Valentines

We've been busy making Valentines over here!

This actually isn't a Valentine, but it is a cute picture with which to start.  She went through a very prolific cotton ball phase.  It ended when we ran out of cotton balls.

School Valentines!  I cut out the hearts but she decided where and how many to glue on each card.  Then she did her own painting and stamping!

This one is my favorite!  The preschool teacher says Grace is becoming quite the painter.  Grammy says "of course she is!"

And some other cute pictures just for fun.

Daddy pile up!

Grace and Daddy assembled and painted a model car together!

Clara counts to three!  Right after I turned off the video, she said "ONETWOTHREEFOURFIVE!"

Tucson Christmas - GG

We were able to see GG a couple times while we were there too!

She came to visit at Jon and Roberta's house for a Christmas celebration.  She brought the shoes I bought for myself months ago but accidentally shipped to her address!

Another meal that couldn't be beat.

GG gave rings to both girls.  Clara enjoyed checking it out.

GG did some drawing with Grace.

She even played a game of Trouble!

You might not believe this, but Jason can corroborate.  We went to visit GG at her house on this trip also.  She made a lovely lunch for us and we went to Costco.  When it was time to go, Grace didn't want to hug goodbye even though GG asked for one.  Grace has been known to do this before.  GG didn't skip a beat.  She chased Grace, cornered her and lifted her off the ground, all while Grace giggled uncontrollably!  It was a sight to see!

Tucson Christmas: Grandma

I'm back, here with my second installment of my many Christmas photos.

These photos will feature Grandma.  Grandma likes to teach things.  Here she is teaching Grace how to play a Peruvian game called Sapo.  She tried to teach me too and I was terrible at it.

Grace also learned a ton about baking.

We all benefited from these lessons in other ways.

This apple pie says "Gracie's Pie" in letters made from dough scraps.

One of the best projects they did was a collaboration.  Grace said the pool needed a boat and Grandma listened.

Grandma came up with the Styrofoam design and helped Grace to carefully paint it.

Thanks Grandma!

A Little Spinning Music

Hello everyone!  After I made my last post, my new computer broke and had to be sent back to the company!  I had grand plans to get our Christmas pictures up sooner, but that derailed my efforts.  I should have my computer back tomorrow.  In the meantime, please enjoy some pictures and a video!

We're having a bit of warmish weather and we're making the most of it!

Clara's eyes are healing well we think!  She has been experimenting with tantrums on occasion but she is still generally sweet.  She talks all the time.  She is working on her letters and asks questions all the time.  Her favorite one is "Why?"  She loves to help, but she gets the words mixed up when she asks and says "help me!" instead of "help you." English is confusing!

Uncle Ian gifted Grace this very loud but very fun train for Christmas.  Clara loves to dance and spin to its music!  I love how she asks Grace repeatedly, "On please.  ON PLEASE."

Sledding

We went sledding at the neighbor's house!

Grace went down with Daddy.

Then she went down by herself!

Ada and Grace loved going down together.

Baby Iris got in on the action too!  

Grace had a blast doing this.  I think we're going to have to buy a sled!

Tucson Christmas

Happy New Year! 

I did a terrible job of documenting our December, and I apologize.  One post in a month is probably a new low here at Learning Curve!  I'm not much for resolutions, but I do try to do my best, and that hopefully means posting more!

We'll start with Grandpa.

A serenade for Clara.

A trip to the park.

Grandpa goes down the slide!

Clara loves to give hugs and Grandpa is not left out.

Grandpa makes great food!

He has a fascinating apple peeler.

And very importantly, he has a dog!

18 Months Old!

Clara turned 18 months old three days ago!

She is really learning how to play with Grace, and Grace loves having a playmate!  Grace likes to tell her what to do and she happily obliges, toddling after her from one room to another.  I often hear them chattering about this or that in the mornings before we get up, and Grace often wants to wake her up from her naps so she can have her playmate back.

I also haven't posted about Thanksgiving.  We had a lovely weekend with no work and lots of trips to the park.  We made tons of food and it was a bit hectic.  The girls liked helping some, but craved our attention after too long.  We got it done eventually!

I usually take a group picture right before we eat, but it was too crazy to manage that.  We had our neighbors over, which was fun, and the girls were all hungry!!

We put up the tree and the Christmas decorations and the girls love that.  I dressed them up and tried to get them to pose for a holiday picture.  Snort* that did NOT work.  I have a bunch of pictures of them running around with glee instead.

Grace totally gets it when it comes to the holidays this year.  Clara loves reading the Christmas books and demands Frosty the snowman a million times a day by saying "Thump a thump thump!"  She also loves to yell out "nose!" and point to every picture of Santa Claus.  

I've been really sick this week, so I'm hoping I'll be actually able to get up and do some fun things with them soon!