Gemma conversations

Gemma: Da - woof!
Mama: Do you see a dog? 
Gemma: Yeah!  Da!
Mama: Wow!
Gemma: Un.  Do.  Do da.
Mama: (looks down the sidewalk and sees two dogs with their owners going for a walk) Are you counting? Do you see 2 dogs?
Gemma: Yeah!  Do da!
Gemma: Brow da
Mama: Hmmm...Do you see a brown dog?
Gemma: Yeah!! Brow da.  Niii da.
Mama: It is a brown dog!  He does look like a nice dog!  You see so many things!
Gemma: Brow da.  Whiii da.  Da.
Mama: Yes.  A brown dog and a white dog.  Are they nice dogs?
Gemma: Yes!  Niii da.  Bye da!

Gemma

Daddy: Gemma are you ready for bed?
Gemma: yeah! Ding dongs!
(Puzzled looks all around)
Daddy: are you ready to sing some songs?
Gemma: yeah! Ding dongs!

-----

Gemma: wah wahs.
Mama: you want a color crayon?
Gemma: yeah! Wah wahs! Bo!
Mama: you want a blue crayon?
Gemma: yeah! Boo wah wah!
(Hands Gemma a blue crayon. Several moments pass.)
Gemma: mo wah wahs. Mo.
Mama: you want more colors?
Gemma: yeah.
Mama: here is a crayon. It is orange. Can you say orange?
Gemma: no. *(takes crayon and starts coloring)

*as in, no, she won't say orange.
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Math time

The kids and I work on math from time to time. We have math workbooks for in the summertime. The summer workbooks arrived recently, and the kids were excited to try them out (not to worry, the newness will wear off. I'm sure in another week no one will want to do math). Gemma was not going to be left out. She very carefully colored each of the math problems on the page while muttering to herself "two! Nine! Two!" Over and over again.

Amelia preschool graduation

Amelia had her preschool graduation this evening. It was very sweet and a nice program. Sadly, we only seem to be able to have time to process pictures from our phones to post here anymore.

Amelia did a great job with the program, although she was difficult to see at times. I don't think she loved performing, but she did everything that was asked of her. She claimed her favorite part was when she saw me in the crowd and then the cookie.

Gemma on the other hand, was raring to join her sister on stage. I had to keep a hand on the tail of her shirt the whole time to keep her from running up on stage. The few times she got away from me, she made a beeline for the steps the kids performed on. As soon as it was over, she finally ran over and was so pleased with herself.

We did take other pictures and video, but I'm pretty sure this is the only one that will end up here. Something has to give and around here that is one of those things! Maybe someday.....we still have pictures on our camera from Thanksgiving and Christmas that I haven't looked at...

Rock collector

It can be hard on a washing machine when you have an avid rock collector in the family. I just spent 5 minutes pulling various pebbles and rocks from the washing machine after washing William's pants.

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This just in!

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!

Look what I pulled up to after work today! I have a driveway! I also got mail today and my trash was picked up without incidence! After 7 days of schlepping kids across the lawn with diaper bags, backpacks, lunch boxes and library book I am SO ready for our garage back!

Happy Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day! We had a WONDERFUL day celebrating this mom! I got up on the earlier side of things, much to John's dismay. He was trying to let me sleep in, but I wanted to get my run in before it got hot. It's a good thing I went when I did- it was very warm and humid his afternoon.

We spent some time with our "grandma Heidt" tree in our front yard. It has grown quiet a bit and is looking very nice. The kids are getting to the age where they enjoy hearing stories about Grandma and how special she was (and is!) to our family.

We went to a historic area and had an extended lunch at a cute little local place. The food was good, the setting was pretty and I had great company. The service was a little slow, but it was very busy.

We came home for some naps and I got a little sewing time in.

John grilled pizzas for dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen for me. I got to play with the kids and relax. So nice!

John even surprised me with a gift of some stacking rings. There is one for each child with their birthstone in it. They are so pretty and I am so happy!