week eight

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Elise:  Practically in snow clothes before we'd finished breakfast!  (P.S. - She knit the scarf she's wearing!)

Caleb:  First missing tooth!  A two dollar bill under his pillow and this sweet "new" smile!

Lucas:  Goofball alert!  We had a lovely romp around the block and met a sweet neighbor, too.  (She left us a note and bag of chocolates the next day...with an invitation out to lunch.)

Eden:  When the big kids are busy playing Monopoly Empire, we sneak downstairs for a tea party!  (Everybody wins!)  Tea parties these days are not complete without slurping sounds and splooshing water out of tea pots. 

week seven

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The Trio:  An explosion of valentines!  We had lots of fun spreading love in the kids' classrooms and in the mail to some of our nearest and dearest.  Loved seeing these guys hard at work!

Elise:  Her class is doing an author study on Kadir Nelson and look who came to town!  It was great to hear the story about how he worked to become the amazing artist and illustrator that he is.  We're big fans!

Caleb:  Serious "locals" right here!  Made it to Ted Drewes on the opening day of the season.  Can't believe my handsome guy is turning six next week!!!

Lucas:  Guess who helped momma make the chocolate cake for V-Day?!?

Eden:  My cute little love bug.  You can join me in praying that the terrible bruise she got on Christmas eve will continue to heal so I can eat up those sweet cheeks again.

week six

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Elise:  Loving our weeklong visit from Grammie! (and one of our favorite new books...Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser)

Caleb:  Learning to crochet.  (Sweet Grammie left us a crocheted heart washcloth for a Valentine, too!)

Lucas:  Friday night game time with this family fave.

Eden:  Vanilla steamer, anyone??  (Poor little one has a drippy cold this week.) 

week five

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Elise:  Inspired to be an author this week; she wrote two different adorable narratives about a horse named Winter.  She worked so hard and has such a cute writer's "voice."

Caleb:  Followed suit with his own story about "Howsis" (horses!) - One of my favorite things about watching the kids grow up is seeing them take chances with their reading and writing.  This is just thrilling!

Lucas:  Dinner menu by Lucas.  An old tradition from my growing up, but the first time I've made stuffed shells in my own home.  Yum!

Eden:  The girl with ever-strengthening opinions...she insisted on wearing Lucas' shoes out to play.  Sigh...