Sunday, February 28, 2016

Birthday Pool Party

This was the second part of Jillian's 8th birthday party. All of the Woodruff kids and Peterson cousins went to the pool at Bev's sister's place. It was very warm, like a bathtub. Papa Ken, Mommy and Daddy accompanied the kids. We spent a nice 1-1/2 hours swimming, resulting in some happy but tired kids.



Saturday, February 27, 2016

Jillian's 8th Birthday

Jillian couldn't wait for this day to arrive. She's finally 8 years old! She started her day off with a couple basketball games, and she must have been fired up about her birthday, because she was super aggressive and all over the court, fighting for balls. Afterwards, she handed out cupcakes for her team, and they sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Going home, she said she didn't want this day to end, because she'd have to wait a whole year for another birthday.

In the evening, the family birthday party started. The Peterson cousins were there (Adam, Andy and Karlie), along with the little neighbors (Hazel and Ila) and the siblings (Bridget and Tor), so Jillian was excited to get to play with everyone. Mommy had made the cake, and it was eaten up quickly. Jillian received lots of neat presents such as books and clothes, reflecting her changing interests as she has gotten older. She was given a very cute present by Bridget, who had made a piece of artwork for her (see picture below).

When asked about her birthday afterwards, Jillian was all smiles and glad about how it went.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Surprise and Haircut!

 It was pretty quiet in the morning as Tor was playing with cars and Bridget was downstairs.  After awhile it was too quiet downstairs so went to check.  I was very pleasantly surprised to see Bridget with a stack of Bob books, reading.  She had about 10 books and she had read 3 already, so I had her read one to me and she did great.  She read for quite awhile longer.
Tor happily let me take a picture of his new haircut.  But it wasn't easy.  I started in the morning while he was watching a cartoon and he would have none of it because of the cut hair would itch him all over.  I tried different things to no avail.  Then when he woke up from his nap early I said I would lay down with him for a longer nap.  He was restless so I told him he could get up if I could finish his hair cut.  Amazingly, he sat super still and he didn't complain at all while I finished.  Whew!






Sunday, February 21, 2016

Little Builder and Rielee Fun

 Tor was playing with Bendaroos when he called out to show me the beach cabin he had made.  I was impressed as he had the slanted roof, sides and bottom that looked like a house.  He made lots of other things that I wasn't sure what they were.  But there was a basketball and hoop!
Jillian and Bridget waited all morning for Rielee to get home so she could come play.  First they went to Rielee's house and then they all came to play here.  They had quite the elaborate Pet Shop set up all over.  I know one area was the Pet doctor.  Happy Day!

Friday, February 19, 2016

One Happy Girl!

Jillian came home from school super excited today.  She won the Jump Rope for Heart Award for raising the most money.  Last year she got second so she was on a mission this year.  One very proud girl for a good cause.

Another Day Inside

 I found a couple of these grown-up grabbers at a garage sale so picked them up.  One of all the kids favorite playthings!  Of course there had to be a couple rules, one: that things needed to be on the floor.  Tor forgot this rule a couple times when he tried to grab from the table or grab his juice box.  Usually this never happens because of the threat of putting them up.  Jillian likes to chase Tor and try to grab him.
 Bridget always gets an idea to try.  Yesterday she wanted a glass of plain milk.  When asked why she said she was now eating healthy and milk is very good for you.  I told her how Brock drinks so much milk every day.
Another thing Bridget is into is making cards and writing things on the computer.  So she needs to learn to space words and put punctuation.  Something is always going wrong and every few minutes I hear "Grannie!".  She has hit the wrong letter and doesn't know how to change it or can't figure out how to do a capital, etc.  I figure it will have to get easier.....

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Tor's New Seat

Tor has had a very successful potty training ever since he started at Grannie and Papa's house many months ago. So far, he's been just like Bridget ... able to hold it for long periods of time, including through the entire night. And when it's time to go, he doesn't waste any time ... he lets us know right away and then makes a run for the bathroom. Up to now, he sits on his little potty by himself, and on the big potty with help. We decided it was time to move up to the next level -- his own big potty seat with a splash guard. Tor is pictured here standing proudly beside it.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Reading Star

 
 
Jillian is quite the reader now and she was recognized for it in the paper.  She loves chapter books plus she has read all the old Archie books and Snoopy books. 

Friday, February 12, 2016

Tierney & Puzzles


 Tierney was playing with the kids using Snapchat and they thought is was hilarious.  They had all different kinds of poses.
 Yesterday Bridget wanted to put together a puzzle that Jillian had done awhile back but she couldn't master it then.  She did it all by herself this time and was proud of her finished project.


She then started on a dinosaur puzzle that was much harder and she was struggling.  I looked at her and she was sitting like this.  I asked her and she explained she saw it on a show where you could stop what you're doing if your having trouble and think about it.  I asked if she was meditating and she wanted to know what that meant.  After I explained the word she went back to meditating.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Uncle Dan's Photo Gallery

Uncle Dan used his super fancy digital camera to take some photos of the kids at Jillian's basketball game a few weeks ago. Here's a sampling of some of those shots. Thanks, Uncle Dan!



Partytime and Basketball

 It was Aunt Julie's birthday so Bridget and Tor joined Julie in enjoying her chocolate cake as per the chocolate mustaches.
 Tor can be so funny.  I said heads together for pictures and they both did it but obviously Tor just thought, since Aunt Julie did it that way I should too.
Jillian has had a few basketball games so far.  They play two every Saturday.  She had her best game Saturday against the best team, even hitting a free throw.  Her job is to bring the ball down the court that she does very well (thanks to Brock) and make a good pass.  This week she was more aggressive at stealing the ball and going all the way for a lay-up.  She is one of their best defenders and she did a great job Saturday. 

Monday, February 1, 2016

Mommy's B-day Party

We all went to Country Folks Deli on Saturday evening after Jillian's basketball games to celebrate Heather's birthday. The wait staff was very understanding of our group, considering we had kids bouncing all over the place. The food was really good, and it was nice to relax and visit.