Merry Christmas 2007!

A Big Girl Haircut

Libby got her first all-over haircut last night. We trimmed the bangs and about an inch off the back. She was so-o-o-o-o excited to get her haircut by Mrs. Haynes!

Winter Wonderland

Visions of Sugar Plums danced...

The tree is up! The candy is plenty...

We had to move the dish within 30 minutes of this picture!

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Apple A Day

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Apple in the morning - Doctor's warning

Roast apple at night - starves the doctor outright

Eat an apple going to bed - knock the doctor on the head

Three each day, seven days a week - ruddy apple, ruddy cheek

My kids just don't eat that healthy...I'll admit, it's my fault. This morning I decided to add some nutrition to the otherwise lacking waffles!

When the Howard's are presented with Banana, Apple, Cinnamon Waffles the result:

1 Husband="Delicious"

1 Son=Loves them...Until he finds out the ingredients. Immediately stops eating.

1 Daughter=One bite. "Something tastes funny". No more bites.

1 Daughter="These are good!!"

Happy Halloween

A Ladybug, A Gothic Princess & Michael Myers....quite a combination

O-H-I-O

Go Bucks!

Pretty, Pretty "Pincess"

You must call her "Pincess" when she wears the crown!

Happy 8th Birthday Shelby!

Today is Shelby's 8th Birthday.

Our "little girl" picked something pretty grown up for her birthday present. She asked to get her ears pierced! She very bravely worked her way through the tears & fears to get her beautiful "Pink Ice" studs. She's doing great, turning them herself and cleaning them with help.

Vacation 2007

We just got back from an action-packed week @ DisneyWorld! We all had lots of fun! Grant's favorites are the thrilling coasters, Shelby likes the milder rides & Libby LOVES the Disney shows ( and of course, Dumbo & the Magic Carpet Ride).

Sunny Days, Hot Dogs, Baseball & World Series

Baseball season is finally over! Grant's team finished up this past week in Canton, MI. They were privileged to play in the USSSA 10U World Series.

They earned 4th place! We are so proud.

The week was the end of a terrific summer. Grant played some great baseball, his team finished 39-17 for the year. Shelby made some new friends and Libby has 10 new BOYFRIENDS who adore her. She knows them all & cheers them on by name! I'm not sure Daddy will like it if they're all still hanging around in 10 years!

A Lifesaver

Libby likes the "idea" of going to the pool. She isn't really interested in swimming. She just wants to be where all the action is with the other kids (i.e. Grant & Shelby). Anyway...after too many weekends @ 10 x 10 hotel pools and me following her around just inches from her, I invested in a lifejacket. She likes wearing it and it allows me to sit every once in a while.

Happy 2nd Birthday Libby!

Libby celebrated her 2nd birthday yesterday. It was a quiet affair...just cake & presents with Mom, Dad, Grant & Shelby. She got a new Dora Tough Trike from Mom & Dad and a Bubble Lawnmower from Grant & Shelby.

Hallowed Ground

We had an interesting "tour" this weekend. Grant's baseball team was lucky enough to get a behind the scenes walk of the "Shoe". We went through the locker rooms, walked thru a VIP suite, ran down the tunnel & walked on the new turf @ Ohio Stadium. It was really an incredible experience for the boys AND the parents!!

Here's a great shot of them lining up on the 50 yard line (right on top of the BLOCK O)!!

"I Go Swimmin"

Libby loves her new pool, playing in the water & just being outside.

Her newest phrase is "I go swimmin!?"

Off to a Great Start

Grant's baseball season started at the end of March. His team is off to a great start. Their record is 6-2-1. Grant has been pitching and catching.

Haiku

Both kids have been studying poetry at school recently. Shelby's favorite form is Haiku. She wrote this one for her Mom & Dad over the weekend:

Flowers are blooming
in the hot sun everywhere
Daisies in the field

She also included the following note

To Mom and Dad
From Your beautiful daughter Shelby
I LOVE YOU

Easter 2007

The bunny was good to everyone....Libby gets the most attention because she's little & well--just because. Here she is "stylin" with her new Dora sunglasses & her Easter basket:

Ahhh....Spring

Grant having fun swinging with Libby

Shelby & Libby playing with friends

Libby learning lots of fun new things!

Shelby's Learning Log

The 2nd graders @ Shelby's school use something called a "Learning Log". Lots of things are placed in this book...but my favorites are their letters back & forth from student to teacher/teacher to student. Below is one I'm sharing:

February 1, 2007

Dear Mrs. Wynk,
The book I read was The fight for Freedom. This book was mostly about Martin Luther King Jr. and other people fighting for rights and freedoms. I Like this book because Martin has big words to say to america. These are his biggest words Love, peace and don't fight with fist. The author really grabbed my attecion when Martin Luther King Jr. died because someone did not like Martin for stealing his freedom and rights. This story had a sad ending because the guy who shot Martin was happy but Martin Luther King Jr. was feeling sad inside. Today Martin is sad because he can not see that his dream came true.

Love,
Shelby H.

February 6, 2007

Dear Shelby,
Wow! You wrote another powerful letter about a book that you are excited about! It sounds like you learned alot of Martin Luther King Jr. from reading this biography. What is the biggest lesson you learned from this famous American? What book are you reading now? Keep up the good work!

Love,
Mrs. Wynk

Blast Off!

Grant's science fair project was a "Film Canister Rocket". We haven't rec'd the grade back yet....but we think he did a great job!

Update 3/27: Grant received an 'O' on his project--O for Outstanding!!

Momma's Little Helper

When an almost 2 year old follows as close as this one does....what do you do?

Give her a dust rag & put her to work!! Libby had alot of fun "helping" her Mom clean this past week.

A LONG Winter's Day at the Pool

We spent Saturday at a swim meet. It was what I would call

A "L--O--N--G" Day!!

We were up @ 4 AM to be ready to leave @ 5 AM. We drove to Miami County, OH so that Shelby could be in the water for warmups at 6:45. The only flaw in our plan was that McDonald's was NOT open when we left Marysville!!

Shelby had a great meet, finished 1st in her heat for backstroke. She took several seconds off her backstroke & freestyle times.

She spent most of the day hanging out with her friend Connor, playing Nintendo DS and listening to music in between events.

First Snow of 06/07 Winter

We woke up to snow this morning. The kids had a good time playing in it...Grant even shoveled the driveway & sidewalks (THANKS!). I think everyone was happy to see a little 'white stuff' this time...

Libby Walking

Libby is starting to take her first steps. The video is sort of close up...but you get the idea.