Busy Month

March was a busy month around the house. Abbie enjoyed getting a chance to stay home and play during her spring break. She was really at a point where she needed the rest. The weather was good and she got a chance to play outside and ride her bike. Ellie helped the kids make some goo, and they had a good time getting all messy with it. Fortunately they had the foresight to do it outside! As you can see, Abbie was just thrilled.

At the end of spring break week, Grandma and Grandpa C. came for a visit. Again, the weather was nice and we were able to do stuff outside. The ladies also got a chance to do a little shopping, and Abbie was thrilled about the new dress that Grandma bought for her. It is very similar to a dress that she had when she was younger and just looks so cute on her!

Back at school there have been lots of recent developments. First, the class birds (remember Jack and Jill from winter break?) died. Yes, that's right. They both died suddenly at the exact same time. Very mysterious. I have done some reconnaissance (asked the room moms), but no one seems to know exactly what happened.

Second, the kids have been studying the planets, and had a field trip to the planetarium. This was always one of my favorites as a kid. Prior to the field trip, each kid had to choose a planet, make a model of it, and then learn two facts about it to share with the class. Abbie chose to make Jupiter, so she and I got a big styrofoam ball and some paints and then went to town on it. In the end, it looked good, but looked nothing like the picture that we were using as a guide.

Of course, Chad and I have been acting like 5 year olds lately. With all this planet talk, there have been some Uranus jokes going on between the two of us. We just about lost it one night at dinner when Abbie innocently said, "Mrs. Rea says that Uranus is a gas giant." :)

Finally, we have had a ton of parties to go to lately. There have been the usual birthday parties. One of which was pretty cool because it was a pottery party and the kids were able to spin pots on a wheel and to paint pre-made mugs, etc. In addition to the birthday parties, there was a mother-daughter tea party in which the kids made up care packages for a local charity that helps foster children. The moms, on the other hand, relaxed and chatted over glasses of wine. Works for me!

Around the house Abbie has been busy swimming as much as possible. Now that it is regularly 80 degrees, we have all been in the pool quite a bit. She has also taken to reading on her own more. After I put her to bed at night, she'll use her reading light to read a chapter of a Magic Tree House book before going to sleep. I think she is excited to finally be at this comfort level with her reading, and I am happy to see her have this added level of independence.

And, as always, Abbie has been full of amusing quips. She and Chad were talking one night and Chad said,"Well honey, you can’t judge a book by its cover.” To which Abbie responded, “Actually Dad, you can. The other day I saw a jelly bean book cover and I thought it would be a good book, and it was.” So there!