April 2012

Amber & Kate cross country skiing  the Teton Canyon Trail

It's healthy to spend childhood moments just watching water run downstream

We picked the very last possible day to go cross country skiing.  We were surprised to find no snow in the Teton Valley.  Just as we rounded the corner to the trail head we found just the tiniest bits of snow.  By the end of the day there wasn't enough snow left to ski on.

Both girls gleefully announced that they love cross-country skiing.  Mom's mission accomplished.

It was so fun to have a dinosaur exhibit close to home.  Jessica is crying as I type because she wants to go there again.  Too bad they've moved on to another exhibit.

My kids had been quarantined at home for a week when we went to the exhibit.  I honestly thought they were better, but their hacking coughs soon told me they weren't.  One mom told me, in the children's room "If my kids were coughing like that I'd take them to the medical clinic."  Boy did I feel like a lamo mom. 

I'm not sure why we buy kids toys.

Spencer thought dying Easter Eggs was the coolest thing he'd ever done.  It took him about 5 minutes to dye a dozen eggs.

He had his own methods.

Kate got the biggest kick out of watching Spencer.  I love that girl's giggle.

This is the sadness that happens when little 1 yr old boys run out of Easter eggs to color.

My artist hard at work.  She designs the cutest egg.  I think this one had a drawing of a chick hatching out.

Her eggs may have all been pink and purple.

This girl is starting to make all of our Holiday traditions even more exciting.

Easter Eggs and Grandma & Grandpa's house are the best.  They hide candy and money!

The world's best grandpa.  See how he diligently watches over his grand kids.  He's given each of my crawling babies stair climbing lessons and my toddlers ladder climbing lessons.  He stands right there behind them to encourage and protect.  

It's been so strange to see my dad go through Chemo and Radiation.  I'm so grateful for good doctors.

He might be an adrenalin junkie

I pat myself on the back each time he cries to have a turn mopping the kitchen floor.  What a helpful boy.  Love the binkie in his mouth.  It's gone now.

March 2012

The kiddos love sneaking into the school playground when school is not in session. 

Amber loves to hang by  her coat at recess.  As a mother I should bar that behavior, but I think it's hilarious!  I hope the stitches in her coat are strong.

Sure Spencer, hop right into the tub. 

Jessica has been teaching herself to write herself letters.  My reaction: "Wait, I haven't taught you the right way yet!"  Previous experience has taught me that if they start forming their letters wrong, it becomes a hard habit to break, so we set to work.  Every day we 1) write a capital letter ten times & she circles her favorite 2) write it corresponding letter 10 times & she circles her favorite 3) Write a sentence of her choosing and then identify the letters and words, count the words, and practice reading it 4) she illustrates her sentence.  Ideally we do it 3 times a week.  Really, we do it about once a week.  See that grin!  That how she feels about writing.  Her Sunbeam teachers (in the 3 year old class) ask me, "Do you know she's writing?"  They just can't believe it.

Kate begged and begged her Grandma to take her to the store the day before St. Patrick's Day.  I shrugged & said "Okay".  The kids slept on the couches that night.  Some mischievous Leprechauns snuck in at night at moved the couches they were sleeping on; one into the kitchen and the other clear across the room.  The Leprechauns made a blanket tent around Jessica's bunk bed.  In the morning I was surprised to find a Leprechaun note, a trails of chocolate coins, and a special gift for each family member, all of which I knew nothing about.  I think we had a few different leprechauns.  One of them may have shared the same name as my Kate.  I think that one made it's visit at about 4 am.

The day St. Patrick's day we found dirty cat footprints up our car.  Jessica put it all together, "The Leprechauns must have cats," she declared.  Actually we have a cat. 

I got to attend Time Out for Women in Idaho Falls with my Mom in March.  We were delighted to meet up with my four cousins once we got there.  We sat with them both days.  I come from the greatest family ever!  I just love my Merrill cousins.