Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Isabelle's Last Cheerleading Game and Awards Celebration

Isabelle's last cheerleading game of the season was last Saturday. Here's her team:


After the game, the coach asked the group what their favorite part of cheerleading was this year. Isabelle's favorite part was the half time dances. The coach (Erin) also gave each girl a charm beads bracelet and 3 cheerleading charms to go on it. The team gave the coach a sports bottle with a photo of the cheerleaders on it.

Sunday was the Upward Awards Celebration. All of the basketball players and cheerleaders were introduced, by team, as they ran out onto the stage. The basketball players ran across the stage then down to their seats. The cheerleaders ran out and stayed on stage and performed 2 cheers.


Isabelle is right under the basket

One of the cheers - Isabelle is third from the right:


The dance:



There was a mechanical bull to ride. Seth was a little scared on his first ride, but made it through and wanted to ride it again and again!




Isabelle rode it once and did pretty well. I didn't have the camera to catch her in action.

Parker found these poles to play around.



He also thought the water fountain was pretty entertaining.



Parker having a ball


Seth going down the slide






Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Play at the Church

Our church has a great kids play area. I believe I've posted about this place before. It's free and open to the public most days of the week. There is a great big climbing structure with tunnels, bridges and slides. Underneath it is a climbing wall. They also have air hockey tables and a play area for kids 2 and under.

Seth and Parker both really like to play here.

Here I come!


Brothers having fun!


The big red ball is one of Parker's favorite things to play with here
Climbing up the slide in the toddler area


Seth on the climbing wall.

A "car ride"

Seth vs. Mommy at air hockey

Too little to play, but Parker retrieves the puck for us

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sleeping Like a Baby

Recently, Parker had to be woken up from a nap and when I went into his room, he was sound asleep with his little butt up in the air. I think he usually sleeps this way and Isabelle used to sleep this way as well. So cute!

 

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Basketball

Seth is taking a basketball class at the Y. It's a class that works on basketball skills in a non-competitive environment. They don't play any games, which is what Seth seems to be nervous about, so this class has been a great fit for him. He really enjoys it and we've already seen a lot of improvement in his skills.



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Wacky Hair Day

Friday was Wacky Hair day at school! Each Friday in February is a different theme for the kids and each theme was picked by Student Council (which Isabelle is a member of). Seth didn't have school Friday so just Isabelle got to participate. Here's her do:



Next Friday is pajama day!

Valentines

Isabelle's class also had a Valentine's Day party at school. Isabelle made out Valentines for all her classmates. At their party, they played a Bingo game, had an iced cookie, decorated Valentine's bags, then passed out their Valentine's cards. Here's Isabelle writing out her cards:


Grandma Barb and Grandpa Steve gave Seth and Isabelle really cute Valentine treats. They each received a box filled with Hershey's Kisses and little pieces of paper with "25 Things We Love About You".

Some of the reasons Grandma and Grandpa love Seth:
  • He has a great smile!
  • He always tries his best!
  • He has beautiful blue eyes!
  • He giggles when tickled!
  • He looks so handsome in his three piece suit!

Some of the reasons Grandma and Grandpa love Isabelle:
  • She loves animals!
  • She likes to have lunch with Grandpa at Tumbleweed!
  • She likes to have picnics in the house!
  • She is a good friend!
  • She likes to watch movies!

Grandma Diane and Grandpa Clyde sent Isabelle, Seth and Parker Valentine's Day cards. For the first time, Seth read a card all by himself! I took a video of Seth reading the card, but the file is too large to upload here.

Not to be left out, Parker picked out a Valentine's Day balloon at the store for himself!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Seth's Valentine's Day Party

Preparing for Valentine's Day, Seth made out Valentine's cards to trade with kids at school.


Seth's party was on Monday, Feb. 13 because he doesn't have school on Tuesdays. I was able to help with his class Valentine's Day Party! They were a rowdy group of Kindergarteners!

They put together a craft of a lady bug using foam stickers.


Then they played Bingo using the letters LOVE instead of BINGO. Next was a snack of an iced cookie and apple juice, followed by a game with their Word Wall.

Snack time

The Word Wall Game
The Word Wall has words on it that they should know how to read. It was a timed game where each student took one word off the wall, said the word, gave the word card to the teacher, then the next student did the same thing, as fast as they could. All the kids really liked this game and we heard a big, "Oooohhhh!" every time the timer went off and there were still words left on the wall.

The kids then separated into pairs. Garrett and Seth chose each other as partners. They played a game similar to War, but their cards had dots on them.

Last, the teacher read them a book called, "The Biggest Valentine". I'd say the party was a huge success!

Seth with the bag he decorated and Valentine cards he received at school



Monday, February 13, 2012

Parker's 15 Month "Well" Check Up

Parker had his 15 month well check up today with the doctor. He is a healthy boy! He now weighs 27 lb 2 oz, which is in the 80th percentile for boys his age. His height is 32 inches, the 70th percentile. The doctor is happy with the progress Parker has made as far as eating table foods, drinking milk and water, walking and climbing, sleeping through the night and pointing and grunting to indicate that he wants something. Although he only says, "Ga" and "Ma", the doctor expects Parker to jump right to saying short sentences instead of single words. We think he doesn't have to say much now because he has Seth and Isabelle to get him everything he needs!

Here he is eating one of his favorite snacks - fudge covered Ritz crackers. He always has to take 3 at a time. He holds one in each hand and one in his mouth!
Outta my way - I got cookies!
All mine!
So yummy!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Our Student of the Month (UPDATED 2/13)

Isabelle did it again - she's Student of the Month for February for her 3rd grade class! She's earned this honor every year. We're so glad she loves school (though she may claim she doesn't) and is a very smart and talented young lady.



We received this letter from her school:



Shane is going to go to school some time this month to have lunch with her. She requested Subway! Along with this letter came a certficate for a free Big Boy sandwich and drink at Big Boy.

Each Student of the Month is featured on a wall in the school hallway and each student writes one thing about how they follow the J.C. Way. Here's Isabelle's:

Student of the Month Wall

Isabelle's Document

Congratulations, Isabelle!!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Parker's 15 Month Snapshot

15 months! It seems like Parker has been a part of our lives for so much longer than 15 months already. It's hard to remember what it was like to have just 2 kids!


  • Parker is wearing mostly size 18 months clothes, though I did dig out some 24 month/2T shirts that fit him perfectly. His shoes are sizes 4 and 5.
  • 16 teeth are in or coming in. He should get 4 molars around age 2, for a total of 20 teeth.
  • He got another hair cut this month, which was his second hair cut.
  • Granola bars and chocolate chips have been added to the list of snacks Parker likes.
  • He drinks Vitamin D milk and water. He's tried apple juice a couple of times, but just doesn't like it.
  • Dancing is one of Parker's favorite things to do now. His dancing consists of turning around in circles (sometimes getting really dizzy) and bending down to hit his hands on the floor. He has a good time!
  • "Ma" is his main word and he uses it to mean just about anything. He'll also say "Ga" from time to time and it seems to have a few meanings as well.
  • With the mild winter weather, Parker has been able to go on several wagon rides. Seth usually rides in the wagon too and Shane pulls them through the neighborhood.
  • He's been going to the child watch at the YMCA while I exercise. He shows how much he hates me leaving him there by crying hard and loud, but after a minute or two he calms down and plays with the toys there. Seth also goes to the child watch on days he doesn't have school and he's very helpful in getting Parker to calm down and play with him.
  • Parker imitates me by blowing on his hot food.
  • He likes to play on the beds and he points to the lights when he wants them turned on.


Watching a Baby Genius movie while standing

Spring weather in February!

Walking up and down the sidewalk



We love our Parker!