What happeded to February?

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. One of the big events was Ryleigh's 6th birthday party. She wanted to go to Ponyland where they have pony rides and other activities on their farm, but when it came time for us to schedule the party we found out that they were no longer hosting parties. We found a few places that would bring ponies to our house, hired the cheapest one and had a party. About 6 girls from school and church, 2 cousins, a younger brother and the next door neighbor came over to ride, lead, and feed ponies for an hour. The kids had a great time in spite of the 30 mph arctic wind that was blowing.

There was a 2 week stretch around Ryleigh's birthday that I couldn't write anything while Andrea parents were visiting. When I started this blog I set a standard that I could only write about "whatever was lovely, pure, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy" and I just wasn't having those thoughts for a few weeks. Things aren't exaclty settling down now, I don't know that they ever do with 3 kids, but at least we are calling the shots again.

I think I've said it before, but I really need to have a notepad or laptop computer with me at all times to take notes of all the things the kids say or do that make us laugh. By the time I get to the blog, I have forgotten most of them. There were a few good things from yesterday. Clark is growing like a weed and into everything. We are constantly on his case about staying out of trouble and doing the right things. Last night while I was finishing dinner he was down on the floor talking to Lydia who was in her bouncy seat. He had cut a little piece of green paper (smaller than a postage stamp) that he wanted to give to her, but we told him that she might put it in mouth so just show her the paper. In his sweet little voice he was telling her to look and paper he cut out for her, and then he just started repeating this phrase, "I am not pinching Lydia and I am not hitting Lydia", and he wasn't which was good. He loves his baby sister, but he a Ryleigh both have a hard time keeping their hands off of her. They like to put their face right in hers, nose to nose, and rub their hands all over her face.

Ryleigh was star student of the day for her kindergarten which meant she got to bring her favorite book for the class to read, bring snacks and have her picture on the wall in her classroom. Last night was open house so we visited her classroom to see her picture and tour her classroom. She took us to all of the stations where they do their "must-dos" each day. They had an assignment on display where they had to draw a picture and complete this sentence: "When I grow up I want to be a (blank) and I will use (blank)". The idea being you pick and occupation and the whatever you might use to perform that job - I want to be a builder and I will use a hammer for example. Ryleigh's read, "When I grow up I want to be a Mommy and I will use Cookies" and she drew a picture of a mommy with a platter of cookies. It just cracked me up. There is no doubt that her mom does wonderful things with cookies. Ryleigh and her mom just this week took some cookies and a card to a sick little boy, and of course we made cookies when we came over from open house. When Andrea was a the school yesterday to deliver Ryleigh's snacks, Ryleigh's teacher said to Andrea that if she was ever going to have another child, she would want her to be just like Ryleigh. Needless to say that made Andrea and I feel pretty good.

Lydia is just precious. Soooo close to rolling over on her own. Smiling and talking and outgrowing most of her outfits. Her smile is contagious. You can't help but smile when you are holding her and she is smiling back; her eyes and her smiles are just so responsive to every little thing you say. I was using Lydia as an example the other day while talking to Ryleigh. When you frown at Lydia you get nothing in return, but smile and she smiles right back. The best way to get a smile is to give one first.