Operation Christmas Child

 

My church is once again collecting Christmas boxes through Samaritan's Purse.  Last year I did it with the kids and registered the boxes on line and heard that their boxes ended up in Mexico.  They were so excited to do it again this year.  We talked about what was a good idea to put in the boxes and what was not allowed.  They did a super great job of picking out items perfect for a little girl and a little boy somewhere in this world. 

They each wrote a note, pretty much by themselves, with a little help with spelling, and included a photo of themselves. (you can see that Carson picked out a photo of he and his momma to send)  Then we drove to my church to deliver them, as my church is a collection center in this area.  Over 9 days, we collect 1000's of boxes, to fill a semi truck that takes them to a processing center in California.  Then they go by planes, boats, trucks, and even donkeys to find children all over the world.  

Daddy's Girl

Casey has been out of town for a few days and when I was with Ruby today she said

 "I have missed my Daddy since the moment he walked out the door!"  

Growing by LEAPS AND BOUNDS!

In the 6 weeks or so since Ruby and Carson started attending All Saints private school, they have grown by leaps and bounds.  They came into the school after just a few weeks in the public school, being behind in most areas.  They are now reading, doing math equations and spelling tests. 

I have been picking them up on most Thursdays and taking them to their house where we have snack and do homework before their parents come home.  Today it was just Kristin because Casey is out of town.  I stayed long enough to fix my famous tacos and enjoyed dinner with them.  At dinner Kristin was telling me something that she wasn't so sure she wanted the kids to hear.  She spelled it to me.  Carson immediately said the word.  No hesitation.  She tried another word, and he got that as well.  Then she spelled S-M-A-R-T and after a few seconds he sounded it out. 

So much for trying to keep something from them by spelling it! 

I'm so very proud of their rapid progress and the totally different behavior that I'm seeing in them.  It is completely night and day from the first few weeks of first grade.  I guess you get what you pay for! 

I told Kristin that I had such a peaceful, wonderful feeling as I walked into the school building.  I am very happy for this change in their young lives that has truly meant so much! 

I L-O-V-E   T-H-E-M  S-O  M-U-C-H!  

LET IT SNOW RITUALS!

This is news to me -- but apparently there are rituals that children do to make it snow.  The twins came home with instructions FROM THEIR TEACHERS they were supposed to perform last night so it snowed.   Ruby took it very seriously and wrote down the instructions in her journal! 
 

1)  Flush an ice cube down the toilet

2)  Wear their pajamas inside out to bed

3)  Put a spoon under their pillow

4)  Have a disco dance party

 

I'm hoping Kristin sends me pictures of this ritual event in the children's lives because she said they really got into it.  Rubes was dancing away to the Bee-Gee's and loving it. 

It worked to some degree because we are currently having a sleet storm outside and most schools are either closed or 2 hour late start today.  

Happy Fall Walk

 

A beautiful day for a walk in the fall leaves! 

 

Halloween 2014

Happy Halloween --

Carson/Ninja, Ruby/Princess Anna and Kristin/surfer-girl in a wet suit

 

 

These 2 kids had 5 adults out trick-or-treating with them.  Such love and support these twins get from the family!  

Princess Aunt Lindsey was right there with them! 

 

Ruby fell asleep with her ring-pop in her mouth. 

Sweet dreams Miss Ru  (don't forget to brush your teeth!)  

 

I had to include this little pumpkin -- My newest Great Niece, Adeline,  at the pumpkin patch.  She is the 3rd sister to wear this pumpkin outfit!  

Happy Halloween -- Many Years Ago!

 

Happy Halloween from years-gone-by! 

 Kristin was a cheerleader and Kat was a ballerina.  Where does the time go? ? ? 

RUBY IS A DAISY

DEFINITION:  Girl Scout Daisy, grades K-1. Girl Scout Daisies are in grades K-1 and meet in a nurturing, inclusive environment. They go on trips, learn about nature and science, and explore the arts and their communities. Girl Scout Daisies can also earn Learning Petals and receive participation patches.

 

 

 Miss Ruby joined Daisy Scouting today.  (3rd row, 2nd over from right) 

How sweet is this?  Her Auntie Kat was a Daisy many years ago!  They didn't have Daisy Scouts when I was a little girl, but I became a Brownie Scout in 2nd grade.  So proud of you Ruby for being a part of this great group of girls. 

My Own Classroom

Grandma Julee:  "Ruby, do you like being in your own classroom and not in the same one as Carson?"

Ruby:  "Yes I do." 

Grandma Julee:  "What do you like best about it?"

Ruby:  "I don't have Carson in my face all the time!" 

 

Say what???? 
Spoken like a little sister. . . . .

Too Cute

Random cuteness -- guess Ruby is getting into reading with her new cowgirl boots on! 

 

 

Selfie with Momma

First Day of School -- Again

 

We have another first day of first grade photo -- today they started All Saints School (right down the street from them).  Their parents were not thrilled with the public school nor with the after school care program.  They looked around and decided on this school for them.  They are wearing uniforms.  When their parents told them last night at dinner, Ruby sobbed and didn't eat dinner.  Carson seemed fine with it -- but this morning it was Carson who was apprehensive.  Kristin and Casey took the advice of the educators and placed them in separate classrooms.  When Carson was led into his classroom, the teacher placed him beside a little boy named Ian -- who just happens to have a twin sister in the other room with Ruby.  Miss Kelly ask Ian to practice his introduction skills and he stood up and put out his hand to shake and said "Hi, my name is Ian.  Pleased to meet you!"  (How cute is that!)  When Kristin picked them up, both kids seemed happy.  Ruby even gave her teacher a hug (I love it).  Carson said he would rather go back to the other school where they play lots of soccer at recess.  I'm sure I will have more stories to tell as time goes on. 

 

Just got some more news about their day.  When Ruby got to her classroom, the children had made welcome cards for her in anticipation of her arrival.  So sweet.  When Kristin went to pick up the kids and was standing outside Ruby's classroom, 5 mothers said to her "oh, you must be Ruby's mother!"  (yeah, how did they know?)  We figured out that the kids must have made the welcome notes for Ruby on Thurs. and mentioned it to their moms that night at home.  That made Kristin feel so good inside.  Then when they got home and were changing clothes, Ruby said "be sure to hang my dress up and put it in a special place!"  I guess wearing a uniform went over well with her. 

After they had a snack at home, Kristin took them to the park to play and they met up with some friends from PDX school (where they attended for 3 years).  Ruby told one of the moms "I have lots of new friends and I know all the names of the girls in my class."  That was sweetness to a mother's ear.  All in all, it was a good day and we are all very pleased about this new school. 

 

Little Reader

 

Tonight Ruby read 3 books to her momma! 

Way to go Miss Ru! 

 



Yee Hah

 

Miss Ru scored a pair of cowboy (or is it cowgirl) boots for being such

a great helper last week at the brunch her mommy put on for her girlfriends. 

Looking good! 

 

Overnight At Grandma Julee's

Ruby came over last night for a one-on-one overnight.  Such fun. 

She decided to dress up like a princess and is wearing some of my mother's (Great Grandma Gee's) jewelry. 

 

She is showing off the antique jewelry -- and her toothless smile!  She lost her 4th tooth this week at school, and again, she swallowed it while eating lunch.  Plus two teeth up top are loose.  It's the year of the tooth fairy for the kids!   

 

We were looking through my hope chest and came across my original Barbie doll -- circa 1959. 

Not real sure I'm going to let her play with this one, since she is probably worth more than I make in a day!  How fun that my Barbie was a red-head, and my second born daughter is too! 

As we were looking through my jewelry drawer Ruby told me that her birthstone is a pearl.  I didn't know that, but was very happy to hear because I can save all the jewelry I have that has pearls just for her someday.  

Timbers Game Date

Kristin got some tickets to the Timbers soccer game and took her favorite little man? 

She went with a mom and friend from Carson's old school. 

 

Little Chef

If you think Ruby is the one who helps her mommy most in the kitchen, you would be wrong.  Carson loves to help and be involved with choosing recipes (he will pick up a cookbook and look through the entire thing).  This morning he helped make Eggs in the Basket for breakfast. 

"Guess what I'm called Grandma Julee?" 

"I'm a sous-chef!"  

First Soccer Game

 

Today was the first game with Carson's new soccer team -- outdoors!  Sure hope we don't have a rainy Fall season!  He scored 5 goals -- and his team won 12-2.  GO CARSON BOY!  

Sweet Words

Today I left work early so I could pick up the twins from their new school and take them home.  It was great to actually see where they go.  They have lockers (just like I had in junior and senior high school) in the hall where they keep their backpacks, etc. 
So cute! 

After dinner there was a fund raiser for their old school at the new frozen yogurt shop owned by one of the mother's from their  school.  They were able to hug their former teachers and see lots of old friends. 

On the way back to the car I was holding Carson's hand, when he very spontaneously said

 "Grandma, I enjoy you!" 

AHHH, so sweet Buddy. 

I enjoy you too!  

FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE - CLASS OF 2026

THE DAY IS REALLY HERE ----

CARSON AND RUBY ARE OFFICIALLY

 "SCHOOL AGED KIDS"

 

Love those Hannah Anderson backpacks!

 



 

Kristin confessed to waking up at 4:00 AM this morning, and only crying TWICE before they were off on their new adventure. 
(good job momma)

 



 

I LOVE that they spontaneously hold hands --
nothing like a big brother to be there for you when you are a bit nervous about your first day of first grade! 

 



 



First Day Wrap-Up

  Just spoke to Kristin about their first day -- When they got to school it was OVERWHELMING with the amount of kids and parents.  Ruby was placed at a table for four -- her table-mates are

 Desert Rose, Abe and Lincoln  (not kidding -- those are the names of the 2 boys and 1 girl at her table).  Kristin asked Desert Rose if she had a nick name -- like DR or Rose?  "No, I like to be called Desert Rose!"   (ok, then..........)  Kristin said "Only in Portland!"  Ruby was not happy about her brother being at a different table than her! 
Carson said there was a snack time when they brought out fishy crackers.  He said "No thank you, I think I will eat my apple instead because it is healthy for me."  (Oh my, Auntie Lindsey will be so proud of her nephew!)  Ruby, on the other hand, helped herself to a handful of fishy crackers!   

It was a bit of a hard day for Ruby -- she cried twice after Kristin picked them up at 3:00. She said she just wandered around by herself at recess because she didn't know anyone.  Carson on the other hand, said he got into a soccer game with some other boys.    Kristin suggested they go to the park for some run-around time, and then they went briefly to PDX Ed to say hi to their old school and the special teachers who loved them for the past 3 years.  That seemed to perk Ruby right up.  

Ruby is a shy, timid little missy when she is in unfamiliar surroundings and doesn't know anyone.  It will take her longer to make friends and feel like she fits in.   I guess this is all part of the growing up thing that first graders all across the USA must do!  (The Grandma-hen in me wants to scoop her up and protect her from any hurt, but I will pray for her instead and entrust her to our Heavenly Father) 

GO BEAVS!

The Jones Family are HUGE Beaver fans -- and yesterday was opening game of the season for Oregon State University.  They have cultivated that love of Beavers in the twins --

Here they are just before they left for Corvallis.  Ruby doing a cheer!  (and she told her mommy she needed to wear shorts under her skirt just in case she needed to do a high kick during the game!)

 

 

What a fun way to spend a Saturday!

Kristin and I, on the other hand, stayed home and cleaned out closets and dresser drawers.  Wow, did we do a great job with taking out the old and bringing in the new.  We also made one last trip to the store to make sure they had all their supplies for the first day of school. 

CHECK that off the list of things to do. 

When they got home they opened the back to school gift from Great Aunt Stephanie and found a book about crayons and two BIG boxes of crayons!  Plus they got to look over all the school supplies they get to carry to first grade on Tues.