Whew!

It's spring break for Meghan.  I have thoroughly enjoyed not setting the alarm this week!  Evan is still up around 6:30, but I don't go and get him until after my shower...which is usually closer to 7 (instead of during his morning nap).

Our week began with solid, heavy rain.  Yesterday we had some strange water seepage on the first floor and into the basement.  Yep, more water in the house.

It's nice and refreshing to have Meghan home from school.  She has asked several times about school, and I just explain that she doesn't have school this week to prepare for Easter.

Last weekend Grandma, Grandpa, and (Aunt) Donna came to visit.  This coming weekend my dad, Karen (my step mom), and possibly my sister, Amy will be visiting.

So this week is light in blogging... More time with family and less time on the computer.   Though with that said, I have to tell you that over at Live, Learn, Love, I have the opportunity to give away the first two episodes in a video series called What's in the Bible.  If you have children or grandkids, it might be something for you to check out.  I definitely recommend it!  We also made our own resurrection eggs to celebrate Easter.

We've been making Easter cards and eggs (paper).  Meghan does enjoy hide and seek with the paper eggs!  A new twist on an old game is always fun.  

Derek has been busy in the evenings with his school work when not spending time with us, so even if it had not been raining, the swing set still would not have been touched.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that we are still here.  Somehow spring break is not feeling like too much of a break, but that's okay.  Today is nice and quiet!  Maybe the wind will even lessen enough that we can go for a walk today.  Where did spring temperatures go?

A Good Start

I loved your guesses as to how the wood would be used!  A deck would be lovely.  A chicken coop would be messy...but practical (except I would not have the stomach to butcher the chickens).  Shelves are always needed around here.  Thankfully, Derek's grandpa made a five foot bookcase for us.  It's not in use yet, but I can't wait!

So here it is...

Derek spent Friday (he had off from work) cutting the lumber to size.
















Saturday he and Grandpa got the roof together and the sides of the tower.

It is still on its side.  (See the roof to the left?)  Derek did not expect to finish it during the weekend.  I have no idea when it will be complete, but it will be a SWING SET!  We got a kit and some of the pieces for half price at the lumber place in town.

The bottom line is we had a great time with family...and that is the most important part!

Guesses?

Derek enjoys working with wood projects. This lumber was delivered today. Would anyone like to guess what he will do with it with the help of his grandpa?

I am really excited!

Lunch View

The first time our neighbor was working the fields behind our home this season, Evan was eating an early lunch and was full distracted by the horses.  I decided to just embrace it, and turned his high chair to look out the doors.  It's always relaxing to watch him work.

Our grass is now green, and it feels like spring!  I look forward to watching our Amish friends work some more and visiting them soon.

(Click the picture to make it larger.)

Big Boy

One night Evan decided to have his bedtime snack sitting directly at the table and not in his high chair.  I was impressed that he sat (on his knees) the whole time.  He hasn't actually climbed on to the table yet, but it's coming.





















Oh, he was also thrilled to have a whole cookie all by himself that night.  It may have been small, but it was still a first.

Sunshine Fun

We used our wagon for the first time.  This picture is deceiving though.  Meghan decided to stay home instead of go on the walk.

She was more interested in riding her scooter.  (This was a hand-me-down from friends from church.)  I can't wait to see her use this more and more.

Her interested  didn't last too long.  By the time Evan and I returned from our walk, she told me she was ready for her turn.  Mom was done then, much to Meghan's disappointment.

Looking at that picture of Meghan and the scooter makes me smile.  We really aren't big fans of pink in this house, but you can't tell from the picture.

Adverbs and School Planning

Meghan is, yet again, expanding her vocabulary.  It amazes me how much she is picking up from casual conversation.  (She no longer needs us to introduce a word and ask her to repeat it.)

She has used the words "very" and "really" for a while now.  This weekend she used the word "actually."  Too bad we cannot recall the actual sentence.

Isn't it amazing that a full year ago Meghan was just starting to expand her vocabulary?  For a long time Meghan pretty much used nouns to communicate (other than some other words like oh-no, no, and a few others).  Obviously, she is making incredible progress.

I don't think I have shared here that Meghan's SLP indicated that she believes Meghan would benefit from being in a regular preschool (and around children whose speech is developing normally since her classroom in a speech and language classroom).  Derek and I agree with this, so now we will need to determine how it might be best to do this.

Meghan now goes to school four mornings a week.  Because she does not turn four until October, she would be in a three year old classroom next year in a regular preschool...which means that she would only be in school two mornings a week (at the particular school I am most interested in Meghan attending).  So that is option 1 (or at another local school).  Option 2 would be to remain in the school through IU she currently attends.  Option 3 would be a combination of schools with her attending two days here and two days there.

Derek and I agree that there is no reason for her to go to preschool five mornings a week, but I do not think it would be wise, in this specific case, for her to attend less than three days a week.

In case you are wondering, Meghan would be able to get therapy through the IU at the regular preschool.  However, the classroom objectives would not be all language oriented like they are now.  Honestly, I think as long as she continues to get enough therapy, it would be good for her to be challenged academically.

With all that said, we're just seeking God's will in all of this.  We just want what's best for our daughter, and that is whatever God wants for her.

 Yesterday Evan missed his morning nap, so he went down right after lunch.  Meghan and I went outside to enjoy the sun.  It was actually quite warm in the sun.

Meghan just sat picking flowers for a long time.

Then she brought them to me.  (That is a monitor in my hand.  We always listen to Evan...just in case.)

Love Ya

Evan wanted to give a kiss to you.

Beautiful Faces

I know I'm a bit biased, but I really think these children are beautiful.

Sunday morning (despite the time change) we had a few extra minutes before church, and I decided to try to get some pictures of the children.  Be warned, there are a lot of pictures.  I posted all but the obviously bad ones and in the order I took them.  Unfortunately it was about 7:30 in the morning...rainy and cloudy.  I had to use the flash which disappointed me.  I think they still turned out well.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

Meghan and her great-grandpa have a special relationship and Evan's middle name, Russell, comes from Grandpa.  We're greatly blessed that our children know their great grandparents despite the distance between us.

When Meghan talks about her grandpas, I ask her which grandpa she means. She calls this grandpa Grandma J's Grandpa. I think that is so cute.

Happy birthday, Grandpa!

On His Own

Evan is getting to be quite the big boy.  Above, you see that when we went for a walk as a family, he got to start off without the stroller.  Two Sundays ago Derek allowed him to walk into church (from the car) instead of being carried for the first time.  Meghan told me that he was a big boy.

He now climbs onto kitchen chairs.

Our living room furniture is a bit harder to climb, thankfully.   I think the first day he climbs onto the furniture will be the first day he tumbles off the BACK of it.  He loves to climb, and we have removed him from the back of the couch more than once.

Our snow is mostly melted now.  (The picture is from earlier in the week.)  Now it's just muddy.  I am hoping to see some flowers pop up soon, because spring is coming!  We've had temperatures in the fifties most of the week, though the sun has not always accompanied the warmer weather.  It's been good to get outside though.

My Mets Men

Good Morning~From Evan

When I came downstairs Sunday morning, Meghan, Evan, and Derek were all in the living room getting ready for church.  I said, "Good morning, Family."  And I swear Evan replied, "Good morning."  I asked Derek if he heard what I heard.  (He had been walking toward the kitchen).  He thought he heard Meghan talking, but I saw Evan's lips!  So our little boy really did say it!

For a little boy who barely says Dada and seems to only have a handful of words (though there is no need for concern) I thought this was pretty cool.  Just over the weekend he began to have a version of "Meghan," though I may not recognize it again.  Last week, in a screaming match, Meghan taught him how to say "no."  About a month ago he went to the door (in the kitchen) that leads to the garage and clearly said "out" a couple of times.

Meghan continues to make wonderful progress, too.  She is always coming up with new words, though we still struggle to understand her.  Just last week her SLP at school sent home a note saying that a new child was in therapy with her.  Meghan said, "Hi Sarah.  My name Meghan."  Her therapist noted what a great skill that is for a 3 year old to have.  I was really pleased that she shared that with us.  We always encourage Meghan to say hello to a new friend (and use their name), but introducing herself is the big bonus.

Princess Pose

Meghan said this is her princess pose...and was happy to do a little photo shoot.

Salads...

I doubt anyone really cares about my eating habits, but I thought I would make Derek happy by sharing that I still do not like salads.  He felt that this post (at least I think it was that one) was misleading our friends and family to believe that I am happily eating salads.

I wouldn't call it happily, but for over a month straight I was eating salads just about every day for lunch.  Then in February I couldn't stand the thought of eating any more lettuce, though I forced it down.  Derek encouraged me to take a break, so the week that he was out of town, I made myself some easy French onion soup.  Then I forgot to put it back on the grocery list.  Truly, it was an honest mistake (though I was happy that it worked out that way).

Anyway, after taking my lovely break from salads, I'm trying to eat them again.  However, I have decided that I can be rewarded for eating better.  If I eat a fruit, vegetable, or salad prior to dinner, then that is a good reason to not exercise.  However, applesauce, juice, and partial servings do not count.   Regardless, whatever I do will be good for me!

Two is Better Than One

Evan can get up on the slide and go down all by himself now!    

Meghan thinks, "What can I do to make this more exciting?"  All of Meghan's life she has been a thrill seeker!

"Hmm, better, but not dangerous enough!"

"Better!"  You know, two is much more fun than one!

Can you hear the giggles?
Maybe Meghan doesn't want to be an only child after all.

Disclaimer: No children were harmed during the making of this blog post!