My helper

Amelia was helping me out away the dishes one evening. I bribed her with the promise of an extra book at bedtime. She was game.

She tackled a stack of plates and started putting them away in the cabinet. These plates are stored vertically in the cabinet. When I put them away, I stack them up, turn them on their side and plunk them in the cabinet.

As I put away the other dishes, I could hear Amelia muttering away under her breath. I couldn't figure out what was taking her so long to put the plates as I was so focused on completing the task. It wasn't until later that I noticed the reason it took so long: she took all of the plastic plates out of the cabinet, organized them by color, and then put them away. Of course she did.

100 days smarter

The kids are both now 100 days smarter! Thursday 1/27 was the 100th day of school!

Can we...?

Amelia: mom can we go out to eat? Like at Applebee's? (As we drive by)

Mama: not tonight Amelia.

Amelia: awww...

Gemma: but, we love eating.....

Sent from my iPhone

Happy 8th birthday William

Happy 8th birthday William!

He was dismayed this morning when he realized I was serious about sending him to school on his birthday. Apparently, last year, someone in his class got to stay home for his birthday and William thought this was an excellent idea.

I was more serious about sending him to school.

I tried to make it up to him by making birthday oatmeal. Oatmeal+ a hot chocolate packet+ chocolate chips + dried cherries+ little bit of milk= delicious.

Daddy, Amelia, William and Gemma teamed up to make some decorations. Watch for pictures of these as I was very impressed by these!

He chose to bring ice cream for his classmates. Who wants ice cream in January? William.

Gemma and I met him for lunch at school.

He decided he wanted pancakes from Bob Evans for dinner.

He requested a "dirt dessert" for his cake. It went over much better this time. The last time we made it ( for his 3rd or 4th birthday?), he was a little horrified about the resemblance to dirt and I'm not sure he enjoyed it. Poor kid.

Amelia's how to part 3

Now you all know how to disco and can have fun dancing!

Amelia's how to writing part 2

And the saga continues.

Also, I admit to teaching our kids how to disco, do the twist, do the potato masher, and the hokey pokey during our family dance parties.

While John occasionally takes part in these dance parties, he is most certainly not the responsible party in this matter.

Amelia's how to story part 1

Amelia's class is learning how to write how-to type writing. Each student had to write an instructional piece and turn in.

Amelia chose to write her assignment on the following topic:

How to dance the disco.


This has given John and I all kinds of entertainment.

My favorite moment perhaps was:

Amelia: here is my school assignment daddy. I have to finish coloring it before tomorrow. I have to bring it back and turn it in.

John: ohhh... It looks colorful! (He reads it and starts to smile). Wow! Amelia! What an interesting idea!

Amelia: I kind of picked it because of you.

John: you did? Whaaaa?

Amelia: yes daddy! Because you taught me how to disco!

John: you....I....I did?

Amelia: yes! Thank you daddy! (Runs off to play)

John: (stunned expression) whaaa? I don't even..... I didn't teach her how to disco!

(Face pales, loses color)

Oh no. How many people at school do you think she told that I taught her disco?

Mama: (endless laughing)

My apologies. All the pages won't fit in one email, so there will be 3 posts with the rest of her writing.