learning time

You hear it everywhere...kids are sponges, they soak up everything.   I am amazed at how true it is when I watch Bryce and Zoey!  About two months ago I was talking to a friend about the kids development and the fact that they weren't talking much.  Although I know this is normal, it was difficult because I didn't always know what they wanted and we were all getting frustrated.  We taught them the basic signs (all done, milk, more, please, thank you, dog) and they did those consistently but I was ready to hear words or understand more.   She suggested the Baby Signing Time videos, her twins used them and loved them.  I wasn't sure at first...I didn't want to just sit my kids in front of a TV and expect them to learn.  They actually didn't watch any TV or videos for the entire first year of their lives!

We started watching the videos and the kids vocabulary exploded and they were signing nonstop within days!  They love the videos and they have some fun catchy songs.  Now the kids have signs for all their clothing items, the weather, foods, drinks, animals, and vehicles!  The best part is, now they are also now trying to say the words too.  Zoey says a lot more than Bryce but girls tend to do that!

In addition to the Baby Signing Time, I added the LeapFrog "Letter Factory" video into the mix this week.  I had been looking into effective ways to teach the kids their alphabet and this video kept popping up and several of my friends recommended it so I figured we would try it.  Again, like most videos for children, it has catchy songs and a lot of visual stimulation but the kids love it.  We started watching it three days ago: Zoey already does/attempts the sounds for the letters B, D, F, H, L, M, Q, S, T, and V!  Bryce LOVES the "S" sound and watches the video closely...I am sure one of these days he will just blurt out the sounds like a mad man!      

I am still not a fan of the kids watching much TV but I will gladly use educational videos/programs to expand upon what I can teach them, especially with these wonderful results!  I highly recommend both these video programs to any parent!!!  Just beware that you will be signing the songs in your sleep...they are VERY catchy!!!

Here are the links to the videos I am talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Signing-Time-DVD-Collection/dp/B007NZ1JBY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363302654&sr=8-2&keywords=baby+signing+time+dvd+set
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Letter-Factory-Ginny-Westcott/dp/B001TKUXUC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363302706&sr=8-1&keywords=letter+factory

.katherine.

alphabet magnets

I love pinterest!  Matt makes fun of me but I have found so many neat projects, ideas, and recipes on there.  Looking at pinterest is actually part of my nightly routine and a little treat for myself after I do my nightly injection.

A few days ago, a good friend tagged me in a pin of these adorable alphabet magnets that you make from your scrap fabric!  I had actually just been looking at a way to use my scraps (I don't want to move them) and ways to teach the kids the alphabet...what a perfect combination!  I used the basic guidelines from this blog: http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/10/tutorial-how-to-make-plush-alphabet.html but altered them a little.

I finished up our set last night so I put them all up on the dishwasher as a surprise for the kids this morning.  They were a huge hit...we played with them for almost a half hour before doing anything else this morning!

Here are instructions to make them the way I did:
1. Go to microsoft word, pick a font you like to use, type out the alphabet (and numbers if you want), make it the size you want, print, and cut them out....these are your templates.
2. Gather your material.  Each letter needs about two 3inx4in pieces of the same material if yours are the same size as mine.  Lay these together wrong sides toward each other.  
3. Trace the letter/number on one of the pieces of material using a washable fabric marker.  This is the one I used: http://www.joann.com/dritz-dual-purpose-twin-marking-pens/prd3117/?green=3AB21459-5252-5E94-98D0-AB5A18AD730F
4. Place a piece of batting between the two layers of fabric making sure it is a little bigger than the letter/number.
5. Sew your layers together on the lines you already drew.  I decided to sew all of the letters and numbers with the same color thread...in my case black but you can always pick thread that goes with your fabric.
6. If you choose to make your letters magnetic there are two options to hide the magnet: either place the magnet in the layers like the blog above shows and simply sew with it in there or sew most of your letter and place the magnet inside the letter before finishing sewing.  I chose the second option because I wanted it to be as flat as possible for most of the sewing but either way will work well.
7. Cut out your letters.  Leave about 1/8th-1/4th inch of fabric outside of your sewing so you don't cut into the stitches.
8. Enjoy!!!

The blog also has a good tutorial for a bag to hold all of these but ours isn't finished yet.  I forgot to purchase the string to hold ours together so for now they will stay on our dishwasher!  

Enjoy making a set for your little ones and let me know if you have questions!!!
.katherine.

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tricycles

Last weekend with spring in the air we decided to get the kids some tricycles!  We have been eyeing them for a while and couldn't wait til it was warm enough to go on walks outside again.  Last Saturday the snow was melting, it was a "warm" 35 degrees, and everyone was tired of being inside...so we got the went ahead and bought the tricycles.  They loved them!!!  Bryce's favorite part was the bell and Zoey just loved ridding while Matt pushed her along.

We didn't stay out too long since the kids fingers got cold but they loved every second.  Bryce sobbed when we took him off the trike so we brought them inside and he rode around the living room.  I thought we were going to have to put it in his bed with him...he did not want to get off!

Then two days later we got over twelve inches of snow!

The kids are still loving the new tricycles, but for now they are being used in the living room.  We can't wait until this snow melts some and we can get back outside...hopefully this weekend!!!

.katherine.

barksdale...here we come

We have been knowing for a while that we were scheduled to leave this coming summer...but no idea when or where.  At the beginning of the year Matt put in his "dream sheet" and then we waited...until one night while we were watching TV he got an email in his personal email saying that he had orders waiting and he could check them at work.  I insisted that he drive to work then so we could find out but I "patiently" waited until the next morning.  Waiting at work, months before we expected to hear anything, was a RIP (the beginning steps of getting orders) for us to go to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana with a report no later than date of 30 September 2013!

We are very excited about the move and the position for Matt.  He will be working for Air Force Global Strike Command as part of their inspection team.  It will be very different from what he does now but a great opportunity for him!

Moving to Louisiana means we will also get closer to family!  We won't be too much closer to our parents (only about 7 hours closer) but we will be about ten hours from my grandparents and several other family members.  It will be wonderful to be within reasonable driving distance to family!

This fall/winter, come visit us in Louisiana...you probably won't even need your coat!

.katherine.

pink palooza

My amazing Aunt Fawn has been breast cancer free for four years now!!!  That is defiantly something to celebrate...so every year they do with their annual Pink Palooza party!  Unfortunately, we haven't been able to attend but that doesn't stop us from celebrating.  We all wear pink in celebration of Aunt Fawn winning her battle against cancer, in honor of those who weren't as fortunate, and for those who are currently fighting.  Here are a few photos of our Pink Palooza day:

.katherine.

making valentines

Matt and I love making art projects with the kids!  I think it is so important for them to be exposed to creativity and art but it also helps with their fine motor and decision making skills...plus what ever else we can throw in (shapes, colors, etc).  This year for Valentine's Day we made felt hearts for the great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and ourselves.  The kids had a great time playing with the materials and putting them onto the hearts.
I found all the materials at Hobby Lobby...felt hearts, felt words (that I glued on before the kids started),  felt stickers (robots, frogs, owls, and hearts), foam letter stickers, and fuzzy balls.   It was such a fun and simple project that the recipients all loved!

Here are photos of the progress: 

And the finished products:

We hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
.katherine. 

saying "see you later"

While you wouldn't be able to notice based on the weather today, there are only four weeks until spring.  While this is very exciting, it also means moving season is upon us.  We are "patiently" waiting for our own orders but also not looking forward to saying goodbye to our friends.  I grew up a military brat so I know what it is like to move and have your friends leave.  However, it doesn't get any easier as I get older!

Two weeks ago great friends of ours started the process of their move.  The Ehn family will be reporting to their new base in May but Abbey and the boys moved already to give Eric some time to finish and sell the house here.  It was hard to see them leave but we are also happy for the opportunities that await them at their next assignment.  We have been friends with the Ehns for about three years...before any of us had kids!!!  It has been great to see our families grow.  Here are a few photos over those three plus years:  

The first time we all hung out...carving pumpkins for Halloween of 2009.

 Our book club group in January of 2011.

Abbey meeting the twins for the first time in September of 2011.

Meeting Theodor in January 2012.

The first photo of the kids all together in March 2012.


The night before Abbey and the boys left we got to have dinner with the Ehn, Dirks, and Bennett families.  The four families have gotten close over the past several years and it is always a good time when we get together.  

While it is never goodbye, just "see you later," it is never easy to leave good friends and it will continue to be difficult as we say our good-byes this summer.  We have truly been blessed with great friends here in Minot.
.katherine.

challenge quilt

My mom is doing a new quilt challenge and I decided to participate.  (You can find out more on her website: www.marywkerr.com)

The challenge is "Dare to Dance: An Artist's Interpretation of Joy".  I titled my quilt "I have family" and am really pleased with how it turned out.  Below are the quilt and my statement about the quilt.  Enjoy!!!

Artist's Statement:

My definition of joy is my family.  They inspire me, make me laugh, and fill my heart with infinite happiness.  My quilt, “I have family,” was created to pay tribute to fact that no matter what we go through we will live each day to the fullest and we always have each other.   

Over the last two years we have been faced with many obstacles.  On June 15, 2011 I gave birth to twins thirteen weeks prematurely, on June 26, 2011 our town and home were flooded, and on April 12, 2012 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis!  Through it all we have stuck together, taken each situation as it arose, and remained joyful.  We have each other, our health, and a strong support system; what more could we ask for?

Most of the material used in this quilt comes from those three events: maternity shirts, preemie clothes, baby blankets, MS walk shirts, flood support shirts, and even jeans I wore when rebuilding our home.  I also included all the important numbers in the quilting around the edges.  It is wonderful to see all of this is a creative work of art and know that we made it through all of those challenges together.

.katherine.

snowfall

Winter days in North Dakota and usually all similar - snow on the ground, cold temperatures, and playing inside.  However, rarely we get this amazing light, fluffy snow and you can actually see the individual snowflakes.  It is BEAUTIFUL!  Every year since we have been here I have set out to try to photograph it but due to the sun it doesn't last very long.

Last week we had this snowfall in the middle of the day and I set out during nap time to our backyard.  I was able to capture several photographs of these perfect snowflakes.  Winters in North Dakota can really be beautiful! 

.katherine.