Let It Snow!!

The girls were so excited to wake up to snow the other morning. Unfortunately it was a week day and we like playing in the snow with Daddy...so the girls patiently waited for Daddy to get home to pull out the sleds for some great fun.

Danielle had an absolute blast. She loved throwing snowballs with Daddy, getting pulled around on the sled, and making snow angels in the yard. Samantha was much more nervous. She got comfortable toward the end and even though it's hard to tell from the pictures she did have fun sledding. It probably didn't help that she was dealing with potty training that day either.

Potty training update: Well, it only took 6 days to potty train Samantha. They were 6 very long days but it's all worth it now! This morning just Samantha and I went grocery shopping and she did excellent. We made several potty trips at each store but she stayed dry. What a big girl!

Potty Training!

Samantha wanted the crown sticker on her forehead...kinda makes sense! Danielle did a great job with the sticker chart (although it was no incentive for Samantha at least it gave Danielle something to do).

Samantha chose the Elmo panties to start with!
I have known Samantha was ready to start potty training for quite a few weeks but I've been holding off until I could really devote the time to her training. This morning I was trying to figure out what day to begin when I looked out the window at the rainy day and thought "why not right now?!". I quickly reviewed the e-book I had downloaded 2 years ago for Danielle and then told Danielle and Samantha the plan. Danielle was a little too excited at first (wanted to be in charge) so I had to explain that she was my helper and then she did all kinds of helpful tasks for me. She fetched new panties (only twice!), handed out the m&m's, and organized a mini-pizza tea party for lunch.

Samantha had only 2 accidents this morning and every other time she stopped what she was doing, said "poop again" and headed toward the bathroom. Amazing! For some reason she calls it "poop" everytime even though it's pee. Works for me. I'm not stressing about it at all and am actually enjoying the bonding time with the girls. We did a lot of playing on the wood floor so that accidents would be easier to clean up. The cutest thing of all was when Samantha was finishing up on the potty and said, "so proud you mommy". I said, "I'm so proud of you, too, Samantha".

I have to clarify that I do not take credit for this going so smoothly. Samantha has just been watching her big sister and really wants to be a big girl. If only all aspects of parenting could go this well!! I'll take the easy times... and thank God for them.

Happy Valentines Day

The girls with their messy faces but still a cute picture from the other morning.

The mom's had to guess which profile was their child's. It was tough but I got it right..can you?!

(see end of post for correct answer)

Time to give out valentine cards!

Today was a special day! Samantha and I were invited to join Danielle at preschool for their Valentine's Day party. It was so much fun to sing songs, dance, play games, do crafts, make food, eat snack, and share valentines with such a neat group of kids (and their mom's). Danielle has the world's greatest teachers and we are so blessed with this situation. After preschool Jeff took Danielle out for lunch which made her feel so special. He got the girls each a red rose and a heart-shaped balloon. They were both tickled!

Yesterday we made breakfast for Daddy... the girls helped cook and serve the meal to him. I'm thankful that they seem to enjoy giving as much as receiving. Of course I think every preschooler in America asks "Where's my valentine?" as they're making out valentines for their classmates, but they still enjoy thinking of others.

(answer....bottom left is Danielle)

ABC's and Jesus Loves Me

Well, she's not dressed for the big performance but you have to get the video when you can get the video!

We have a lot of fun singing songs before bedtime. Samantha has a list of songs she requests when I tuck her in. Sometimes she sings along which are my favorite times. Her list of songs are: Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace, Twinkle Twinkle (she calls "up-a like-a"), and You're My Little Girl (a song I have loved by Go Fish since Danielle was a newborn).

A Glimpse...

These pictures are just a little glimpse into our past week. Nearly every morning right when the girls wake up there is an awesome sunrise coming through the trees. Danielle asks me to take a picture EVERY time! We love to watch it for the few beauitful minutes and then thank God for getting to witness it.

The other pictures are from the day we sold our old jogging stroller. We brought it inside to clean it up and the girls played with it half the morning before it's new owner arrived. Also, they were playing with balloons and trying with all their might to blow them up on their own. It was quite entertaining!

A little update on the girls...Samantha's big accomplishments are being able to sing the abc song and Jesus Loves Me!! Yes I do have it on video and yes my heart melts each time she sings of Jesus' love. Danielle is really wanting to learn how to read. We're truly not pushing her but she just wants to know how! Today she sat on the floor during her "quiet time" and read her little Hooked On Phonics books to herself. She is always asking me what signs say and "what letter does throat start with?". I'm enjoying these stages very much.