Thursday, October 29, 2009

Star Student (and Star Brother, too)

This week at preschool, Lorelei was the star student. She got to create a poster about her favorite things, which I should be keeping track of every so often. So, here it is... Lorelei and Gryffin's favorite things Fall 2009:

LORELEI'S FAVORITES (at 3 1/2):
Hobbies: homework Mommy gives her, reading, playing in puddles, being a big sister, dancing
Toys: baby dolls, Mrs. Potato Head, Legos, art supplies, mud and shovels
Games: Candy Land, Hide and Seek
Books: Berenstain Bears, The Grublin, The Three Little Pigs
Movies: Harry Potter, Ice Age, Leap Frog, Bolt, Incredibles, Horton Hears a Who
Foods: Peanut Butter & Jelly, carrots, lots of fruits and veggies, chicken nuggets
Animals: Zebras and lions
Something Special: I love how you sneak into our bed and want to snuggle at night, even if Daddy doesn't get a great night's rest. I love snuggling with my girl! And I love the sweet things you say to me and the way you say them--you make me laugh all through the day, Lorelei! Oh yeah, and I love how you're a spitting image of me--I'm so proud of my girl!
What I can do: Right now Lorelei is beginning to read with Hooked on Phonics. She's already finished the first two stickers on her chart, mastering -at words and -an words. She likes cutting with scissors and is beginning work in handwriting and connect the dots. In dance lessons, she is learning to follow along with the teacher in a sequence of moves. She loves jungle gyms, parks with big slides, inflatable bouncers, "scary" movies, and anything to do with art projects. She is still a fashion queen, always sporting her signature feathers in her hair. She attends preschool three half-days per week!

GRYFFIN'S FAVORITES (at 1 1/2):
Hobbies: Music class with Miss Beth, dancing, reading, throwing food, manipulating objects, playing in dirt or sand
Toys: toothbrush, blocks, balls, magnetic balls and rods, sidewalk chalk
Games: Peek-a-Boo with Lorelei, tickle
Books: I Love You Stinky Face, Goodnight Moon, The Lost Treasure of Skull Island
Movies: Barney Sing-Along, Leap Frog
Foods: Mommy, spinach lasagna, oatmeal, bananas
Animals: Dogs (always points at them on walks and says "Dog!")
Something Special: I love the way you squint your eyes and flash your goofy gummy grin at me with a squeak--it always makes me giggle. I love the way you pronounce all your "s" letters "sh" and how you speak with such sincerity and determination. And I love the faces you make when you poop (too stinking cute)!
What I can do: Gryffin can run like a devil, do somersaults on his own, trot, knows how to work the TV and DVD players, and puts his Barney Sing-Along DVD on for himself in the playroom each morning. He has a varied list of words, including "Lorelei" and "ridiculous," and often speaks simple sentences (i.e. "Look at that!" and "I did that!"). He loves to show off dancing, and has his own signature moves in his high chair (dubbed baseball and churn the butter). His fine and gross motor skills are advanced for his age, especially manipulating objects and fitting things together. He is still nursing at least 3-4 times a day.

Halloween

We hosted our 4th annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat. It was a beautiful night, except for the horrific double-car wreck in the yard next-door. We went door-to-door past bonfires and bats, to the end of the street and back.
The Halloween parade across the stage before the orchestra/ballet.
Poking the pumpkin heads.

The pirate and the pumpkin.

The princess and the pumpkin.

Lorelei Bo-Peep. Mommy actually sewed something (without cursing). Amazing.

Our neighborhood parade was rained out, but the kids were happy
having ice cream with the neighbor kids at McDonalds.

At the Totley Crew Halloween Party

Mr. Froggy came out one day, said "Hi, Lorelei & Gryffin, would you like to play?"
The kids said, "Hi, Froggy, how do you do? Yes, we'd like to play with you!"

Put your sticks in the air and tap with me... 1, 2, 3.

Music With Mar (by Miss Beth) Halloween class

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Lorelei's Musings...

Mommy: The leaves are changing, which means Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming soon.
Lorelei: And presents!
Mommy: Yes, but that's not what Christmas is really about. Christmas is about Jesus, right?
Lorelei: No, Christmas is about Lorelei. That's ME!
(I think we'll be starting our Advent devotions EARLY this year)

And while sitting on my lap today, Lorelei also informed me that one day, she will have a house made out of bricks with all the same colors as ours. And she will be a mommy too and have her ears pierced. She will have five children (all boys), and their dad's name will be Zack. And, as their Grammy, I will take her boys to Coco Key and T-Rex and cook for them whenever I want. Thanks, Lorelei. I'd love to!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Pumpkin Hollow

A fall day at Pumpkin Hollow...
We're ready for our hayride! Yee-haw!
Brrrr... Daddy & Lorelei snuggle to get warm.
Gryffin chillin' next to Mommy in his bear hat.
Fishin' for pumpkins & ghosts
Gryffy & his Daddy--oh so studly.
Look what we picked up in the pumpkin patch!
Lorelei petting the goats--she'll make a great Bo-Peep!
We ran into our friends, the Bell family, on the hayride back!

The New Playroom

Lorelei loves preschool so much, we decided to bring it home. Gryffin's toys are organized into cubbies, the magnetic wall is ready for Lorelei's preschool art, and the new playroom is a hit with all the kids' friends. Can't wait to use it when we're stuck indoors this winter!
The magnetic wall with the ABC's, a calendar center, weather, word wall, etc.
Another view of the new wall and cubbies.
Brunch with the Luksa Ladies (and Gryffin and Kai, too).

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Day at the Heart & Meg's Family Celebration

Lorelei with her cousin, Meaghan, celebrating Meg's new home.
Lorelei with her friend, Sammy, inside our new church building.
Gryffin & Mommy in front of our new church, Heartland, at Day at the Heart.
Lorelei climbing mountains.
Not so sure about this...