Brushing Nellie's Hair -- January 29

Vivian really wanted to be held, and not put down, when it was time to brush Nellie's hair before school.  Andrew and Hazel were off brushing teeth, so Nellie got to hold Vivi for a bit.  

Dr. Seuss -- January 26

Hazel and Nellie got out the Dr. Seuss books, and we all sat together 

and read different books.  Nellie had Fox in Socks, Andrew and Vivi were reading The Cat in the Hat,  and Hazel had One Fish Two Fish.  

 I had the camera.

Sledding at Happy Jack -- January 25

While Grammy was visiting Great-Grandpa Frank in New York state, Nellie stayed with us for a week.  On the weekend, we took everyone out sledding, and had a great time.  

Hazel rode up the sledding hill a few times, but she really enjoyed running around in the snow.

Vivian surprised us all by grinning all the way down the hill each time.  We had a slow sled, but we were moving pretty fast by the time we got to the bottom.

Hazel had a few turns all by herself in the orange sled, and Andrew ran along next to her just in case she needed him to help her steer or stop.

Vivi and I mostly used the orange sled, because it didn't go as fast.  We used the other sled a few times, and Vivi was a good sport about getting a little bit of snow in her face. 

Two Girls Reading --- January 20

Vivian likes reading books with us now, too.  We spend a lot of time on the couch reading together everyday.  Hazel's current favorites are Madeline and Woodsy Owl's ABCs.  Hazel reads both of these many times each day, and we all have them pretty much memorized.  We don't know what Vivi's favorites are yet!

Smiling with Grammy -- January 17

Enjoying cuddles with Grammy on the first week of school.

S -- January 17

Hazel has learned the letter "s" all on her own.  She points them out in books, and out in the world -- for example, the "s" on a Chevy Silverado or the "s" on a stop sign.  She will also tell you that an "o" is a circle, which, strictly speaking, they usually are.  So.  Hazel does not seem terribly interested in learning the other 25 letters, but she does seem to like the sound of the "v" and she likes to listen to us sing the alphabet song.

Go Cowgirls! -- January 11

Nana and Grandad gave us tickets to see the Cowgirls for Christmas, and it was so much fun!  They beat Boise State handily in the end, and everyone had a good time.

We sat in the student section, which was pretty empty because the students were not back from break yet (at least not in large enough numbers to take up much space).   It turned out to be perfect, because Hazel had a great view of the pep band.  Hazel is all about instruments right now, but her favorite, hands down, is the trumpet.  She watched them the whole time we were there.

Hazel also liked the pompoms the cheerleaders had.

Vivi made use of the pompoms that we brought with us.

During halftime, Nana and Grandad came and found us.  They brought us soft pretzels and cheese, and they stayed with us for the rest of the game. As always, it was nice to see them and watch the Cowgirls!  

Go Cowgirls!

Hazel on Skis! -- January 11

Grandpa Van and Grandma Tina sent Hazel a pair of toddler-sized skis for Christmas, and this was the second time we took them out for a spin in the front yard.  She is getting better at it, and she seems to like the idea of it.  Hazel especially liked going down the little hills in the yard, and would ask to go down again.

She can motor on her own, but she prefers to hold someone's hand to steady herself.

We even have two little videos:

#1: In which Hazel skis down a hill that Andrew made bigger.

Andrew:  Alright?  Yes.

Weeeee....

Hazel: [matter of fact tone of voice] 'Gain. 

-----

#2: In Which Hazel Skis and Discusses a Minivan

Andrew: One...two, ok.  Lets give it a shot.  

Hazel: Careful.

Andrew: Let's get in your tracks.  Maybe that will help.

Hazel: [pointing at minivan] Grandad's.

Andrew:  Grandad's?

...Ok.

Hazel: [more determined this time] Grandad's. 

Andrew: Does Grandad drive a white mini van?  He wishes he did.

H: [inaudible]

Kiowa Park in the Snow -- January 10

The weather was a little bit warmer finally, so we ventured out to the park when Andrew got home from work instead of hiding out in the house by the pellet stove.  Hazel really misses being able to visit the playground.  There was a time at the end of the summer when we were at a park almost every afternoon--but not in January.  She knows where the playgrounds are, and we'll drive by in on our way to the grocery store (or wherever we happen to be going) and she'll point out the slides longingly.

It was pretty cold anyway, so we didn't stay too long.  She got to go down the slide a few times, though, and it was good for all of us to get out for a little while.

Telander Montessori -- January 8

Andrew got me a book for Christmas, Teach Me to Do It Myself, with all kinds of ideas for working with toddlers through preschoolers to learn life, math, language, and science skills. One of the activities is to practice pouring rice from one container to another.  We tried it out, but we used the little teapot to make it even more fun.  

Vivi Helping in the Kitchen -- January 7

Evening -- January 4

We spend a lot of time in the evenings these days just reading and playing in the living room, since it is too dark to go outside, and usually too cold anyway.  Vivian likes Hazel's beads, and Hazel likes Andrew's slippers.  It is pretty fun to watch Hazel try to walk in Andrew's shoes--they are almost as big as she is!

Making Supper -- January 4

We got the Go-Pod out again recently for Vivi.  She likes it, she seems to appreciate having a different view and she likes that moose pretty well.  It has crinkly feet, among other amenities.  

We have Hazel's folding chair out to reduce competition for the Go-Pod.  Hazel wasn't really that fond of it when it was hers, but now that she is big enough to climb in and out on her own, she is all over it.

Andrew is cooking green beans.

Emma is lying in front of the fridge, as usual.  We think it might be warmer right there?  Unclear.  At any rate, she is always there if we are busy in the kitchen.

At some point, Hazel started giving toys to Vivian.  By the time Hazel was done with this project, Vivi was practically buried in little toys.  It seems like a good sign though, in the sharing department, to have Hazel heaping toys on Vivian.  She will occasionally bring Vivian a toy now, just out of the blue.  

Hazel, Guitar Hero -- January 4

With all of Hazel's interest in musical everything lately, we got out Guitar Hero because we thought she might like to press the buttons.  She does like to press the buttons, but she mostly likes to watch someone else play.  

Happy with a Helicopter -- January 3

Game Night -- January 2

Nana and Grandad came over to play games, and Vivi made an appearance long after bedtime.   

Swimming -- December 31

Grammy and Nellie took us swimming on New Year's Eve.  Nellie spent most of her time underwater with her goggles, so she's hard to spot in the pictures.  Hazel had a great time splashing and playing with how different it is to move in the water.  

The lazy river (above) has a current, so Hazel could hold on to a pool noodle and pretend to swim by herself while I held her up.

Grammy watched from the side of the pool, and kept Vivian company.  We figured Vivi would get cold too fast to enjoy the pool, and Grammy offered to hang out with her.

Hazel with her noodle.

This sculpture is outside the Laramie Rec Center right now, and Hazel found it fascinating.  She wanted to try on the empty pants, but was happy enough to look at them.