Mimi

Last week Mimi (my grandmother) came to visit us. The kids enjoyed having her so much. John Curtis would grab her hand and drag her into his room and make her play with him. Sophie was sick all week, so the two of them spent a lot of time reading and cuddling together. I am so thankful that my kids have this time with her. Not many kids have memories of playing with their great grandmother. What a blessing!

A Talented Friend

Sorry I have been out of the blogging world all week. Sophie has been sick and there hasn't been much to blog about. I wanted to share the talents of my friend Janet with you. She has made Sophie several bows, but Sophie fell in love with the ones she surprised her with on Sunday. Isn't she talented? Check out her website at http://dimplesdots.blogspot.com/.

A Winter Wonderland

Since we can't get any snow to come to San Angelo, we decided to make our own winter wonderland. It started as something to do on a cold boring Saturday afternoon and has snowballed somewhat (ha! ha!).

Taylor trying to remember how he made snowflakes in his elementary school days
Teaching Sophie how to cut it.

Look! I made the blog! Don't judge me by how my house looks in the background.

Snowflakes made out of fabric paint

Gracie and Ellie joined in the fun yesterday.

This was taken today with "her snowflakes". She is Ariel today and as I'm typing this she is leading John Curtis in diving off the couch into the sea. Oh no! They're moving the game in here to my bed!

John Curtis playing under his lone snowflake

Wheels!

John Curtis got a scooter from his Uncle Erick for Christmas. Sophie's had one for about six months and loves it. John Curtis is catching on quickly. This video was taken on Christmas - he's gotten much faster in the last two weeks.

Sophie's Spelling

I have been amazed at how Sophie has taken off in her reading. She reads to us every night from simple books. I've taught many kids to read, but it is so different when it is your own. There is such a sense of satisfaction seeing her recognize by sight words she used to have to sound out. If she can read, she'll be okay in life, right? My mom got her some magnetic letters and a board to put them on for Christmas. We were playing school yesterday and she wanted me to put some pictures on the board for her to try to spell out on her own during her rest time. When she got up I went in there to check and had to take a picture of her valiant effort. It looks like she may have her dad's spelling skills. She didn't get it from me, I was in the 4th grade Spelling Bee. She's only 4 so there is hope for her yet. I thought some of her spellings were pretty inventive!

Big Boy Room

While the kids were at Grammy and Bumpaw's earlier this week, Taylor and I cleaned out toys, took down John Curtis's baby bed, and set up his big boy room. He has had a lot of fun playing in it. I can't believe the baby bed is up in the attic. They grow too fast! Just so you know, his room is ALWAYS this clean. I wish! I kept wanting to take a picture of it for the blog, but everytime I went in there toys were everywhere, which is the way a two year old's room is supposed to look when he's enjoying it. So I had to wait until those few minutes after we pick up all the toys just before he goes to bed. It only stays like this while he sleeps! I'm glad he loves his new room.

Little Aggie

Uncle Erick got John Curtis an Aggie basketball jersey for his birthday. He thought he was big stuff wearing it today.