Sunday Shenanigans February 26th - March 4th

We had a really busy week: 

Tuesday was Biography Day for Jakob's 3rd grade class.  Each student researched with the librarian about someone they admired or wanted to get to know better.  Jakob loves dogs and so he decided to learn more about the author of the famous red dog, Clifford.  Norman Bridwell started illustrating his books before writing the words to go with them.  Jakob researched and wrote out his presentation all on his own and was even creative enough to use one of our clifford books to attach his notecards on as reference during his presentation.  I helped him get a costume together and then he presented his biography about Norman Bridwell in front of his class and their parents. Great work, Jakob!

Molly got to celebrate Dr. Seuss week by wearing stripes and slippers to school.  She was so excited about wearing Jakob's doggie slippers (the mouth opens when you walk) and was glad to find SOMETHING in her wardrobe that resembled stripes.  Hooray for Dr. Seuss Day!

Sophia just loves dressing up no matter the occasion.  She performed a fashion show for us last Sunday (with a necklace, pants on her head and a nightgown around her waist) and had loads of fun dressing up like big sister this week (heart shirts, jean skirts, leggings and favorite shoes) and even got to wear her pajamas to school for pajama day on the same day as Dr. Seuss Day for Molly.  I love 3 year olds!  They can get away with so much.  :) 

We celebrated Dannys Birthday on Wednesday with Maple Pie and Brownies (his favorite).  It was a rush to get him fed, celebrated and then off to his youth group on Wednesday night.  He didn't have much time, but I'm sure he enjoyed all of his favorite goodies!

Danny and I went to the Hartford Temple on Saturday and then we took the kids out to Olive Garden for Danny's birthday Dinner.  Danny was sweet to think of a place that the kids would enjoy instead of thinking of himself.  He's awesome like that!  We even had enough time to put the kids to bed early and watch a movie.  ha ha!  Great times for all of us!

Oh, and I started my LipSense business this week, so that's going to keep me busy for a while. :)

Free digital collage made with Smilebox

Sunday Shenanigans Feb. 20-26th

We spent a lot of this week enjoying 70 degree weather!  It was such a nice break from the cold and snow-definitely something we all needed.  The sunshine encouraged kids to play outside, the birds to chirp their springtime tune, the windows rolled down in the car, sunglasses to shield our eyes, and garden planning for the summer.  Oh how we miss the sun!

Molly wants to start piano lessons next month so Jakob took the time to show her some basics.  She caught on quickly and is excited to get started.  I love having music in our home.  I especially love it when siblings encourage each other and help one another out.  It makes my heart happy.  Molly is pretty good at making pepperoni sandwiches.  It's a New England thing.  

The kids got a surprise chocolate chip pancake breakfast in bed.  Daddy decided to make pancakes and surprise them with awesomeness.  Naturally, it was the best thing ever!  Also, I recently got out some pez candies that have been saved from past dispensers....again, best thing ever for them!  

Sophia has been singing a lot around the house.  She doesn't know all the words to her songs, but she tries to perform as best she can.  I also love her "bostonian" accent (er, trouble with her "r's").  It's entertaining to hear her speak and then picture her living on the streets of Boston with her cute little accent.  He he....I love it.  Sophia loves being silly: walking on the ceiling and eating with two spoons are just a few of the silly moments she enjoys.  

Jakob wrote a talk for primary today.  The topic was on how family members make decision to choose the right and what the outcomes are from making good decisions.  I was actually away with the Stake Primary Presidency (Ward Conferences) so I don't know all the details, but I do know that before he left for church this morning he was adamant about NOT giving a talk.  I was happy to hear that he bravely delivered his message.  

This free picture collage made with Smilebox

Sunday Shenanigans February 13th- February 19th

The kids really enjoyed handing out Valentines to their friends this year.  Jakob decided to make individual notes for each peer by creating a card that represents one thing that they like most.  I was impressed that he stuck with it (for all 19 friends!) and added a lot of detail for each card.  Sophia picked out her favorite cards and only put who it was from (requested by her teachers) and Molly carefully put together a variety of store bought valentines and added stickers/tatoos as gifts (no candy allowed in her class because of severe nut allergies!)  Danny surprised me with a bouquet of flowers and I made sure there was a lot of chocolate on hand for all of us to enjoy.  

The kids have been drinking a lot of hot chocolate these days.  They love to purposefully make milk mustaches and blow chocolate bubbles.  Sophia always has the cutest milk goatees and funny faces to go with it.  She is learning a lot about feelings and emotions and is doing better to use her words to express those emotions.  I captured some of her favorite faces: happy, sad, scared, mad and silly.  

Jakob worked in his cub book again this week, discussing how we can keep the earth clean (reduce, reuse and recycle).  It also encouraged us to use recycle materials to make something useful or interesting.  Of course, Jake decided to make a puppy-o-saur and got to use the hot glue gun for the very first time.  He is always proud of his creations, especially when dogs are involved. 

Sophia is learning quickly how to draw, color, write, sing her ABC's, play and clean up, and even use the potty ALL BY HERSELF!!!!  (it's the small things)  Sophia has been drawing people with heads, limbs, eyes, nose and a mouth.  She just started drawing a few letters, and still loves to sing the songs learned at school.  I love hearing her mimick her teachers phrases, such as, "listen to my words" or "I am not happy!"  She tries to please her teachers and has been a very good helper when they need it.  Sophia is always volunteering to visit other rooms when the ratio is over, and is cheerful when greeting friends and teachers each day.  I'm glad she is transitioning well to her preschool.  I really enjoy taking her to work with me (I even get to be her teacher every once in a while) and I look forward to our weekly music class together! 

This collage customized with Smilebox

Molly had a birthday party yesterday at the local ice rink.  We had so much fun on the rink (the first time for Jakob and Sophia) and only suffered a few minor injuries.  I was a little surprised there were skates small enough to fit Sophia's tiny feet.  Molly was so excited to plan out her party (and birthday cake).  I am always given specific instructions on design and party theme.  Molly helped me make and decorate the cake and really enjoyed handing out all the goodies to her friends.  She loves to party, just like her mamma! 

This collage made with Smilebox