Frustrated and delighted

Ruby is experiencing two conflicting emotions these days. She’s the only of our children that’s really had a hard time figuring out the rolling over thing. She gets stuck on her stomach in bed, or while playing on the floor, and gets so frustrated about it. She knows how to roll over to her back, but for some reason doesn’t do it very often. She really, really wants to be moving, but her body isn't on the same page. She’s on the verge of crawling, but I'm not pushing it for a couple of reasons:

1. I don’t want her to grow up any faster.
2. I don’t want her to be more mobile before our remodeling is done.

Ruby is also delighted with her new eating arrangement. She finally has a highchair, thanks to Craigslist. It’s nothing fancy, but perfect for our needs. And, now, she's finally eating real food. ( I had a mental block about feeding her until she had a high chair to contain the mess).

It seems everything with Ruby has been on a slower time frame, mostly because of me. With my first baby, I did everything like clock work: : cereal at 4 months, juice at 6 months, bottle gone by one... But, not this time. We've been in slow motion on everything.

So, Ruby is officially 9 months, just started eating real food, and loving it.

She gobbles up pieces of whole wheat bread, pancakes, and baked sweet potatoes and squeals for more. I have high hopes of mixing up all sorts of healthy things in the Vita Mix and watching the vitamins just seep on into her chubby little body. At least I hope that's what happens. Lucy won't touch my smoothies, no matter how good they look and taste.

Ruby, I'm banking on you! You came through for me with the brown hair and eyes. . . now let's hear it for the veggies.

( Sawyer's Costa Rican glasses. The lenses lasted about 30 minutes.)

Ants

Sawyer took a fascination to ants this year and decided to participate in the Kansas City Science Fair. He got two ant farms for Christmas and has been comparing their tunneling patterns based on how much light they receive. He said, "most people will probably think this is really boring to learn about", but he's enjoyed it and has learned a lot about ant. Every now and then, I quietly say, "well, you can't say we never let you have a pet..." Major sore spot with him.

Lemonade

One of my favorite things about visiting Phoenix in the winter is all the fruit trees. I love that people can just walk outside and pick lemons, grapefruits, and oranges and have freshly squeezed juice from their own yard.

Jenny and Brett sent us home with a suitcase full of lemons, so Lucy and I got to work and surprised the boys with fresh lemonade. They were thrilled. I love the fragrance of cut lemon peels smelling up the kitchen. Mmmmm...

Piano

There are some people who come into your life that you couldn't be more grateful for; Spencer's piano teacher is one of those people.

She has made his music experience so positive, which means she's made my music experience with him positive. And for that, I am so thankful.

One thing I've noticed for sure is how his rhythm has improved. His pieces sound so good. We're looking forward to his first recital this weekend.

Thank you Miss Julie for inspiring my boy!

Charlie's new pal

Here is the final result of Charlie's big school project. He was supposed to write a biography and make this life size display of someone famous. After a trip to the library with Brad, he chose Steve Young.

Charlie has been completely responsible from start to finish with getting this done and I'm proud of him. I can't wait to hear him present his findings in a wax museum next week. Way to go Charlie!

Valentine's

Lucy and I cutting out hearts for family night. We sent a heart attack to "Nana" for Valentine's Day, so she wouldn't have to celebrate alone. Each of us wrote something we love about her on a heart and then told her to hang them up on her cabinets, so she could be surrounded with love.

Here's mister Charlie writing out valentines to his classmates. He said he didn't need to use a list, because he knows every single person in his class from memory.

Picking kids up from school after their Valentine's party. This is a typical picture of my goof balls.

Sawyer got an electrical kit for his birthday and he used it to make a really cool Valentine box. It's hard to tell from the picture, but you push down on a marker and the helicopter wings started spinning. I was impressed and glad he spent the time to figure it out. I really loved that the boys did everything themselves with regards to their boxes and valentines.

Lucy enjoying her preschool party. I made a nice dinner of roast beef and potatoes and no one touched it but me and Brad. They were all filled up on sugar.

cold lunch

I have to say I'm very pleased that the boys have been making their own lunches this year (most of the time).

They basically eat the same thing everyday: peanut butter sandwich, fruit or veggie, a snack (if they haven't all been eaten), and water.

Charlie's sandwiches really make me laugh and so I've started taking pictures. He always makes peanut butter and jelly.

This morning he told me he likes to "sample his sandwich" before putting it in his lunch box.

I wonder what the lunch ladies think when they see these?!