Olympics

Last week we had a special guest at our preschool. Laura's dad, who is a former Olympian, came and spoke to our kids. He played on the Dutch national hockey team in the Olympics years ago. He brought his gear and his medals to show the kids.

After "Grandpa Larry" talked to the kids, the kids had a chance to try on some Winter Olympic sports equipment. 

During preschool, 2 of the moms watch the babies while the other kids learn the preschool lesson. Here are Karis, Riley and Hailey all growing up so fast.

Snow!

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. After church we took the girls out in their sled. Around here we need to act fast when it snows because you never know how long it will last.

Paddington Bear

 We just finished reading "A Bear Called Paddington" and (because the girls loved it so much) "More About Paddington". To celebrate finishing these books we had a marmalade sandwich lunch. The girls were so excited to eat marmalade, just like Paddington.

I love being at home with our girls. I sometimes wish these days could last forever (and there are also days I feel like I may poke out my eye). One of the things that just makes my heart overflow with joy is when Ella reads to her sisters (just because it is so cute). Ella and Juju are very into "The Mole Sisters" lately. It's the cutest thing - Ella starts by reading the title and Juju says "hey, sisters, just like we're sisters" and Ella says "yah, just like us - except we're not moles". And then they both laugh :)

On good days, Ella lets Juju turn the pages. And other days (the ones that I feel like poking out my eye) this turns into a major argument.

Karis has a new trick. She goes into the bathroom, closes the toilet cover, steps on the stool, onto the toilet, onto the counter (by using the toilet paper roll as a step), and then hangs out in the sink. A few times we have wondered where she disappeared to and have found her relaxing in the sink. Weird!

Please note how full her head of hair is getting. This picture shows the back nicely - Auntie Jaynie may appreciate this :)

February

Here are the girls doing some learning at home. Karis loves to be part of our homeschool day, so I usually give her a simplified version of what the girls are doing. She often grabs a paper and a pencil and asks "how do you write an E?"

These girls love their Dadda and are always happy to see him at the end of their day (and so am I)!

Reading books together

Since Ella often reads to the younger 2, Juliette loves to assume the big sister role and "read" to Karis. She has a couple of Karis' favorite books memorized.

Our sweet neighbor delivered the girls some Valentine's day treats.

This picture may offend some Canucks fans. The girls are dressed in their Canucks outfits, complete with Minnie Mouse ears and shoes.

Back in October, Spencer wore a Montreal Canadians jersey while we took the girls trick or treating. At one point Spencer was wearing Karis' Minnie Mouse ears along with the Canadians jersey. Somebody we passed on the sidewalk commented "the Minnie Mouse ears suit your jersey". Thankfully Spencer isn't a huge Canadians fan and got a good laugh out of this.