Funny Sam

Mornings:

"Sam get out of bed, it's time to get ready for school"

"but I'm stuck! I'm sick."

"Ok, well I'll just go to school and leave you here."

(pops up)"well, I'm just a little sick..."

Red Bell Peppers:

"Sam, eat your peppers too."

"I'm allergic."

Max Self Feeds

These pictures of Max's first attempt at self feeding speak for themselves, so I will only say this: a) it was his idea (he pulled the spoon from a canister on the counter) and b) I don't think he's ready to leave home yet.

Horse Tails

Pearl got the opportunity to go with her girl scout troop for a real horseback riding lesson. It was so fun!!!

She was so excited to be able to get some good use out of her cowgirl boots!
She learned how to tie knots.
This was all the girls practicing (in earnest!) keeping their heels down and toes up!

Here she is, getting her helmet on and setting off to ride "Montana."
Doesn't she look TINY on that horse!!!!

She wasn't too sure about it at first... it's a lot of responsibility to guide a thousand pound animal ALL by yourself, but by the end she was all smiles!
Once again, GO GIRL SCOUTS!!!!

California

We have cousins all over the country. I have a brother in New York and a brother in Provo. Jared has siblings in Provo and Des Moines. We, live in California.

Do you know what the weather is like in those places today? Well, in New York, the high is 32 degrees (not very high, if you ask me) and it is overcast. In Des Moines, it's 29 and snowing (Brrr!!!). In Provo, it's 39 with some slushy snow.

In Shingle Springs, it's sunny with a high of 62. That's right folks. That, my friends, is the reason people pay large sums of money to live here. If you have small children, I'd say it's definitely worth it.

While our cousins are bundled up inside or shoveling snow or whatever you do when the weather is 30 degrees, we went outside at 8:00 this morning and played in our newly filled sandbox.
Only in California do they stock play sand in February. The weather has been so nice lately, I decided it was time for our yearly supply. Jared pointed out (oh so constructively) that it IS still rainy season, and I merely reminded him that the sandbox has a cover. And, with days like this here and there, it's worth keeping the cover on so Sammy has something to do outside on sunny afternoons besides climb rock piles, get wet in random puddles, and get lost (all activities of this week.)
Yeah for California!!!!

Six Month Doctor Visit

My poor baby. He woke up at 5:30 this morning, puked up all his milk on his mommy, and had to take a shower with me. Then he didn't really nap because we had to get kids ready for school and take him to target and the doctor. He took a little nap in the car on the way to target, did NOT transfer to the comfy bed I made him in the stroller. He was good and happy for the doctor, but by the time the nurse came in to give shots he was a bit hysterical. After picking up Sammy and feeding him lunch, he FINALLY got to nurse and go to bed - that kid better sleep for 3 hours!!!

Anyway, my big baby is gone. Instead I have a 16 lb 7 ounce 25% baby. He's 25% for height and 23% for head circumference. So, though he is small, he is perfectly proportioned. He is still happy and mellow, we are so lucky to have such a good baby.
His favorite things in life are his daily bottle of pear juice, chewing on ANYTHING, but especially straps, and crinkly plastic bags. He's already starting that "I don't want it if it's actually a toy" phase, and nursing is sometimes a wrestling match because he is so torn by what he wants to do more... eat or see what's going on! He's VERY close to sitting on his own, but not so much a roller yet. He has started to make vocalizations for the purpose of social communication (I know, I'm a speech geek. Other people think he's just screaming for joy). Love love love this boy, which is good, because every once in a while I reflect on how easy life would be with just two kids... good thing #3 is so adorable, I couldn't live without him!

Baby Scott's Blessing Day

Yet another nephew was blessed today! Baby Scott, grandkid #8. He was very well behaved:)

While we were at it, I got some pictures of his brother Jack. He is just SO photogenic!
Me with baby Scott. He weighs a LOT less than Max, or so it feels like!

Girl Scouts Rock!!!

On Saturday, Pearl and I had the opportunity to volunteer with our troop to help with a food drive for the El Dorado County Food Bank. It was cold, but the girls had so much fun!

They stood outside and took turns handing fliers to people of items the food bank was in need of that they could purchase and then donate as they left the store. Another troop of high school age girl scouts was in charge, they did an awesome job with the organization of the whole thing.
The girls had to be very clear as they approached people, as everyone thought we were selling cookies (that's coming up...). Pearl did great, she would walk up and ask people very clearly "would you like to help the El Dorado County Food Bank today?" She got very good at telling people thank you and have a nice day even if they were rude:)
Here are the big girls that were there. The little girls ADORED them - they totally listened to the big girls better than their leaders!!!
And... here's us. I'm wearing my bright green girl scout t-shirt that my sisters say always makes them think of cookies:) Girl Scouts has been fun - definitely a time commitment, that sometimes seems difficult with an infant. But it's a great program, I'm involved with an awesome troop, and it is so wonderful for Pearl and I to have something to do together, when it seems like a lot of our home life is focused on the little boys. I sure love this girl!