First lessons on the Bikes

 The other day it was closer to 65 degrees, so we let the kids ride their bikes in the driveway.

Allan's bike came with factory-installed training wheels. Elaine's bike did not. We've bought two different sets of training wheels for her bike, now. The first set would not install securely because where the guards are on her bike's design. The second set, doesn't seem strong enough to hold up to Elaine's weight. I'm sure they are meant for younger kids. When she starts to lean to the side, the training wheel folds up! So she lands on the pavement. After some un-successful laps on her bike, Elaine took Allan's bike for a ride, with no problems.
She shouldn't NEED training wheels for long, if she becomes a better rider. So we had her building her confidence riding Allan's bike because she's very nervous about the balancing-aspect.

 Elaine on Allan's lil bike with Jim walking behind her.

Elaine (on Allan's skooter) and Allan on his bike, with Jim.

Last week made my FAVORITE recipe.

 Had to make extras, because Elaine discovered months ago that she enjoys Breadcrumb-stuffed Artichokes as well.

Elaine's Timeline

For school, Elaine had to make a timeline of the milestones in her life. She picked out the cloudy poster board, sparkly paper and snowflake-print purple ribbon. She hand-cut out the kite and bows, wrote the events on the bows and glued down the Cricut letters for "Elaine's." We're very proud of her hard work.

She chose to document:

1)Becoming a Big Sister

2)Learning to fly kites

3)First day of school ever

4)Becoming a Girl Scout

5)Being in weddings

6)Learning to fish

7)Getting her own bedroom

8)Her first bike

Denton under snow

Hey Mom- And you thought it was cold when you visited!? It was 21 degrees in the middle of the day in Denton over the weekend (14 degrees for the low). It's Wednesday now, and Sunday's snow is still on the ground. Our curbside recycling bin was frozen shut from the ice. :))

It should be a little warmer by your next visit.

The mall closed after only being open one hour on Sunday. Codi was supposed to come over to have girl time with Elaine at 6pm. But since the mall closed, she got to spend the whole day with us watching movies, playing Wii and watching the kids play in the snow. Jimmy made Beef fajita salads. Yum!

Pictures of Sunday Morning:

Bundled up.

 

 

Pictures of Sunday Afternoon:

 

Kids with the dog we are babysitting this week.

Codi painting Elaine's nails, while Elaine wears one of her Snuggies

Movie time with the kiddos.

Recent pics of Mark Jr (aka Scetch) in Peru

Mark at the Sub in Peru.

*Mark with CE 1 Hill at the School in Lima, Peru*

Mark is supposed to get back in the Fall and probably be done with the Navy then. My mom and I called him on Christmas Eve.

New Years, Allan's birthday

 

We celebrated Allan's birthday on Sunday (a few days early). I made Allan pancakes for breakfast and drew a spiderman face with icing on his pancake. Regina gave me spiderman streamers and some goodies to use, from when her grandson had a spiderman party. So i hung up streamers and put down a table cloth before my friends came over. Codi and Jenna brought Allan his birthday presents from them, once they got off from work. 

As Allan blew out his candles, we all got him with (silly string) "spider webs".

My coworkers/friends with the Spider kids.

Codi bought Allan a cookie cake, since he asked for a "super cookie". I decorated it before dinner time.

Jenna said we look like "the Target family" since somehow we all wore Red, like Target employees.

Monday Jim had to take the van to the mechanics because it was leaking engine coolant. They had to send off for the correct replacement hoses, because the parts were discontinued... so the whole repair has taken awhile. Jim's job paid for him to have a rental car all week.

We're babysitting a friends dog while they're out of town. It's supposed to snow tomorrow, so we brought the outside-dog inside, trapped in our laundry room. She seems to be doing really well. The dog is asleep right now. 

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Codi brought over Wii games called 'Just Dance' and 'Just Dance 2' the other night. We ate popcorn and we shot some funny videos of the kids, Jimmy and Codi dancing. They are supposed to match the dances on the tv screen. I gotta admit, this Wii gets the family moving. (Sorry the videos are dark)

Jimmy saying, "I Don't Know What I'm Doing" :)

Micah's visiting Texas

My mom left Tuesday night and arrived back in Houston early Wednesday morning. She said she had a great time hanging out with the kids. :)

Wednesday night Micah came over to visit, and he stayed til this morning. We will probably get to see him again before he returns to college in Kentucky.

 

Micah in our backyard this morning.

This week

Elaine playing the Wii. She kept squatting and moving around, getting quite the work out... cracked us up!

Playing with the Robot they got from (I think) Jim's uncle. It dances and waves it's arms.

*Christmas Eve*

Driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve

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Christmas Morning

Snuggling Grandma Robin Christmas morning.

Santa didn't hear that other people were already getting our kids pillow pets and Snuggies, lol. The kids thought it was GREAT! Between them, they got 6 Snuggies and 4 Pillow Pets. They are in Heaven!

With Grandma Robin. She's spending a week with us.

Opening some more snuggies, wearing snuggies

With a Wooden Art kit... that thing is HEAVY. lol

A book about drawing trucks (to help him practice fine motor skills)

Looking at stickers

The mess.

Making bracelets with her friendship bracelet kit.

Building a Lego helicopter. 

They drew a picture of Santa's sleigh with their art kit.

 (And, that's why it was Heavy, lol)