Friday, April 13, 2012

All My Children

While waiting for the doctor at her check up this week, Eloise entertained herself by drawing on the exam table paper. She drew a picture and said it was Daddy. We're practicing parent names (in case of emergency), so I used this opportunity.

What's your daddy's name?

Michael Wymer

And mommy's name?

Uh-Nay.

And your big sister?

Marlee June Wymer. And my dog is George.

Do you have a cat?

Yes. Bogey. And that is all.

That's all? Don' you have a guinea pig?

Oh Yeah! Sidders! But that's all, Mommy. That's all my children.

The Salamanders are NOT my children.

The Shells

Marlee wrote and illustrated this story completely on her own. She had no help.



[The Shells
Once upon a time, Detective found the shells.
The End. By
Marlee]

Monday, April 9, 2012

Our Great Outdoors

Our yard has undergone some improvements! Last week we got a fence. This...

Turned into this!


I'm so happy with it. I wanted something that would provide safety and privacy without blocking our sunlight...and I think I got it! You may have noticed a few extra children in the picture above. That's because our dear friends, the Ma Family, were down for a little visit. The Mas are the kind of friends that drive 11 hours to visit for a few days. The kind of friends that are actually happy to help you improve your home, even when it means spending hours digging a patio!
Our big side yard got some attention as well. The dirt from the patio excavation filled holes and flattened slopes. Then we started our orchard. We planted a fruit tree that grows four kinds of stone fruits and six berry bushes! The girls were happy to help.




George keeps an eye on the progress.

It has been so fun to get out and play in the dirt. The work itself is fun, and even better is the feeling of putting down some literal roots! I can't wait to watch our little tree grow as the girls do, and I know we'll make so many memories in our new yard.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A New Reader in the House

Marlee is reading. Sure, she's been "reading" for over a year (sounding out words), but now she's READING (reading books without sounding out words aloud). Still, it's a challenge for her and flat out exhausts her. We usually have her practice her reading just before bedtime, because it's generally quiet and because it wears her out in time for bed.

Tonight, she was practicing a book recommended by her teacher. It was challenging, full of consonant blends and complicated words. By the time she got to the last page, she was over it. She couldn't read it, wouldn't even try. Around the same time, she (TMI) said she had to go to the bathroom. I suggested she take the book with her and try to work out the last page in peace. I explained that she would have to finish the book before doing anything else.

A minute later, I hear, "...frustrated....don't....can't read...mad...tired...you ask..." I asked Michael if she was talking to herself, and he said Eloise was in there. Next thing, Eloise comes out with the book in hand, turned to the last page, and says, "What does this say?" Michael read it to her, and she went running for the bathroom. Then we heard Marlee say, "Good job. Did you find out what it says?"

Blog Slackers Anonymous

Hi, I'm Renee. It has been 5 months since my last blog post.