Hailey's First Basketball Game

After 3 weeks of practice Hailey finally got to play in her first basketball game. I have to say it was pretty entertaining. The ref was a very patient guy. He didn't call traveling unless it was like 10 steps. I think he chose to focus on double dribbling. He stopped the game after a girl had double dribbled and talked to them about it. After that, he would call it every time. It seems like a pretty good way for them to learn. He did say that if he called everything they would never play basketball.

Her coach is one of her friends dad's. He is a really good guy. You definitely have to be patient to coach a bunch of 8-10 year old girls whom most of them have never played before. Hailey is improving every week in practice.

Hailey did very well. She didn't make any baskets, but she did good on defense. They would match up the girls at the beginning of each quarter so they would know who they were supposed to guard. No one was ever able to make a shot on her. One time Hailey went up to a girl and said "you are supposed to guard me". Later I told her not to do that again, just to let the girl figure it out. We have a few more weeks of this so I am sure we will have a lot of fun experiences. I was having a hard time videoing because I was watching the game and then I would realize I hadn't moved the camera. I am sure it is terrible video. I haven't watched yet to find out.

Here are a few pictures.

Malerie's Award

Every month the school has an awards assembly. Each teacher gives out 3 awards for their class. This month Malerie got the Achievment Award for her class. Her teacher said: "Malerie is doing above grade level work in reading. She strives to do her best in reading group. She puts forth much effort. She is also a strong math student. She is doing awesome in kindergarten." We are so fortunate that our girls have had such wonderful teachers. I was talking to Mal's teacher at the school the other day and she told me that Malerie makes her laugh everyday.She said that she goes home and tells her husband, "guess what Malerie said today." I am so glad she loves being in school and that she works hard to do well. When we got to the school for the assembly, I saw Malerie walk in and she was soaking wet. Lee said that he had seen her outside and she was running right through the puddles against the fence to try and catch up to him. So, you will see her soaking wet pants!!!!!!!!!!!!

Candle Light Dinner

About a year ago Lee and I decided to surprise the girls with a candle light dinner. They absolutely loved it. It wouldn't be special if we did it often, but the time was right to do it again. This time they knew what to expect and Hailey even went and put on a skirt for the occasion. We made Steak Marsala. It was a dish we ate at Carraba's Italian Grill and we really liked it so I went online and found a recipe. It didn't taste exactly the same but it was still really good. We had the table set up with candles and nice music playing in the back ground. Lee sat the girls at the table and we ate. When we were finished eating we went downstairs and danced. Last year we danced to Frank Sinatra. This year is was just a mix of music. We had a great time. I know these are the memories the girls will always remember.

Our Fairy Princess

The girls were playing one afternoon and Hailey dressed Avi up to match her new baby from Grandma McNabb. She ended up falling asleep in the chair.

What a Princess!

Sledding

We went sledding after Christmas when we had all the pretty snow. Hailey and Malerie had a great time. Avi wasn't having a good time at all. She loves to be out in the snow so I was a little surprised that she wasn't more excited. We went to the Wilson's and Lee pulled the kids behind the four wheeler. He got going pretty fast. There was a lot of screaming, but it was all for fun.



Hannah and Malerie



Hannah and Avi ( you can see she is not enjoying herself)




Hailey and Ashton



Hailey and Ashton



Throwing snowballs while they were waiting for their turn to ride



They ended up being out until after dark playing in the snow. I am so glad we had a white Christmas and were able to go out in the snow. It's just not the same without snow to play in over Christmas break.

Santa Found Us!

I know I am late posting this, but Santa was able to find our house. This was a record year, we didn't start opening presents until 8:00. Avi had been sick so when Hailey woke up at 6 I told her we should let Avi sleep since she hadn't been feeling well. We ended up watching TV until 8. Then Lee, Malerie and Avi made their way downstairs. I am sure with 3 little ones, it will be a while before that happens again. Malerie actually slept until 8 as well. She is a really good sleeper and she didn't have Hailey close by to wake he up. Santa was good to us. Malerie got a cradle and high chair for her dolls. Avi got a Fisher Price little people circus and Hailey got the "Pretend and Play School Set". The girls were really hard to shop for this year. The only thing they asked for was a life size play house. Santa couldn't deliver that with only a few weeks notice. I know I should be thankful they don't ask for everything, but a few things would have been nice. I guess it didn't matter anyway because the gifts they got were perfect. They don't really play with toys. They play house, dress ups, restaurant and school. Their Christmas gifts all fell right into this category.




















Now for my favorite part of Christmas. Lee made me a 3 foot by 4 foot oak magnet board to cover the brick fire place. I say cover, because the brick is my least favorite part of our house. Anything I can get to cover it up is great! I had told Lee what I wanted and he said, " I will make one or buy one" I quickly told him not to buy one because for that size they would charge him a lot of money and he could make it for way cheaper. Well, he made it and did an amazing job. He learned how to do a few new things, like joints with no nails or tacks showing. I don't know what it is called, but he did a good job. I am so glad I have such a handy husband. Thank you Lee!





Some friends invited us for Christmas dinner at their house. We ended up staying all afternoon, playing games and just visiting. We ate a lot of food. That is what the holidays are all about. Our friends have a 3 year old names Ashton. He got a $5 toy from Walgreen's that was the hit of the day. I definitely have to get one for Lee. I don't know how to explain it but say that it is a toy gun you shoot from far away and the cans tip over like you really just shot them. There is some sort of laser. It was pretty fun. They also got a Wii fit for Christmas. Hailey loves to play Wii whenever she can. She spent most of the afternoon playing it. She even figured out how to cheat on the jogging part. It was a great day. We are so thankful for good friends to be able to spend time with especially at the holidays when we weren't around family.

Christmas Eve

We stayed here is Nyssa this year for Christmas. We missed the big Christmas Eve Party and Grandpa and Mindy's house so we let the girls open their presents on Christmas Eve just to celebrate. They always get beautiful dresses. Mindy really know how to shop for little girl dresses. I know we can't give grandpa much credit for that. They are always so good to us. We are so thankful for them and how much they care for our family. Christmas Eve wouldn't be the same with out new pajamas. I actually found Pink Hippo pajamas for each of the girls. They were so cute.

The Christmas Dresses












Pink Hippo Jammies

Winter Program

The school has a winter program each year just before Christmas break. It is always fun to go and watch. I remember one year Hailey sang Silent Night with her eyes closed the entire time becaue she was concentrating on the song and sign language. Another time she got after the boy standing next to her for not singing. It is always fun. Malerie is short so she got to be right in the front. I never know how much she knows the songs because she doesn't sing them non stop like Hailey always has, but she did a great job,even though her hat kept falling in ther face.She even did good with the signing. There was a little boy from Maleries class this year that got to be my the microphone. He sang right into it! It was so loud. These are the things that make the program fun. Here are the girls before school the day of the program. They are sooooo sweet.