One Hundred Days Smarter

February 12th marked the 100th day of school. The kindergarteners have been working on their 100s Day collections all year. Each child collects 100 of something, like pictures, stickers, dinosaurs, etc. In the fall, Myles started collecting pine cones, but we only made a couple trips into the woods to gather some before it snowed. A couple weeks before the deadline, we realized that he'd never get enough pine cones since there was three feet of snow on the ground.
Myles decided to collect yarn instead. He got 100 pieces of yarn from me, Faye, Grandma LaG, and my friend Annie (one of her yarns was recycled sari silk that came from India). I knitted all the pieces into a mini scarf for his display, and this is what he ended up with:

Kids brought their collections to school the week before 100s day, and that evening the collections were open for public viewing. Our whole family went and looked at all the displays in all four classrooms before going to the spaghetti dinner in the elementary cafeteria. We had a lot of fun helping Myles celebrate being 100 days smarter.

Home Alone (Almost)

On February 16th, Merlyn spent her first night away from home by herself. She got to stay overnight at Aunt Claire's house. I took her and Berkleigh to Aunt Claire's while Bryan stayed home with the boys to cut wood. Then I dropped Berkleigh off at Grandma Faye's so I could help Bryan with wood at home.

Later that afternoon I took Carter and Myles to Faye and Jerry's and brought Berkleigh back home. The boys spent the night with Grandma Faye and Grandpapa.

That night it seemed strange to have an only child at home. Berkleigh was perfectly fine without her siblings, even at bedtime. She specifically asked to read books from Merlyn's room since Merlyn wasn't there.

The other three kids had lots of fun on their sleepovers. Merlyn still talks about her time with Aunt Claire and wants to go back soon, for two nights next time.

Happy Birthday to Berkleigh

Berkleigh June turned three on Monday, February 18th. Our phones and internet connection were a little wonky, so I couldn't post on Monday.
Here's how the birthday girl uses her fingers to say "3":

Berkleigh likes her dress cake.

Grandma Faye and Grandpapa came over for cake and ice cream. Grandma and Grandpa LaG weren't invited because there's still some cold symptoms (and germs) floating around our house.

Berkleigh blew out the candles. I still have to figure out some of the features of our camera, but I actually like the blurred action shot.

Some fun facts about Berkleigh:

She can count to 13.

She's been daytime potty trained for over a year, and nighttime potty trained for 4 months.She knows her left from her right.

She wants to go to Mr. Potato Head's house.

She knows her full name and birthday and what hospital she was born in.Once Bryan told her he was going crazy when she asked him where he was going. Now when he's going somewhere, she asks him if he's going "to crazy" and if she can go to crazy, too.

She knows the "full names" of everyone in the family:

Berkleigh June B

Merlyn Rose B

Carter Rose B

Myles Rose B

Mommy Rose B

Daddy Rose B

She always kicks off her blankets at night.

When she's alone with me she talks nonstop and ends every sentence with "Right, Mama?" I have to say "right" or she will keep repeating "Right, Mama?" louder and louder until I answer.

She's a real character and a great source of entertainment.

We all love her very much.

Pinewood Derby

Last Saturday was the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. Bryan helped Carter and Myles each make and paint a car to race. They each won at least one heat, but didn't win the grand prize. At least they got a tase of victory and had fun.