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Natalie had her second parent-teacher conference of the year!  I’m so proud of our star student!

• She is reading above grade level.  She was even chosen as one of the two best readers in the class to read at an assembly for black history month!  She’s probably at K level, but only “needs” to be at “I” by the end of the year.
• She wrote that her favorite subject is “siyents” (science).  She loves the science-related kits and projects that Aunt Becky and Uncle Mike have gotten her, and her favorite constellation is Orion, I believe.  She esp. likes chemistry.
• She wants to get better at her writing.  (She works really hard at her writing and is a good writer – but wants to get even better.)  At the beginning of the year, she wrote a “small moments” book about our trip to Cape Cod and used a lot of detail.  She really likes writing how-to books, like how to make a pepperoni pizza.  She recently wrote a book about her favorite color and opened with an interesting question to grab the reader’s attention.  (The book was about the color blue, which isn’t really her favorite color but the teacher chose pink and Natalie knew she wasn’t supposed to copy that.)
• She works well with others – even her math partner who sometimes picks his nose and recently “blamed” her for “pushing him” off the stand-up desk, even though he really just fell.  (This was a BIG deal to Natalie, who is a teacher pleaser, and definitely didn’t want to be viewed negatively at all – luckily, a neighbor boy game to her defense.)

She still misses kindergarten – more choice time, and her lovely, caring teacher.  She doesn’t LOVE 1st grade like she loved kindergarten, but I’m happy she seems happy each day (although she cheers for snow days).  Her favorite time of day is usually specials, especially Gym on Tues & Fri and art and technology on Thursday.

We’re so lucky to be the parents of a sweet girl who tries hard and is pretty smart (and cute).

Some pictures from our recent trip to Woodstock, VT…no kids! Alison offered to fly in to b hang out with the kiddos so we took her up on it.

We missed them, but not too much. Snowshoeing, a spa at a swanky hotel, breweries, racquetball, today, and shipping. It was a fun 54 hours!!!

Elliott and I had some time to play computer games while Natalie and Mom were at a birthday party.  Check out his creations!

He wants to make sure I mention that the car can travel over OR under hot lava, and the robot can turn into the car.  Whoa!

After months and months of counting down, We were so lucky to have Lala visit! It was a very happy reunion!!! She jumped right back into her old routine – saying hi and hugging Ed the crossing guard, convincing Ms April to allow her to sneak a peak during Natalie’s dance class, reading at LMI, etc.

Last night….

Me: “is there anything special you want to do tomorrow?

Natalie: “can we just have a lousy morning?”

Me: (chuckle) “Do you mean lazy morning? I don’t think you want to have a lousy morning”

Natalie: “I mean lazy! What does lousy mean?”

Me: “bad. So you asked for a bad morning”

Natalie: (hysterical laughing) “I mean lazy! I mean lazy!”

I love when the kids try out words they aren’t exactly sure about! Funny to hear and I’m proud they are taking a risk!

E came up with the idea for breakfast in bed. He asked for it to be served on “that thing you put cookies on”.

We got about one inch of snow and school was cancelled today. Natalie’s 5th day of cancellation or late start. :(. These New Englanders aren’t Midwestern tough.

On the bright side, in between conference calls, we got in some very creative play.

Nat made her own closet for Stella and perfected the set up in her room. (Warning to Daddy who is away – she moved her dresser and lamp on her own to make room).

And Elliott had me trace his body to make a pint-size Optimus Prime (with a chocolate bar below his feet because why not?)

And they each helped each other out. Nat helped color. Elliott helped make hangers.

Natalie also read to her bro in bed this morning while is showered!!! When we were reading before bed tonight, E wasn’t quite as happy. Nat tooted and E shouted “get me a blanket! SOS! SOS!”

And Nat organized her Girl Scout cookies! I used to love doing that with my mom and sisters for the whole troop. This order was smaller – 22 with Tagalongs taking the lead as most popular. Although Nat should get extra commission for up-selling S’mores cookies to both Grandma and Jira even though they are $1 more!

I’m such a lucky Mom. We miss our Dado who is in Scottsdale. He’s pretty lucky right now too.

Okay… now the downside, off to work on a contract. The same one I was working on at 6:15am.

These pics are in no particular order but definitely all being a smile to my face.

1. Roro continues to be a HUGE part of the family. Dad and Elliott even hold his “hands” (that little collar) during dinner prayers. Note – Elliott has also been wearing those stegosaurus pjs often to assist on his impending transformation into a Dino. He is hoping the full transformation happens by his fifth birthday, which is about 62 days away. (The countdown has begun). He says his backbone is the beginning of spikes. His tailbone is the start of his tail. And his teeth are changing to be more shell shaped which is better for eating plants. Tonight he told me he hoped he would be in the newspaper soon – as the first Dino to live in human times. “I will be so famous”

2 no idea what victory he is celebrating here but mind you, it’s zero degrees outside. And did you see that he is in the midst of housing a bag of raw almonds. What kid likes that for a treat!!?

3. Not sure what he is doing here but you can tell he loves superheroes and his construction plate from Nana!

4 and 5. His bff Ethan and he got dressed up super goofy on their play date. We hear about Ethan at least 12 times a day. The other day Elliott asked me if I knew his middle name!

Tonight at bedtime Elliott said he wished we were made together. It’s great to be so loved. We laugh about how we would argue if we went to his school or my work. We decided I would have to start teaching at his school.

And when I gave him a kiss good night he double “dabs” it in to keep it. And makes me do the same. He does this for every one, every kiss. “Dab dab” has been going on for like two months!

Costumes are starting to come in! Here’s the one for Annie! Can you believe how big this girl is?!? And she totally has the dancer smile and pose down! I think she will have three or four dances this year including her one with Dad!

misc note. Natalie read to the whole family tonight. Missy’s School Play. Reading level M! I’m so proud of her. She started first grade out at reading level d (on grade level) and has zoomed ahead to end of grade 2 expectations!!! It’s so amazing!!

After the holidays, Nat invited a few friends over for a movie bday party. It was about zero degrees outside so cozy pjs were perfect. The kids liked the ice cream sundaes before watching an “old fashioned” movie – Honey I Shrunk the Kids. The hit gift was the sequin clothes and accessories that change views. You flip it to reveal a new pattern. Emojis are super popular too. Aren’t those pjs cute?!

see the Emoji sequin hat! Nat doesn’t like gray much at all but with sequins and emojis it’s her new fav!