Crazy about letters

A few months ago, The Boy asked if he could learn to read. A friend of mine was teaching her son with this book. This is the same book my parents used to teach me to read, so I decided to give it a try. The Boy is loving it. He ASKS to do his reading lesson every day after nap. He loves it when he gets a new sound in his lesson and is now sounding out just about any word he sees (on peanut butter jars, signs, cereal boxes, you name it).

A few pictures to illustrate just how much fun he's having...
Every afternoon, The Boy asks for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The last few days, he's requested them in the shape of letters...

He's now able to write all of his letters. Some are a bit better than others, but I thought it was pretty cool!We're so proud of you, Bugaboo, keep up the good work!

Four years old!

Happy Birthday, Bug!

The Boy started his day with a new bike. After breakfast he decided to help Mommy make his Birthday Cake.Thanks to Grandma for the apron that allows him to bake and tote his cars around.

While the cake was baking, it was time for a road test.After naps, we headed to Boppa and Diyah's house to watch basketball and finish off birthday.

I promise, my son wanted a purple birthday cake with sprinkles, he put the candles on himself (I'm not THAT aesthetically challenged).

The Boy at 4

• favorite food: Italian chicken ("those noodles that I like")
• favorite breakfast: oatmeal
• favorite treat: York Peppermint Patty
• favorite story: anything Berenstain Bears
• favorite toy: CARS, CARS, CARS
• favorite friend: Ainsley (no kidding)
• favorite show: Curious George
• favorite movie: Cars
• favorite song: Real Gone by Sheryl Crow

We love you, Bug!

"Snazzy, jazzy glasses"

Every year we like to watch the Conference Tournaments for NCAA Basketball. We do not have cable, Direct TV, Comcast, or anything similar, but Mark's parents are kind enough to allow us to use theirs. So, we spent last weekend in Morgan watching basketball games. Almost as soon as we arrived, The Boy asked for the "snazzy, jazzy glasses." It took us a while, but we found them.

Who needs basketball?

Longing for summer

January and February are often tough months for our family. The holidays are over, but winter is not. It's cold (though not as cold here as some other places I've lived). It takes twenty minutes to get everyone bundled up and in the car to go to the grocery store. Inversions settle over the valley and we have high pollution levels in our air for a good portion of these months. Playing outside is limited. These circumstances often lead to some stir crazies. The Boy is not taking this lying down. Last month I purchased some flip flops for him (yes, I bought flip flops in January because last year I waited until March and they were difficult to find). He has been asking to wear them nearly every day since then. I keep telling him it's too cold and, as proof, that there is snow on the ground. Today, we had no snow in our yard. It is still a brisk 40 degrees outside, but he pointed out that with no snow it was probably warm enough for flip flops. We compromised. He got to wear his flip flops inside today and he couldn't be happier. Weather forecast for tomorrow? Snow and 32 degrees. At least it should clean out the air!

Little Ainsley Lou Who...

...who is not quite two!

But at nearly 17 months she finally has enough hair to put it up. And while this particular style makes her look a lot like a Who, it keeps her hair out of her eyes!

Ainsley is already quite the clothes horse. She tries on several outfits every morning. This is how I find her every day after breakfast...
and this is how I find the kids' rooms...

but she is such a sweetie...
She loves to rock and read stories. She will actually rock her baby doll, sing to it and feed it a bottle, but I can't seem to get a picture of it to save my life! She loves graham crackers and bananas, rubbing food all over, well, anything, and chasing The Boy. Just thought you all might like to know :)