Bragging

I just have to brag a bit...

Ethan read a book yesterday!! Woo-hoo!!!!! He is 5 but not in "real" school yet. Just pre-Kindergarten. I could tell many months ago that he was ready to read, so I bought some curriculum. We have barely worked on it. I was frustrated because it started with letters and their sounds, which he has known for a long time. A few days ago he started reading simple words off of signs ("pop" and "end" are two I remember) so I thought I just had to skip ahead of all the curriculum junk. I pulled out the first reader from his curriculum and said "Let's try this." At first he didn't want to, but the photo on the cover was intriguing to him so he wanted to find out what the story was about. He sounded out words and immediately recognized "sight words" (like "the" and "and".) I am so proud of him! And just amazed at how easily this is coming to him.

On an unrelated note...

I am leaving this morning on a trip to Mexico with my MIL, 3 SIL's and a niece. I HATE flying apart from my family. I worry so much - you wouldn't believe how upset I get about it! So yesterday I was talking to God about my fears and I said "I need you to reassure me that I am going to come back." And He said "I already did, a few days ago in your Bible study." I sort of remembered - vaguely. I pulled out my study guide and found it. Phillipians 1:20-26, especially 24-26.

So I'm off!

Love in Christ,
Laura

Photos

I am just posting a few unrelated photos today, in order to update various family members. The first was intended to show Ethan's first (possible) black eye. I'm not sure it is going to turn into a black eye. It looked blue under his eye earlier today but tonight I mostly just see the red cheek, so he may yet escape the whole black eye thing. He and the neighbor boys got a bit too wild today and apparently Ethan was pushed into the edge of a table. Thankfully I wasn't home at the time. If I had been here I'm sure he would have cried himself to sleep but instead his beloved cousin took him outside for a rousing game of cap guns and he quickly forgot his misery.

I just realized that distant family members are likely surprised by the photo of Eric as well - since he has somewhat recently grown a bit of a beard. He was quite unhappy when it came in entirely gray, but I am secretly amused by it. I think I like it and he thinks he does, so we think it is staying.

The second picture is, yes, from Christmas. I am ridiculously proud of the fact that I FINALLY finished Ethan's Christmas stocking. I was hoping for a better picture but this is the best I have. The detail on this stocking was unbelievable and I wanted to be able to show it so I would have an excuse for taking 3 years to finish it. Since it doesn't show up well you'll just have to take my word for it.

The third picture is meant to reassure my SIL that her beautiful daughter is alive and well, and also for my parents to see many of the grand kids that they rarely get to see. My niece has been visiting since last Monday. She is planning to go home on Thursday, although we are contemplating methods of inducement to get her to stay. How we would all LOVE for her to stay. Alas, I am sure her parents would not be pleased if we kept her, so we will have to give her back later this week. This picture was taken in Annapolis, but I decided to focus on the kids rather than any scenery because I specifically wanted a photo for the above-stated reasons.

Gotta run...

Twirly-Girly clothes

When my daughter was born I was addicted to Gymboree. Then I discovered "Mini-Boden" and switched my addiction. Today, I discovered an amazing thing (amazing to my clothes-addicted brain): The daughter-in-law of my daughter's kindergarten teacher, who is currently living in England, is designing clothes for young girls. Her line is extremely limited, but the pieces are beautiful. They appeal to my love of English influence (Mini-Boden) and comfort (Gymboree) as well as my daughter's love of girly dresses and skirts. The new company is called Amoretti - check it out! And check out the blog of the owner - Rebekah Merkle - very fun.