Snow Day

On Tuesday we woke up to find that school was canceled. The kids were so excited and even more thrilled to find out there was snow on the ground. We laughed that anyone outside of Oregon would think it is crazy that school is canceled for a dusting of snow, but here the roads are really slippery and to be honest most people don't know how to drive in this weather.

The kids ran out before they had even had breakfast. Midge and Leo were so disappointed they couldn't build a snow fort.

Here was baby Huck's first view of snow.

He wanted to be out with his siblings.

Huck was delighted to have his siblings home for the entire day to play with him. They would put him in this Tonka truck and push him around. It was like his little throne.

On Wednesday I was talking to my parents who were visiting and looked out the back window and saw this by our pond!

Fun at Preschool

The other night I ran upstairs to get Little Miss changed into pajamas. I had left Huck in the sun room. As I was getting her dressed I could hear Huck babbling and it sounded like he was getting closer to me. I was amazed because I had just left him and he would have had to climb across the kitchen, entry way, up three stairs to the landing and then started climbing our big flight of stairs, but sure enough he sounded like he was getting closer. I went to the stairs and saw him climbing them by himself. I yelled to the family and we all came and cheered him on. I had to get the camera and record the moment. Here is my little 8 month old at the top all proud of his efforts. Now where's the gate?

The week before was my turn to teach Little Miss's preschool. The theme was spontaneous delight - basically we had a lot of fun. I love teaching this group because I get to play. I blew up a ton of balloons the night before and we had a great time playing with them. I had the kids close their eyes and I dumped all the balloons on their head and they squealed with delight.

L-boy went along and gathered up all of the balloons and carried them around with him the entire time.

The kids love to sing so we always have to sing.

I read the kids Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. The story is about a peddler that carries his caps on his head. The kids then tried to balance a pillow on their heads and tried to walk like the peddler in the story.

Little Miss always loves to paint. So I decided to do a painting activity with the kids. We painted fall leaves and then pressed them onto paper. They loved it.

For snack we did air popped popcorn. C-boy had never seen this before and he was so excited.

I love this last video. If this isn't spontaneous delight I don't know what is.

Swimming Lessons

Can you tell who is who?

For the first time Little Miss is taking swimming lessons, and baby Huck has started swimming. Were you able to tell who is who is the three above pictures and one below? The first is Huck, the second is Leo at the same age. The third is Midge, and below is Little Miss at the same age. The great thing about our pool is that little kids can swim in the kiddie pool for free while their older siblings are taking lessons. As a result Leo and Little Miss were very comfortable in the water when they started lessons. We think the same will be the case for baby Huck.

Leo and Little Miss both ended up being the only ones in the class so they have private lessons.

Little Miss with her beloved teacher Miss Genia. We requested her for the next set of lessons.







On the last day of lessons the kids get to play in the pool, go down the water slide. We also treat them to ice cream.

Swim Meet

Midge had her swim meet last night. She did great.

Ken got recruited to be a timer and was able to time for her lane.

She earned 3 1st place finishes in the 25 backstroke, 50 freestyle, and 50 backstroke

Midge's Times

25 Freestyle 28.68

25 Backstroke 27.18

25 Breaststroke 39.50

25 Butterfly 45.15

50 Freestyle 62.75

50 Backstroke 62.28

100 Freestyle 2:18.34

My proof shot that baby Huck and I were there.

Little Miss was fascinated with the hot tub. She just laid on the steps and would dip her fingers in. I'm sure this old man was thrilled.

At the end of the meet Midge jumped off the diving board with the rest of the team.

She amazed all of us by going off the high dive.

Huck has had quite the week. He just recently mastered crawling and now he has been pulling himself up on the furniture. This is usually the view we see of our little guy now. He is only 8 1/2 months and we are trying to get him to slow down in his growth, but he wants to be able to catch up with his siblings. Yesterday I watched as he pulled himself up on the edge of a toy and then he let go and stood by himself for 5 seconds. Yesterday at nap time I heard him crying and when I went in he had pulled himself up and was hanging on to the side of the crib. He couldn't figure out how to get back down and go to sleep. It looks like he is going to keep the Woodward baby tradition going that he will be walking before he turns one, the question is if he will be walking before Christmas.

Haircut

I gave baby Huck a haircut and now Ken says he looks like a certain someone...

What do you think?