New Vocabulary

Here is a Harper funny for you!

Last week Harper and I were cooking together in the kitchen and she was practicing her rhyming skills.  It went something like this:

Harper: Kissed - Pissed- Kissed - Pissed
Me: Harper don't say that word anymore.
Harper: Why, what does it mean?
Me: It means that you're really mad.
Harper: Like 100 times mad???
Me: Yes
Harper: I've been pissed before.

OMG - I was laughing so hard!  I then had to explain to her that it wasn't a very nice word and that she shouldn't use it.

Oh I love the innocence of little kids!

Harper 4 1/2

Harper turned 4 1/2 this week!  A half of a year is a big deal when you're a kid, or at least I thought so!

Harper continues to be an amazing big sister.  She has exceeded our expectations beyond belief.  She entertains Elliet, shares with her, reads to her, feeds her, holds/carries her, soothes her, and now takes baths with Elliet.  There are times when she doesn't want to share with her, or gets frustrated when Elliet gets into her stuff, but that is to be expected.  We look forward to watching Harper teach Elliet new things, such as counting, using a spoon/fork, coloring, etc.

Harper also continues to love preschool.  We have conferences in a few weeks and are looking forward to what the teachers have to say about her progress and if she's ready for the BIG K!!!!!!  

In her spare time, Harper enjoys playing on the kindle, watching TV, reading books, playing board games/cards, and playing with Elliet.  Harper's favorite shows are Full House, The Brady Bunch, Peppa Pig, Caillou, Quints by Surprise, and The Little Couple.  Quite the variety!  I can't wait until it warms up and we can spend time outside again!

Harper is finishing up her first year of dance.  She only has two months left before her recital.  Sometimes I'm able to watch her class if the door gets left open.  Harper is very good - she actually concentrates and follows directions.  

Harper is looking forward to a few things coming up in the next few months:  Her dance recital in May and being a flower girl in June.  She also plans on playing Blast Ball again this summer.

How is even possible that we're only 6 months away from having a 5-year-old?!  And possibly a kindergartner?!

WE LOVE YOU HARPER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harper can READ

At just 4 years old, Harper is learning to read!  For the past few months Harper has been really interested in the beginning sounds/letters of words.  She has been practicing sounding words out by writing them on paper.  (Ex: garlic toast = grlk tost)  I decided that I would buy her some books for beginning readers just to see how she'd do.  She did AWESOME!  She read the first 10 books with hardly any help.  (Side note: teaching your child to read takes A LOT of patience as it may take 30+ seconds just to read one sentence.)   

After doing a little research, I decided to start with  BOB Books for Beginning Readers.  (I actually ordered them from Amazon though)  There are 10 books in each series.  Each book focuses on a different sound, vowel, or sight word.  Every series contains the same familiar characters.  The illustrations are simple, with black, white and red being the only colors.  I definitely recommend BOB books for anyone with kids that are learning how to read.  We will be purchasing more books as Harper's reading skills advance.  And we will be buying the 'pre-reader' series for Elliet. 

Check out the videos of Harper reading!

I hope Harper's love of books and reading continues as she grows up!

2013: Harper's Thoughts

1.  What was your favorite thing from this past spring?

Playing ball with daddy and mommy.

2.  What was your favorite thing from this past  summer?

Playing soccer with daddy.

3.  What was your favorite thing from this past fall?

Jumping in leaves.

4.  What was your favorite thing from this past winter?

Playing in the snow.

5.  What was the hardest thing that happened this past year?

Opening a box.

6.  What were the best books you read in 2013?

My new books.  The ones that were in the box.  (BOB Books - blog on that later.)

7.  Who were the important people in your life?

Daddy, Mommy, and that's it.

8.  What was a favorite thing you learned this past year?

Reading books.

9.  How do you hope next year will be different?

I go to Kindergarten.

10.  What are some of your goals for the coming year?

• play soccer
• play football
• play basketball

Too cute!  (Thanks for the idea, Ashley!)

Newsletter

A few years ago the Clarion-Goldfield School District stopped mailing out the monthly newsletter and went electronic.  I am horrible at remembering to check the website each month to read about the school happenings.

As I was catching up on Novembers newsletter I saw Harper's picture 3 times! 

See if you can find her....click on the link below.

http://clargold.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/2415784/File/newsletters/1113.pdf?sessionid=df2ad5c26b7d5a2e56672a8e34739e1a

Dance Sneak Peak

 A few weeks ago it was 'Parents Night' at dance class.  We had the opportunity to watch the dancers during one practice session.  Now we won't get to see them until the big recital in MAY.  I can't wait to see the progress.

We were pleased with Harper, being this is her very first year of dance.  (Some of the girls in her class are on their 2nd year)  Harper was well-behaved and looked like she knew what she was doing.  She has fun and that's all the matters.

Enjoy the videos.


Video 1:  The girls are stretching and counting in French (Harper is on the far left)

Video 2: Practicing at the barre - Harper is just right of the her teacher (PS - Harper is asking Santa for a ballerina bar)

Video 3: Practicing tap

Hope these made you smile today!

Trick-or-Treating 2013

Now that Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away, I should probably catch up on my October blogs!  Let's start with trick-or-treating.......

Harper, Elliet and I went trick-or-treating with our neighbors and were out for 1 hour and 45 minutes!  That was a lot of walking for the kids....and adults!  By the end of the nights the kids were passing by houses that were still handing out candy....that goes to show you how tired they were!

Harper wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (one of her favorite movies)

Elliet was a bumble bee

Trick-or-Treat!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the 2 cutest little pumpkins that I know!

Harper and Elliet with their personalized pumpkins from Papa's pumpkin patch!

Harper Goes To The Dentist

Last month Harper had her very first dentist appointment and she did GREAT!

She was cooperative the whole visit and didn't make a peep.

She went with Adam to his check-up last year to see how things worked.  She was too scared to even sit in the chair last year.  I can't believe how much Harper has grown-up in the past year.  She is so much more outgoing and brave.

Harper's favorite part of the visit was picking out a princess toothbrush and a few other goodies at the end of the appointment.

Calm, Cool, and Collected before the visit

We are so proud of Harper's courageousness when it comes to the doctor and now, dentist.  We can only hope that Elliet is strong and brave like her big sister!

Harper - Age 4

Sorry for the delay....life is busy with 2 kids, a husband that works the night shift, and myself working 12 hours shifts.

Here is Harper's 4-year-old developmental update:

Weight: 50 lbs!!!  (99th percentile)

Height: 43" (96th percentile)

Clothing Size: 6x (small)

Shoes Size: 10-11

Eating: Harper still sticks to her favorites: apples, cottage cheese, yogurt, toast, chicken nuggets,  ice cream, chocolate milk and juice!  More recent favorites include: grilled hamburgers, carrots with ranch, lunchables, and Kit-Kats.  She is very good at trying new things.  She weighs 50 pounds - obviously we don't have any issues in the eating department!  We do talk a lot about healthy and unhealthy food choices.  She usually asks "Does this have a lot of sugar?".  She honestly tries to make healthy choices and almost always requests water now instead of juice!   

Sleep: Now that Harper has school almost every morning, bedtime is much earlier.  We aim for 8:00.  We always read 3 books before bed, and now Ellie gets to join in on the fun.  Bedtime is usually a piece of cake, but sometimes Harper does lay in our bed until we go to bed.  Harper doesn't have a strict nap schedule.  She sometimes will nap, especially if she had to be at daycare at 6:30 AM.

Favorite Toy: Babies/stuffed animals

Favorite Activity: Playing with babies/stuffed animals, playing cards/board games, playing ball outside, or writing in her dry erase activity books

Personality: Harper has changed so much in the past year.  She is now much more outgoing and less shy around others.  Once you know Harper, you find out that she is a very smart, funny, polite, and sweet little girl.  Others don't see her stubborn side as much as we do, but she does get sassy every once in a while.  Nothing a little 'soap in the mouth' can't handle.  Yes, we're 'mean' parents and still spank too.

Big Sister: Harper is an AWESOME big sister.  I honestly have no complaints.  Harper has adjusted very well.  I'm sure things will change once Elliet is mobile and is getting into her stuff :)  Harper loves to help us take care of Ellie.  She helps feed her, change diapers, clean up spit-up, washes bottles, reads Elliet books, and gives her tons and tons of hugs and kisses!

Developmental:
     + can spell/write entire name (first, middle, last)
     + beginning to sound words out - working on spelling and reading
     + rides big girl bike with training wheels (and helmet!)
     + operates TV system completely by herself (including DVR)
     + goes to preschool 4 mornings/week
     + enrolled in dance (tap and ballet)
     + knows left from right
     + takes showers by herself and washes her own hair
     + loves playing with the neighbor kids

* I have to brag Harper up a bit  - She had to get 4 immunizations at her appointment last week and didn't cry, didn't even flinch!  

** Dr. Nagel thinks Harper is ready for KINDERGARTEN next year!  Yikes! (Although we think she is ready too.)  I guess we'll wait and see what the preschool teachers think!

Birthday Quiz {Harper Age 4}

Harper turned FOUR on Wednesday!  Here is a little quiz that I asked her on her 4th birthday:

What do you like to do with mommy? "I like to be your best friend."
What do you like to do with daddy? "I like daddy to tickle me."

What is your favorite color: purple and pink

Who is your Best Friend: Adelynn

Favorite Animal: zebra

What do you want to be when you grow up: a princess

Favorite Movie: Cinderella

Favorite Book: Bambi

What makes you happy: going to the park

What Makes you sad: not going to the park

Favorite Food: cucumbers with ranch (news to me!)

Favorite Song: Happy and You Know It (also a favorite last year)
Favorite Game: Yahtzee
Birthday Wish: "I wish I was 6!"

* We are have Harper's birthday party tomorrow - so check back soon to see pictures

**I will post another stat/development blog after she has her well-child check at the end of the month. (Should be interesting - immunizations are in her future!)

Dancing Queen

We have a little diva on our hands now....Harper has started dance classes!

She has practice once a week for 30 minutes.  It doesn't sound like much time, but that's about all a preschooler can handle!  (and the teacher!)  She is learning ballet and tap this year.

I was never a dancer, but I love that Harper is giving it a try.  She really enjoyed her first night and can't wait to go back!  If one day she decides that she doesn't like it, then I'll support her decision.  I never want to make her participate in something that she doesn't want to do.  (Adam is secretly hoping that she doesn't want to dance or cheer because he wants a 'real' athlete) ;)

Although dance gets a bad wrap for not being a real sport, it truly does teach the kids discipline and respect.

Preschoolers

warming up

Parents are not allowed to stay and watch their children....I suppose it's distracting to the dancers.  I will get to see Harper in action in November for Parents Night.  I'm looking forward to that and already requested that day off from work.  You can count on a blog post with lots of pictures and an update :)

Have a great 1st year of dance, Harper Marie!  

4-Year-Old Preschool

Harper is already 1 week into her 2nd year of preschool and she LOVES it.  In fact, she said she loves it "100 times!"

She goes to school for 3 hours every morning except for Wednesdays.  I know it sounds crazy, but she has already learned so much and matured.  It's weird.  Like last Friday she said, "Did you know it's Labor Day Weekend?"  And today she said "Did you know it's 2013?"  Her teachers are absolutely wonderful!

1st Day of 4-year-old preschool

2012 vs 2013

Now that Harper is more comfortable with going to school, she barely even lets us walk her to school.  (We live directly across the street.)  We walk her across the road and that's about as far as she'll let us go.  She tells us to stop and she just marches in, all by herself!  Miss Independent!

Here's to a great year, Harper!!!!

Harper's Birthday Wish List {Age 4}

Harper turns FOUR in one month from today!  We are having a pink and purple princess theme this year, accompanied by a variety of sweet treats (Harper's idea).   Here is what the little princess has on her wish list this year:

•  sleeping bag (already purchased)
•  Hi Ho Cherry Oh
•  Barnyard Uno
•  t-ball set
• preschool activity books
• pink polka dot plug-in scentsy
• Pop the Pig
• books
• Peppa Pig toys
• Gator Golf (already purchased)
• clothes (size 6/6x)
• Ariel bath toys
• Swimming Ariel doll
• princess pajamas
• Disney movies

We are getting her:

• Disney Princess Dominoes
• Disney Princess Dress-up Trunk
• Birthday Princess Book

Who knew we'd have such a girlie girl on our hands??!!

Click HERE for Harper's birthday list from last year.

Mall of America Videos

Here are a few videos of Harper on the rides at the Mall of America.....she had no fear and can't wait to go back!

May Catch Up

Here is yet another post that is LONG overdue!  Here are some pictures from MAY....yes, May!  By the way, how are we already 1/2 way through July already?!?!

May brought us some fun times.  We made a visit to the Shields family, took a mini-vacay to Minneapolis, and Harper finished her first year of preschool!

We made a trip to Norwalk over Memorial weekend to visit the Shields family.  We grilled out and let the kids play.  It was so nice to finally be able to see my long lost best friend and catch up with her and her family life.

Adam reading Lia, Harper and Jack a book - aren't the kiddos all adorable?!

My BFF Ashley - so happy she's living in Iowa again!

It's hard to believe that my 'baby' already has her first year of school in the books!  That year went by extremely fast!  Harper socially grew so much this year - we are so proud of her, along with her teachers.  We attended Harper's end-of-year preschool program and it was the cutest little concert ever!  The kids sang about 10 different songs - and Harper sang and danced to every.single.one!  We were shocked!  I have some cute pictures and videos, but I'm not allowed to post them due to the school's policy. (because other kids are in them)  Harper is already looking forward to 4-year-old preschool and talks about it daily.  My goal for the summer is to teach Harper how to spell her last name and zip her coat.  

Last Day of 3-year-old preschool

At the end of May we took a mini vacation to Minneapolis to spend some quality time with Harper as the only child.  The weekend was all about her!  First, we went to the Mall of America, where we visited Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store, had lunch at McDonalds, and ended the day riding rides at the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and getting ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.  Harper LOVED the rides - I think she went on almost every ride that she was tall enough for.  She loved the roller coaster and bumper cars - who knew?!  (Last year she bawled on a little kid ride at the county fair!)  

In other May preschool news.....Adam and Ali made a visit to Harper's classroom.  Again, I'm not allowed to post any pictures, but the kids loved Ali.  And Harper was very proud :)

Harper and 'Star' - she picked him out and made him all by herself!

FEARLESS!

Go get 'em Harper!  Love the look on the other girls face! 

After leaving the Mall, we spent the night in Minneapolis, as we went to the Como Zoo the next morning.  We spent most of our time at the pool - surprise, surprise!  We enjoyed a relaxing evening in - and ordered pizza and just enjoyed the quality time with each other.  Harper didn't want to leave the hotel in the morning - she wanted to say for "40 more nights."

On Sunday morning we headed to the Como Zoo.  The zoo is free admission and very kid friendly.  The best part is that they have a small amusement park attached to the zoo.  We didn't actually go to the amusement park, but did ride the wooden carousel that is located right outside the park/zoo.  This particular carousel is HUGE, as it was the first carousel to be at the Minnesota State Fair.

I'm going to try to upload some videos of Harper riding some rides.  Stay tuned..........

3 and 3 quarters

Harper will turn four in just 3 short months.  Here is her quarterly update:

Weight: 47 lbs (She's thick!)

Height: 41.5 "

Clothing Size: Tops = 6, Bottoms = 5/6

Shoes Size: 10 

Eating: We are finding that Harper is not a big breakfast eater.  She usually refuses breakfast when she initially wakes up, but will then ask for something around 10.  She still does a great job at trying almost everything we make and isn't too picky.  Her favorite foods are: toast, chicken nuggets, grapes, strawberries, yogurt, ice cream,  granola bars, and chocolate milk. 

Sleep: Bedtime is usually around 9 o'clock and she will wake up around 7:30.  Luckily she never wakes before 7:30, she often will sleep-in until 8:30-9!  We still don't make Harper lay down for naps, but she will nap on the recliner almost every afternoon around 4.  

Favorite Toy/Activity: Now that the weather is warming up, Harper loves playing outside.  She loves to play with her bat/ball, scooter, and chalk.  While inside, she enjoys playing with babies, finger paint, Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy 8's, playing games on the Kindle, and reading books.
New Things:
     * Is playing T-Ball this summer
     * wipes her own butt (100% of the time!)
     *  is more outgoing! Harper will talk to almost anyone now if they try talking to her - such a relief
     * takes a daily multivitamin (gummy)
     * likes to wear my make-up
     * knows what soap tastes like :)
     * un-buckles herself from her car seat and gets out of the car on her own
     

     

Taco Johns

On Sunday we ate at Taco Johns.  It was a first for Harper.  It was between Jimmy Johns and Taco Johns.  {I bribed her by telling her that they have awesome "tater tots."}

She LOVED it!  We got a 6-pack and a Pound to split between the 3 of us, and I think Harper ate 3/4 of the Potato Oles!

Anyways...later that night Harper asked me if we could go to "Waffle Johns" next time so she could get some waffles.  Followed by "French Fry Johns!"  Oh what a funny girl!

What Is Love?

For adults, love seems to be so complicated.

For children, love is quite simple.

While giving Harper too many hugs and kisses last night during our bedtime routine, we exchanged "I Love You's."  I was curious if she could explain in her own words what "love" means.  So I asked her.  Here is Harper's response:

"Love means that you really really really care about someone."

Awww.....how perfect!

Grocery List

Is it sad that I look forward to grocery shopping each week because it's one of the few "alone" times I get, aside from work?!  I barely even get to take a shower by myself now days.  It's okay though, I better get used to it because my "alone" time is going to become more sparse in the months ahead.

Harper used to like to come grocery shopping with me but has lost interest.  (I don't think she has the patience.)  Her newest way to help me out is by making her own grocery list.

As you can see, Harper wanted me to pick up some: yogurt, milk, juice, grapes, berries, and pretzels.  I told Harper how to spell the words and she did everything else on her own.  She is really into writing words these days.