You Know You Live In South Dakota When .....

you wake up to 4 inches of snow on March 17. The girls first reaction was "it snowed again!" They quickly changed their mind when daddy started saying that it was a nice snowman making snow fall. The girls could hardly wait for their daddy to come home today for the big event. They spent the day planning what they would use for eye, nose, mouth, arms, etc... It did end up to be the perfect snowman making day. The kids had so much fun. Before they made their way inside they made snow angels, piled on daddy and had a big snow ball fight. Just to see the smiles on their faces did make the snow worth it today. We do hope spring comes quickly though!




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Read Across America Day

The girls had Read Across America Day last week at preschool. They also celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. They had fun activities going on all day. Alexa's class dressed up as characters from books. She decided to be Minnie Mouse. Emma's class had pajama day, they got to bring a stuffed animal and a favorite book. Emma brought "The Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly." Emma thinks that book is so funny, she giggles the whole way through.

Night Out With The Girls

A couple weekends ago we surprised the girls and took them to the "Go Fish" concert. We told them we were going somewhere special. The anticipation about killed them. Daddy planted seeds in their head like we might see alligators or bears there. They cautiously walked down the hall ... there were no alligators or bears but instead a lot of music. We have a couple of the Go Fish kids CD's so they kept saying "we know that song!" Their motto is making kids music that doesn't drive their parents nuts. If you have kids and their music drives you nuts you'll have to try the Go Fish guys. My kids love jammin' out to their music. Alexa was her conservative little self at the concert. She was swaying a little and clapping. Her sister, Emma, the party girl was jammin' out in the isles. We ended the night with some yummy cheese fries and dessert at Outback. The girls thought it was pretty fun to go on a date with mom and dad.

Time To Catch Up

I am just not sure where the time goes. Has it really been since Valentine's Day that I posted something? Part of the problem is that we left our camera at papa and grammy's a couple weeks ago. We now have it back. I didn't realize how much I pull the thing out and snap some pictures, no wonder my kids scrapbooks have so many pictures in them.

First order of business is CONGRATULATING my brother on a great season. He coaches the girls varsity team at my old high school. His girls made it to state this year. They ended up meeting the #1 ranked team first round and got beat. That team ended up winning the state tournament.

Happy Valentine's Day

The girls had Valentine's Day parties at preschool this week. They had so much fun picking out Valentines and writing their little names on their friend's cards. It brought back Valentine's memories as a kid for me. I can remember deliberating over who I was going to give each card too especially as I got older. You had to be careful not to give the boys the mushy ones. It was fun to see them enjoy the process since there will be more Valentines to come in the years ahead. We also had fun putting together these little buckets "Filled With Love" for family, friends and teachers.




















The girls have Thursday through Monday off of preschool so we had decided to have a Valentine's Day Party with 9 of our little friends and their moms. We had to cancel the party because Eric had been in bed since Friday with Influenza A and I had a bit of a soar throat. Eric did make it back to work today but we didn't want to expose anyone to the germs that might be floating around the house. So instead we had a nice relaxing morning in our pj's. We had heart pancakes for breakfast and got to take some nice long bubble baths!



Dad came home today with some special little Valentines. Shane was all smiles when daddy handed him a balloon and the girls were giddy as daddy handed them each a rose. Alexa said, "This is the most beautiful flower I every got!" I think it is the first flower she ever got. Needless to say daddy made them feel pretty special!

When I was growing up my mom always made Valentine's Day special for us. She always decorated the table fun, we had a special meal and there was always a special Valentine's day present on our plate. Thanks mom for making it special!! I always looked forward to Valentine's Day and want to carry that tradition on in our family. Today as Alexa and Emma were going down for naps Emma said, "Mom, are you going to make the table beautiful when we are sleeping!" It made me smile because already at 4 she knows that her mom likes to make Valentine's special for her too! The kids thought the heart pasta was pretty neat!

We ended the evening with some cake and opening a little gift!

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

These three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Daddy's Girl

There is nothing like seeing a daddy with his little girl. From the time Alexa was born she has had her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Eric worked from home so he would often put her in her little pouch and work on his computer while she snoozed.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Eric and Alexa. She is holding a little flower that she eventually gives to him. She lights up when her daddy is with her.

Alexa loves to go on dates with her dad. He has made a point to take the girls on dates and they love it when it is their turn. They usually go somewhere to eat and then somehow talk him into stopping by the mall to go to Claires, their favorite store. This was take the morning of Alexa's 5th birthday before her and her daddy went out for breakfast.

I had to take a picture of Alexa's first real note that she has written her daddy. I saved it and am going to put it in her scrapbook. Alexa was writing some thank you's the other day and decided she wanted to write a note to her dad. She told me what she wanted to write and I just helped her spell some words. I thought it was pretty special and it melted her daddy's heart!

Happy Birthday Emma Girl

Emma Faith I can't believe you are turning 4 today!! You are growing up way too fast! It seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms for the first time. As I looked at your sweet little face I had no idea what spice you would add to our life. Emma you are such a special little girl and we feel so blessed that we get to be your mommy and daddy!! There are so many things that I love about you but here are just a few ....

I love your fun, loving personality

I love the way that you love life and live it to the fullest

I love it that there is never a dull moment with you around

I love that you are always making us laugh with the things you do and say

I love your sweet little michevious smile

I love the way you still like to cuddle with me every morning when you wake up

I love that when daddy asks you how you got so beautiful you say "because God made me that way"

I love it that you were so proud of yourself this week because you thought you wrote your name so good

I love the way you talk to Jesus and tell Him how much you love Him

I love it that you are such a great big sister to Shane

I love the way you and Alexa are best friends. I love to listen to you play house and princesses together

I love the way you dress up everyday! I never know what princess dress, high heels or accessories you are going to come upstairs with. I get nervous when you wear those heals on the stairs though

I love to watch you take care of your baby. You are going to be such a good little mommy someday

I love the way you giggle when dad tickles you

I love your heart and how you care about others. It was so sweet of you today to ask if you could take your 2 dollar bill that you got for your birthday to Sunday School and give it to Jose (the little boy your class supports). You said he didn't have very much food or clothes so you wanted to help him get some. Mommy is so proud of you

Emma Faith you may be growing up way too fast but you will always be my sweet Emma girl!!

Happy Birthday!

I love You!

Mommy

More Birthday Fun

Emma and her cousin Darby celebrated their birthdays together this weekend. They were both glowing little birthday girls. Darby turned 6 on February 2 and Emma is 4 today! We are very glad Emma had an uneventful birthday his year. Last year she was sick and the day before she turned 2 she knocked out her front tooth. She knocked 2 others loose and needed 8 stiches in her gums. Needless to say it was not a very fun birthday!

Emma spends most of her days in dress up clothes so this hat and other fun dress up accessories were a hit!

The kids had fun with the horse pinata. It was one of those that you pull the strings instead of swing at. The candy didn' fall so in the end they all grabbed a leg and pulled it apart. In the end when the candy falls they don't care how it comes out!

Darby loves horses so she picked out a cute horse cake! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Darby and Emma!

Our Cupcake Is Turning 4

Our Cute Little Cupcake is turning 4 this weekend. Where has the time gone. We had fun little Cupcake Party with a few of her little friends.



The invitations went out to a couple little friends!!!

The table was set, the banners were made (thanks to Lori and her help), the gift bags were ready, the cake was decorated and the hats were waiting for the little girls to wear!

What a cute little Birthday Girl!!!!

The girls made little purse with fun foam!

There were a lot of giggles as they played "Pin The Cherry On The Cupcake!"

The candles were lit, Happy Birthday was sung and then the cake and ice cream was eaten!
We had a fun morning with our Little Cupcake and her friends. It's going to be birthday weekend with more pictures to come!

I Scream,You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream

Alexa is doing a unit right now on ICE CREAM!! Who doesn't love to eat ice cream? We went to Cold Stone Creamery on a nice below zero, blustery day!! The kids sure didn't care how cold it was, they were very excited to eat some ice cream. They thought it was pretty neat that they got to go in the kitchen where it said on the door "Ice Cream Makers Only." They learned about how they make their ice cream. They saw the ins and outs of the kitchen. They got to pick their ice cream with one topping. Alexa picked cotten candy with marshmallows. There were some great combinations. The best had to be Cotton Candy with Reeces PeanutButter cups. It made me kringe just looking at it! The best part was saved for last ..... EATING THE ICE CREAM!