Happy Valentine's Day

Rachel had a Valentine's party at school- she had a lot of fun eating candy and playing games. She was surprised to see me at school!

Winter 2009

Nothing says winter like playing in the snow and having a indoors tea party! We went outside after that huge snowstorm and later tea was served to Daddy and the stuffed animals.

Snow Day

Ugh- we a got about a foot of snow on Wednesday and needless to say school was cancelled and just about everything else was closed. Rachel and I stayed home and "played school". She enjoyed it and wanted to do it again. Mommy was glad school was in session today. Here is Rachel "sewing" with yarn on a mesh produce bag.

Chinese New Year

We celebrated Chinese New Year by going out to eat at the Chinese Buffet and we had cake on Sunday to celebrate Rachel's Gotcha Day anniversary.

Gotcha Day!

Today January 25 is the 2 year anniversary of bringing our daughter home for the first time. It was cold, just like today. Here are some before (age 17 months) and after pictures (age 3 1/2).

Artwork

In the fall, I was getting overwhelmed with preschool artwork- because I hate to throw anything away! So I made this great Snapfish photobook with all of Rachel's fall artwork from school. I just took a digital picture of each of her little masterpieces.

Cute things my kiddo says...

Cute things Rachel says- like she uses the wrong word for something but it's cute.

Raindrop- instead of gumdrop.

Ribbons- instead of ribs.

"Stick bone" for skeleton.

"Dee-doe" for video.

Happy New Year!

As much as the presents and the toys were fun, I think Rachel enjoyed visiting everyone most of all. Here she is on a play date with her friend Alex at Pump It Up.

Merry Christmas!

Joy To The World! The Lord Is Come!

Last day of school until January

Rachel had her last day of school until January. She has really liked school so far. She had a student teacher for a semester- and all the kids really liked her. She came to visit them for their little party- they wore pajamas to school and decorated cookies.

Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway

Thanksgiving comes again!

Halloween

Rachel loved Trick or Treat this year. After we went to a few houses and she realized she was getting candy, she kept saying "A couple more" (houses). Thursday she had a party at school and we also went to Boo at the Zoo. She dressed up like a princess. Friday for Trick or Treat she was a ladybug.

Fall Leaves

Fall, leaves, fall
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away; Lengthen night and shorten day; Every leaf speaks bliss to me. Fluttering from the autumn tree. I shall smile when wreaths of snow. Blossom where the rose should grow; I shall sing when night's decay. Ushers in a drearier day.
Emily Jane Brontë

Fingerpainting!

Rachel's pre-school treacher emailed me a photo of Rachel fingerpainting with red paint. It was her first time fingerpainting and I'm not sure what she thought- she usually does like to get her hands dirty!

First Day of Preschool

Today was Rachel's 3rd birthday and it was also the first day of school! She goes to 3 year old Preschool. Her teacher this year is Mrs. Pauley. She cried quite a bit when I dropped her off- it made me feel bad to leave her. But she did ok. I hope she likes it after she gets used to going.

Rachel's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Rachel's 3rd birthday with a party today at Oak Park. She wanted to have a princess theme. She got a lot of nice presents. The we went to another birthday party later- she had a good time!

Picking Blueberries

This morning we went to Hillside Orchard in Hinckley to pick blueberries. We picked 2 pounds of blueberries- after Rachel ate a few! Then we stopped for a picnic lunch.

Cleveland Children's Museum

We took Rachel to the Cleveland Children's Museum. She had a really great time as all of the exhibits are geared towards little kids. She really liked "being on TV" giving the weather report!

Swimming

Rachel loves to go swimming. She takes swimming lessons at the Y. We took her to Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky for a couple days "mini vacation".

school, maybe?

We registered Rachel for preschool in the fall. We actually have 2 options- a private church-based preschool or the public school system developmental preschool. She has to get tested in May. I'm not sure how the timing of it is all going to work out.