Hi Mama!

I left Emma whining in the house while I took Finley out this morning. As we're headed back inside I hear the door open and a little voice say, "Hi, Mama!" It was Emma- she had put her little green rain boots on all by herself and was on her way outside to find us! Since she was only dressed in an unbuttoned onesie and too small jammie pants, she hustled her little butt back inside with us as she said, "Cold!!"

I asked her what she was doing and she said, "See Mama!"

Picture Wednesday

Chomping some broccoli

Handsome hair cut

Jack, Jack, He's an Orange Maniac!

"See, Mama? Orange and Orange- it matches!"

Ok dude, go for it!

And So It Is...

SPRING BREAK 2010 IS HERE!!! Wahoo!!!
I feel like I can breathe again. I'm spending quality time with the kids, keeping the house somewhat organized, going to bed late, getting up later than usual, and finally updating this stinking blog!

Lots of things have gone on in our world since my last post. Jack is now of course a 4 year old. Today he had on a short sleeved (yeah for 50 degrees!) spider man shirt... and I swear I had a 12 year old at the dinner table. He continues to amaze us with his sense of humor and drive us crazy with the fact that he STILL CAN'T SING THE ABC'S!!!!!! He had absolutely no interest in that darn song when he was little- and now that he's interested in learning more letters and "reading" his books- he's actually trying to figure it out. What does it say about me when my kid can't sing the ABC's and I'm a teacher!!!

We have several preschool/Kindergarten readiness workbooks that he loves to work on. He's great with numbers, sequencing pictures, matching, rhyming, opposites, colors, and shapes. He's working on learning all the letters and I swear if he'd just learn that darn song it would help!! His latest game is to call us by our first names. Today it was, "I need more milk please, Liz". He still loves school. We had his parent/teacher conference in January and his teacher, Mrs. Calm & Exactly What Jack Needed For His First Teacher told us exactly what we thought we'd hear. He's a joy- but super quiet in class. He's just now really starting to talk to the other kids while he plays with them. We don't worry about it- he's plenty loud at home and just takes after his dad- quiet and always observing.

Jack is going to be attending 4K at my school next year. I just couldn't stand not being a part of his school life anymore. So starting in the fall, we'll drive to school together every day! He'll be doing the 5 days a week/full day plan. I can't wait and he's excited too.

Emma is definitely 1 going on 13. She has an attitude that just won't quit! She is talking like crazy- putting together 3 and 4 word sentences already. She copies everything her brother does and is turning into a little fashionista. She got some white dress shoes last week and wore them all around the house. She loves necklaces and bracelets. Emma knows what she wants and expects to get it immediately. We are really working on using the words please and thank you with every request. Somehow the shouting for milk isn't as annoying when there's a "Peas, Mama, Milk" attached to it!

Today we went for a hike in the woods along the river near our house. The kids had a great time- we found 4 ducks but they wouldn't come across the river to eat our bread.

Showing some brother and sister lovin'

Emma was determined to put the bark back on this log...

Admiring big brother's skills

My sweet boy

Going on an adventure

My grandpa passed away last week. We spent this past weekend in Chicago for his wake and funeral. The kids were awesome. We were at the funeral home from 2pm till 10 pm on Friday night. Jack was very curious about the whole thing. We talked about seeing Great Grandpa in the "box" just like we had seen Bampa in the box. He went right up to the casket and kneeled. He touched his sleeve and his hand. He whispered, "I love you Great Grandpa" and we asked him to say hello to Bampa for us when he got to Heaven. Jack went to the casket several times that evening. I was so proud of him. He somehow understood what a sad time it was for everyone else- and wasn't afraid to ask questions. Emma didn't want to go near the casket. She was with me the weekend before when I said goodbye to my grandpa. He was lying in the hospital bed in his living room and making very loud noises as he slept. That scared Emma and then he woke up a bit and said, "Hi Emma!"- That really freaked her out! :)

New outfits for the wake... Emma got a new coat and refused to take it off. Jack wore a long sleeved shirt, dress pants and a tie to the funeral.

We haven't cut her hair and I don't think we will. It's still curly after her bath and when it's humid out. It's out of control 99% of the time!

This might be an attempt at a smile...

One thing is for sure... she loves that dog!

We attended the Family Fun Night at Jack's preschool. He participated in a "5 Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed" reenactment. I couldn't believe he did it in front of a crowd! Here he is getting ready to give us our Valentine's present that he made.

There are many more things to write about- but I haven't seen 11:00 in ages and I'm falling asleep at the computer!!