Now I know my ABCs.....

So Bella turned three at the end of February and ever since Christmas she has been able to almost spell her name for me (she occasionally leaves out the E) and point out B's when she sees them, so I thought it would be a good time to teach her the alphabet.  Although having a friend tell me her son has known his alphabet since he was two also was a good motivator.  I know, I know never compare, right.  Oh you know we all do it!  

Well thats not the main reason for me wanting to do this.  I'd also, as a former elementary, like to feel like I'm bestowing some knowledge on to my towheaded princess besides how to push a dolly in the stroller, how to roll snakes out of playdoh, and put together a pink princess puzzle (although all very important as well!).  And so the "lessons" began.  I don't really have a set schedule or plan for my lessons, they're more impromptu. Whenever the situation arrives I go with it. 

Due to Bella's speech delay, although she loves music and singing, it doesn't come easy for her.  One thing that is very hard for Bella is when she's required to speak quickly, so having to say long sentences or singing lyrics to a song is difficult for her.  I know a lot of kids her age can at least sing the alphabet but Bella does not.  We'll sing it and she can get the letters that you pause on (sing it and you'll know what I mean) but can't sing the whole thing.  Poor thing doesn't even know twinkle twinkle or other common nursery songs.  But we're working on them and we are SO proud of the progress she has made in the last year.  So that being said I've had to be more creative than just singing the alphabet with her and here are some of things I've been doing:

I found these post-it letters at Walmart.  Bella enjoys looking at the bright colors and sticking them on things and coloring on them, all the while I sit near by pointing out what letter it is or asking her what letter it is.

This was a GREAT find.  Once again at Walmart, I found this Disney Princess (which made her happy) Alphabet book for only $3(which made me happy)!  The great thing is it came with a CD and on the CD they sing the alphabet song and then read the princess themed alphabet book out loud.  Bella loves the thrill of having someone else reading the story and loves all the princess correlations obviously! Its also great to take on the road as well to keep the kiddos occupied, and educated, in the car!

Back when I was teaching I had used my scholastic points to purchase these.  This is how I first introduce Bella to the letter.  She loves the fact its a balloon and I feel like since she has the opportunity to have a tactile experience with the letter is really allows for her to "experience" the letter and in returns helps her to remember it.  That could be totally bogus but she loves it and its something we've tried!

And this we just did tonight!  Found them in the freezer isle at Jewel.  How fun are they!?

Look her potatoes say Bella!

So any other fun ideas on how to teach the alphabet?!

P.S. so far we've worked on A, B, C, D, and E.  She also knows O, M, and S for some reason. : )

Not an exciting post....

Hmpf.  I have had a day.  And its only 1pm.  The girls have just been whiny about everything.  I know there are a lot of hard things about motherhood but I have to say nothing wares on my soul more than being whined at all day.  Its days like these where I try, even more than usual, to remember the blessings both girls are and just be thankful that this is my biggest complaint.  With all that could have and can go wrong and all the tough things other family are dealing with I can honestly say I am happy to deal with a whiny day.  But how about a break tomorrow,  Lord?

Just thought you'd like to see what I've been seeing today?

This young lady mastered the lower lip quite early on!  Enjoying every minute, every minute! (perhaps gritting my teeth just a smidge when I say that today!)

Not Me Monday!

It's Not Me Monday time! This fun blog idea was created by MckMama for all of us out there that need to come clean, or would like to, rather. We all have things out there that we can't believe we've done or we swore we'd never do, why not share it with the blog world, then visit MckMama's site to see what others are admitting to!

This week I Did Not call my OB pretending to be 28 weeks pregnant and on a cruise to ask my doctor if it was ok to take dramamine for a friend, nope not me!

Since we were all a bit under the weather this week I most certainly Did Not let a good 3 days go by without clearing out the sink full of dishes, nope not me!

And I Do Not currently have a bag of garbage on my counter out of reach of the dog, nope not me, garbage goes straight outside, even when its raining, hailing, snowing or whatever it is doing outside!

I would NEVER dream of giving in to Bella when she wants to wear her "pink princess" underwear that she wore already the day before, nope not me, clean underwear everyday.

I Did Not leap for joy today when I got my 5th follower of my blog, even when it was my husband, nope not me!

Bella Did Not fall asleep tonight with her princess music card going off over and over again on her tummy (see her love for cards here), nope not her, so sweet and it is NOT a quiet card. : )

And last but certainly NOT least I did not take time every day this week to pray for baby Stellan, April, and all the precious babies I am following these days, nope not me!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Meet April Rose....

Although I hope your prayers for Stellan continue, I have a favor to ask. Could you pray for another? A young, single woman from Chicago-ish (as she refers to it) who calls herself "B" is 33 wks. pregnant and has been told her daughter, April, will probably not survive. Her story is very similar to Angie's although different medical conditions I think.  Baby April's heart rate has dropped and the doctors think she'll probably pass soon and if B wants to see her alive its better to induce now. Obviously these are decisions no one should have to make but B is facing that reality. Could you just pray for her and these decisions and the God's glory will be apparent to her and others in whatever the outcome of this situation might be? She just started a blog, Little April Rose, if you'd like to check in on her and maybe just let her know you're thinking of her! Thank you and Happy Palm Sunday!

Crusty noses and snot covered sleeves...

I did not post yesterday because I was feeling a little under the weather.  Unfortunately winter illnesses were not through with us yet. : (  Thankfully it seems to be passing quickly.  Bella is already her old self and Brynn is on the mend.  With that said I don't have a whole lot to post since our week has been mostly crusty noses, snot covered arm sleeves, and dodging coughing sprays!  

Something from our week.  Brynn learned how to say, "Please, mommy dearest, I would like some of that right here."

Um, no not really.  She just did this move this morning.  Vince was eating a pop tart and apparently she wanted some.  As soon as she would finish a small piece, she would do this, demanding some more!  We're working on saying please! : )

Enjoying every minute, every minute! Have a great weekend!

Be careful what you wish for!

So the other night after we got home from church I was washing up some spare dishes I didn't wash immediately, like I always do, after dinner. The girls were in our family rooming playing so nice together. As I scrubbed my fine cuisine hot dogs and mac & cheese off a plate I enjoyed the sound of hearing my girls giggle gleefully at eachother. 'How fun,' I thought, that they've reached ages where they really enjoy playing with each other. I remember wishing for the day when they would play together. After I finished the few all the dinner dishes I went down to observe the cute display for myself. This is what I found:




Cute huh? Be careful what you wish for. : ) Love every minute, every minute!