It has arrived!

"Is it here yet? Does the mail run today?," Kalysta would ask daily since December 12th, on which was the day we purchased our GPS. It finally came in the mail today! We excitedly opened the package, scrambled to figure how to upload some waypoints and headed out the door. We didn't have much time since we had church tonight but we managed to sneak in two quick finds. The first was at a carwash on Indian Rocks Road. I found this one, disguised in foil, on top of a high pole kept there by a magnet. It was a very cool hiding spot. Then we headed to Bonner Park and did a little hiking. Sara found this large box under some palms. Makenna enjoyed trading at this one. Unfortunately, because we were in such a hurry I didn't have my camera so I have no pictures to post. However, we have new caches to find tomorrow and will surely have the camera then.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

A year ago today, we welcomed two new members into the family. The girls got a pair of guinea pigs for Christmas of 2008. We were fortunate to find two girl guinea pigs listed on craigslist who needed a new home. Our cute, furry little family members were lovingly name Sweet Pea and Cookie. It has been a wonderful year with them.

Yesterday we met some friends at the park for a picnic and they brought their boy guinea pig, Cinnamon with them so I could clip his nails. As I was clipping I noticed that Cinnamon didn't look all that different from Sweet Pea and Cookie in the "privates" department. So I asked my friend how she KNEW he was a boy since the difference seemed to be so subtle. She gave me a brief guinea pig "sexing" 101 lecture at which point I began to question the "girlness" of our girl guinea pigs.

As soon as I got home I checked out the situation. However, I still couldn't tell so I decided to consult the Internet. Upon getting very informed via pictures and articles on how to determine the sex of adult guinea pigs it became extremely obvious that Sweet Pea and Cookie are actually Sweet Pete and Cookie Monster!

Christmas Shows

Our family is busy all year round and Christmas time is no exception. In fact, it may even be busier (all good of course)! This December was packed with shows that the girls were in.

"The Christmas County Spelling Bee" a musical put on by the awesome kids of Calvary Baptist Kids Praise Team was on December 13th. The kindergartners and first graders opened the show with two cute songs praising the Lord. The crowd giggle with joy at how precious the first song was.

Also, Kalysta got to sing a beautiful solo in a song called, "Name Above All Names." What a wonderful night of worship it was!


After the show we tried to snap a picture of the girls with two of their friends in front of the church Christmas tree. This was the best one out of five of them! Why is it so hard for kids to sit still for one good picture????

The girls also did a talent show with one of our home school co-ops. The show opened and closed with some Christmas songs sung by the group. In between were performances of all kinds done by several kids. Kalysta and Makenna both played piano pieces. Makenna played "Honey Bee" and "Cuckoo". Kalysta played "Short Story" and "Happy Farmer".

Why didn't I start sooner?

It is amazing how fast time goes by these day. It seems like just yesterday Kalysta and Makenna were babies. However, kids grow up so fast and they are no exception. They aren't babies anymore. They are little ladies with personalities all there own. In fact, two little girls couldn't be more different. Kalysta is sweet, sensitive, responsible and wise beyond her years. Makenna is funny, energetic, unique and playful. I love them both soooo much.

The craziest example of how different Kalysta and Makenna are just happened about a week ago. Since her very first tooth to the latest one, Kalysta has had a literal "melt down" with the loss of teeth. She hasn't lost a tooth that didn't involve tears. On the other hand, Makenna was so excited she finally had a loose tooth. She let it stay loose for a very short period of time. One evening last week she decided it was the night to lose her tooth. She set up "shop" in her bathroom equipped with a washcloth and cup of water. Makenna sat on the counter in front of the mirror pulling, twisting, yanking her tooth (all the while drooling and spitting blood). Kalysta of course was appalled that her sister was doing such a thing (to be honest so was I). Makenna had been at it for about ten minutes when I told her it probably wasn't ready to come out and it was time for bed. In one last ditch effort before she had to abort the mission she grabbed the washcloth and gave the tooth one last tug. Upon giving up the fight, the tooth surrended and was proudly displayed in the washcloth. A very pleased Makenna exclaimed, "Now I can get a dollar and go to the Dollar Tree tomorrow," complete with a bloody smile. This same scene occurred just a few days later because the tooth next to the first one became loose. Let's just say I have a feeling this is how she will lose all her baby teeth now that she knows each tooth has a monetary value!

It is because of this memory that I have decided to start blogging. I am very behind on my scrap booking and just don't have the time right now to get it all out and work on it. However, I want to share and preserve memories like these. Blogging. What a great way to do just that! Why didn't I start sooner?