Feeding the ducks Oct 09

There is a fenced in pond across the street from us at the elementary school. We save the end pieces from our bread and when we get a good number of them we take a walk over to feed the ducks and geese. Everyone has fun letting the birds take the bread out of their hands and throwing pieces over or through the fence to them. There is a usually a great deal of quacking going on and many giggles. I thought these pictures captured the cute faces of my little ducklings and their duckling friends.

I like this picture.

Doesn't this face just say, "take me home with you and love me?"

Grace at 10 months

Grace started walking on Halloween! She had been practicing with a few steps at a time and had graduated to walking around the house while pushing chairs, walker toys, etc. We all love to watch her toddle from here to there and cheer her on enthusiastically. Sometimes though, when Grace is really on a mission, she puts her head down and speed crawls! :)

Grace loves music and will clap her hands and dance. "If You Are Happy and You Know It" is on of her favorite songs. She smiles and claps her hands.

Reading books is another favorite pastime. Grace will sit on the floor for some time just looking through her books. She also likes to be read to and will giggle all through the story.

Grace is able to climb up onto the bathroom stool and can just see herself in the mirror which also makes her giggle and point to herself. She is also climbing up into chairs. She is quite the little monkey. She also likes climbing into things like the doll basket, boxes, etc.

Veteran's Day 09

Mack gets very excited about all things military and is constantly bringing books home from the library about the military. Last week he found a DVD about War World II and watched the whole documentary. This week at the library his home school class focused on Veteran's Day. We learned about the POW/MIA table and wrote letters to our soldiers in Afghanistan. Through the library we learned about a special Veteran's Day celebration on Hilton Head Island and we knew we wanted to go. Unfortunately the place and time got changed because of inclement weather, but we were still able to see the memorial. Notice that Grace brought a furry friend with her.

Halloween 2009

The kids had fun putting together their costumes. Mack surprised us with his "war paint." He used paint markers, and was still slightly green for church the next day. :)

Little Miss Grace

Grace is now 8 months old! In the past month she has learned to do SOOO much. She is now crawling everywhere, and Mack has nicknamed her "Nascar Baby" because she is quick! Grace is also pulling up and crawling up the stairs. She claps her hands and says "Mama" and "Dada" and "kitty."

Grace is so good natured and is such a joy. She melts my heart when she says "Mama" and smiles so sweetly at me. She is also a great snuggler. There is nothing like cuddling a sleeping baby and drinking in her sweet baby smell.

Grace has had another accomplishment in the past few weeks--she has cut two teeth! I think she is trying to cut some more because she tries to teeth on us sometimes--ouch!

Backj to School!

Mack and Elyse started school this week at our local elementary school. Mack is in 2nd grade this year and Elyse is in kindergarten. Both children were very ready to begin school. Mack woke Elyse up yesterday morning and told her, "You get to ride the bus today, Elyse! This is so exciting! I can hardly believe it!!" Mack has been excited about Elyse joining him at school this year and riding the bus with him, and she has been equally excited. Riding the bus is the highlight of their day!

Wonderful Wednesdays

Wednesdays are special days for Mommy and the Little Lengels. Since the weather got warm we have been our friend Ms. Mandy and her little boy Eli (21/2) at a park each Wednesday morning. At first it was just Noelle and Grace because the other 2 were still in school but now Elyse has joined us and Mack will get to play next week. The kids have a great time on the playground equipment and the Mommies enjoy a morning out of the house and a friend to talk to. We typically take along plenty of snacks and sometimes our lunch as well. We have tried out many local playgrounds. On rainy days or days when one Mommy or another is without a car, we just meet at a home.

One day here at our house we made homemade soft pretzels with Noelle and Eli--yummy! The kids loved dumping in the ingredients, kneading the dough, and making shapes. Brushing on the egg wash afterwards and sprinkling on the salt was great fun too.

Eli has a new sand and water table at his house and that was a big hit last week.

Some weeks other Mommies and the children are able to come as well.

Today we met at a park that has a giant sprinkler. The girls had a great time running around in the water with Eli and trying out the slides and merry-go-round. This will be a great park to visit this summer as the weather grows even warmer.