Whats UP?

Here is a little on what is going on around here.

Nate is now 11 months old and is still a crazy boy. We sure love him! He really enjoys going up the stairs and down the stairs. He does really well but I am still nervous about it because he is so young. He loves to mess with Alyssa all day and get into her 'stuff' he knocks down her baby stroller and inspects the wheels, daily. As you can see in the pictures he puts EVERYTHING into his mouth but is good at not swallowing too quickly, I know why would I let him have a rubber band but it is better than the little Polly pocket shoes and everything else he confiscates from the girls. He is usually seen with this little bat in his hands, he loves to hit things and push things with it. As I said- he is such a boy!

The girls have both just finished swimming lessons where they both passed their levels. They both LOVED going each day to swim lessons and can't wait for summer time to come so they can swim everyday. McKell told me she wished she lived in a pool. This is McKell with her friend Morgan. They also are very into Barbie movies right now. They watched the new Mariposa movie and love it. They also got the Nutcracker when my mom was here and they act the movie out now. McKell as the princess and Alyssa as the Nutcracker(prince). Here they are dancing around, they have to switch rolls when the prince picks up the princess, but then they go back to the previous rolls. It is hilarious to watch because they are so serious about it.

Phil spends his days at work and his nights asleep on the couch or asleep with the girls while putting them to bed. And while he sleeps I contemplate getting those great pettiskirts! Seriously, I can't get them out of my mind. I am also planning a few parties- St. Patrick's Day and Nate's bug birthday; preparing lessons and activities with the young women; and planning a few outings with my girl friends- we are going to Des Moines during spring break and to Chicago for a wonderful no kids/Wicked/shopping trip. I can't wait!
I have also been on a book kick. McKell brought home a little project she did at school which had some easy (cat, hat, vat) words on it. Alyssa sat down and read the words! I couldn't believe it. So, I went out and bought the Bob Book sets and today Alyssa read 3 of the beginner books and McKell read the level 2 books. I think all of the resources you can use for kids to help with reading is awesome. We watched the Leap Frog letter factory and word factory last summer- thanks Kasey and Jen for the recommendation. They are the greatest things ever and now Alyssa can read. I also got the new Fancy Nancy book, which is cute, and Horton hears a Who, in excitement for the movie coming out.