Lately I have not done a great job at posting updates on the kids. I guess we've just been busy getting back into the routine of school and football season. So in an attempt to catch up, here is a bit of what they've been up to:
Mason is enjoying the first grade. His favorite part so far is the AR (Accelerated Reader) program. At his school, when a first grader reaches a certain amount of AR points by reading and testing on AR books, that student gets to "Pop The Top" of a canned drink given to them by the principal, in front of the entire school via their televised morning announcements. While it might seem silly, it's quite a coveted honor amongst the first graders. I guess you could call it their initiation into a new world of independent reading. Mason made the proclamation to me yesterday that his biggest goal this year is to become the first 1st grader to pop his top. I don't know if he'll accomplish this, but he is trying really hard--bringing home new AR books to read and test on every day. Even if he doesn't reach his goal, I'm so proud of his desire to try. And I know that through this, he is improving his independent reading skills, which is ultimately the most important goal!
The funny thing is this though--Mason is pretty much a tea/water drinker only, so he doesn't have a lot of experience with the tabs on canned drinks. The other day he was concerned that when the time comes for him to 'pop his top' in front of the school, he would have trouble opening the tab on the can. (And for a first grader, this is embarrassing stuff!) So he asked me if I could buy some canned drinks at the store so he could practice at home. What a funny boy! Can you guess what's on my shopping list this week. :)
Ellie turns 3 next month, and she is becoming increasingly independent. Picking out her own clothes and putting them on by herself is one of her favorite things to do. (And it actually helps me out a lot that she can do this now, when I'm trying to get 4 people ready and out the door to get Mason to school in the mornings.) The only problem is, she tends to be a little eclectic when it comes to her choices in outfits. They always seem to be mis-matched, ill fitting, or seasonally inappropriate.
If this isn't enough, she also likes to wear both her underwear and shorts/pants backward. I frequently give her the 'tag goes in the back' reminder, but she is always quick to notify me that
her tags go in the front so she can see them. So, there she is looking very unique for the day. But since I'm confident that she won't be going off to college still wanting to wear her pants and underpants backward, I concede and let her be...well...unique.
And as for Mollie--my sweet little Mollie--She is 10 months old now and is turning into a little monkey! This girl loves to climb. She will climb up anything that is within her reach. In the last week I've caught her climbing onto the lowered dishwasher door, she uses a little rocking chair to boost herself up onto the toybox in her room, and I've even found her teetering on the arm of the sofa.
She has been rising up to the standing position without holding onto anything, and just this week she started taking a few steps by herself--usually between 2 and 4--before crashing down on her bottom. She thinks this is great stuff, and it is pure joy watching her excitement. She is a go-getter and will readily handle herself against Mason or Ellie. If they take something from her, she has no reservations about climbing right over them and taking back what is rightfully hers! All four of her 1 year molars are coming in, but it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. She still wakes up to nurse at least once during the night, and she is eating about 30% baby food and 70% table food.
These kiddos sure keep me busy! I love watching them continually develop into the little people God is creating them to be!
