Janie has been starting to smile, and we think it’s more for real. She definitely seems to react to our smiles! I haven’t quite captured it yet, but these give you a bit of an idea…
Starting to Smile
May 10th, 2013 by ECM
Guest Post: Tommy Explains Subtracting with Trains
May 9th, 2013 by ECM
(Dictated by Tommy:)
We were subtracting with trains for school today. I took these pictures with Mommy’s camera.
First, I got the subtracting cards. Then me and Mommy made an oval train track and put ten train cars on it. Then I got a card and did what the card said. These examples show how I did it.
Ten take away eight equals two!
Then I did another one. See how I first took a picture of all the train cars together.
Then I took away seven cars. The answer was three.
Then I did it all over again.
I took away nine cars, and the answer was one, of course!
This time I took away two.
And the answer was eight, of course.
This is the last example. I took away five.
And the answer was five, of course!
I really like doing subtracting now!
We had some friends from church over to play yesterday afternoon, and I promised the kids we could do a messy activity with Chloe and James. We decided to make Oobleck. I didn’t take too many pictures of the early stages (mixing the cornstarch with water, mixing in the colors), but here the kids are, combining the blue and yellow ooblecks together to make green.
After the mixed the colors, they dumped it out on the table, playing with how it could act like a liquid or a solid. Then they threw chunks of it on the cement and realized it could act like chalk. Then they scooped it back up, ground up some real sidewalk chalk, mixed them together, and added water to make a new kind of goop. The kids were literally covered with mess from head to toe, but it kept the four of them occupied for about two solid hours! Now I just have to hose off the back patio and hope that all that cornstarch doesn’t kill the grass…
Fresh, Clean Jane-Bug
May 6th, 2013 by ECM
Because I can’t get enough fresh-out-of-the-bath pictures, and because Rich and Becky will be happy to know the adorable hooded towel is being put to good use:
Morning Smiles
May 3rd, 2013 by ECM
After a really hard night, it’s nice to have sweet helpers.
We Love Laura
May 1st, 2013 by ECM
In the past few days, Janie has become a completely new baby. Gone are the easy, sleepy days. Despite me being off of dairy and Mexican food for the past week and a half, she fusses all evening, has mucus-filled diapers, sleeps restlessly, and is generally going through that “delightful” 6-week colic stage. Fortunately, Laura knows all the tricks in the book and helped me trouble-shoot. We think that Janie was getting overstimulated by her wild siblings by the end of the day, so we’re trying to swaddle her and give her a little more quiet in the evenings. I’m also adjusting my diet more to try to help her be less gassy. It was also helpful having another set of hands with the big kids. They loved the walks, the books, the sidewalk chalk, and the silliness.
In addition to all the help, it was so great to have the girl time. Laura and I never run out of things to talk about, even though we talk on the phone all the time… It’s so refreshing to spend time with a dear friend who knows me and knows my kids so well!
Come back soon, Laura!
Carriers from Laura
Apr 30th, 2013 by ECM
A bonus with having a babywearing expert come to visit is that you find yourself with new carriers!
The girls were thrilled to wear their dolls and stuffed animals.
I love, love, love my new Pikkolo. It has all the best attributes of our Bjorn and Ergo, plus a ton of thoughtful little things that neither had. It’s as comfortable as a Mei Tai but easier to use because of the buckles. It’s the best carrier I’ve seen. Thank you, Laura!!
at the park with Laura
Apr 29th, 2013 by ECM
Derek was gone this weekend, so Laura came out to visit and help me with the kids!
It’s way easier taking all four to the park when there is someone to help…
Chipped Tooth Redux
Apr 27th, 2013 by ECM
A little trip on the sidewalk, and we were back to this lovely gap…
Fortunately, the dentist’s office was able to get her in on Wednesday and fixed it free of charge since it had been less than two years since the last repair.
