Today was brought to you by the letter "B"

I work with Natalie daily teaching her letters, numbers, colors, and many others lessons. This week I thought I would start focusing on one letter for the whole week and apply it to all our activities. We started with the letter B this week. (She has previously done this with the letter A). We practiced writing it, tracing it, sounding it out, and going through magazines and finding "B" things, cutting them out and pasting on paper.
Today, being the beautiful day that it was, led us on a walk out to the tree line behind our house. We were talking about find things that start with a "B". Unfortunately, we only found one thing that began with a "B" that should have been there, a branch. The other items we found were plastic Bottles...lots of them, Bags, Balls (golf and plastic) and cans (ok not a "b").
So our peaceful, educational quickly turned into picking up these items and putting in this nasty plastic bag (filled with dirt and old water). This was all Natalie's idea and all i could think about at first was how dirty and unsanitary this was, but I scrubbed her little helping hands when we returned home and thought, "this is awesome!" She wanted to recycle all of our findings. So I guess it was educational afterall!

Another weekly lesson we are practicing is a bible memory verse. This week she learned in just one day!!

The Lord is Good! He protects those who trust him in times of trouble. Nahum 1:7

Let's Recycle!

Nat and I were in the car running some errands on Thursday, when she asked if she could have a drink of my sprite. I gave her the can and after her very long chug of sprite, she asked if she could recyle the can. I said "well sure" as I thought how does my 3 year old know about recycling. I make an effort to use less energy (that could have been brought on by my dad and my light bulb in my teenage room- THAT is a whole different blog),anyway, I conserve water and don't use paper plate, and throw away cups on an everyday basis. I would like to think I am trying to make a difference for the environment, but we don't recycle. Well we didn't recycle...until Thursday! She rinsed the can out in the sink and put it in the recycle bin in the garage. We don't drink alot of soda, but I saved 2 cans we had while she was at her grandparents house, and this morning, she was so excited to see them, and climbed up to the sink, rinsed them out and asked to take them out to the bin. I made chili today and was getting ready to throw away some cans and a glass jar...(obviously not thinking about it) and she says "no no no..I can recycle those" so we cleaned them out and in the bin the went! I need to do some research to find out what can go together, and what needs separated so we can be a little more organized about this... She is an amazing little girl!

Addiction? or Hobby?

There are 2 things that I have become passionate about in the last few weeks. One is American Idol and the other is facebook. Ok they are alost becoming an addiction.
First of all, I have never missed a season of American Idol! This season has taken a total change. I am actually very irritated with the show. They are passing all kinds of talent just for sheer entertainment. It's not right! Now don't get me wrong there is some hidden talent in these 13 contestants, but not much. Danny G is my fave, Alexis is Nat's fave (yes i have introduced her to the craze, and she loves it. In fact everyday, she asks if American Idol is on that night.) and there are maybe 3 or 4 others. I am not gonna run down the whole show, but just knowit has brought out alot of "passion" in me this season. I wish I could say that I would never watch it again, but I know that I won't....addiction?
Second, Facebook is not negative for me in anyway, it just makes me stay up later at night and I find myself checking it like every 10 minutes (when I am at work or have a little spare time..what?) I know! That is negative...but oh so FUN! I am finding so many old friends! It makes it so nice to be able to contact these people and find out about thier lives, kids, families, etc. I love it! I am always looking for people on here. My sister's Mother- in -law created a group from my old church youth group and it is awesome! I am cracking up at funny stories and memories and pictures! If you have joined, you really should!
So I really don't want to label these things as addictions, because then I should be working on removing them from my life, right? Well that's not gonna happen, so let's call them my "present ...um...hobbies?"

Natalie's new best friend

So, most of you reading this blog know my passion for dogs and you are totally picking up on my sarcasm as this very moment! By looking at the picture, I am sure you have realized that my baby girl does not share my same passion for dogs. My sister's family recently adopted little Max, and I do have to say he is the best dog I have ever been around. He does not lick me, sniff me, jump on me or any of the other things that most puppies do. He is learning very quickly what it takes to be a member of a family with 3 toddlers. (Gracie, Shiloh and Natalie) It took her a few days to love him so very much. Love, however is an understatement when it comes to describing her emotion for Max. She is always rubbing on him, trying to play fetch with him and cuddling him. On Saturday, we were leaving my sister's house and Natalie asked if Gracie could have a sleepover and Aunt Ne Ne said that wasn't a good night. She asked me if Max could come have a sleepover...I am sure you all know my response. She was brokenhearted! She cried about the entire way to dinner. When I asked why she was still crying, she told me "I just miss Max so much!".
Jumping head, Sunday night. Nat slept in her sleeping bag in our bedroom and I heard her say "hi Maxy- max! come here Max, I love you max!" SHE WAS SOUND ASLEEP!