ELEGANT PARTY

Every week at pre-k we talk about a different letter of the alphabet. All the lessons and activities focus around that letter. For the past 2 weeks we've talked about the short & long vowel "E". This of course has to be my favorite letter, because it's what my starts with!

Our stories, snack, art projects, games, the stations we play at and snack all revolve around the letter of the week.

*This week I took a toy elephant for show & tell*

To celebrate the end of the letter E we had an "elegant party" at school this morning. Everyone dressed up (fancy) and we had made hats the day before to wear. We also helped make a special snack and decorate the tables for our party. There was music and I had a dance partner (a girl!).

Did you know....? Why?

It's amazing what Ethan can come up with given the right opportunity. Nathan & I are constantly reminded of how much he absorbs what we say and what we do. For example, the other day Ethan was asking me to help take apart some lego pieces and I was washing dishes. He wanted it done right then. I told him my hands were busy and he'd have to wait. Fast forward two days - Nathan asked him to do something and Ethan replied, "My hands are busy dad." Wow. Not only did he absorb it, but he turned around and used it in the right context.

His other new trick is at bedtime. As you're tucking him in, he'll come up with a question or story to tell you. It seems to drag on forever...as if he is having a conversation just to hear himself talk. Tonight, he asked if we knew where bears lived, how many fish were in the ocean, and why clouds can cover the sun. Pretty important stuff to a 4 year old. However, his intent is to keep us in his room longer. The funny thing is that we try to keep this interaction period short, with our goodnights & love you's. Ten years from now we'll be begging him to talk with us...about anything...including where bears live, how many fish are in the ocean, and why clouds cover the sun.

LOOK @ MY HAIR!!!!!

Wow, watch out! There must be a new hottie in my pre-k class, because this morning while Mom was ironing clothes and Dad was in the shower I went into the bathroom and got out the water bottle and comb and fixed my hair "all by myself." Don't I look cool?

This past weekend I spent several days helping Dad outside in our garage. There was a lot of work to do out there. After cleaning it out, we had to go get wood & screws. Then the real work started. Dad has built a workbench, storage & shelves in the back of our garage. He did most of the hard stuff. I just handed him things when he needed them. By Sunday evening we were both exhausted. It's a rare moment for me to actually lay down and relax with someone, but Dad & I were exhausted!

Welcome To T-Ball

This Saturday I started playing on an indoor t-ball league. We play on Saturday mornings for 6 weeks. It's a lot of fun! I'm on the Red Team (hint, the red shirt) and I'm #2! (I had no real explanation for choosing that number.)
For the first two innings we hit the ball off of the stand. The last two innings they pitch the ball to us and we hit it. Everyone bats every inning & there really aren't any outs. It is more of an instructional league to show us how to play and learn the rules as we go along. At my first game this morning I did really well. The first lesson I learned about playing baseball today was that when you hit the ball you run to first base (apparently not third). See this is more of a "learning" league & parents help and are on the field. As you can see Dad explaining to me where to run next.
One of the neat things is that my old neighbor & friend, Jake, is playing on my team. So I get to see him every Saturday ~ which is great!
Everyone should come watch me play (and by play I mean mess around on the field). Watching 4 year olds try organized sports is always enjoyable!

1 year, 1 month, & 15 days later.....all 4 shutters are secured to the front of our house (thanks to several tubes of Liquid Nails). This has been the longest, most drawn-out project my parents have done yet. (Possibly because of Mom's nagging.) That includes when the genius's decided 3 months into my life to rip apart our entire first floor, leaving us to sleep in the basement for over a month!

Labor Day weekend really was "Labor" for Dad. He managed to put the other 2 1/2 shutters up, dig & bury pipe in the backyard from the house to the garage for electrical wires, and put the final finish on my dresser drawers. On top of his recent house duties of laundry, dishes, etc...while Mom's ankle has healed. All that & he still managed to get in a round of golf and be a great Daddy & husband. Mommy & I are very lucky.

Feeling Under The Weather

I look pretty pitiful huh?

The weather could not have been more beautiful for a 3-day weekend, but as luck would have it I woke up Saturday morning with a stuffy head and fever. Mom & I stayed home all day and watched Toy Story 3 times!! (She loves it & she knows it.) I'm pretty high maintenance when I'm sick. I needed my CARS pillow off my bed, my Buzz Lightyear blanket, my giraffe and my Buzz Lightyear cup with orange juice. Dad & Dude played golf - they couldn't resist due to the cooler weather. I felt better by the evening, but on Sunday I traded the congestion and fever for some cold sores on my face. Only this was more of a rash or something? It wasn't just around my lip, but on my chin, nose and cheek! Mom was putting some sort of "ointment" gooey stuff on me every two seconds all day long.

We still went up to visit Grandma & Grandpa Vote at New Harmony State Park where they were camping with friends. I took all my tractors and played in the dirt - what I do best outside! The friends they were camping with had a labrador that gave birth to 10 puppies that weekend @ the campground!!! So I got to see them and pet them. In my own words, "They are so cute!" But not cute enough for Mom to say I can have one. Not yet anyways....I'm working on her. I think I already have Dad on this one.

On Monday we worked outside almost all day. Dad dug a trench to bury some pipe from the house to the garage in our backyard - so you know what that meant - DIRT! Mom pulled weeds and cleaned windows. By that evening it was Mom & Dad who were congested.