Daddy/Daughter Dance

Ryan took Clare and Ellen to a Father-Daughter dance a few weekends ago.  Ellen was thrilled she was old enough to attend this year and was SO excited about her big night out.  

Waiting for Daddy...

When they saw he had roses for them...

 

Pretty girls! 

  

Such a big girl! 

Keeping her eye on her prize!

 So sweet and excited! 

 And just because he could, Ryan wore his favorite jacket....

The boys and I had our own fun...pizza for dinner, an early bedtime for Michael, laundry folding, and then Jude read Dr. Seuess books to me.  Pretty nice night for us, too! 

Here's to another great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"If I found a pot of gold I would hide it under my bed." -Jude

Book Recommendations

Clare loves to read.  She also loves to wind down after school by listening to a chapter book on CD while she gets changed out of her uniform after school.  I try to keep her supply of reading and listening materials well stocked from our local library.  Clare will tell you she likes (loves) the Mary Kate & Ashley series, but I try to give her books with a bit more substance to them.  Here are some of her favorite books that I have checked out for her, they average about a 4th grade reading level.

Pippi Longstocking Series by Astrid Lindgren

The American Girl Series various authors

A Cricket in Times Square by Geore Selden

Doll Shop Downstairs by Yona Zeldis McDonough

No Flying in the House by Betty Brock

Kylie Jean Series by Marci Peschke

Hotel for Dogs

Movie for Dogs

News for Dogs

all by Lois Duncan

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney

Rainbow Fairy Series by Daisy Meadows

Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne

Capital Mysteries Series by Ron Roy

The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Fancy Nancy Chapter Books by Jane O'Connor

Bean and Ivy Series by Annie Barrows

I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis

The Show Must Go On by Kate Klise

Emily Windsnap Series by Liz Kessler

HAPPY READING TO ALL!

Happy 1st Birthday Michael!

One year ago we were blessed to welcome this sweet boy into our lives! 

(OK, 1 year and 3 days ago...)  

Michael is as sweet as can be and enjoys sitting back and taking in everything around him.  He has been the best infant sleeper we have had and has never thought twice about eating whatever combination of peas and green beans I offer him.  Michael adores Jude, who can always get a giggle out of him or cheer him up when he has his moments (mostly just when he's strapped in the car at school pick up).  He loves to read.  He loves any kind of ball.  He loves being outside.  And anything with wheels - including transformers.        

We love you Bubs!  

1 month 

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months 

10 months 

11 months 

(So glad I did this because Mr. #4's baby book was looking a little slim.  

Copying these milestones on paper for him...eventually.)

Lent 2014

This boy received his first ashes today!  

(Which could be mistaken as a bruise on his 11.9 month-old head.) 

Here are some of the things we are doing this Lent...

While we were iced/snowed in on Sunday, Clare and I put together a paper chain to count down the 40 days of Lent.  She added various Lenten activities on each link to do each day.  (I was promoting things like "help Mom."  She was writing things like "do a play of Jesus on the cross."  Oh boy.)

 I printed off these Lenten countdown calendars for Clare, Jude, and Ellen and hung them on the fridge.  Although it's only day 1 and I'm not sure if we are getting the concept since Ellen has already asked several times today if Lent is over yet...

The kids were excited to get our Stations of the Cross box out.  

And are starting to earn beans for good deeds.  

One of the things I am personally looking forward to is taking part in 40 bags in 40 days this year!  

(Great posts on this here and here.)   

Have a Blessed Lent!