So Mira started running a crazy fever last night and then started throwing up. Luckily she has only thrown up twice, the last at 6 am. Her fever is fierce, but as long as she has ibuprofen on board she's totally fine. I had to call in to work today for the first time since I went back to the PICU! Feels weird, but there's no way I could have sent her to Pep's with puking! G went over there anyway so I could focus on Mira if needed. My mom came over this morning because Mira wanted her. I used the time to do some serious lapbooking! Lapbooks are a big deal in homeschooling right now. The are basically file folders that focus on a unit or subject with several different activities or ways to look at something. We aren't going to learn any more letters until after Christmas to drill the ones we've already learned into her head and I wanted to spend some time learning about Christmas and Advent with her. I also wanted to do different activities.
This one is focusing on the secular aspects of Christmas and tons of activities. For her to do alone as well as with us.
We made a santa together for the front.
We colored a number train together 1-10. I glued that on. The rest is mainly pockets. She glued the numbers on the tree. Cc is for candy canes has 5 different sizes of candy canes she put stripes on and I laminated for sequencing activities. ABC matching game is all of the letters she knows thus far (A-I) lowercase and uppercase on tiny gifts. She can match the presents A to a and so on. E is for Elf is a puzzle laminated she can put together. The snowman is for dressup- in the pocket there are three scarves and three hats she can mix and match with velcro dots on him. On the back I have a pocket for the mini book "Night Before Xmas." I also had memory cards for this one but she could see through them upside down, so it didn't really work...
I did one for the Christmas Story focusing on the religious aspects of the season.
On the left we have a candle that she and I colored and glued together. It opens like a card and there is a little poem and it says Cc is for Candle! On the bottom is a little mini book about the symbols of the season and their religious significance. The middle is a nativity scene. The Stable is a pocket. I laminated all the characters and the can velcro them to the scene. It's pretty cute. The right flap has a book of the Christmas Story called "Happy Birthday Jesus" and on the bottom is another card that says "Gg is for God's Gift to us" and inside there is a picture of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. On the back there is a picture of an angel we made together.
She has had a pretty good time with them so far today. She also knows some other random letters....S, M and R, but we are learning the alphabet in order. She can count to 20 or so, but being able to count and being able to recognize the letters are two different things, so we are working on 1-6 or 7 in recognition right now. She does ok, but sometimes 4 trips her up. I really enjoy schooling her. It's stressful at times and I get overwhelmed, but I like thinking of things for us to do together and she's very receptive. I feel proud of what she learns. I have toyed with the idea of not sending her to preschool next year and just continuing with what I am doing. I'm not sure yet. Alright, I need to lay sick-o down.
Poor Griffy doesn't get to go.
He didn't really care. Too cold.
So deep. Who knows how much we actually got, but the wind created some fabulous drifts. Here are the kids burying B- you can just see his head up by Carly.
Mira is loving making the "Snow Bunny Angels." Her fav show is Max and Ruby on Nick JR. Max and Ruby are bunnies and when they play in the snow they make snow bunny angels. Don't leave out the Bunny part or she will quickly correct you.
Standing behind the drift. Crazy!
Grandma Lana with her sons.
Griffy with his new leapster.
Griffin also got a basketball goal. Loves it.
And a wheelbarrow!
Playing Santa. I thought this picture was so cute.
Eating lunch.
Getting ready to open his mower.
His expression and reaction to his mower was priceless.
Turns out I didn't post pics of Mira, did I?! Weird. More later.
Mira jumping over her new slinky!
Mira playing with her new kitchen!
With Grandma Sarah.
Actually not too bad of a family shot!
Crazy faces screaming "Cheese!"
Sweet Mira.
Thanks Aunt Molly!
He's such a ham sometimes.
Enjoying a sprite- special days!
Applesauce- one bite was about his limit.
Mira is WAY into Santa this year. She's 100% consistent on what she wants him to bring her and says the same thing EVERY time. She ran right up to him and talked his ear off. Griffin HATES Santa and thinks he might kill him, but that's ok.
Naked play!
Griffin, like a true boy, has discovered how fun it is to be naked, and in true form, peed on the carpet last night. His little body is so precious though....
He played with B's hat for awhile and knew he was pretty damn cute.
Big boy!
We made a santa together for the front.
We colored a number train together 1-10. I glued that on. The rest is mainly pockets. She glued the numbers on the tree. Cc is for candy canes has 5 different sizes of candy canes she put stripes on and I laminated for sequencing activities. ABC matching game is all of the letters she knows thus far (A-I) lowercase and uppercase on tiny gifts. She can match the presents A to a and so on. E is for Elf is a puzzle laminated she can put together. The snowman is for dressup- in the pocket there are three scarves and three hats she can mix and match with velcro dots on him. On the back I have a pocket for the mini book "Night Before Xmas." I also had memory cards for this one but she could see through them upside down, so it didn't really work...
I did one for the Christmas Story focusing on the religious aspects of the season. 
On the left we have a candle that she and I colored and glued together. It opens like a card and there is a little poem and it says Cc is for Candle! On the bottom is a little mini book about the symbols of the season and their religious significance. The middle is a nativity scene. The Stable is a pocket. I laminated all the characters and the can velcro them to the scene. It's pretty cute. The right flap has a book of the Christmas Story called "Happy Birthday Jesus" and on the bottom is another card that says "Gg is for God's Gift to us" and inside there is a picture of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. On the back there is a picture of an angel we made together.
She has had a pretty good time with them so far today. She also knows some other random letters....S, M and R, but we are learning the alphabet in order. She can count to 20 or so, but being able to count and being able to recognize the letters are two different things, so we are working on 1-6 or 7 in recognition right now. She does ok, but sometimes 4 trips her up. I really enjoy schooling her. It's stressful at times and I get overwhelmed, but I like thinking of things for us to do together and she's very receptive. I feel proud of what she learns. I have toyed with the idea of not sending her to preschool next year and just continuing with what I am doing. I'm not sure yet. Alright, I need to lay sick-o down.
The kids are obsessed with playing in the corner by the front door and stairs right now. Today it was "Grandma's House." They pack up all their crap and go over there.
Mira takes the wagon and a few bags full of crap, and Griffin takes his stroller with his puppies in it.
It's pretty funny when she actually lets him play with her. He is obsessed with carrying his two puppies around right now. One is an easter Dog we got from Delaney a few years ago- it has rabbit ears on it. The other is a BNSF dog from David when G was born. He loves them both equally.
Sunglasses and a purse from Aunt Molly.
CD player from Grandma and Charlie.
Blowing out the candles.
Griffin at a ton of crap too. He ended up throwing up last night all over his crib. yay.
All the kids ate their pizza and cake on a tablecloth in the living room. It worked out well.
Griffin was having Mike feed him cupcakes and ice cream.
We stayed out too late and had a little too much fun. We're taking it easy today! Thanks for coming everyone!
