumpkin!

 

This time Ruby decided she wanted to get the "pumpkin goo" out herself.  Last time she told Auntie Kat she didn't want to get her hands dirty.  Carson on the other hand, decided if he couldn't wear gloves, he wasn't about to get messy! 

Note the princess dress -- pumpkin carving attire. 

Duck Dynasty!

 

So this is what happens when my daughter marries a hunter/redneck/Oregonian/CASEY?



Made Me Laugh!

I have the twins this weekend and on our way to church this morning we passed by a rather unusual looking water tower.  Ruby said

"Grandma Julee do you remember back in the olden days, when we were 2 or 3 and we lived in Vancouver, we used to have a water tower near our house?" 
(I guess "olden days" is a relative term!) 

Art Work

Miss Ruby Grace LOVES doing art work.

  I think she is the happiest when she can create something. 

 

Soccer Buddies

 

I love how these little soccer pals share socks. They are back into going to in-door soccer each Saturday.  Ruby is getting better and faster at running (doesn't run so much like a girl!), and Carson is quite the little soccer player, keeping up with the action on all levels.  I watched them last week, and what I complimented Carson on was his sportsmanship.  Each time he knocked another player down (usually by accident), he stopped and helped them up and said "Sorry".  It was very spontaneous on his part, and it made me happy to witness that about him. 

 

Love that grip Carson has on his sis!

 



Play Date

 

Ruby has her very first drop off and pick up PLAY DATE with her friend Iris.  They met last year at the school the twins attend, but Iris is now attending a public kindergarten.  However, Iris lives within walking distance of Ruby's school/day care and with her Mommy, they walked over and picked up Ruby for some after school play.  Kristin then picked her up after getting Carson at the end of the work day.  Ruby had a blast being silly with her pal. 

Made Me Laugh

I got to watch the kids tonight because Casey is in Seattle on business and Kristin had a business dinner to attend.  I loved it. 

Kristin told me a funny story (but probably not so funny if you are 5 year old Carson Ray).

Sunday night Ruby was all excited as they went to bed because it would be her second visit from the tooth fairy.  She could hardly stand it, she was so excited.  After they were down a while, Carson came downstairs and announced he was scared. .

"What you are afraid of?" asked his mommy.

"THE TOOTH FAIRY!"  

SPIDERMAN

Not to be out-done by Sleeping Beauty --

Here is Carson's Spiderman pumpkin that Auntie Kat did for him.

 

Sleeping Beauty

Kat finished Ruby's Sleeping Beauty pumpkin. 

 Wanted to share it with you. 

 

 

 

Now she needs to figure out something for Carson!

Pumpkin Carving Time

Ruby came over for some pumpkin carving time.  Auntie Kat doesn't just make triangles -- she makes masterpieces.  (and they take hours!).  Here they are starting with the pumpkin that will eventually be a princess.  Ruby was happy as could be with her hot chocolate (with marshmallows) and having Auntie Kat doing all the dirty work. 

 "Ruby, would you like to put your hands in and get some of the pumpkin goo out?  NO, I DON'T WANT TO GET MY HANDS DIRTY!" 

 

As I was giving her a few more marshmallows in her hot cocoa, she said

 "I'm getting more sugar today than Carson!" 

 

 

 

 

You may noticed she went and changed into a pink princess dress with wings -- to be in a festive mood.  She called it a "party". 

When Carson showed up with his Daddy to pick up Ruby, he had a new hair cut.  Little did Ru know, her brother got his own sugary treats with a lollipop after the haircut and hot chocolate with his Mommy.  Their parents are so good about feeding them very healthy meals with little sugar, that it's a big treat to get a few extra marshmallows. . . .  I'm so proud of their parents!

 

 

Tooth #2 - O.U.T

 

Miss Ruby is wasting no time with losing teeth.  Much to Carson's chagrin! 

 (NOT FAIR! he proclaims). 

James And The Giant Peach

Kristin and her friend Stacy took their 5 year olds to see the children's theater production of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH.  The kids loved it and paid attention the entire time.  Here they are outside before the production. 

 

 

Afterwards they were able to get pictures with some of the characters.