adores big brother

This look says it all. He can be rowdy and loud and even mean but this little sister thinks her big brother is the best. Also, the hat Aunt Kadra made finally fits and it is so cute.

Snowy day

It is January, this should be the weather we are used to. That is not the case this year. Jace was excited to get outside and help scoop the driveway. "What are these called?" He asked when Joel handed him his snow pants. Seriously?!? We really need to get this kid up to the mountains this year.

The boys clear the driveway.

Julianne and I watched from the front window. She was practicing her sitting. She's getting better at it everyday but I still only let go of her for the second that it took to get this picture.


Julianne watches Jace out the window.

The kids and I spent the day inside. I learned that Julianne has some ticklish spots on her sides. Jace spread Legos all over the floor and build dozens of little machines. My favorite was the "shooter" that made different flavors of ice cream and a variety of toppings then delivered them to me with "Ka-poosh" sound.
I realized that when Jace asks me to play Legos he actually wants me to sit and watch him build. He was distraught when he realized I had built something out of his "favorite, favorite boat." In my defense, I thought I was just building with loose pieces out of the box. Mommys don't know much about Legos.
I redeemed myself by helping Jace make banana muffins.

Joel came home early today so that I could go to the Dr. for a lung function test. It was a series of breathing exercises preformed while hooked up to machine that made colorful graphs based on my breathing. I didn't learn anything today. I have to wait until next week to talk to the Dr. and find out what all the charts mean.

Julianne enjoys peas. She is the only one in our family who will eat a second helping of peas.

Our evening ended with a battle about who was going to clean up the Legos. It did not end well but Joel and I both enjoyed the excuse Jace used for being on the Ipad when he was supposed to be cleaning up. "I was going to look how to clean up Legos."

Preschool Rodeo

Sheriff Jace, buckled up for safety

Another year, another rodeo at the preschool. This one is a little bittersweet because we know there won't be one for us next year. Jace's Kindergarten paperwork is due next month.  It's amazing how much the little man has grown in the last year! He will be ready for the new challenges of Elementary school. I'm just not sure I'm ready.

Every rodeo has to have a clown.

Today the class entertained us with songs, horse back tricks and square dancing. Jace's trick was unique. The other kids all sat or stood up on the sawhorse with a saddle that was their "horse". Jace laid across the saddle on his belly giving me the perfect picture of his back side and getting laughs from the audience of parents and grandparents.

Little sister in a big hat

In between songs Jace was making faces at the camera and jockeying for position in line next to his friends, Jiohn and Brooke.

Just when you think it's safe to go in the living room!

Poor Julianne, she was getting frustrated with being on her tummy. She started fussing for me to pick her up and instead attracted the attention of her brother.

Gator attack!!!

Little Girl and Grandad

Thanksgiving in Wray this year was relaxing and fun. We ate to much and enjoyed the company of some amazing family and friends.. This was my favorite image from the trip. Grandad was flying the little girl around so there is a little action blur but that face just cracks me up.



highlights of the week past

Julianne and I practicing with the baby budda carrier

We had a full week. The weird thing is it is hard to remember what all we did. We started feeding Julianne a little bit of solid food. She likes the milky oatmeal and she liked the sweet potatoes. The pears were not a hit.

Julianne also rolled over all by herself on Monday. I put her down on a blanket on the floor and went to the bathroom.  I could tell by the sound of her mad little cry that she had rolled to her stomach. Sure enough, she was face down and not liking it. She repeated the roll a couple more times on that same day but I haven't seen her do it again since.

We booked a trip to Florida for December. I'm mentally preparing myself for the trip with two kids. I decided we should practice with the Baby Budda carrier because it is light weight and might be good for the airport. It is a little tricky to get the stretchy bands just right. As I wrestled Julianne into the carrier in front of the mirror, she got tickled and started giggling. That is the first time I have made her laugh. Joel is good at getting her to laugh. I admit we looked funny in the Budda.


Jace helping Julianne to sit up

Julianne is getting stronger and holds her head up we'll enough for Jace to be able to hold her and move her some. I hold my breath as he helps her to sit up. He is careful and she enjoys the attention but I can't help being nervous.

The weather last week was beautiful. It was warm and mild. We went for walks, and raked leaves and Joel cleaned leaves from the gutters. One morning Joel and Jace, still in PJs, went outside with the remote control car. I imagine our neighbors got a kick out of Jace running up and down the sidewalk being chased by a little yellow sports car. 

Joel chasing Jace with the remote control race car

I worked one afternoon in a young threes classroom. The 5 kids in the class are all 3 years old but have varied degrees of developmental delays. It was interesting for me to observe the differences between this classroom and the other preschool classes I have worked in. It also made me appreciate more than ever my normally developing 4 year old. I'm looking forward to helping out in this classroom several more times in the coming weeks.

cute kids

so innocent

stocking hat hair