Swimming Lessons

A little swimmer in the making! 



Ruby has been attending a swimming class (sans Carson) and has made huge progress.  When both kids were in a class together, they played off each other's fears, and wouldn't put their faces in the water.  Now Ruby is all about putting her face under and loving it.  She is in a group with 3 other children from her school, so feels very comfortable with them.  And the teacher is wonderful -- so patient, but keeps control of the very active boys.  Kristin's thought was once Ruby learned, then when Carson saw how well she was doing, he would have to learn -- because he wouldn't let her one-up-him!  (It may work)

That's Ruby jumping off the side and under the water, while the boys watch her.  Her teacher is under with her. 

 

Ready - Set - JUMP.

 

"HEY teacher -- forget about the kid on the steps, and watch Ruby!"

RED LETTER DAY FOR CARSON!

 

Yes, he lost his first tooth!  While eating dried cherries at school for snack, out it came!  He was thrilled, to say the least.   The teachers sent it home in this baggie.  (Oh, by the way -- he wears that hat almost non-stop!) 

 

LOVE YOUR NEW HAIR CUT, TOO, BUDDY!  

Ru's First Pedi

Ruby's first pedi! 

(Gosh, I think I was 50 before I got my first pedicure!) 

One very happy girl.

 



I believe she earned it -- they have been keeping a chart for the kids to help with  chores and getting ready for school, brushing teeth,  no whining, etc.  Ruby wanted a pedi for her treat. 

She earned this pedi. 

 

Two Different Starts To Morning!

1)  Carson wakes up and says "Let's start our day with Yoga!" 

2)  Ruby starts her day by hiding all her long pants behind the dresser because she doesn't like wearing them -- wants to only wear dresses or skirts to school.  THAT doesn't go over well with her Daddy and Ruby turns into
 (and I quote her Mommy)

 "a hot mess!" 

 

Good morning children. . . 

Court-side Blazer's Game

Yesterday afternoon Kristin was offered 4 tickets to the Trailblazer's basketball game that night.  They were court-side seats, so they couldn't turn them down.  The kids felt very special to be at a big game like that. 

 

Obviously very laid-back during the game!  

 This shot shows you how close they were to the action!  

Church At Home

Because of the ice storm at my house on Sunday, I decided to not go out to church.  The twins have been to my church numerous times and really enjoy going with me.  Because of the bad road conditions,  I announced that we were going to do church at home......... after all, I had been a Sunday School teacher many years ago. 

I decided to teach on the story of Zacchaeus and read that to them from their children's Bible.  Carson was a bit distracted from some new library books he wanted me to read.  But we sang songs, told stories, prayed and when we were almost done,

Carson said "Is church done yet?"

Hanging Out at Grandma's House

I had the kids over this weekend for a sleep-over.  Sunday morning we woke up to another silver-thaw, with ice covering everything.  We decided to stay home from church and stay warm and safe inside. 

 The two photos below are rather amazing -- and a FIRST, I think. 

I was putting on a show for them to watch while I fixed breakfast, and when I turned the TV on, it was playing Mister Roger's Neighborhood.  I didn't even think that show was on TV anymore.  When my girls were young, they didn't like that show.  I wasn't going to leave it on, and Ruby even said "I don't want to watch that."  But before I could change the channel, both kids were mesmerized, so I kept it on till the end.  It kind of made me laugh because I'm sure their mommy would not ever put that show on for them. 

 Some things never grow old, I guess. 

 

 

Carson made a giant creation with all of the same type of blocks that Aunt Stephanie got for the kids.  Some were kept at my house and some at their house, but since Carson has so many Lego's at home, they brought these blocks over to my house.  He had fun building this tall ramp for his monster truck to fly down.  

 

 

I told Ruby that when I was 5 years old and then when Auntie Kat was 5 years old, we were both taking piano lessons.  I would love for Ruby to take them as well, but the piano is at my house and it would be hard for her to practice.  Maybe someday. . . .

 

MOLARS!

Ruby had been complaining that her teeth hurt, so last week Kristin took her to the dentist, fearing cavities.  No cavities -- she is cutting her 6 year molars, top and bottom.  Poor thing -- we forget what teething feels like after they get those initial teeth.  But Lil Ru is teething, again!  Carson hasn't even lost one tooth yet (but one is loose), and here she is getting molars. 

Takes after her Auntie Kat -- a LAND SHARK!  

Vintage Kristin

I love coming across pictures of Kristin that remind me so much of Ruby Grace.  Here is Kristin at 3 1/2 as  Raggedy Ann for Halloween.  I see so much of Kristin in Ruby that sometimes it makes me take a second look. 

 (Notice that her hair is in high-up pig tails and is still hanging down long!  Ruby definitely got her mother's hair.  She is already talking about growing her hair long for Locks of Love again) 

 

Why Daddy?

Priceless! ! !

 

"Buddy, that's a really great question to ask your Daddy.  I sure love you!"  G.ma Julee

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

This is one of the favorite songs that the twins ask me to sing to them when I'm putting them down for nap or bedtime, especially Ruby.    It is to the tune of the Marine's Hymns -- "from the halls of Montezuma ......."

 

God's LOVE is like a circle

A circle big and round.

For when you see a circle

No ending can be found.

And so the LOVE of Jesus

Goes on eternally.

Forever and Forever

I KNOW that HE LOVES me! 

Silver Thaw

SILVER THAW

noun

• a glassy coating of ice formed on the ground or an exposed surface by freezing rain or the refreezing of thawed ice.

 

I have heard about a "silver thaw" but never really experienced it like this before.  After all the lovely, VERY light snow that fell over 3 days, it is now completely in-crusted in ice.  If you look closely, you can see hundreds of little icicles hanging from my house and the windows on the back side are completely opaque (like a bathroom window).  

 

My car is a little iceberg -- completely coated in ice. 

 This is the pussy willow tree in my backyard that had already started getting the little pussy willows on it.  Sure hope freezing them doesn't cause them to fall off!  

 

Guess who doesn't like to go potty outside on the ice?  I had to stand outside for 30 minutes this morning to encourage Snowy to relieve himself.  He was scared to death and each time he got ready to go, he would slip and slide and stop.  I don't know how dogs do it that live in Minnesota or Alaska.  I guess they are used to it, but Snowy sure isn't. 

SNOWY DAY IN OREGON

The snow finally caught up with Oregon this week.  It started on Thurs, and schools let out at 1:00.  It continued through the night, so that schools and many offices/businesses were closed down, including mine, on Friday.  It  was gorgeous Friday morning which allowed for lots of fun play, shoveling, sledding, and there were even people cross country skiing down streets in downtown Portland (I saw on the news).   Carson and Ruby were out at Grandma Carrie's, where they had about 10 inches (more than me).  What a fun day they had, making memories that will last a life time.  Thanks to Grandma Carrie for all the great photography and videos. 

ENJOY

 Not many hills near where Grandma Carrie lives, but who needs hills when you have a Grandma who will pull you or Grandpa Ray's tractor pulling you? 

You will notice the two dogs (Sonny & Zipper) having a blast as well!