what's new

Whitney has decided she likes ground beef, asparagus, broccoli, and red peppers. Katelyn has decided she likes mangoes and some chicken (depending on seasoning). Hallelujah for expanding food possibilities!

I got so excited about the warm weather that I just had to get my hands in that soil. 6-8 weeks earlier than the last 3 years we've lived here I tilled my garden and planted peas, carrots, and onions. We'll see over the next few weeks whether that was a good idea or not!!

My crafting has slowed with the arrival of spring, but I've still managed to squeeze in a few creations. I'll post pictures soon. Probably the best part has been sewing with Katelyn though. She gets so excited about our projects, it's so cute. Last week we were making her a skirt and I was pretty focused on the task when all of a sudden she exclaimed "this is SO fun!!" and I looked up to see her smiling so big, her eyes shining, and I thought, "wow! what a cute girl I have! I'd better pay attention to her and appreciate her instead of just trying to keep moving to the next step to get it done." So that's what I'm trying to do.

I've been laughing a lot lately with Eric, just about random everyday things. We're in a good place right now.

I read the Gregor the Overlander series, fun. And Eric just finished re-reading the Harry Potter series. I love reading.

I started reading the "Little House" books to my girls at night, sitting in their doorway like my mom used to read to me and my sisters. To my surprise, they love it, I just thought they wouldn't be old enough yet to enjoy listening without pictures. (Eric still reads them regular picture books some nights too.) But it's been so fun, we're nearing the end of the second book, Little House on the Prairie. I loved those books when I was young and I'm so glad my girls can experience them now.

Katelyn had her kindergarten assessment today for the charter school here in town. We're really excited to try it. And she did awesome on the "test" of course. Probably the cutest part was when we were on the way there we were talking about things they might ask and I told Kate they might ask her what was her favorite thing to do. She thought for a minute and then said " I think I like hiking the best. And camping." So cute, I guess she really did love the hiking and camping we did last summer. I was so happy she said that, it made me feel good that our family activities really have been memorable and special for her.

Anyway, while we were at the school I found out they might have afternoon kindergarten, and I hadn't even thought about that as an option. So we've thought about it, and requested afternoon kindergarten. I guess I might as well enjoy one more year of sleeping in a little (aka the girls not waking up until 7:30 or so), at least not having to leave the house at 8 like we would for morning kindergarten. It will be our last year for MANY MANY years! So we're excited about afternoon kindergarten now. And school uniforms, oh my. But they said I can embellish the shirts with ruffles and such as long as they're solid colors. So I'm good!

Whitney is now night-time potty trained. That was RIDICULOUSLY easy. Easy as in I did nothing but give in to her begging to wear undies to bed, every night expecting to be up in the night changing sheets, and waking up surprised every morning! She's amazing.

Oh and I think we're on the down slope of Whitney's terrible twos- or whatever crazy emotional storm hit her a couple of months ago. It's been HARD but thank goodness I've had Eric to see me through. I called him many times at work to tell him what she had just done so we could laugh together and I could stay sane and not be so frustrated. I'm happy to report that she is emerging from this stage basically the same cutest little girl. I thought I'd lost her for a while! But her little brain is finally calming down and accepting reality occasionally. And she's the same little clowny, big-squeezing-hug-giving girl. I love her.

I'm now working with the kids at church (Primary 1st counselor) instead of the teenage girls (Mia Maid Advisor). It's been a big change but I'm really happy. I miss the girls, but the kids are pretty fun and I get to work with some amazing women. It'll be good.

Well, I think that's about all that's new.