I Can Sing a Rainbow Too

As I was preparing last night to teach for Mary's preschool group, I came across a song that brought back old school memories. Of sitting in crowed hot classrooms learning and practicing songs for a school program. Today we focused on the letter R, and we learned about the color wheel, primary colors, secondary colors and of course rainbows. Which brings me back to the song. Way back in kindergarten or 1st grade I learned a song called, I Can Sing a Rainbow. We all had assigned colors that we were to wear on the day of the performance, and we had batons with streamers attached to wave around. I was assigned to wear purple, which I remember I didn't like, because my dad doesn't like the color purple. Last night as I was searching for rainbow songs and finger plays to do with the kids I came across that song. I just knew I had to teach it to Mary and her friends for preschool. I also made paper wands that they could wave around. It was adorable, and again I just can't believe all of the memories that came rushing back. Well, they all had such a good time "performing" with the music, that I got out the camera and got it all on video. Again, so cute and so fun to see the individual personalities of all of the kids come though. Good times. Enjoy!

Wahoo! Ten Weeks Left!

So, I had a doctors appointment this morning. When she said, "You are almost there. Only ten weeks left." I had one of those double-take moments. What? Did I hear that correctly? Just a fourth left to go? YAHOO!!! I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy had passed. It has been so nice to be pregnant during the winter months. I think I owe the quick passage of time to the holidays. Furthermore, it feels good to have a real excuse to tell Mary why we are not going outside today. Much too cold. Much easier to explain then Mommy doesn't feel up to it. There is, however, one big down-side to this whole winter prego thing. I ate way too much over the holidays (and I'm not just talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas) justified in the name of pregnancy. Now with ten weeks to go, I'm already as big as I was at 40 weeks with Mary and Derrick. Yikes! Well, here's to the warm weather that is on it's way, and hoping that I can motivate myself to get out and exercise after the baby is born.

Sledding

So, we wanted to take advantage of Danny's day off and go sledding with the kids. However, by the time we seriously were able to consider the option it had been snowing for four hours straight and we didn't want to risk the roads. We did the next best thing. Danny piled more snow on the already big pile outside our apartment, and made it into a sledding hill. Mary loved it. I hoped that Derrick would be used to the whole snow thing by now, but no. He didn't have much fun sledding. Watching, yes. But he just didn't want to be included in the "in the snow" activities. Oh yes, Mary also discovered icicles.

Happy Valentine's Day!

One of my favorite family traditions growing up was the gargantuan heart shaped sugar cookies my mom would make for us as kids. I decided I wanted to make these cookie Valentine's for Mary and Derrick. The first attempt was mischievously foiled by Derrick. The second turned out much better, and made for adorable pictures. Mary, as usual, attacked the cookie with gusto. Derrick looked at his for a little bit and then started eating the frosting.

The finished product of Mary's Valentine cookie.

The finished product of Derrick's Valentine cookie.

The second set of pictures are the kids opening the Valentine's package that grandma George sent. Both were tired, and hyped up on sugar -thanks to me - so everything made them a tad more excitable than usual. Grandma sent Mary a toy iron, that I think was suppose to come at Christmas but didn't make the package. Mary immediately started ironing her clothes, with water from the squirt bottle, I might add. Derrick loved the flashing ring, and the toy bank filled with candy. He was rather upset when we had to take them away for bed.

The third set of pictures are the Valentine's Mary and Derrick made for grandma's and grandpa's. I am sorry that pictures of the Valentine's are all grandparent's will receive. I realized too late that we don't have stamps, and I am sure by the time I remember to get them it will be Easter. :) Thanks to all the grandparents who made this Valentine's special! We love you!

Pleasantly Playing Together

Mary asked to "do her letters" yesterday after nap time. When she asks this she wants to go to starfall.com and have me help her click on all of the different links of the letters. I couldn't help her yesterday, I was getting ready for the missionaries to come to dinner. I was going to respond not today, but then thought, why not teach her to do it herself. If it doesn't work, no biggie I can pull out her Valentine's stickers, and if it does then she can entertain herself for the next little bit while I get ready for dinner. I showed her how the mouse moved, and how when she moved the mouse she moved the arrow on the screen. Then I showed her how to move the arrow where she needed to, and click on the links. She was excited and enthusiastic to do it herself, so I let her try while I watched. Well, needless to say, I am pleasantly happy and surprised at how well she used the mouse and computer by herself. Furthermore, she was having so much fun that Derrick wanted to come see too. So, I slid a chair over for him, and he watched her. She entertained herself for at least 45 minutes and Derrick was interested for about a half an hour. It was so nice to see them enjoying themselves together without any mishaps or fights. I was able to accomplish a lot, without constant questions and fight intervention. I just had to snap a picture of them being so good together, Mary's new computer skills and Derrick being so excited about what was on the screen.

Let it Snow!

As a reward for not needing to move in February, it has decided to snow in massive amounts - at least for Columbus. So, once again we bundled up the kids and set them outside to play in the new fluffy, white stuff. Mary again loved climbing to the top of the piles. But this time Dad made a slide to the bottom, with steps up to the top. Which she thought was just about the most fun you could have in the snow. Maybe sledding will be our next snow day activity, if the snow sticks around. Derrick did much better this time with being out in the cold. He actually pawed at the snow from the side walk, and laughed and giggled and thought it was great. Still didn't like being set in the snow. Maybe next time? So, here's to burning off extra energy and fighting cabin fever by playing in the snow!

Spiders and Broken Valentines

Today was a fun day in preschool for Mary, and Derrick had his fun too. Mary learned about spiders in preschool today. They made spider hats and treats. Plus did spiderweb rubbings. But our big surprise of the day, was when I walked upstairs after picking up Mary from preschool across the street. Derrick had snagged our big Valentine's Day heart cookies from off the counter, and was eating and demolishing them on the love seat. I was planning on frosting these giant heart cookies and giving them to Mary and Derrick for Valentine's Day. I had them on the counter covered with aluminum foil. I figured, out of sight - out of mind, right? Well, never underestimate the power of an 18 month-old using a step stool. I guess we get to make more cookies!

Job Found

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers offered on our behalf the last few months. We have appreciated the love and support as Danny has searched for work. Thankfully and gratefully, this afternoon Danny had an interview and this evening he was offered the position. He begins training on Tuesday. Hooray! We once again have an income! Again thankfully, we didn't have to dip into savings at all. Oh yes, perhaps even more importantly, we will be remaining in Columbus for the time being. Danny's new position is in Dublin about 15 minutes away. This means no moving in February's cold weather. Yea! It also means we will be able to continue to attend the Westland Ward, which we love. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again to all who have helped us figure things out and endure these last few months! We love you!