Sunny February

This is how we roll.

We are getting back into our usual routine now that all the excitement of Jeffrey's Birthday and Valentine's day are over. It seems like the weather has been very sunny this winter, so I am trying to get the kids outside every chance we get. We have had a lot of 'warm' days too that are in the 50's and a lot of flowers are coming up around town, there are crocus already blooming in some sunny warm spots! I love all the bright sunshine we have had lately, we can tell that spring is nearly here - the days are getting longer.

Meredith has has discovered her love of the outdoors, we have reached a stage where it is hard to get her to come back inside again! She has also discovered pinecones, she gathers up all the little ones she can and puts them into the bucket on her tricycle. She showed Jeffrey her gathering spot, and they kids picked about 50 pinecones, until I made them save the rest for another day. The 'gathering' genes run strong in this family.

'Tiny pine cones are the best!'

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! We love you!

Jeffrey turns 5!

Birthday boy!

Sunday our little guy Jeffrey turned five years old! It is hard to believe that he is so big now. We started the day off right with breakfast at the Waffle Shop. The waitresses brought Jeffrey a cinnamon bun with a candle in it and sang 'Happy Birthday' - Jeffrey was surprised but happy. We were lucky that Jeffrey let us each have one bite of his cinnamon bun. Then he ate a whole bunch of silver dollar pancakes too! Such a yummy breakfast on such a cold and windy day.

After lunch we had Jeffrey's party. He was so excited! We invited some friends from preschool and had a coach from 'Soccer Shots' play soccer with all the kids. The kids also kicked a soccer ball pinata into the goal - it was a fun way for us to have a pinata, with no kids whacking sticks around. Everyone had a really great time. Then we came home and opened some presents before dinner. It was a really fun day. The party was a big success!

Kicking the pinata!

Running and having fun, playing 'Sharks and Minnows'

Busy Times

We have been busy lately. I have been preparing for Jeffrey's Soccer Shots Birthday - arranging a place for the kids to play soccer together, so Jeffrey and his friends can run around. Jeffrey has also been busy getting all his Valentines ready for his school classmates. This year Jeffrey signed his name on all his cards, and picked out heart stickers for each friend.

Jeffrey is working carefully on each valentine.

Meredith and her favorite things, Duckies and Books. (And making a mess!)

Jeffrey had an exciting day at Saturday Soccer Shots yesterday - he scored his first Goal! He got 2 points for kicking it in 'using his laces'. It was a great shot, from the side and it went right in! Grandpa Paul and I cheered! You can see that Jeffrey really has a lot of fun there. Its great to have a winter activity where he can run around and use a lot of energy! We are looking forward to playing soccer with friends today for Jeffrey's Birthday party.

January Fun

We had a fun January. We really enjoyed having Grandpa Paul, Grammie Laurie and Aunt Paula come for our annual Penn State/Illinois Basketball Game. I am happy to record that Penn State had a thrilling last second victory, and almost everybody celebrated and cheered. I enjoyed sitting near the end of the court and watching the Penn State Blue Band and the cheerleaders and dancers. Mike even caught a mini-basketball for Jeffrey. What a good night!

The kids thoroughly enjoyed having so many people visit and kept Aunt Paula busy with games and books. This year the kids music show at Stay and Play happened during the same week as the basketball game so everyone was able to watch the kids perform.

Jeffrey has been enjoying his 'Soccer Shots' class on Saturday mornings, he is having a great time running around and really improving his skills. It is a great winter activity. It was cancelled one Saturday for a 'snow day' and we all had a wonderful weekend of sledding and skiing.

Jeffrey enjoyed being the special helper today at preschool, he was bouncing with excitement! He got to bring in the snack and chose frozen strawberry yogurt tubes and cheese sunchips. His first job was feeding the classroom fish. He also gets to be the line leader when they go to the big room to play. Jeffrey brought in a toy knight and horse for his show and share toy. He just loves special helper day!

Jeffrey and his class have been talking about Penguins all week, and making wonderful penguin crafts too!