Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 

As always, I love it when the girls will let me take pictures of them. Audie was my main model this time around. I really wanted to get good ones of all 3 of the girls- to have a set, but Corinne didn't want her picture taken. I got one cheesy smile from her. Selah cooperated a bit with some coaxing. 

Of course Audie's serious streak can only last a few minutes. It doesn't take long before her urge to fart around pops in. I love this side of her. She makes herself laugh, and I hope she always considers herself funny! I know since she is my kid, she is probably more (or, only) funny to me. But I laugh when I see this pictures.

This is the only smile Corinne would give me

And Selah gave me a few minutes to take pictures of her.

And for some exciting news, (since most of you readers know by now anyway) We're getting a puppy!! Probably in another week or so, we will have our pup picked out, and I will be able to post a picture. I'll give more details then. Everyone but Corinne is excited. She (like me) is a cat person. Hopefully her mind will change when the pup actually gets here, but for now, Zona is her true One and Only. Stay Tuned!

Mini-Matt

How do you REALLY feel?

 How I Hate School

by Corinne (spelling corrections by mom)

There are dumb things in school. I can't do anything cause school gets in the way. I'd rather be playing or sleeping or something. That's why I hate school. School is so boring.

:::::::::::::::::::::

Corinne's paper was supposed to be written about finding five coins, and how much those five coins add up to. Instead, while pouting in the corner of the couch, she opted to write about how she hates school.

Of course, I didn't let this fly, and I threatened to email it to her teacher. It took her a couple hours, but she came around and wrote the story she was supposed to write. I keep reminding Corinne she doesn't know how good she has it, finishing her homeschool work in just a few hours, then having the rest of the day to do whatever she wants. Still, she does have her (rare) days, and today was one of them.

I appreciated the comic relief that came from her writing frustrations. This is one of the papers to put away and pull out in a decade, and let her laugh at herself.

SEVEN!

Seven.
Corinne is still the sweet and tenderhearted girl she has always been.
I'm thankful for her!

Corinne's day was lunch with friends, a piano recital, and dinner with family. She claimed this the best birthday yet.

A letter from the President

You may know that Corinne is totally into American History and President stuff. Last fall, for school, I had her write a letter to President George W. Bush. She wrote him a letter telling him about her family, how old she was, etc. And she drew him a picture as well. We mailed it to him hoping for a quick response! That was several months ago now, and I had thoughts about giving up on a reply. I was going to have her write him again, hoping persistence would pay off. But- last Thursday, Corinne went out to check the mail and came running back in with the envelope from George W. Bush, addressed to her.

President Bush thanked her for writing, and thanked her for the picture. He said that he and Mrs. Bush were working on an exhibit to be opening this spring. He also challenged her to do good in school and work hard because the future was in her hands! 

 Very cool, and made me a proud mom! 

Here are a few pics of my 3rd quilt. I named this one "Quadrants" and gave it to one of my high school math teachers who is now a lovely friend and mentor. 

Back Again

I think we're back now...
I hope life will slow down a bit now.
The last 5.. count 'em FIVE Saturday's have been filled with company, birthdays, or other activities! I'm ready for a normal, nothing-to-do Saturday!

Corinne's Birthday was last Saturday. I took her out last Friday night to do her six year old pictures. But it was windy and cold! We only got about 15 shots in before we threw in the towel to try for another day. Here is one of those to tide you over.

After dinner out on Corinne's birthday, we came back to the house for cupcakes and to open presents.

 I think she had a good birthday. :) She is, however, looking forward to birthday number 8...for "when she can sit in the front seat and paint her own nails."

This summer was a bust for my vegetable and herb garden. The lack of rain was no good.! One plant though , flourished and bloomed! This is called a Passion Flower...The tag said it was named by Spanish missionaries after the crucifixion of Christ. And, even cooler-- it produces little tiny edible fruits! The vine is probably about 8 feet high--all growth from just this summer. I hope it continues to do well in the years to come!

A Jeep Hurricane, cousin picture, and drinking from the drain

We went to my sister's house this morning to play. My nephew Cameron has a powerwheels Jeep that the girls' have been dying to ride in. After a few rides around with Cameron as the driver...

...Audie took her turn for a spin or two.

 -followed by a group grandkid picture for Grandma on Mothers Day.
Audie, Selah, Corinne, Kylie, and Cameron

And what happens when you leave a 3 year old to get her own water?

She creates her own way of doing it!
(Previous to this picture, she stuck her straw into those little tiny squares that drain the water that spills.)

First Day of School!

After the rough start to the morning, our first day of school was a success. Corinne was a diligent student, and anxious for more work. I hope that attitude continues! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing her accomplish a lot of things, and I am happy we are giving this a try. I'll keep you updated on our year as time passes!

Yesterday

I asked Corinne what she wanted to do on her birthday. She gave ma a laundry list of things to do, and we did them. She had 6 people call her and wish her a happy birthday- for which she was very proud of.

Matt came home from work a tad early, and we let her open her gifts. She got perler beads and peg boards, and "Hungry Hippos" game.

Matt and I took her out to eat, leaving Audie and Selah at home with none other than beautiful Ali (thanks Al!). Corinne felt pretty special that she was able to go out with just us.

Look hard below...that piece of shrimp she was supposed to catch in her mouth bonked her right on the head.

Matt was the only one at our table that caught the shrimp...what a champ.

We had small group last night, so we celebrated the rest of her day with our friends. Corinne requested an ice cream cake, and of course, none other than a princess cake.
We sang happy birthday to her, and she did all she could to act "mature" and not smile, but it cracked.  She liked the attention.

Next stop, first day of school!!!

Happy Birthday Corinne!

 Corinne turns 5 tomorrow. Sheesh. I've been a mom for 5 years??!! How/when did that happen??

I am so proud of Corinne. She has a maturity way beyond her years. She is my helper, she is an encourager, she is bright. I can't wait to see what the fifth year brings, and how she changes.

I love you, Corinne! Happy Birthday!

Since Monday was a holiday, and Matt had the day off, Corinne and I took her 5 year pictures on Monday. She did so incredible. She was patient, she came up with her own ideas of how she wanted to pose, etc. She's my little model!!
(you can tell the personality difference between her and Audie in the pictures. I love it.)

Matt and I have some fun stuff planned for tomorrow, her actual birthday. Stay tuned for pictures!