Happenings

We just got back from a quick trip to southern Virginia for Janie, my niece's blessing. My parents drove down from New Hampshire, on their way to my brother's, and my brother and his family drove up from South Carolina. It was really fun to see everyone. We stayed in a hotel. The kids love staying in hotels. Kevin was especially impressed. He thought it was amazing that they gave us beds, towels, a hair dryer, a closet, etc. Eventually we told him that we paid to use all those things, but he still thought it was really cool. The kids said they wanted to live there. That would get old really fast. :) The hotel had a pool, so they were able to swim in the pool with their cousins last night. They had a blast. It was a reminder, once again, that I really need to get my kids into swim lessons. My brother's kids are like fish. They can swim without any problem. Mine still balk at the suggestion to put their face in the water.

I, of course, forgot my camera, so I have no pictures to document the event. I am told that I will get copies of the pictures taken, but who knows when that will be my. Given that Rachel has a brand new baby, I don't expect them any time soon.

Kevin read several chapter books in the car on the way to and from my Sister's. It was really neat to see him be so entertained by reading. Derek was very happy about that.

Jenna has been wanting to learn to read for a long time. Slowly she is starting to recognize some words (other than her name and her family members' names). She recognizes "stop", "do", "and", and "Lord". I think it might be about time to pull out the sight word flash cards I have, and work on a word or so every week. Anyone have suggestions for good beginning reader books? I want something really simple, with just a few small words on each page. I am thinking I might look at the "Dick and Jane" books, but I was wondering if anyone has found anything else really simple. I would like to get her an easy reader for Christmas.

We are all feeling a lot better than last week. I always get sick through the Holidays, which is very frustrating. Since I am just getting healthy, I hope to be feeling well for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I will be healthy for Christmas this year too.

I can't think of much else going on. We are really excited about Thanksgiving this year. Derek's family is coming here. We are really looking forward to all being together. We rented a larger home for while they are here. I just can't fit everyone comfortably in my house. It should be a good week. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are a few random pictures from the week:

Kevin took an "AR" test this week. (I am not really sure what that is, but it has something to do with reading). He did really well, and one of the rewards was a styrofoam airplane. He was so excited. I had to beg him to wait until we got home from the bus stop to let me put it together. He kept trying to put it together while we were walking home, and I was so nervous he would break it (which would mean a major melt down, from him, not me). :) Here is the finished product:




Derek has been staying home later a couple of mornings each week so that I can run. On those mornings he will take Jenna to school. That can be problematic because she needs a booster seat to do that, but sometimes I need both booster seats for later in the afternoon. We decided we needed to buy an extra one to keep in Derek's car, so we wouldn't have to worry about it. Jared loved playing with the box. :)


Speaking of Jared, he loves to dress up. I really need to look into getting him some boy dress-up clothes. He decided to be a fairy this week.


Here he is casting a spell on Derek. "Bipity, Bopity, Boo!" Can anyone say "blackmail" and/or "wedding video"?