March Already!!

I can't believe it is March already! Only about 7 more weeks and I'll have another little brother! We are all getting so excited and almost ready. My parents have decided that I will be going to school at Assumption in the fall to attend Kindergarten. I am soo excited!! We went to an open house and I met the teacher and saw my future classroom. I told my mom that I better bring my lunch box to the Open House. She was able to substitute in that classroom a few times this year as well, I wanted to go along the last time. Because of this decision we have taken a little break from "school" around here and have been just focusing on Lent. Sam and I have enjoyed playing with each other and just being kids.

Being silly. Too bad this doesn't add curls!

My fancy Mardi Gras Mask

Having a tea party with my brother today. This kept us entertained for a good hour and a half at least!

The sun came out and Mama and I made these paddles out of paper plates and popsicle sticks (Thank you Pinterest). They were great to hit the balloon around with. I was able to keep the balloon afloat for about 10 hits! Maybe tennis is in my future?

I think I was focusing more on the camera here....oops!

Coloring my raining day scene on the window. It poured this morning and I think my sun in the picture helped the real sun come out this afternoon!

And then the snow came this evening. How weird!!

I had to go out and play in it for a minute, don't think it will last.

Lent

We love our church and the liturgical year. Today we entered into the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday and we have a few fun traditions we have in our house that I wanted to share.

First we have our "Lamb of God." We use this to count the 40 days of Lent. Each day we add a cotton ball to the lamb until he is all filled up which means it is Easter!

Painting our crown of thorns. We made it yesterday and painted it today. Each time we make a sacrifice or do a good deed we get to break off a thorn. We do these good things to grow closer to Jesus during Lent.

We really love the Catholic Icing Blog and this is a calendar that she created. We have used this the last two years and love to share it with our friends.

Putting our first cotton ball up today. Sam wanted to do it too and was crying so I took it off and handed it to him to put up. I think I am getting these good deeds down.

Teamwork! He loves to paint with me!

We can't have Ash Wednesday without Mass. You can kind of see my ashes left on my forehead. I remembered the words perfectly, they say, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Our finished centerpiece. The liturgical color is purple so we added a purple cloth and candle.

We also participate in an online program called Holy Heroes Adventures. They have activities, prayers, and videos to watch. It is great, if you haven't checked it out, you should!

We learned today about praying, fasting, almsgiving, and righteous deeds, the themes of Lent. We look forward to the journey over the next 40 days in growing in our relationships.

Spokane

We had a great visit over in Spokane during the weekend. We left on Friday and came back on Monday so we had an extra day to visit and enjoy family. While we were there we celebrated Papa's birthday along with my dada's early birthday. Grandma and Papa planned a nice family dinner where all the family came out. While we were there it snowed a little bit, just enough for my daddy and I to build my snowgirl Caroline.

Great Grandpa and I enjoying dessert

Hanging out with Uncle Bob

Me and Caroline!

We didn't take a lot of pictures this trip but I'll update tomorrow on my Lenten plans. Happy Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras!!

Fun February

This past week we had some guests over for dinner (friends from Daddy's work) and my brother and I really enjoyed the company. It was nice to meet one of my dad's friends who has been following my blog since I was a baby, thanks Carol!! I also had a fun weekend with a trip to a new museum with my Cousin Maggie, a trip to Kid's Church and met a new friend, and some outside time to play. We are headed to Spokane soon and I can't wait!!

Thanks Grandma Bonnie and Papa Jim for the Valentine's Package!

Playing out in the rain, luckily we haven't had too many of these days this winter.

The museum in Everett is amazing!! Friends, talk your parents into driving you there!

I just love my cousin!

Maggie riding one of the animals they had in the "farm"

A February Family Update

We have had beautiful winter weather here the last few weeks so we have been trying to get out and enjoy it. Sam and I have also been very healthy this winter, thank goodness. It may be because we have spent more time at home, especially with Mama and I doing a little school in the mornings and her working most afternoons. I have been enjoying my mama reading chapter books to me lately and I have been practicing sight words and doing some other prereading activities. I can read simple words, sound out short words, and it won't be long until I will be really reading to my brother. He loves books, almost as much as I do! I'm still doing gymnastics once a week, which I really enjoy other than being super tired by the end. I also like dressing up and dancing and singing around the house while I entertain the adults. My brother and I are getting very excited for our new baby brother who will be here at the end of April! Well, that is all for now, I'm off to keep playing with my dolls.

Sam and I at Lake Whatcom. We had fun exploring the little beach and playing at the park. We even tried to skip rocks!

Playing on the jungle gym.

Taking a little rest in my Dora Tent.

Two families that we know have coordinated bimonthly playdates. We get together every other week and do a little preschool activity and get to spend to some time playing. It is nice to have something scheduled and so nice to see friends. This week we got together at our house and made Valentines.More Valentine fun!

Winter!

After a week of sharing a room with Sam, I have to say that I love our bunk beds! We have so much fun and it all begins upon entering the beds at bedtime. We talk and our favorite thing to do is laugh together. I will do anything to make my brother laugh. It usually takes us a while to settle down and go to sleep but after we get to sleep we both have been sleeping so well all through the night. It is nice to know that if I get scared, my brother is right below me. I am however, a bit more tired these days!
We had a fun eventful weekend too. Auntie Joanie came to play and do a late Christmas with us. She brought fun games and we enjoyed our visit. We also got snow this weekend and it is supposed to stay for a few days. Today I had got all bundled up by myself after breakfast and headed out. Sam didn't last too long so Mama and I went out while he was sleeping (dada was working from home). She pulled me on the blow up sled and we found some fun hills down by the trails. I can't wait for tomorrow!

Big girl doing school. This was a fun season art project.

Grandma treated the girls (mama, auntie, and myself) to a fun outing to get our toes painted! I picked out a pretty glittery pink and had so much fun!

I was admiring my grandma's pretty toes! She gets to show them off in Hawaii this week....lucky!

Mama and I soaking our feet together.

Snuggling up to Papa as he read to me, I sure love it when he is home!

Snow pictures!!!

Taking a break for a snack.

We had so much fun and I get trying to get my mama to go faster and run. She got her workout!

It actually tasted really yummy!!

While we were out on our adventure I gathered some sticks for my snowman. Mama and I worked together to create my friend Meridian.Telling her a story

Daddy's Girl!!

After Christmas my daddy had a week off work and we have really bonded. I say that I never want him to go back to work, I think I'm definitely a daddy's girl lately! One of the things we did that week was go up to the mountain and go sledding. I love the snow and speeding down the mountain!

All ready to go

Before my brother got too cold
In my element!!

Zooming down the hill on our new tube, it goes super fast and is quite comfy on the bum!

I lost my hat I was going so fast!!

Taking a break from my bike to enjoy the beautiful view down at the park.

Spoiled? I wonder what that word means? My brother and I were enjoying dessert and a show after dinner....in my grandma's bed!!

Silly girl!

A few sleeping beauty pictures in my old bed. My brother and I now have bunk beds!!

I love to make myself all cozy in a tiny cacoon.