Handwriting Hullabaloo

Back around Christmas, Norah started getting the hang of writing individual letters, so Jason and I made a deal with her that when she could consistently write her name, unaided, we would take her for ice cream.

Exhibit A and B both bear witness to the fact that she has it down. (She's especially proud of that lower case "r", which was the last letter for her to master) After a lot of practicing, she's been consistently writing her name for about a month , so we figured it was high time for Mommy and Daddy to pay the piper.

Since she had worked so hard at accomplishing this feat, we wanted it to be a special memory for her when she reaped her reward. We dropped Eli off with Mimi and Papaw so that we could have a "big girl" night. Jason and I took her to one of our favorite spots....the "Fountain Plaza" (at least that's what we call it). She LOVED it! It was a beautiful, cool night. There was a light breeze that would intermittently send the spray of the fountain our way, but not enough to be offensive. And to cap it all off, a rainbow formed right through the middle of the fountain! (Thank you, God, for such a beautiful, special night)




The little lady got her ice cream... which she received with a smile.









And she spent some (much needed) private time with Mommy and Daddy.




She loved watching the fountain. Honestly, I think she would have been happy with just that as her reward! She kept leaving the ice cream with us while she walked along the railing. (Which gave Jason and I a few, quiet minutes to enjoy together)














Another accomplishment that I'm even more proud of her for is her continued scripture memorization. (Which, unlike her penmanship development has required absolutely no bribery) At 3 years, 4 months old, she also has learned a total of eight Bible verses and the scripture references for each one.

Proverbs 17:17 ("A friend loves at all times and a brother is always there to help you.")

Psalm 118:24 ("This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in in."

Zephaniah 3:17 ("The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. The Lord will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love and He will rejoice over you with singing."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ("All scripture is God-breathed.")

2 Timothy 3: 16 ("Pray at all times.")

Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning God created the heavens and earth."

Matthew 6:9-15 (The Lord's Prayer, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.")

Ephesians 3:20-21 ( "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever.")

I have never been exceptionally good at memorizing scripture, and Norah has been such a blessing to me in this regard. Each time she learns a verse, she teaches it to me (as it requires a lot of repetition for her to retain what she is learning, so I get to hear her recite it over, and over). I pray that this bond of sharing scripture is one that we are able to share throughout the rest of both our lives. (And of course, I pray the same for Eli, too)

She is growing up before our eyes, so rather than fight it, worry ourselves sick, or cry over it, we choose to celebrate it...at least for today!