around the house, week 5
I think one very noticeable “happening” this week is watching Simon and Penny’s relationship develop. Penelope has started calling him by name “Si Si” much more frequently now and always needs to know where he is at all times! It’s fun to watch them set up their daily rituals of eating lunch together, hugs before nap, reading books, etc. I recently have thought in my head how much I wish Simon had a brother to pal around with…being in the middle of sisters can be a strange dynamic, but I am sure it will pay off in the teenage years! Anyway, Penelope is a fortunate girl to have an older brother. I don’t have one myself so this is all new for me to watch a brother/sister friendship emerge.
We had a decent day yesterday and so a walk was in order. I saw my first Robin of the season and lots more “shoots” of daffodils and hyacinths poking out from the earth.
Pictured below is Penny giving her beloved “Piggy” a walk. She was quite a pro at turning corners and getting herself out of mud…man, when this girl gets started she never stops. I literally thought she would start flying with this walker/stroller!
Yep, Simon held his binolculars to his eyes for the entire walk. I’m not sure he found too much, but he does look like the serious birder!
The kids have a set of really cool magnetic bars and balls that have become the #1 toy in this house. Simon created this spinning top. I love how Ellie is holding Penny back with her arm! Oh, the life of a family with an almost 2 year old!
If anyone needs to find Ellie, she is reading. She has always been a good reader, but now she is just gobbling up books. She will read a decent sized book and complete it in a day (with school in between!). At first I thought maybe she was reading but not comprehending it all…uh, no, she will repeat the story with much enthusiasm. So, I bought her a few books from the school book fair that are for older kids and she loves them (The Doll People and The Meanest Doll Ever).
I love that she has immersed herself in books and I am thankful that this has been a priority for me and Nathan since the kids were young. We still read to the kids before bed each night and I know this has helped them and brought us closer…so…Parents, read to your kids! 
Next Friday I get my niece Jane (LuLu) for 10+ days! Ellie and I ended up not going to China, but instead my mom is going with my sister to work in the orphanages. I know we will have another opportunity and it’s the best decision for our family at this time. I am excited for my mom since this will be her first overseas experience. She already is planning on going to Japan and Sweden in the next year…GO MOM!