Dee's First Letter "m" (221:365)

Yesterday Dee and I started "playing school", or rather,started her reading lessons. We are both really excited about it and are enjoying the lessons.

Today she successfully wrote her first legible letter "m"!

We are on our way to literary freedom!

Drop One Off, Pick One Up (219:365)

The last few times Scott has gone on conference trips, my mom has been able to come out and "replace" him. She has even been able to plan her flights to line right up with his, so I literally drop him off and pick her up at the same exact time. 

We did another airport swap today. 

Dee is soooo excited for her grandma to be here.

Goose was terrified of her, but soon got over it.

For dinner, Goose ate her first broccoli trees and strawberry chunks. She LOVED it. She is at the point right now where she eats more than Dee at just about every meal. She can really pack it in, even weighing in at only the 25% for her age.

I am about to start a reading program with Dee. Per my friend Anna's recommendation, I bought the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and am working my way through the introduction. I never read intros, I just don't have the patience, but I'm so glad I'm taking the time to do so here. It explains a lot of really important aspects to the program that are key to Dee's comprehension of it all.

I think we will start the program tomorrow. I am so excited about it!

A Goose for Goose Part 2 (174:365)

Finished this sweet little Goose today.

I put an "L" on it's tummy so Goose knows it's hers.

(I got the "L" template from this page here.)

Things I learned while making the Goose:

1. I have a 1970's sewing tips book that taught me to securely fasten buttons onto fabric where they will be pulled at a lot and there is a risk of coming off, by putting another button on the other side of the fabric and stitching them both together. That is a great tip for making things for kids that could be choking hazards.
2. Test the strength of your vintage fabric before using it if you are making something you want to last a long time.
3. Measure twice, cut once. (I should have learned this by now! I'm just too impatient.)
4. Google "free _____ tutorial/ printable" for anything. You will likely find a sweet pattern from a kind crafty soul.
5. I HEART Heat N Bond. Will be using more!

I cannot believe my Goose is going to be 1 tomorrow!!!

Pot Roast (151:365)

This morning before church I actually had a little free time.

A first.

So, I threw a pot roast into the crockpot.

Potatoes

Onions

Carrots

Cream of Mushroom soup

Roast

Packet of Onion Soup Mix

Cooked it up while we were gone and, voilà!, a delicious meal.

I also noticed the missionaries didn't have a meal for tonight, and, knowing I already had a delicious meal ready at home, I was able to have them come right over.

Planning ahead is awesome! 

I need to do this more.

Lesson learned.

My First Balloon Arch (101:365)

Today the youth at our church are doing what we call a "Roadshow" and I got to get up at 6:30am to practice. My favorite. I LOOOVE the mornings, when they are dark and cold, and my eyes feel like sandpaper.

To help out after the practice, I learned how to make a balloon arch.

A skill that will help me in all my future party planning years.

I'm feeling a bit jumpy after all those

balloons popping in my ears.