3rd Grade Habitat Exhibits

The 3rd graders get to choose a habitat to write a report on and build a diorama.  Andrew chose the temperate ocean.  He wrote the report at school and I thought his diorama turned out pretty cool.  He was happy with it.

Violet is happy because she pooped at the school, but did you know there is nowhere to change a baby at the elementary?  I had to do it in the van.

Lego Star Wars Party

March 23 - Andrew invited a few friends over for a Lego Star Wars birthday party.  It was a lot of fun, at least I hope they had fun.

We made light sabers:

 Had pod races:

Practiced our light saber skills with balloons:

Had a Lego tower building contest:

Even Violet got in on the Lego action

Played Creationary:

Had cupcakes and presents:

It was fun and exhausting.  And I am done with big parties for awhile!

Andrew Turns 9

The kids just keep growing up.  Andrew turned 9 years old on March 22.  He wanted pumpkin pancakes for his birthday breakfast.  I hardly ever cook breakfast on a school morning - we usually just have cereal.  But I knew he would be disappointed if I didn't make him something, so I mixed up the batter the night before and then I just had to cook the pancakes in the morning.  It worked okay.

Playing with new Lego toys before school.

 After Dan got home from work, Andrew opened his presents.  He made a silly face every time I wanted to take his picture.

Lego Cake

We let Violet try some cake.  She loved it until it got in her eyes.

Happy Birthday Andrew!  We love you!

11 months

March 21 - Violet is 11 months old!  Where does the time go?  I need to start planning her 1st birthday party!  It makes me both excited and sad to see them grow up.  Excited to see them learn and grow and experience life, but sad to say goodbye to the first year of babyhood.  

Violet can stand on her own now, and she can cruise around all the furniture.  Not quite walking yet, but she is close.  She has two teeth, one on top and one on the bottom.  She is starting to say a few words, mostly da da, ma ma, ba ba (bottle), yesh (yes), and hello (with a phone to her ear - very cute).  

She loves to eat.  She especially loves bread.  Last Sunday, as the deacons starting passing out the sacrament bread, she started going "mmmm" and was so excited to get a piece of bread!  Then she got mad when she couldn't have a second piece, and I had to take her to the foyer.  She also loves strawberries, bananas, crackers, cheese, peas, and beans (like chili beans or black beans).  

Violet loves to play with phones, cars, balls, and she loves to empty things.  If you set any container filled with something in front of her, she will happily empty it for you.  But she won't put anything back of course.

Violet loves to play with her siblings.  I think she especially loves Jorgen, maybe because he is here more than the others, so he plays with her more.  It is fun to see them play together.

Library Day

Standing!

Tonight Bethany was playing with Violet and tried to get her to stand on her own - and she did!  She kept trying over and over.  She would climb up on Bethany, let go and stand for about 10 seconds, then plop down on her bottom.  It was so cute.  She did is over and over dozens of times.  I got some videos of it too, but I can't ever get videos to post on blogger.  They are cute though.  I love how she has to have her arms out to stay up, and the big grin on her face.  

The "experts" say if a baby has some rough nights sleeping, they might be on the verge of leaning a new skill. Well, the last 2 nights have been rough - literally no sleep for Violet or me.  I guess she was just gearing up to show us her new trick.  Thus the quote on her shirt, which I thought was perfect for her.