Little Learner's Club- Birds

Two weeks ago, LLC focused on our feathered friends. The kids painted bird houses:

Then they made bird feeders out of toilet paper rolls, peanut butter and bird seed. I think I was covered in peanut butter and couldn't take a picture of the process :)

Then, the most important part of any LLC...snack time! We had owl treats, 2 kinds of birds nests, fruit and bird food (granola):

It was a fun one and look how cute they all are lined up!

Whose kid is that who isn't following directions?!?

Craftyness

Even with 4 children, homeschooling, teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies, cooking, cleaning, being a foster parent and shuttling kids around, my sister still found time to make this for Millie Mae for Christmas. What a woman!

Thanks girl! I love it!

A Date with Daddy

The other day I wrote Avi a little love letter and put it in the mail box. It said that she needed to be dressed in her Belle dress and ready for a date with Daddy by 11:45.

So excited about getting the mail

Waiting in anticipation

Daddy came to the front door and rang the door bell

The happy couple

They went to lunch and then watched Beauty and the Beast at the movie theater. What a fun date!

Learning Opportunities

We've been using Love & Logic in our home since Avi was born and it has been one of the best things I've ever learned. It works beautifully, when I use it :) and has made for, what I believe, is a much calmer home than we would have had if we hadn't learned the skills. Well, part of Love & Logic (the best part, in my opinion) is allowing kids to learn and grow from their mistakes. Instead of getting angry, the goal is to be empathetic and allow the child to live with the consequences of their actions in a loving way. As Avi gets older, I get more and more excited because I get opportunities to use skills that I couldn't use when she was really little, for example, Delayed Consequences. Well, I got the opportunity the other day when I walked into her room and found a page of her library book shredded into about 15 pieces. I tried really hard to be sad instead of mad and we taped the book back together.

I knew that it couldn't end there, so I called the library and told the woman that I didn't want it to become a problem for her but I really wanted this to be a learning experience for Avi. I know that it is really easy for adults to look at cute 3 year olds and just say "Oh, it's okay sweetie" and I didn't want that to happen. I told the woman that I didn't want her arrested or anything but would like for someone to be stern with her. I told her I was fully prepared to pay for the book but wanted someone to talk directly to Avi. I think I found the only person in the world who has maybe never been angry with a child in her whole life. She was desperately hoping that her manager would be back by the time we arrived because in her words, "She's pretty stern naturally so this would be perfect for her. I'm afraid I'll crack." Well, the poor girl didn't get her wish. We arrived when she asked us to but the mean 'ol manager wasn't there yet so she mustered up all the sternness she could and delivered a nice little speech to Avi (it was pretty mild). To my disappointment, there were no tears but Avi did mention not ripping books several times after we got home. She is slowly earning my trust back with one book at a time, so we'll see what happens. I just hope I didn't traumatize the poor librarian!

Amelia Mae - 10 months old!

Well, late again...

Here is the sweet girl:

She is STILL not crawling but she is close and I know that once she starts, I'll be wishing she would just sit in one place again!
She's a good sleeper and eater and just generally enjoys life. Her favorite time of the day is not the evening! That's when she starts getting cranky and just wants to be held or put to bed.
She's starting to have a sense of humor and is realizing that she can make us laugh. She's making tons of little noises and seems to learn a new one each day.

Here she is enjoying her first taste of spaghetti!

LOVE this girl!

Scootering!

One of Avi's Christmas gifts from Nana and Papa was a princess scooter. We've had beautiful weather around here lately so it's been a perfect chance to get out and try it.

Fashion Statement

Um, I don't think I really need to say anything...

Millie's Duck

I FINALLY found our blow up bathtub duck. Who knows where it was but it's in the bathtub now which is all I care about. Millie loved her maiden voyage!

Here is Avi at only 6 months using the same tub. I forgot what a big 'ol girl she was!! When I look at these pictures, they don't look much alike to me!

 Whoa! Now that is a lot of baby!

Being a mom...

There are so many things I love about this job of being a stay-at-home-mom! It can be so challenging at times and exhausting but it is always worth it. Here is probably my number one reason why I love it so much:

This is the first picture that Avi has drawn that actually looks like what she was trying to draw. I think she said it was me, but no matter who it is, it looks like a person! I love that I get to experience all the firsts. I don't have to hear about them from a daycare or a babysitter. I am there for every bump and bruise, every new sound or new word, every question, every new discovery, every laugh and every tear. I wouldn't trade it for any amount of money or any other job. I am so thankful that God has blessed Brian with a good job so that I can stay home and be there for every new moment.

Planning and a Craft

We have taken a way-too-long break from preschool around here and we need to get back into it. I finally got the chance to work on some planning.

Here is a great craft item I found at Joann's Fabrics. They are foam-like noodles that stick together when the ends are just barely dampened. I see hours of fun in our future!

Christmas Day 2011!

The girls woke up to just stockings on their blankets but we had a few surprises for them this year!

We did a dress up box for Avi which was really fun to put together. Here is just a small sampling!

I think her favorite gift was the Cinderella "wedding" dress my mom made for her, complete with a veil. Ahhh, I can visualize her in 40 years getting married in a dress just like this :)

This is her embarrassed look

My parents did a couple big gifts for the girls this year. A princess mural for the playroom and a swing set!

Millie Mae got her own little ball pit to play in, a Raggedy Ann doll my mom made her and a beautiful bow for her hair!

Brian and Avi share a love of Disneyland so Brian got her the Disneyland game for the Kinect. They had a great time flying around Disneyland and meeting all the characters!

We went to spend dinner with Brian's family and had a great time. We were having so much fun, I forgot to take pictures!