Field Trip to the Recycling Center

As part of our home preschool curriculum Rosen has field trips that correspond to what she is learning about. This particular week we were learning about being good stewards of God's creation and recycling. Instead of putting our recyclables out on the curb this week we saved them for Rosen to sort and take to the recycling center. She sorted glass, tin, aluminum, paper, cardboard and plastics at home. Then we drove down to the recycling center and she even put them in the correct places. I think it helped her to see where our garbage goes and to learn about the different materials that we are able to recycle and be able to identify them. Now whenever Nathan accidently throws away something that is recyclable she pulls it out of the trash and tells him, "Daddy that has to go in the recycle bin". Mission accomplished!

Salsa Girl!

Naomi loves to watch football with Daddy, especially when there is salsa involved. Here she is finishing off the last of the batch that Ashley made me for my birthday. Believe it or not, some of it did get into her mouth!

Melissa turns 27

This year Nathan invited his parents and my Dad over for some cake to celebrate my getting older. (My Mom, sister Ashley and Nanni took the girls and I out to a special birthday lunch at my favorite - The High Nooner) The girls had a great time with Papa playing horsey. And as you could probably guess, Nathan let Rosen pick out my cake design. (Its the exact same one she had at her birthday - cute)

Our Little Ballerina

Rosen has started ballet classes! She was so cute her first class - she didn't really participate, just sort of observed and absorbed it all. Then at the second class she jumped right in along with the other girls. She is in a class called Creative Movement for 3 & 4 year olds at the Academy of Dance. She goes to class once a week on Thursday nights and absolutely loves it. She asks to go all week. They all look so cute in their uniform leotards. (Photos are blurry due to being taken from outside the observation window)

Spokane County Fair 2009

The girls had a great time looking at all the farm animals. Rosen wanted to know what each animal's name was - she is very interested in names right now. 

Then both girls got to have their faces painted. Rosen got an ice cream cone on her face

and Naomi got a cross on hers. 

She wasn't too sure she liked this idea but they looked cute.

Big Girl Beds

With the new little one on the way we have moved Naomi out of the crib in the nursery into what was formerly Rosen's room. The new Big Girl room has matching twin beds that we got for a steal from a neighbor's garage sale. They have three storage drawers each underneath and I painted them white to match the room. We then got them matching bedding and a coordinating floor rug. The girls love their new beds but they look so small in them! They stay up most nights giggling and singing to each other before falling asleep. I'm so glad my girls are such close sisters, they really seem to enjoy each other's company.

First Day of Preschool

Rosen was so excited to start preschool (although she wasn't quite sure what to expect). She was so cute in her princess dress (she wanted to look nice for her first day of school, its very important you know!) She is still getting used to the idea of following directions and needing to stay focused and listening to teacher Mommy. It's hard when you're used to being able to jump up and play with whatever whenever but she is getting the hang of it. We start every day with the flag salute, followed by signing the alphabet song, calendar time, weather observation and opening prayer. She loves it and loves the structure. If I forget something or do something out of order she is very quick to remind me. I can tell she is very proud of herself and feels more like a big girl now that she is doing preschool.

After dinner walks and playgrounds

Whenever we can (spring thru fall) we go on walks around our neighborhood after dinner and stop at one of the local grade schools and let the girls play on the toys. It has become a favorite family tradition as it gets us out of the house and gives us a chance to talk and enjoy the fresh air. The girls love the play time as well as you can see

Naomi is our fearless one. She climbs up this large slide and goes down all by herself. She's growing up way too fast!