Exploring New Talents

I this week is all about exploring new talents, hence the title. I have this sudden urge to learn to paint. I know I'm not artistic, even my stick figures are horrible, but I just want to paint. Maybe I should do finger paints with the kids. Anyway, last week for mutual we had a small painting lesson. I was right, I'm horrible, but it was fun. Maybe I'll have to keep trying.

Thanks to Chelsea and Kaelie, we have found a design program on the extra features disc of the Cinderella movie. Mikiya spends time almost every day creating castles, dream rooms and ball gowns. She LOVES it. She even talks about what we should do in her room someday when we have our own house. It's pretty cute.

Quaid has really taken artistic talent to new heights this week. It's a first for us to have crayon on the wall in his bedroom and my favorite, the computer screen. He has also dabbled a little in coloring with markers, luckily they have remained on paper or his legs. Water colors are also a new favorite, except when he was so excited to show me his project that he spilled his water. Needless to say, he wants to do everything Mikiya can do.

Mike only has 3 classes left of his IT class. He's very excited about it, I think he's had enough of the new area. Spring Break 3 weeks away!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel cut off all your hair

Last night I had just finished cutting Quaid's hair and put him in the bathtub. I turned around to find Mikiya very excitedly holding a 3 inch long piece of hair. Her mood quickly changed when I informed her that now we would have to cut her hair to even it out. She cried, a lot, and reminded me that she loves her long princess hair and doesn't want to cut it until it gets to her tutti. Once I started taking pictures and telling her I got scared before I cut my hair too, she calmed down and then got excited to play beauty shop. I couldn't have asked for a better place for her to cut than the bottom of her pig tail. It made it very easy to cut and now she is just fine.

Funny Kids - Pictures

Mikiya hollers a thank you to grandma for making her a beautiful Valentine's dress. She loves it!

Quaid loves to play and color and do EVERYTHING. The only problem is when he wants to do them all at the same time.

Snow

We had a tiny bit of snow last week so we had to play immediately before it could melt. I thought we had fun and a couple of fun pictures as well.

Shout Out

Mikiya is quite excited about Valentine's Day even though she's not sure what it is. She just knows she was with me when I bought a few presents and now she's hooked. Imagine that. Our, or maybe her, main goal for the week is to make heart cookies. She also wants to send a shout out of "I LOVE YOU!" to pretty much everyone who reads this.

Quaid had his 18 mo check up last week. He's growing well, but hasn't gained any weight in the last three months moving him down to the 10%-tile for his age. His height still remains at 85%. He's loads of fun and becoming very independent.

A Lost Language

Quaid understands most everything we say to him and can follow simple instructions. However, his communication with us involves grunting, pointing and saying partial words. He does know several words, but after the excitement and clapping of the word, he cuts it off. For example, please has become "plll.." followed by a short raspberry. Book has followed this pattern as well. Poor Mikiya is called "Kaaah" and dog,cat and cow have become the sound they make. It's rather interesting to watch how he communicates and learns to speak (hopefully the same language I do).

As Quaid is learning basic words, Mikiya continues developing an active imagination. She creates kingdoms for her dolls with the doll castle, pony castle and little people pet shop. She happily creates exciting adventures for her dolls and teaches them to be friendly. Her Baby doll is getting ready for preschool and she is helping her learn her alphabet, colors, numbers and staying in the lines while coloring. Mike has offered to let her go to his school and he will stay and have preschool with me, but so far she doesn't particularly care for the idea.

Each day is an adventure, and I LOVE it!!!

Healthy, wealthy and wise..... or at least healthy

After a week or so of off and on sickness, we finally seem to have returned to the healthy side of the fence. Knock on wood. We have had some wonderful moments and a lot of fun mixed in there also. A few games, movies, a little playing in the snow, and all the family we've been able to visit has made it a wonderful holiday. Mike's a bit anxious to get back to a bit warmer weather and of course, kids in their own rooms and routines. We hope all of you have enjoyed your holiday season and the kick off of the new year!