100 Days Smarter

Jentry's school celebrated 100 days on Tuesday.  No one ever made mention of the 100th day when I was in school but apparently now it is a very big deal.  Each student was asked to bring 100 of something in a plastic bag to display on the hallway wall.  After some serious brainstorming, Jentry asked Nathan to bring her some corn kernels. She counted them out in tens and determined that 100 corn kernels didn't look like much.

The students could also make something to resemble the number 100 or wear 100 of something for the day. Beings that I am absolutely not creative at all and I didn't have time to make a trip to purchase supplies, this is what Jentry got. Much to my surprise, she loved it and could not wait to wear it!

I had to make an overnight trip to the Lincoln office so Nathan was in charge of getting Jentry to school on the big day. I received this picture with the caption, "Ready for 100 days! Don't ask about the outfit and shoes..." Yes, socks and sandals were probably not one of the best selections on one of the coldest days of the year, but I completely understood. One must pick his battles.

Jentry's class made a book to take home and Jentry's page absolutely melted my heart. She didn't wish for 100 barbies or 100 donuts...nope this girl wished for 100 kisses and would then kiss back. I just love her!

The teacher also took these really fun, kind of creepy, photos of the kids with AgingBooth. This is what Jentry might look like at 100. She thought it was so funny.

The school staff went out of their way to make the day filled with all things 100 and boy did the kids have a blast. Jentry can now officially claim that she has survived 100 days of Kindergarten.

A Slow Down

After the crazy, busy days surrounding the holidays, I anticipated January would seem very slow. I was even dreading January because I knew I would be growing bigger, getting uncomfortable and becoming very anxious to meet our new little member. We are now more than half way through the month, at 29 weeks in the pregnancy and it has been surprisingly steady and very much enjoyable. The slow down of January has given me a chance to organize, deep clean, prepare for baby, spend quality time with Jentry and simply relax and enjoy the little things.

Jentry did not go back to school until January 6th, so we got to spend a few days in our pjs playing with our new Christmas gifts. Jentry requested that we make rice pudding. Apparently they made it at Noah's Ark Daycare in Lincoln and so we made our first attempt using my beautiful new All-Clad double boiler. The first batch was a complete flop. The rice never did cook. We left it simmering for nearly eight hours and it was still crunchy.  Jentry so kindly pointed out that, "At Noah's Ark it was done before lunch time, mom." Part of the issue was that I was using a less than specific recipe from my family cookbook.  We made a few modifications and gave it another go with batch number two. The result was better, however it was still not as good as my Great Aunt Frances Ehrke's.  We still have some work to do, but it was a fun indoor project on a bitterly cold day.

After a few days being cooped up in the house, we decided to take a girls only shopping trip to Grand Island. Our first stop was the morning show of Frozen in 3D at the movie theater.  It was fabulous and one of my favorite Disney movies in last five years. 

Jentry found some adorable pajamas on sale that even came with a matching set for her baby doll.  She was so excited and insisted I take a picture of her and Merry.

We also spent an good hour in the shoe store. I swear that girl tried on every shoe in her size. She would slip them on walk down the isle and back before saying, "I really like them but they just don't feel quite right." She is very particular about her shoes! We did end up purchasing a new pair of tennis shoes for school, but her favorite find was these house slippers, "Just like Mommy's!"

When school resumed, it took us a few days to get back into our routine. For the most part Jentry has been pretty good about getting herself ready, however some days she gets a bit distracted. One morning, I thought she was brushing her teeth and when I went to check on her this is what I found. Oh my! At least she is protected from any flying toothpaste or water getting into her eyes.

The baby's room is coming together quite nicely and we are all getting more and more excited with each addition to the room.

I finally remembered to have Nathan take a picture of the bump for the baby book. The baby has been moving around a lot, which is great fun for Nathan and Jentry too. I am hoping that he sleeps more out of the womb then he has been inside.

Jentry has been participating in a little basketball camp for kids ages K-3rd grade. The first practice did not go so well as she got hit in the face with a ball and didn't want to go back. Oh course, her mean mother made her go back and she had lots of fun. She played her first game during halftime of the high school girls game last Friday.  I really wasn't sure what to expect and she was a bit nervous. The morning before the game I asked her if she was excited to play and her response was, "Not really, I haven't even made a basket yet."  The game was hoot and she definitely had her defense stance down.  In fact, she played great defense even when her team had the ball.  Nathan said, "Unfortunately, it seems she inherited her mother's athletic ability." 

This month has also given Jentry and me time to create some Pinterest projects. She found this adorable owl craft and just had to make it. It turned out great and she can't wait to give it to her teacher on Valentine's day.

I choose to make a Valentine's banner for the fireplace. I used Pinterest for some ideas but ended up creating my own design using things I already had at home. I was pretty proud of the result and it is fun to exercise the right size of my brain every once and awhile. 

I am not sure why I always dread the slow winter months or why I wish the days to pass quickly.  This year, I am trying very hard to relax more and enjoy the little moments of life.  All too soon our lives will be very busy with a new little person to love and care for.  

A Walk Back in Time

While visiting my parents for the holidays, Nathan asked to take a tour of the pasture south of Orleans. I had told him about this little piece of paradise in Harlan County, but never had the chance to show him first hand. Papa was nice enough to give Jentry, Nathan and me a grand tour on a beautiful December morning.

My dad and my uncle have owned this pasture for as long as I can remember and it is simply one of my favorite places back home. The property has several natural springs, a turtle pond, lots of wild life, hills, valleys, an Indian burial ground, old foundations of a farmstead and some of the oldest trees in the county. I have many fond memories of this property growing up. From wienie roasts to chopping musk-thistle, from camping to jeep rallies and even a night with my best girlfriends sneaking a few beverages on our last day of high school.

Jentry thought it sounded like fun to make some of her own memories too. As we were leaving the pasture, she was telling us all how she was going to camp there this summer and listing all the items should would need to bring along. The most important being chocolate for the s'mores.

Papa had to crack open some walnuts for Jentry to try.

A few years ago, my dad was fortunate enough to meet the elderly couple that had once lived on the property. He offered to give them a tour and in return they gave him a frame with the original deed signed by the President! The history of the land is fascinating and every time I am there I feel as though I have stepped back in time.  

Christmases Three and Four

Jentry left with her dad on December 21st and left me with strict instructions to cut off Santa's beard and move the button on her countdown tree. She also instructed me to put her baby doll in her pajamas the night before Christmas and then dress her in her red Christmas dress on Christmas day. She is really the perfect age for Christmas. It was so fun to see her excitement this year.

After Jentry left, I only had a half day of work and then I kept myself busy making Christmas goodies. This year I took cinnamon and orange rolls to the neighbors. I had never made rolls from scratch before and decided to give it a go. They turned out pretty yummy.

Christmas Eve we headed out to John and Jan's for appetizers, cocktails, presents, lobster tails and creme brulee.  We enjoyed a lovely, adult evening and tried to savor every minute as next year will be very different with an eight-month-old little boy.

Christmas morning was just Nathan and I at home which was strange and lovely all at the same time. Then we went back out to his parent's house for brunch. We enjoyed Jan's traditional eggs benedict and lounged around the rest of the afternoon. That evening Nathan and I headed to Lincoln to get an early start on some furniture shopping for the baby's room. After driving all over town we finally found a restaurant that was open. Who would have thought we would be eating gyros for Christmas dinner?

While Jentry was at her dad's for the week, she got to spend most of her days at Grandma and Papa Bose's house. One morning my mom sent me this picture with the title "Mary." I don't think I have every seen a picture of Mary with baby Jesus in a pink buggy before. I am so thankful that Jentry has grandparents so close.  They absolutely adore their grandchildren and go out of their way to do whatever the kiddos ask of them.

On the 28th I drove to Harlan County, picked Jentry up from her dad's and headed to my parents house. I was so looking forward to spending several days relaxing at home. Nathan had to work a few more days so he came on the 30th. The first night I took this photo to send to him so he could get a little taste of all the fun he was missing.

Jentry with her grandma watching a movie on her tiny DVD player while papa had to get down on the floor and be right next to her too.   

Jentry's pictures of Santa and Mrs. Claus. She wanted some elfs too but didn't know how to draw them so grandma drew an outline so that Jentry could color them in. She was so proud of her art!

Jentry spent a few hours making Christmas ornaments.

And a least an hour harassing her Papa in his chair.  I think it was even though.  They deserve each other.

She even got a sewing lesson from Grandma.

And a piano lesson too. She is so lucky.

The second night papa got out his accordion to play for Jentry and then grandma had to get out her flute too. It was quite the performance, let me tell you. I did laugh a bit at their duet attempt, however I was honestly impressed at how well they both could still play. Jentry also wanted to see my saxophone, so I got my turn of being laughed at too. I haven't attempted to play since high school and it was fun to see how the notes came right back from memory. It was definitely a fun and musical night.

Monday the Hamiltons came over for breakfast and the kids got to play together all day long. Isaac and Anna had received a new iPad for Christmas and they all wanted to spend most of their time fighting over who got to use it.  I eventually had to put it up and make them all go for a walk to the park. Isaac protested but eventually gave in and enjoyed himself too. He was quick to point out that I threw a football like and girl but gave me hope in that his mom has gotten better at it. He cracks me up.

Isaac has really been working on his handwriting and gave me this list of words that Jentry told him to write. I thought it was so cute!

New Years Eve was our big night of celebration and presents. It was nearly sixty degrees that day so we decided to snap a few photos on the deck at sunset.  

After a very delicious meal, the kids finally got to unload their stockings. Uncle Chad and Isaac played a pretty good trick on Jentry and replaced all of her goodies with a box of coal. It was classic. The look on her face was priceless. After a few minutes, they finally confessed and gave her gifts back. I don't think she is going to forget that one for quite sometime though.

Next we all headed downstairs for the big presents. It was so much fun watching the kiddos this year. The innocent Christmas spirit was catching. Everyone was blessed to receive such wonderful gifts.

New Years day we enjoyed a yummy brunch at the Hamilton's before watching the Huskers win the bowl game.  

The girls played nicely upstairs with their new sticker books.

Isaac spent most of the day coloring by number.

Then they all lounged in their pillow bed and licked on candy-canes. 

After the game, we packed up all of our things and headed back to Sutton.  It was a wonderful five days of family, holidays and fun but it sure felt good to be home.  As crazy as it sounds, Jentry still had a few presents from Santa to open.  She also gave Nathan and me a present that she had made at school.  It even had a lovely homemade card and wrapping paper.  

When Nathan asked me what present I was most excited about I said, without a doubt, "The one from Jentry."  

I am not sure if it was that fact that the celebrations were more spread out or if it was simply experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a five-year-old, but this holiday season was one of my favorites yet. We have so much to be thankful for and knowing that our family will be experiencing big changes in 2014 is thrilling. May God continue to bless our family.