Woods World

O.K. I haven't blogged so much lately due to being very busy. The month of March has been .. well "madness!" Between celebrations, National Board Portfolio being due, The Whimsical Woods, and changes in Laura Beth's childcare.......whew!! It's amazing I am sane. O.K... maybe not sane, but functioning. :) I am reminded though that busy lives mean LIFE. Even in my mini chaos I am grateful for all God gives me. I always feel terrible if I come across complaining as that is not my intention. However, thanks to my mother I am a communicator and must "blow off steam" and/or talk about things (o.k. I know I talk too much!)

However this weekend I have locked myself in my house (well one trip to Target.. a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do -- right) and planted my bootie on my couch to try and complete my portfolio for National Board, a teacher certification I am seeking. (All due the 31st.. anyone up for a drink on Tuesday, March 31st!?!?!) Landon and Laura Beth went to Meme's for the weekend and to do some fishing. Oh, my poor little girl will be a tomboy no matter how hard I try! Landon said she was running around the pond, pulling in the fish, and even holding them and putting them back in the water. Wow!

For the big news of the week, Laura Beth started preschool. Or "lower preschool" as they like to call it at Primrose. Her nanny started thinking about a career move and we decided it was best to put her in a more structured environment. After much heartache and searching, we think we found the right place. She tried it out last week and loved it! So, Monday will be her official first day! I have only cried a few times. :) HA! I will try to snag a picture Monday.

So that's "woods world" for now. Leave me a comment so I will know who still reads this thing. My written journals are suffering right now so let me know it's meaningful to still post on here instead!

Snow in Georgia!

Today it was a beautiful 77 degrees... but just one week ago it was snowing!! Laura Beth and Landon went out to play for a minute. If you want to know where we got our snowboard... well that's our little secret.

Happy Birthday Laura Beth!!!

I can't even believe it! My baby girl is 2 years old! Everyone says "time flies" and it really does. The past two years have been so wonderful. Our lives have truly been so enriched. Landon continues to amaze me by his quiet strength and ability to step up to the plate and be my equal partner. When I think back to just a year ago, it is wild how much Laura Beth has grown and how much she has learned. I don't see harm in "bragging" on our kids but try not to be that "crazy mom" who tells the world how brilliant her child is. However, today I will take a moment to "brag" and tell you all about my 2 year old (baby.. always my baby) girl. So, here goes 10 Things You May or May Not Know About Laura Beth:

1. Laura Beth is 2 going on about 4. She is such a grown soul like her Daddy. Little about her is a "just turned two year old." However, she is still quite addicted to her pacifier and blankie and potty training.. not so interested. We are going to tackle the potty training soon in hopes of getting her into Primrose school soon. But, I admit I am not so anxious about the pacifier and blankie. It's her only "babyness."

2. Laura Beth has know her alphabet including recognizing the letters and knowing their sounds since she was 18 months old. She is still obsessed with letters and will point them out everywhere without hesitation.

3. She can count to 30 but often skips a few of her teens. She knows all of her shapes and colors. Even shapes like a star and diamond and colors like "light blue" (she says). She can recognize all of her coins except the nickel and more recently learned her days of the week. The cutest part is when she says "Mom, guess what...." "what" I ask. "It's Friday, Monday.. What comes next Mom?"

4. Last one.. she now knows about 45 sight words. For you "non teachers" those are the most frequently used words in the English language like "the, "and".. etc. I know that seems crazy but I really feel guilty for not teaching her more of them. I rarely spend time on them and she loves learning new things. She will get flash cards and ask to go over them or play a "matching game."

5. She loves to eat.. mostly small frequent meals. Her favorites are applesauce and yogurt. She loves her fruit and vegetables... She does love sweets too. #1 favorite would be gummies and Daddy is guilty of getting them for her everytime he goes to the store.

6. Laura Beth is wearing a solid 3T. She has always been in the 100 percentile for height and weight. She goes through clothes like crazy.. always growing!

7. She loves the outdoors .. like her Daddy.

8. Laura Beth just started to watch t.v. in the past month. I used to try everything to get those few minutes of quiet time. Nothing! And, now she likes to watch Dragon Tails, American Idol, and Turkey Hunting with Daddy. Who could have ever guessed!!!!!

9. She loves to color, play play-doh, etc. I think she may be artistic.... loving art and music.

10. She loves her baby dolls and role playing. She'll push them in stroller, rock them, feed them and even burp her babies. She reads to her babies, etc. She loves to pretend.

Last but not least... Laura Beth is very fiesty!! Head strong and will attempt to tell me and Landon what to do. She says "because I said so" and will yell "Heather... or Landon...."

So here's some bragging and a bit of what Laura Beth is into these days. We had a great time celebrating her 2nd birthday. We had a party with her little friends at Gymboree Saturday and will celebrate with close friends and family at Mom's this weekend.