The Great American Presentation

Preston recently had an assignment where he had to pick a Great American, do some research on the person, and then give an oral presentation dressed like that person.  Did I mention Preston is only in 1st grade?  I couldn't imagine having to do something like that at his age.  I was actually a shy kid and being in front of people terrified me.  However, kids are learning so much more nowadays and good speaking skills is definitely something everyone needs to master.

Preston picked Benjamin Franklin.  We had the weekend to look up some facts and plan out the costume.  All week, Preston rehearsed his little speech and had every bit memorized.  For his costume, Preston wore black dress pants, a white button down shirt (or as Preston calls it "his work shirt like Daddy's"), a navy blue pea coat, and "bifocals".  He didn't want to wear a white scarf or wig.  :)  He looked great!!!

The parents were welcomed to watch the presentations and I was so excited for him.  I don't think Preston nor any of his classmates were as excited as the parents.  Finally, Preston's turn came and you can watch the video here.  Be sure to turn the volume all the way up.  

I apologize for all the background noise, but I think Preston got nervous.  He had his speech memorized, but decided to use his paper...and hold it up...in front of his face!  Silly kid.  However, he did great and I was just so proud that he got up there and did his presentation in front of his friends and their parents.

Transcript

Benjamin Franklin was born January 17, 1706.  He was an inventor.  He helped write the Declaration of Independence.  His picture is on the $100 bill.  He died of natural causes at age 84.

Fire Station Open House

Our family has been cooped up in the house due to illness.  Unfortunately, Preston came down with strep and Flu A.  Ugh!!!  Thankfully, his symptoms didn't last long and he recovered very quickly.  So, it was time to get out of the house.

One of the local Fire Stations was having an Open House.  Visiting the Open House would also allow Preston to get signed off on a Royal Ranger Badge.  So, off we went!!!

We walked up to the Fire Station and the kids were mesmerized by the huge ladder.

Preston was super excited to put out a fire.

Then, we headed inside the station to look around.

There was popcorn and lemonade waiting for everyone.  The kids also got goody bags full of fun stuff as well as a fireman's hat.

After our little snack, we headed back outside to check out the fire truck and ambulance.

Preston loved getting in the vehicles.  Kaitlyn just looked from a distance.

Always a curious little boy, Preston had to check out every gadget, gauge, and button.

Finally, we took turns taking pictures of each other.

I just love spending time with these two!!!

New Year's Day

New Years 2013.  The Year of Home for the Kelley family.  We're going to spend more time together, enjoy new experiences, and become even more of a tight knit family.  In fact, we have 2 great vacations planned for this year and we can't wait!

To celebrate the first day of the year, we just wanted to have fun and enjoy our time.  Unfortunately, Craig had to go in to work for a few hours in the morning so it was just the kids and I.  We went to McDonald's to grab breakfast, which is something we NEVER do.  They really considered it a special treat.

Craig got home in time to go to the movies in the afternoon.  We saw Parental Guidance and it was such a cute movie.  And yes, it made me cry at the end.

We stopped at the store for some groceries and headed home for dinner.  We had grilled chicken, homemade rice pilaf, steamed veggies, and deviled eggs.  Craig heated up some black-eyed peas for himself.  I remember having to eat them growing up and hated them!!! So, I refuse to eat them again.  ;)

We ended the night playing some games together.  Even Princess, our Sheltie, wanted to join in the game. 

It was a great start to the New Year and I hope the rest of the year follows suit.  Praying for a great 2013 for all of our friends and family.

A New Year

2013.  Hard to believe that is the year we are ringing in.  Remember when Y2K happened?  Everyone was rushing to the stores to stock up on food, water, and other supplies.  Here we are, 13 years later, still living life the same way as we did in 1999.  Well, except everything is more expensive.

Towards the end of each year, I always ask God for a simple word to describe what he would like of me for the upcoming year.  What changes need to be made?  What goals should I strive for?

Without fail, God always gives me a great word and it helps me enter into the new year with a sense of freshness and new beginnings.  Without fail, our family has been able to achieve so many goals by focusing on what God has told us to focus on.

But as we eagerly look forward to what is to come in the new year, we always look back to where we've been.  We reflect on the previous year and see all that God has brought us through.  We see the blessings He has given us and we are so thankful that God has guided our steps to bring us to where we are right now.

As you look to the future and reflect on the past, look at the God moments and remember that's just a glimpse as to what God can do in your life.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."-Psalm 37:23

Christmas At Our House!

We hosted another holiday at our house this year. Instead of driving to my parents house in Abilene, most of my family came to our house.  It was the four of us plus my parents, one of my sisters and her two kids, one of my brothers, and my niece, who flew in from Nashville.

Everyone did a great job on Christmas Eve helping out in the kitchen, whether it was preparing the food or washing/drying the dishes.

Unfortunately, poor Kaitlyn came down with a terrible ear infection from a cold she was just getting over.  She was in pain and tried her best to enjoy the festivities when she could.

My sister, Dominique, was in pain after cutting and taking out the seeds from a bunch of jalapenos to make some poppers.  Her hand is trying to cool off in some cold water.  I said it was worth the pain because the poppers were soooo good (stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped with bacon).  I don't know if she agreed with me!

When Kaitlyn was feeling better, she enjoyed time with one of her cousins and their American Girl dolls.

Here are my parents snuggling on the couch.

I was able to get a picture with Kaitlyn before she ran off to play.

Of course, it's just not Christmas Eve without 24 hours of A Christmas Story playing on TV.  Love that movie!!!  (When Dominique and I were little, we re-enacted the "show Mommy how the little piggies eat" part.  My mom got sooo mad and still can't stand that movie to this day!)

My brother brought me some beautiful flowers!!!

We had a traditional Mexican Christmas Eve meal of homemade tamales and homemade posole.  We had these yummy foods growing up, so I love that we are passing on the tradition.  

We like to open gifts on Christmas Eve so it was time to head to the formal area and pass out the gifts.  Santa was generous.

We are a blessed family.

The grandparents even brought something for their granddog-Paul Mitchell dog shampoo.

I don't think Princess was too impressed.

Santa joined with Craig and I and got Preston and Kaitlyn their own iPod Touch.  They were ecstatic!!!

Soon, it was time to head to bed and we set out some sweet tea and Mexican Wedding Cookies for Santa (his fave at our house).

Christmas morning came quickly and we headed downstairs to see Santa's goodies devoured.

The kids headed straight to their stockings and found iTunes gift cards to use for their iPods.  Santa is so smart!!!

Surprisingly, something was left on my stocking and it wasn't from Santa.

It was a small gift from my hubby of 13 years since we were celebrating our anniversary that day (yes, we got married on Christmas).  He got a long stem rose box from his floral department and filled it with my favorite coffee pods and dark chocolates.  I absolutely loved it!!!  He says it was all his idea and there was no research done on Pinterest.  It's definitely pin worthy though!  We will celebrate our anniversary some more on a later date.

As tradition, Craig made biscuit donuts for Christmas breakfast.

It wasn't too long before it started snowing...and snowing...and snowing.  I usually have a huge aversion to snow from previous experiences of driving in it.  However, since we stayed home all day, it was very nice and pretty to have a White Christmas!

We ate dinner around 5 pm and had so much food.  We had turkey breast, spiral ham, and all the yummy sides to go with it.

We stayed up until almost 1 am playing Pictionary Man and charades with the Taboo cards.  We laughed sooo hard!

The next morning, we woke up to this beautiful, peaceful blanket of snow.

Everyone left that day and I took time to reflect on the holiday and all the fun that was had.  It was a relaxing, peaceful Christmas that I look forward to again and again.

Fall Badge Ceremonies

It's badge time once again for Kaitlyn and Preston.  Preston's ceremony for Royal Rangers came first.  He got to hold the Christian flag during the ceremony.

He did a great job reciting all the pledges.

Preston sat so patiently while watching the other boys receive their badges.  Check out the ones he already has on his vest!

Then it was time for the Rangers Kids, Preston's group.

He was very proud of the 6 badges he earned this fall.

The week after Preston's ceremony, Kaitlyn had hers with the Mpact Girls Club.  She also got to hold a flag during the ceremony.

Kaitlyn is in the Stars group and these are all things she has to know about her group.

Kaitlyn earned 4 badges this fall and a star for reciting the Books of the Bible in order.

She got to make an ornament after her ceremony.

Kaitlyn LOVES crafts so she really enjoyed making simple ornaments.

As usual, we are super proud of all their hard work these past few months.  We know it wasn't easy having to complete all the tasks and memorize lots of Scripture.  But we continue to base our family on this verse:

"Train up a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not depart from it."

-Proverbs 22:6