FLASHBACK: Fantastic Reader

Wes' first grade teacher has a very special coffee can that sits on her desk. In that can are the names of each student and every Friday she draws a name to select the Fantastic Reader! The class gets very excited to see who's turn is next!!! A few months ago, Wes' name was drawn and the project began!

As the Fantastic Reader you have one week to prepare and meet these requirements:
1 - choose a book that you feel comfortable reading aloud to your class
2 - make a visual aid to support the book, dress up as a character from the book, etc.
3 - share something with your class that supports the book (snack, etc.)

The following Friday the five dubs loaded up for Wes' first presentation! He was very excited to read to his class, but the biggest honor was getting to sit in his teacher's chair to read it!

He read "Dot the Fire Dog".

We made dalmatian cupcakes to serve to his class.


Wes was a fantastic reader!!! He did such a good job reading to his class. But, the true honor came from getting to sit in his teacher's chair to read it :)


This was the poster we made to support the book. He drew four pictures showing his favorite parts of the book and I glued them on construction paper and such.


Kris knows the owner of Firehouse Subs and was able to get fire hats donated for the class. They loved that!



We are so proud of Wes and the job he did. Wonder what the next project will be???

FLASHBACK: Swallowfork

Last year during the Thanksgiving break we took an overnight trip to Lake Tiak O' Khata. We enjoyed staying in a cabin, walking a nature trail and making a nature collage, and just plain being together. Well, this year we embarked on the same adventure but with a different location. And, I must say we had the most fabulous time!

We found ourselves at a cabin named Swallowfork.

The view from where we parked


View looking up at the cabin from the lake


View from the porch overlooking the fire pit and lake


The cabin was outfitted with all the necessities plus bunkbeds!



We sure enjoyed our time together!


Lots of fun was had by getting to swing from a gigantic oak tree,



and fish with worms! (of whom Ann Elise was serious about trying to save!)


Kris and Wes were the brave ones and took a little row in the boat :)


We are quite sure this little fishy told all the others we were out to get them for he was the only fish we caught the whole getaway!


Bankston Hays was not too interested in the concept of fishing. Which was fine with me because it was a tad stressful making sure he did not fall in! He found many other ways to entertain himself. By the looks of this picture I think he succeeded in a might cute way!


I am all about making traditions with our family. I sure hope this one sticks around!

FLASHBACK: Ann Elise's Preschool Thanksigving Program

Doesn't she make the cutest lil' Indian!?!


Before dismissing for the Thanksgiving Holidays, Ann Elise's preschool had a program for family and friends. The students were asked to dress up as an Indian or a Pilgrim. They performed several songs along with hand motions. They did such a good job!!!



After the performance we went to the Fellowship Hall where the students enjoyed a feast and the parents got to see all the great crafts they had made in celebration of our country's founding.







I am very proud of our sweet doll. and the progress she has made this year. I know God has some awesome plans in store for her tender heart!

Elf

Last year Kris and I watched the movie, "Elf" for the first time. And we laughed. And laughed. And laughed. As we looked at our Netflix queue for the holidays, we knew we had to add it! I am so glad we did. We might have enjoyed it even more this year!

Do you have any favorite, must see Christmas movies?

My friend, Margie, answered this Christmas Questionnaire on her blog a few weeks ago. I loved reading her answers! And since I posted about our Christmas decorations and traditions last year, I thought this would be a fun way to document this year's season!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate! A few years ago Kris was introduced to the Black & Brown (a coffee with hot chocolate drink) while in the Northwest on a mission trip. I must say that is a yummy way to down some hot chocolate!!!
2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Close to the tree and unwrapped, every child had/has their own "spot".
3. Colored or white lights on the tree/house? White lights for the tree and house. However, our kids' tree is decorated with colored lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. One of the many blessings of being married - we have no need for mistletoe :)
5. When do you put up your decorations? Honestly, I have to start the week of Thanksgiving. We always host the BSU Christmas Party at our house the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and to get it all done I need to start early!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Every year my mom hosts a Christmas Eve get-together after our church's candlelight service. The menu in and of itself is a tradition. And, every year I think I crave something different! Her cheese straws might be topping the list this year :)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Attending the candlelight service at our church. My favorite part is singing "Silent Night, Holy Night" by candlelight and raising our candles at certain points during the song!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? It was not a specific moment. I never wanted to "really know". It was just a gradual process. I don't think I have ever said it out loud! HA!
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Only one - the matching Christmas pajamas!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? The main tree is decorated in reds, golds, and greens. We use the shiny, glass, figurine ornaments and each one has a meaning. My favorites are a bride & groom, a manger scene, and one look alike of each of our children.
11. Snow! Love or Dread it? Love it! We don't get it enough to dread it :)
12. Can you ice skate? I have ice skated a few times. I love the idea of it but doubt it is something I could do comfortably.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The diamond cross necklace I received in seventh grade.
14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? The celebration of Jesus' birth and reflecting on all the blessings we have been given.
15. Favorite holiday dessert? My answer could really be the same as number 6 with this year's being Oreo Truffles.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? All our family together on Christmas morning. Savoring the moments of another year gone by while enjoying all Santa brought, drinking hot chocolate while opening presents, and cooking brunch in our pajamas!
17. What tops your tree? a star
18. Which do you prefer- giving or receiving? giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? "Let It Snow" - and I am definitely loving Michael Buble's version this year!
20. Candy Canes? not really

Twinkelberry has arrived!

Our Elf on the Shelf, Twinkleberry, has made his debut for 2009. He never ceases to amaze us with how he chooses to announce his arrival. This year he used my lipstick and wrote a message on the kids' bathroom mirror with this little revealing poem:

"Look around the house and you will find
A great surprise of the Twinkleberry kind!
Wes, Ann Elise, and Bankston Hays be sure to be kind
For I'll be telling Santa if you mind!"



The kids were extra excited over Twinkleberry's naughtiness and eagerly sought to find him!


I can only imagine the places he will choose to perch this year!

Loaded Potato Soup

You never know what kind of weather we are going to get around here. Over the last week we have seen big, beautiful snow flakes leave us with a couple of inches of snow, rain and more rain make the days long and dreary, the sun with its warmth tease us with 65 degree temps, and now we are looking at a projected high of 47 degrees!


The night it snowed we let the kids stay up and see the big flakes. Here they are enjoying them (none other than in their pj's).


Since we hardly ever receive snow, we have to make the most of it! When we wake up to this beauty it brings a smile to our soul :)


When we are fortunate enough to have a true winter day. I love to warm it up with pot of soup. One of my most favorite is Loaded Potato Soup!


Loaded Potato Soup

Dump the following ingredients in a crock pot and let simmer for 30 minutes:
1 bag frozen Hashbrowns (cubed or shredded)
1 can Chicken Broth
1 can Water
chopped Onion

Mix the following ingredients into the above mixture and let simmer on low all day:
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Milk
**I am not a big fan of celery, so I have substituted with another can of Cream of Chicken Soup

One hour before serving add the following ingredient and let melt:
1 block Velveeta

Optional toppings include:
Sour Cream
Bacon Bits
Chives
Shredded Cheese
Green Onions

(Photo above taken from allrecipes.com)

Extreme Home Makeover

Out of all the TV shows our children are exposed to, wouldn't you know that two of their most favorites are America's Funniest Videos and Extreme Home Makeover?!? When Sundays roll around they remind us regularly that they want to be sure and watch them! Some of the best belly laughs are heard throughout our house during that first hour and some amazing realizations of blessedness are made during the second hour.

This week the blessings are being shared close to home...Extreme Home Makeover is in our town!!!!


The family of five was surprised last Thursday morning with Ty's usual megaphone announcement, "Good Morning Heathcock Family" ! And the frenzy began. A few weeks ago Kris was drafted by a friend to enlist college students for there help. They were needing assistance in the wee morning hours and who better to fill those slots than a few college students? HA! We have made it a point to drive by the site a few times to see all the excitement. The several block area is flooded with lights, tents, heavy equipment, and security. They know what they are doing. It takes a well oiled machine to run efficiently enough to build an entire house in one week!

It was brought to our attention that they have a spectator area just for people like us. So, Sunday afternoon we loaded up the five dubs, caught the shuttle trolley, and made our way to catch our own glimpse of the kids' favorite show in action. As we were driving up the kids were giddy with excitement over seeing Ty Pennington! Even Bankston Hays was saying, "See Ty! See Ty! See Ty!"


We had to wait a few minutes before entering because they were filming Ty about 25 yards from where we were. (So, I guess we can officially say we saw Ty!) It was amazing to witness so many blue shirted individuals working together to make life better for five people they do not even know!




The "MOVE THAT BUS!" moment happens tomorrow afternoon and I cannot imagine the excitement by the crews, volunteers, and spectators, nor can I imagine the gratitude and joy flooding the Heathcocks as this once in a lifetime experience comes to a close!

Lil' Monkey

You'd never know we just stuffed ourselves with Thanksgiving dinner and days of leftovers...at least not by the look of our lil' monkey climbing the pantry shelves. He is trying his best to see in the snack bucket!

FLASHBACK: Fall Break Fun

Earlier this Fall both Ann Elise and Wes were out of school for Fall Break. YIPPEE!! Not only did we have a weekend, but two whole days to plan some fun! As the Break was coming to an end, we needed an outlet. We had never visited our state's Children's Museum, and with it being such an easy drive, we hit the road. After enjoying a quick lunch, we arrived and joined in on the fun!

Bankston Hays can spend HOURS at a train table!


They were able to pretend they were delivery truck drivers...loading, unloading, and steering the crane


Big smiles


At the front of the museum they have the coolest climbing-thing-a-ma-jig!



Pretending to be pilots


Practicing our brushing skills


Trying our turn at being a weatherman


Hosting our own cooking show


Experimenting with which ball will go faster - the straight shot or the hills?


Practicing lifting with a lever and pulley


Learning what life would be like with a mobility disability



Pretend shopping and working at a Grocery Store


and a Hotel Check-In Desk


playing in the treehouse to wrap up a super day!