Noah has been working hard on his Multiplication Facts and passing each one off! This week he passed off the 6's!! Way to go, Noah! He is really great at Math!

Pre-School Update

Today Michael had another good day at Pre-school. We met with the Pre-school's Director and discussed with her how things were going for us. I had to be firm regarding the need for a swing in the classroom, she said she would get that taken care of. She also indicated that they were interviewing a few people this afternoon for the other Preschool teaching position and so there would be additional help in the class- which they need.
I am spending each day with Michael while he is at school and have not been able to leave him there on his own. Partly because he won't tolerate being away from me and partly because they are quite literally afraid of him.

Michael sat on my lap today and sang along with me as I sang the tiny turtle in the bathtub song. He says, "Bubble, Bubble" very clearly and his teachers were very impressed.
I couldn't help but post another one of these pictures of Michael in his cute school clothes from the other day!

Crafty Gracie

While it is technically Verl's weekend, Grace came over and spent the night with me. We had a really nice time together. Lexis went with her friends to eat dinner and see a movie, Noah and Verl went to play Laser Tag and so Grace came over with me! Michael had gone to bed early and so then the two of us snuggled next to each other on the couch and I helped Grace sew a purse to hold her Bunny she got at school today. Her teacher has set up a "store" in their classroom and the kids earn "money" by completing assignments, behaving, that sort of thing. The items in the store are mostly toys that the students have brought in to donate to it and so you can imagine some of the choices. Grace, herself, went down in the basement and gathered up a bag full of toys she "didn't want anymore" to donate. It included a monkey that Sophie loved to play with, a coloring book which had only a few pages not colored and Noah's Rescue Ranger guy! So, anyway, today Grace was able to buy something from the store and so she came home with a pink stuffed bunny wearing bunny slippers and when you press it's tummy it sings, "Jesus loves me this is know..." She loves it, was carrying it around with her everywhere today and that is where her idea for making a purse to carry the bunny in came from. We cut out a piece of fleece from some fabric I got to make Lexis a blanket and then Grace chose a few different colors of embroidery floss and sitting down next to each other I showed her how to stitch up the sides and she took off. She wanted to add a pocket and we did! We braided the purse handle with three strips of fleece and attached that to the purse as well. She really did to it herself! The best part was obviousley that she and I got to spend time together just the two of us oh, and, of course the fact that every once in a while she would just look up at me and say, "I love you, Mom!" I LOVE YOU TOO GRACE!

Computer Time

Michael Ethan loves using the computer at Pre School. He sits up at the desk by himself and the "Feet" song begins to play. Every few seconds the song stops and Michael has to push the red button to get it to turn back on. He caught on to this immediately!
We were able to meet with the Physical Therapist today and she seems very helpful. She is going to come in again next week and we will write down some goals that we would like to work on for Michael. We already talked about working on his walking and getting him to tolerate wearing shoes. This will be a good thing...Notice Mr. Sock Feet :)

Carrying on the Tradition of #6 !

Today was Gracie's last soccer game for the year. Lexis and I go there at the very end and I was very disappointed. Her schedule in particular has not been communicated well between us parents plus I have been feeling really sick. She said that she played the whole game, though, and her team tied the other, 2 to 2. She is a very aggressive player and so fun to watch!
Basketball started yesterday!!!

Mixing fabrics can be tricky but a fairly fool proof method when choosing is to apply the rule of 3. Three fabrics, one with a large scale print, one a medium and the third a small print or solid color.

In this lovely space the soft palette evokes fairy tales and femininity. What little girl wouldn't want to rest her head here? And for that matter, what woman adore it just as much?

Grace's Best friend?

Grace brought home this picture from school today along with a fantastic story of what she likes to do with her friends. Mom's favorite part of the story? Has to be where she lists "Noah" as one of her best friends!

Absolutely a Favorite!

This is one of those photos that should be overtop our fireplace mantel it is that great! I found the original copy in a box this morning while going through the storage room and it immediately brought a smile to my face. Such cute kids! Dressing in up in their most fabulous outfits, eating muffin tops with the most perfect "cheese" a Mother could ask for. Looking at it closer, not only would it make a great poster size wall decoration but this photo most definitely needs to be added to my Possible Black Mail moments bin... Perfect for scaring away eager Utah suitors and future expected "I never did that!" replies.

An example of Grace's writing. Mrs. Barlow's 2nd grade class. She's a FANTASTIC student!

PEEP Fall Party

Miss Terry invited us to the PEEP Fall Party this morning! It was rainy and quite cold but we went nonetheless. It was at Pioneer Park and all 4 kids were able to come. They had set up tables under the pavillion as different stations. One table had all kinds of fruits and garden vegetables for everyone to taste. Michael put a carrot in his mouth and then promptly tossed it. Lexis also tried to give him a piece of a raw potato but he didn't like that either. There was another table with all sorts of pumpkins and squash that the kids could feel. Michael did check out some ot their bumpy and smooth surfaces. At yet another station the older kids painted pumpkins and then we were able to take them home with us. It was very nice to see Miss Terry again! We have missed her. Michael said his own little hello to her but became quite fussy about the whole thing not long into the Party.

My beautiful Teenager!

Lexis and I were able to go to her very favorite shopping spot last night, "Cozy's" and get her a new sweatshirt! She had babysit Michael for me and the weather is getting quite cold and so the one sweatshirt she has was just not going to cut it. It is a pretty color that compliments her hair and skin tone very nicely. Here she is heading off to Young Woman's...

Noah vs. Bowie

Today Noah's team played against Bowie's Soccer team! There was only once or twice when the two were spotted chit chatting like buddies out on the field. Noah is a great soccer player! He continues to amaze me with his aggresive and determined skill. It is so fun to watch!

Flag Girl

Grace was the Flag Person today at Noah's game. She was very serious about it and insisted Mom teach her all the rules and specifics and so she could do it just right. Of course, she picked up on it all immediately but then refused to pose for a picture. She was just too busy! The referee shook her hand after the game and told her she did a fantastic job! Grace's comment to me after the game was. "Can I do that at all of Noah's games?" Sounds like they wouldn't mind it at all, Red! Not mind it at all.

Dear Michael Ethan,

It is difficult for Mama to think that you were this small not so long ago. New to this world, ready for life. Many things that were not expected, challenges we had not anticipated and yet, you, my child, are as perfect today as I knew you were that very first moment on that very first day I held you in my arms-and more so!I love you, Michael Ethan

A fun assignment where I got to create a bedroom plan for homework.