Breakthroughs

Both of our children have had some huge personal breakthroughs in the past 48 hours.

Jacob can officially sit himself up on his own. He's been crawling/dragging himself around for nearly two weeks, and even pulling himself up on things, but we hadn't actually seen him push himself up from a laying to a sitting position until just today. Yeah for Jacob! What a big little guy. And...PTL, he slept from 8pm until 8am this morning. Now that was nice! And he is really starting to "talk" a lot these days, more than just babbling. So fun!

Ashley has had several breakthroughs as of late. In the last few days, she has really had something click with her letters and sounds. You can tell her a large variety of words and ask her what the first letter in the word is. She is able to correctly answer about 75% or more of the time. We are so excited for her. She told me today that she'll be able to read her own books soon. I agreed :)

Ashley also got completely dressed on her own this morning (everything from underwear to choosing clothes that match). And...nothing was on backwards. I was impressed. However...she must have wanted to put a little halt on my expectations of her, because she did choose to wear her mud boots on the wrong feet when we went out for a walk today. Oh well!

Public Service Announcement

Just in case there was any confusion, this is a friendly reminder that it IS NOT a good idea to use a blender (even if it is child-sized) in your hair...unless, of course, you are going for a patchy or dreadlock look.

 

 

Texas Snowtastrophe 2010

Enjoy some pictures of our winter wonderland. We are just thrilled to be a part of witnessing this historical event. We think we chalked up about 9 inches of snow. We measured mid-day today, after a significant amount of melting had occurred, and we still had 8 inches. It is just incredible.

Snow is just so magical and peaceful. We are thankful for the gift it is. Our spirits are lifted by this simple gift from above. Now, we'll see how the melting process all plays out-hopefully not too much flooding will occur.

Ashley's favorite part of having snow-snow treats :) She called it her "lunch" today. And no wonder she gets cold quickly out there!

 

This is Joe's idea for a sled-definitely Texas sized. It worked really well and was really fun...until we nearly ended in the stream in our ditch. Let me just say that it goes downhill REALLY well.

 

 

Notice the irony in this photo. Texas, 8 inches of snow, a boogie board, and a sand castle shovel. LOVE IT!

 

More Snow Pics

 

 

 

 

More Snow Pics

 
 
 
 

Valelntine's Stained Glass

Here is a simple, yet fun, Valentine's craft idea to do with kiddos of all different ages.

We simply cut/tore up pieces of old tissue paper from gifts into little pieces. We then placed those in between two pieces of waxed paper. With the iron on high, we placed the wax paper sprinkled with the tissue paper, beneath a towel and heated it with the iron until it sealed.

We then cut shapes/letters out of folded black and pink papers. Next we glued the waxed paper sheets behind the borders of the solid paper. Then use a few pieces of tape and place in the window or gift to Daddy/Mommy, Grandpa/Grandma, or a friend for their window.

This craft can easily be adapted for other holidays and celebrations by using different colored construction paper for the borders and using different celebration appropriate words or names.

 

 

Let it SNOW!

Well, my friends, today has set a record in Texas. This is the most snow it has ever snowed on a single day in Texas in recorded history. I'm thrilled to be a part of it because it just isn't a satisfying year if there isn't at least one "snow day" where Joe gets off for at least part of a day, and, well, I miss snow!

We built 1 and 1/3 snowmen this morning and then a giant one this afternoon when Joe got off work early. Both full snowmen quickly made successful suicide attempts, but we had fun making them regardless.

I think we have an accumulation of about 6 inches as of tonight. It is supposed to snow all night, so I am excited to wake up in the morning and see what the ending result will be. And then, I'll need to jump out of bed and go enjoy it quickly before it melts away by the end of the day.

Here are a few pictures of our snow fun:

 

 

Oh, and on a completely random note...Ashley is getting quite "smart" these days. I asked her to go get shoes on so we could leave to take Jacob to the doctor yesterday (he has a terrible rash which was determined to be eczema-boo!). It took a few "encouraging reminders" to accomplish this task. When she finally returned, she came in smugly sporting my running shoes. I wanted to burst in laughter and take a picture because it was so funny that she is getting that "smart," and she finally did "obey," but I did not want to start the game of humoring your mother every time she gives instructions. So, I acknowledged her obedience and then asked a few questions regarding the practicality of going to the doctor's office wearing mommy's running shoes. She soon determined that it would be rather difficult to walk in them and chose (on her own) to select a better fitting pair of shoes. I was so thankful...because if she hadn't chose that on her own, I was going to hold her to wearing those two-time zone, size 10 running shoes of her mother.

Mighty Mountain Climber

 
 
 
 
Well, though he cannot yet crawl forward, Jacob has wowed us with his Mighty Mountain Climber abilities. He can pull himself up from sitting quite effectively as of today.

He is getting up on those knees, but still ends up farther from the goal than closer. He was around another little girl a few months older than him today. She can crawl...so maybe she taught him a few inspiring techniques.

I had to include the cute, though blurry, pic of him on his little throne.

Ashley added Santa to her prayer list tonight. She prayed that he could come to the library again when it's dark outside and Daddy comes home from work. Maybe he could come again next year and eat some treats, and maybe he could bring some presents too.

A few more pics

A mirror attempt with Jacob. I think he likes himself!

 

 

We went to watch the Harlem Globetrotters on Sunday. We had fun, but were a little on the underwhelmed side. Too much talk and not enough action. It would be really fun for kids about 7 years and older though. Maybe when our kiddos get to that age, we'll try it again. Ashley was super-impressed with the guy who was spinning on his head at center court when we walked in before the game began.

 

A Few Random Pics

Here are a few pics from over the past few days.

Jacob's thoughts on Valentine's Day-just stuff it!

 

 

Silly Boy!