Research Project & Relaxin'

For 2 weeks, Lee's class has been working on individual research projects on an animal of their choosing. Lee chose foxes, because he "wanted deer, but someone else chose deer first, and foxes run almost as fast as deer." Okay? He had to complete a survey answering questions about his animal and then turn that into an essay. He also had to complete a poster as a visual aid when he presented his animal to the class. His teacher asked that the students do as much of the work on their own as possible. First, he brought home a chapter book about foxes that he read numerous times. He had to use an internet source to find interesting facts about his animal, as well as pictures. He was very excited to get to use the computer on his own. He easily completed his survey at home, and then he used it to complete his essay at school. He typed his own headings for his poster (including choosing his own sizes and fonts-YIKES!), chose his own pictures, and printed them all on his own. The only input I had was encouraging him to make his title bigger than his descriptions. He took the suggestion and made the change. After everything was printed, he cut them out all on his own, too. Everything blended into the white poster that was provided to him, so I suggested we put the words on black construction paper. He agreed and cut that out, too. I helped him with his placement on the posterboard so he was able to include everything he wanted. He glued everything down after we placed it. We were both very pleased with the final result. Then it was time to practice his presentation. He got the giggles. Matt and I helped him get back on track. He giggled some more. We helped more. He giggled and got sillier. We got aggravated and decided to wait until he was ready to be serious. When he was ready, he did a wonderful job. I heard from his teacher today that he did not giggle, and she was very pleased with his work.

He also participated in the VFW's American Flag contest. Everything had to be done by the student, and they could not use any tools, stencils or add-ons. The only thing allowed was a ruler for a straight edge. He did use that, but I'm not sure it helped much. Either way, he was very proud of his flag, and he entered it today.

While checking his backpack, I found this bundle of "Praise Phrases." He told me that each student wrote something positive for each other after their research presentations. What a sweet way to boost their self confidence! Mrs. Kelley thinks of everything! My favorite is the one on top that just says, "I love Lee." I asked if he was embarrassed when he saw that one, and he said, "YES!"

While brother was off working hard at school, Tiny Tot was home taking it easy. I turned on an Elmo show for Wade and got him a snack while I went to vacuum. I pulled out the step stool from the bathroom into the hall so I could vacuum in there. Apparently while I wasn't looking, Wade confiscated the stool and made a foot rest out of it while he watched his show.

Really. How cute is that??

After he saw me with the camera, he decided to put on a show for me with the stool.

Bad Word and Teething

On the way to school this morning, I was changing the radio station when Lee said, "Go back, Mom! That was the Zac Brown Band!" I said, "I know, but sometimes they say bad words." He said, "I already know. He says {ain't} all the time."

Wade is currently getting 6, yes SIX! new teeth. You can see the ones on the bottom in the above picture.
They have made him very drooly,

and being restless all night makes him do this the next day. Poor baby! The good news is these are his last teeth until 6 year molars.

Since he wasn't feeling his best, he didn't really participate in Story Hour much today. He pretty much sat in my lap and was clingy the whole time. When it came time for the craft, which was making a bird feeder out of pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed, we bailed! After last week's experience of eating marshmallows with glue, I thought it might not be safe to try the craft with peanut butter and birdseed.

Post Nap Hair

Wow.

When Daddy dresses the baby

sometimes he forgets
to snap the onesie

and tuck it in the pants. Just sayin'.

Bedtime Cuteness

Wade got this adorable robe and cute Elmo slippers from Nam and Pa for Christmas.
He requests his Elmo shoes all the time, but he thinks his robe is a jacket and won't keep it on long. It's super cute while it lasts, though.

I get tickled every time Matt gets Wade's bed ready for him. He always lines up his bedtime friends. Wade can't wait to get in there to mess them up.

Little Cuddler

Lee was the best little snuggler when he was a toddler. He didn't sleep with us a lot, but when he did, we loved it.

Wade, on the other hand, likes his own space and does not like to snuggle when he's asleep. He sleeps with a bed full of friends, and he cuddles them. But if we try to put him in bed with us, he thinks it is play time. Lately, he has been getting up after Matt is up for work but way before time for the rest of us to get up. Most mornings, I can get him to go back to sleep in his bed. One morning, in my sleepiness, I just brought him (& his friends) to bed with me. I was so surprised when my alarm went off, and we were cuddled in our bed! I got up and got ready without him moving. I hoped we were starting a new tradition, but the next time I tried it, he went into play mode again. Oh well, it was fun for a day!

Party, Party, Party!

After church, we went to a party to celebrate Lee's pal, Andrew turning 7. Sadly, this was the best picture I got of these 2. Running boys do not photograph well:-(
Immediately after Andrew's party, we headed to Nam's to celebrate this 17 year old! Shelby is such a good sport and still lets us make a big deal out of her special day.

Wade is getting the hang of this party thing...first presents....

then ice cream! Oh yeah, he's an old pro now.

After Shelby's party, Paul came home with us to spend the night. Since it was already pretty late, they settled for popcorn, a movie,

and lots of giggles!

All that partying sure is hard on a baby.

Santa brought both boys a Nintendo DS for Christmas, so this how they looked most of the next day.

Story Hour

The theme for Story Hour this week was "Snow," which unfortunately we have not seen enough of this season.
The kids colored their snowmen and were supposed to glue their marshmallows on the bodies.

Someone kept getting distracted by those tasty marshmallows!

During a photo op for one of the teachers, he even snuck a marshmallow off his paper...glue and all.

After a little help from Mommy, Wade's snowman got some pretzel arms.

At this age, he and Emma Kate are just enjoying watching the big kids do their thing.

Happy Mommy!

Peter pan collar+smocked shortall+knee socks+saddle shoes=Mommy Bliss!

Even better is that everything head to toe once belonged to Lee....double bliss!

The cuteness doesn't end when boys outgrow knee socks. I have loved Lee's church clothes lately. I think he looks adorable in button up shirts and slacks. When he wears a sweater or blazer, it's just the icing on the cake!
Nothing like dolled-up boys wrestling on the floor!

"Increasive"

Lee learned to write his name in cursive this week, and he asked me if I would like to see him write it 42 times in the bathtub. I non-chalantly said yes. 42 times later, he told me to get the camera! He used to say that he couldn't wait to learn to write "increasive." It was SO cute. Matt and I still say it that way.

Left Behind

Matt and Lee are gone on an overnight camping trip with the Cub Scouts, and Lee's blanket was left on his bed. I think it's the beginning of the end for our sweet blanket....sigh.

Officially a Monkey

Earlier this week, I caught my monkey doing this.
And then this! Our couches are pretty tall, and I have been in no hurry for him to learn to climb up on them alone.

Too bad, because he learned how and he LIKES it!

Immediately, he wanted to stand up and run from end to end. I nipped that in the bud with a couple of trips to time out. He has been great about climbing and sitting ever since.

He still giggles and cheers for himself each time he gets up alone. It's pretty cute, even if it terrifies me sometimes. He is definitely more of a climber than Lee was at this age.

Sweetness

Snow Day Friends

Wade was so excited to not only get to have Lee home for an extra day but to also have extra big kids here. He spent a lot of time reading to them.
They spent a lot of time painting and making crafts.

Side note: Wade has been very hard on his lift-the-flap books lately. I have been running a full scale book hospital this week. He just loves them so hard!

I love when these 3 are together. They get along so well and giggle almost constantly. Ella really wanted to be Wade's favorite, but he made it well known that he was "Aba's" boy for the day.

Lee got Smurf's Dance Party for the Wii for Christmas, and of course these girls knew how to get down!

They have Dance Party for the Wii at their house. I laughed so hard at them. Lee actually got pretty good at it by the end of the day.

Wade was highly entertained by their moves, too.

Lee got himself dressed this morning, and therefore he chose shorts and a t-shirt. I reminded him that he was home for a "snow" day. So it made it even funnier when Ava Kate showed up wearing a t-shirt, too.

They ended their fun day with a "campout" on the air mattress in the living room watching movies. Their dad came twice to pick them up, and they didn't want to leave! Even though we were all disappointed that we didn't have enough snow to play in, we were all glad to have an extra day out of school to play together.