School

Every time Jillian is here she asks to do school.  We read for awhile, then we write the letters she has learned.  Of course, rewards are a great incentive but always on the condition that she has to work hard.  She listens real well and always tries to do it right.  But writing is her favorite thing to do.  We practice some letters, then she has to spell some words she has learned to read, and then the last few sessions she has had to write a sentence.  When writing I will put a small star for effort and then a big smiling face if she does great.  For some reason she outlines the words and sentences when she's done.  This is two days work.

Cupcakes

Jillian helped make the brownie cupcakes and she put a Hershey kiss in the center of each one.  They could hardly wait for them to bake and cool.  They had a great time frosting the cupcakes and eating the frosting.  I guess that made it their own.  They had a variety of Valentine icings to use which they did liberally.  Then they got to eat one of their cupcakes.  Jillian remarked that it was the best cupcake she had ever had.

Maturity

I was so pleased with the Jillian this afternoon.  Rielee had early dismissal and got to come play before naps.  Jillian loves this game on the computer, but she gladly shared with Rielee which in the past was harder for Jillian to do.  When I checked on them, Jillian told me that they were each taking turns with the mouse.  They played this game peacefully for an hour. 

Computer Crazy

Jillian is on her way to becoming a computer expert.  She puts in the CD herself and does everything to start the game.  She loves the Barbie CD about the Enchanted Forest.  It can be quite challenging and she needed some help at first but now she doesn't want much help at all since she has it figured out.  There is one colorful part that you can print out and one day when Papa started the printer there were 6 pages that came out before he even looked at the printer.  Now we check the printer when she's done.

I found out that I needed to set time limits on the computer  or she would do it all day.


While Jillian was on the computer Bridget decided to get all dressed up in a tutu dress, crown, and heels.  I said to stand still for a picture and I tried to get one but she wouldn't look, until she ran behind the sofa and looked back impishly at me.  Funny, funny girl.

Guests

Ava and Harper got to come visit Jillian and Bridget this morning.  First they all got to choose a play-doh set.  Then they wanted a different one that someone else had.  They played with that for awhile and then Jillian and Harper went to the easel and drew together while Bridget and Harper stuck with the play-doh.  Next was the Polly Pocket dolls and play houses.  While they were playing Ava told Dianne to leave.  This was a first. But when she left all the girls played so well together, no fighting or even arguing.  Jillian paired up with Ava(I think it was Ava.) and Bridget paired up with Harper.  It was great!

 

Potty Time

It was time for Bridget to get potty trained before the new baby arrived and she is doing great!  She went all day yesterday with just big girl panties and no accidents.  Her new princess potty says, "Hurray" when she does something and then sings a song.  So lately I have been telling her to make the potty sing and it will work sometimes.  She is pretty proud of herself.

Big Kids

Jillian loves it when we go to basketball games and Rielee is there to play with her.  Sometimes another girl will join them and then Jillian is all ears to absorb what the big girls are saying and doing.  Meanwhile Bridget is content to play by Grannie and Papa with the little dolls.

Birthday and Football

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Rick had his birthday party Sunday during the Seahawks playoff game so there was lots of entertainment and good food.  Bridget got all dressed up for the party and here she is twirling around in front of everyone to show them her pretty dress.  Rick had lots of help opening packages with Bridget, Jillian, and Adam.  Bridget would open a card, read it, and say it was from Grannie and Papa, even though it wasn't.  Sometimes Rick wouldn't be looking and the card and present would be opened.  Then he would have to look for it on the floor.  It was a fun day as the Seahawks won and everyone was together.

 



Painting with Tierney

 The girls were thrilled when they arrived yesterday and Tierney was just finishing breakfast.  Jillian asked Tierney if she wanted to paint with her.  Tierney painted a snowman and then Jillian painted a snowman on her paper.  Then Tierney painted a Christmas tree and Jillian painted a tree.  (Guess they want Christmas to last longer.)  Bridget wanted the dolls out and she was happy dressing Polly Pocket while they painted.  Jillian smiled in this picture because Tierney was smiling.