Pottery Finale

Story Hour

Wade was feeling better this week and was ready to participate in Story Hour. He still wanted me to stay close, but he sat in the circle and listened.

He sang a song about Valentine's Day and took his purple heart to Mrs. Melissa when it was his turn.
Then he decorated his Valentine page with heart stickers.
I was thankful for a non-edible craft this week!

Despite this sad looking face, I think he had a good time.

The best part was when we walked over to the office, and Wade's pal, Andrew asked the secretary, Mrs. Leigh, for candy. She gladly shared some "chocit" with the boys. Wade sure perked up then!

Funnies

Lee was playing on the Wii while I was vacuuming. He goes into the "Wii coma" when he plays, and we joke that the house could burn down around him and he wouldn't notice. I asked him to move so I could vacuum, and he never budged. I had Matt vacuum all around him to see what he would do. He n-e-v-e-r missed a beat or acted like he knew we were there.
Matt was leaving to take the garbage off to his shop, and Wade wanted to go with him. Before Matt could get his coat, Wade loaded up his friends to go, too. Matt was a good sport and let Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Mickey Mouse tag along.

Sweet Friends

Marly Kate gave her research presentation today, and her Mom sent me this picture of Lee's Praise Phrase for her. I love how sweet they still are to each other. They have been together for 3 years, and I don't want to think about Lee being in class without her.

I started to look for a picture of them together, and I didn't have to go far. In fact, I have a folder named "Lee and MK." Her mom and I started getting their picture together at (nearly) every event when they were in preschool.

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.