Saturday Nights!

We make a point of giving the girls a bath Saturday night and occassionally put sponge curlers in their hair for church on Sunday (it actually is quick and an easy way to do their hair in the morning).  A friend from church gave me the idea to put their hair up in a ponytail first because then the next morning the curls will fall nicely and practically, it's easy for them to sleep with.  It sure brings back memories of my mom doing the same thing...I remember dad towel drying our hair and then we would dance to music on the Lawrence Welk show!!

I really do love having girls and doing girl things.  We keep teasing Abigail, "okay it's time to do your hair," or "when can we put curlers in your hair?"  Some day :-)

More SNOW!!

Last Sunday through Monday we had about another foot of snow drop.  Thankfully much of what we did have recently melted some.  I guess we had room for more!!  Today another couple inches of light snow fell.  When Lynn goes outside to work on removing the snow I try to send out Elliana and Madeline too.  They are usually eager to join him.  This time Elliana really did help by shoveling off our steps up to the front door before she decided she wanted to sled a little.  They usually come in with snow in their mittens or boots and cold feet and hands and run to find a heater!!

I love my Husband...

So Lynn sent me a really nice email recently and I want you to know how wonderful a man he is...

Hey Beautiful

I don’t want to call in case you are resting but in case you are online, I want you to know that I love you and think about you.  I also want you to know I think you are an awesome mom and I would not want to parent with anyone else.  You are and always be will my “dream” girl. 

Love,
Lynn

XOXOXOX

Lynn organized date night this week!!!  He is usually the one who makes it happen.  He asked my sister, Andrea, to come over after she was done teaching for the day.  She came over for supper and then stayed until we came back.  Lynn and I left to eat out...we like Chinese.  We went to a place that is fairly close to our house called the Red Dragon :-)  It was very good and we enjoyed each other even though it does not have much "atmosphere."  There are basically only 3 tables to eat at.  On the other 2 tables it looked like the employees were working on making their special sauce and such.  We needed to get going anyways because we were headed downtown St. Paul for a WILD Hockey game!!!  Going to a game was one of our first dates together and since then we've enjoyed going together even more and it's become a special memory maker for us.  I think we started going when they started their first season here in 2000 and have been to a least one game each year.  I really like watching hockey and have learned how it goes somewhat.  I love how the fans get into it and really actually watch the game.  We sit on the lower level at the 16th row where the zamboni comes in and out so we have awesome seats.
We definitely go less than we used to but a game or two a year is often enough.  So the girls had a great time with Auntie Andie...doing her hair, having special snacks, crafts, and snuggles at bed time.  Elliana and Madeline now sleep in the room that was Andrea's when she lived with us for a while.  I miss her living with us.  We would trade backrubs if she was home for the evening or just talking together was special and keeping up to date with her busy life!

Thank you Andrea for making our date possible, especially knowing that the girls were so excited to have you come over.
That makes me feel loved...he will send me letters in the mail occassionally and will address it to "Shereen 'the Dream' Wolters" or something along those lines.  He is very good with words and writing me notes.

School is fun!

Working on their letters!  This week it was M for Madeline!!



Matching game with uppercase and lowercase letters...they LOVE it!





Another game we play is putting 1-20 in order...and not upsidedown either! 

White board markers are fun too.  Practice with numbers and letters.

So this year is the 3rd I've taught high school math classes at a homeschool coop.  The others years the girls would be in the nursery there.  But this year Elliana and Madeline have each been in a class.  It works out very well.  The same three hours they are at class in the morning I am teaching an Advanced Math class and then an Alebra 2 class.  I really enjoy teaching each week and of course the girls like going too.  So at home we work on what they have done that week in class and whatever else comes up.  Elliana is preschool age and Madeline is a year younger.  Whatever she catches on to is fine with me.  They are both at about the same level with identifying letters/numbers and sounding out letters. 

It seems Elliana is very task oriented and asks often when we are going to "do school."  We try to work on specific things two other mornings a week and then of course throughout our day things come up all the time.  I have found the dollar section at target to have some fun school booklets and other things that we aren't quite ready for yet. 

Games are fun...I like them!  This matching game was so simple to make and the girls absolutely love it.  I put lower case letters on one side of a notecard and uppercase on the other side and cut it in half.  Now I give the stack to Elliana and she divides them into the correct piles on the floor .  The goal is the find the match---uppercase and lowercase letters.  We've had to establish some rules, like not picking up three letters at a time and showing me the pair and telling me the letter before putting it into their pile and moving on to the next match.  MOVEMENT is good!

I have made the decision to homeschool Elliana and Madeline next year too.  I wanted to see how this year went and I am now really looking forward to next year.  I have done a fair amount of "research" to seek out my options for schooling.  There are so many choices here and that can make it harder!  I recently met with a very Godly mother of 8 homeschooled children (10-20 years old).  She has given me wise advice over the past 5 years and I look up to her and how she and her husband have raised their family for a variety of reasons.  I am thankful for her mentorship in my life.  She gave me more insight and things to think about.  Right now I am taking one year at a time.  At this point the only thing that overwhelms me is the curriculum....what do I get?  I'm sure most people feel like this at first.

To put it into focus...I know they are going to learn their letters, numbers, and so on.  But what I want to teach while we are doing "school" is Godly character. 

Valentine's Day!

Our grocery day is Monday which was Vday...the girls look forward to getting apples and cookies when we go!

Abigail knows right when we get to the apples and to the bakery!!

I like making Valentine's Day special for our family :-)  Lynn got me a nice card and we are going on a date next week.  We send picture Valentine's to our Gmas and Gpas, Aunties and Uncles and cousins.  We talk about how it's a time to show love to others...like we always should do.  However, it's fun to do things we don't ordinarily do.  For example, have heart shaped milk ice cubes in our hot oatmeal in the morning, heart shaped pancakes, heart shaped pizza, and red koolaid and making valentines for others.  We want our children to be "others centered" not "self centered" in their every day life.  So I look for opportunities to emphasize it. 

Fudgies!!!

So growing up my Dad was very good at making things with chocolate in them...brownies, chocolate indians, "fudgies" (as we would call it, hot fudge), and lately chocolate chip cookies.  Yummy!  My recollection was that he would make something every couple nights but it probably wasn't that often.  We often have a request when we go visit now.

So I have his recipe and wanted to make some last Friday night.  We would always have it with vanilla icecream and peanuts.  Second helpings were a given growing up.  Dad had a lot of icecream!!  There is nothing like homemade hot fudge on the stove.  It smells good and tastes delicious.  So I want the tradition to live on...not quite as often probably however.  But I really like chocolate so it's not going to be a problem. 

No kids!

I brought the girls to my sister, Shawna's, for the day about a week ago.  I was able to run some errands and then I had planned to have lunch with my brother, Matt.  I can't remember the last time it was just him and I spending time together.  The last year he has gotten married, got a job, and bought a house!  So anytime I talk to him there is something new.  I can't believe how grown up he is.  He's been taller than me for a while though :-)
Andrea stayed with me the night before because Lynn was out of town for work for the week.  So by 11am I'd see all three of my siblings!!  How fun is that?!

GIRLS NIGHT!

Lynn is out of town for work.  Thankfully not too often.  So we like to have "girl's night" on a night when he is gone.  This usually means getting our toenails and fingernails painted, popcorn or a special snack, and a movie.  They get really excited and have an easier time saying goodbye to Daddy.  They set up a little early and this time Abigail joined in on the fun.



Fun with my Friend

I was excited when my friend Susan called up and wanted to come over and spend some time with me!!  We've known each other since 2nd grade and have been friends as long as I can remember.  She is the most adventuresome person I know.  Susan has been all over the world for fun and for work.  She is so good about connecting with me (one of her many friends) when she is close.  I love that we know each other's families and have the same hometown.  There is something special about having a history together that nothing else can replace.

I was making supper and I overheard Susan reading to the girls.  I listened closely and couldn't figure out what she was reading.  Following my curiosity I found her reading my latest and beloved "This Old House" magazine to them.  They were so intent and asking questions.  Of course they were hearing all kinds of words they hadn't heard before.  I was surprised at how long they listened interestingly.  Fun :-)

Cookie Day with Auntie Heidi!

Most holidays Lynn's sister, Heidi, will make a point to come over and make cookies with the girls...all three!  She is so prepared and knows how to make this time fun for everyone.  The girls know the routine!  Heidi comes with the sugar cookie dough made.  Then they use the cookie cutters she brings for that specific holiday.  They bake them, which makes the house smell so yummy, and then get to frost and sprinkle them. 

Often Heidi sends Lynn and I out for coffe or dinner.  This time she even paid for our date!!  Wow!  What a treat for us all!