Happy Valentine's Day...

...from the sweetest little valentines!

Ready for Valentine's Day

Ever since the calendar turned to February, Ellie has been hard at work making valentines. Every single day, Eric, Josie and I find surprise valentines hidden all over the house. It is so sweet! She has gotten very good at knowing where to hide them...mine have been in front of the coffee pot, on my laptop, under my camera- places I see often! She has even gotten as creative as hiding one under the peanut butter jar and another in the refrigerator with the jelly and then asking me all sweetly "Mommy, may I please have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch?" Yesterday, I gathered up all the valentines and spread them out on the floor for a picture. Check out all this sweetness!

Ellie wrote the names of almost everyone she knows on the backs of many of these so be ready to receive an extra special Valentine's wish from Ellie the next time we see you! The mailed ones are going to be a little late...sorry. :)

Hope everyone has a happy Love Day!

Winter Wonderland

This morning we walked outside to the most beautiful winter wonderland! The camera could not possibly do it justice...it was breathtaking! We were so lucky to even see it, as the ice was all melted not even 30 minutes later. Mornings like these make winter worth freezing through!


views from porch (click to see full screen)



weeping cherry in back yard


ice crystals


Ellie's home-made bird feeder


close up


Ellie and Josie

Theater Classes and Play

I know I am way, way behind on this blog...we have been BUSY! In addition to everything we already do, Ellie has been taking those theater classes that she won at the Wizard of Oz play. We originally thought we were going to have to wait until spring, but her teacher called and said there was an opening in the winter class and wanted to know if we were interested. The only thing, is that the winter session is two days a week vs. one in the spring. So, for the last 5 weeks, Ellie had theater class every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5. She LOVED them! One the last day, the parents were invited to come in and watch little plays they performed in groups of twos. Ellie's part was a mouse from the fable "The Lion and the Mouse". She did great!

A copy of her lines... They were not all that simple for a 5-year-old but she had them memorized in one day!



Not only did she memorize her lines, but she memorized the WHOLE thing. Here she is doing all the parts:


The play. She got a little intimidated by the Lion who was in costume for the first time...


The finale.


Pictures







Ellie and her awesome teacher Miss Holly.