Monday, March 28, 2011

Warm Up? Maybe, Maybe Not

It was warm and not it is not so much but spring is on the way, the flowers are popping up, we've planted pansies, broccoli and peas. We've been spending afternoons outside and I love that the kids just put their shoes on and head out whenever they feel the urge. Josh and Mira have been playing outside together nicely and it is fun to watch them go and not have to set them in motion. Evie has been getting out and running around. I can putz around in the yard myself while they are at it.

Evelyn is starting into her terrible two's with a periodic temper tantrum and she sometimes pipes up with a 'stinky pete' here and there. (Baby swear words) Mira finally let me put her hair in pig tails again and she looks like a doll. Evie's pig tails stick out straight from her head and are absolutely adorable. Joshua has been moving right along with his reading practice and he does better and better every day. He is also more and more eating the dinner that is placed in front of him without complaining. It is quite a relief to not have to worry about what he is eating, finally!

I am toying with the idea of moving Evie and Mira in together in Evie's room and big, big bed. They are so close in size that I joint closet seems like it would be easier than sorting out their clothes every few days. I tried them sleeping in the same bed tonight but it didn't work out. I'll probably try moving Mira into bed with Evie when she is asleep. Once we do that, I'll bunk the beds for Joshie and he is really looking forward to that.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Spring Break

Jason was home from Friday to Thursday this last week and we had DADDY TIME! Wahoo! On Monday we went to Rumbleway Farm and saw all the animals. We stopped afterward for a lunch at a deli near PA. Unfortunately, they were only take out and it was too cold to eat outside so we had a picnic in the car. At the farm we found some very friendly cats that the kids really wanted to take home with us. "These cats are so much nicer than ours!" they said.

On Tuesday, we made our way down to the Aquarium for a few hours. Always a hit! They all love looking at all the fish, sharks, birds, frogs and insects. Mira was begging to see the jelly fish the whole time and Josh was eager to explore in the rain forest. We also got to see the puffins getting fed this trip and have an up close experience with a hissing cockroach. It was a great time!

Wednesday Jason went into the office but it was movie night and we enjoyed The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, which Jason and Josh are reading right now. They just finished the Hobbit and Josh and I are working our way through Peter Pan. He LOVES to read!

Thursday on the way back to Philly we hit the 'Please Touch Museum', which is a gigantic playground for kids. Everything you could imagine and a carousel, too. They all so much fun just running between all the activities. We got a membership so that we can continue to explore that museum since we were not able to get through the whole thing before the kids started melting down.

We made Popsicles yesterday, which the kids are enjoying now. Joshua also had a parent teacher conference to followup with his preschool evaluation. The teachers were glowing when talking about how much Joshua has changed and improved. They said that the first thing he does every morning of preschool is head over to the bookcase and grab a book to enjoy. His writing is on a kindergarten or first grade level and he is curious and loves the projects that they do. He also recognizes a lot of sight words.

We are continuing daily home school for Josh and Mira, about 15 min each a day. Mira worked on the letter C and the number two this week. Her ABC song is MUCH improved since we started and she knows all her colors! Joshua is working his way through a kindergarten workbook, working on sight words and phonics. He is doing great and I have overheard him starting to read to himself. It won't be long before he is reading his favorite 'Jack and Annie, Magic Tree House' books on his own!

Evelyn is learning to count, she has 1,2,3 down. On days we go diaper-less she does really well taking herself to the potty. She has so many words and is very expressive.