Is it Spring Yet???

Avery was off from school last week so we had a busy week planned to keep ourselves entertained. I have a bit of cabin fever and , as much as I normally love winter, I am so ready for this winter to be over! We started the week with a nice snowy day. It wasn't too cold out and we had a blast playing out in the snow. Sierra has discovered the taste of snow so that kept her busy for a long time while Avery did a bunch of sledding runs down the hill. Of course, we did our usual gymnastics class, but since there was no school, it was very crazy, but still fun nonetheless. At least the girls got a good lesson in waiting in line. We also had a fun day at Playtown Express, a fun indoor play place with all kinds of inflatable things to play in and stuff to climb on. Thay have a big 18 foot inflatable slide that is so fun. This was the first time that I let Sierra go on it and she loved it! Big Sister Avery took her on it for the first time and then we couldn't get her off of it!

Happy Valentine's Day

Frisbee in the Snow?

Yummy Snow!

WHEEEEEEEE!!!

Let's Bowl!

Avery is an ace at Wii Bowling so we decided to take her to a real bowling alley to test her mad skills. Our bowling alley here in little old Spencer has "Candlepin Bowling". I have never heard of it before but it is great for kids. You use a really small ball that is much easier for kids to throw. Avery was so excited to go! The only problem was that when you walk in the bowling alley they have a game section with skeet ball and video games and all kinds of mechanical rides so once the girls saw that, they were not as excited about the bowling. But we walked past the games and got our schnazzy bowling shoes on and got set up on our lane. Sierra was good for one frame and then she was completely done. Her bowling shoes came off and she was off to the games and rides. Avery lasted a little longer, but not much. She did have fun bowling though. She bowled around a 55 ; not quite as good as on the Wii. But she still beat Daddy who had some trouble adjusting his technique with a small ball. Then we all had some fun playing games and we discovered another fun indoor activity for those cold, wintry days.

Our Progress Reports

I had a meeting with Avery's teacher, Ms. Nancy, the other day just to give us an update on how she is doing at school. She said Avery is doing great. She can see a difference in her from last year. She used to play by herself mostly, and now she is a social butterfly and loves playing with all of the other kids. She is doing great with all of her skills except she struggles with lower case letters, but I guess that's normal. But, she is very meticulous about her work. Ms. Nancy also said that Avery is very talkative, to the point that the teachers have to sometimes redirect her to the task at hand. But apparently, Avery always has something to share with her friends at circle time (Oh, to be a fly on that wall!)



And Sierra is also doing great with her language skills. Beth still comes every week to work with us. I have noticed a huge difference. She says about 15 words now. And some of them she actually uses when it's appropriate. She used to just randomly say uh-oh all the time now she says it if she drops something, it is so cute! Her newest words are "Go", which she says very clearly, and "no', which she says not so clearly (she has a little trouble with the "n' sound). And she can do a couple of animal sounds (I love how she says Hoo-Hoo like an owl!) And she is trying to imitate what I say more and more. Overall, Avery & Sierra are both doing great and I am so proud of both of my girls!

Avery is Officially Four

After all the craziness of getting ready for Avery's birthday party was over, we were able to relax a little. We had lots of fun playing in the snow and spending time with Gramma & Grampa and Nana & Grandpa before they had to go home. Then after they all left, Uncle Joey, Aunt Jenna, Alex and Stacy came for a visit for the weekend. The girls had so much fun playing with Alex and Stacy and they all had a blast playing out in the snow. But now everyone has gone home and we are back to just the four of us. It was so nice to see everyone but it's also nice to get back to our regular routine.

Avery & Daddy having some fun on the snow tube

Avery & Gracie playing in the snow

Avery opening some more birthday presents



And another birthday cake

Sierra fell asleep on the swing

Alex, Stacy & Avery getting ready to do some sledding

All of the kids enjoying some yummy ice cream cake

Avery & Sierra on the tube

Avery on her new snowmobile

Avery at the bottom of the hill (Yes she is loving this.... she is such an adrenaline junkie!)

Sierra's a little more low key

We were trying to get a picture of Sierra in Avery's old Steelers Cheerleader outfit. She wasn't very happy about it. We're not sure if it was because it was a little too small or if she was embarassed to be wearing a Steelers outfit.