birthday, birthday, and milestones

This is where we've been. Before we were holed up (not for long) in the snow there were some birthdays. Elijah went through P, Q, and R weeks. He was especially pleased with the quilt he quartered material and pressed the pedal for. Hadassah is getting bigger and stronger. She can be carried upright by all the kids now.


We had the Jeromes in over Martin Luther King Jr weekend. Elijah had his birthday party that Saturday. It was a low key event with a Star Wars theme. Activities were for the Jedi Training Academy which graduated a number of padawans that day. There was bubble blaster vs light saber wars, a tunnel with a light saber to battle the death star and of course all padawans faced off against

Darth Vadar. Chris took the images and fixed them up and we framed them with their "jedi names". Elijah is Shu-El Verfre. The cake Jessica tackled was R2-D2. Rebekah was a one friend one activities this year. As we searched for things to do in the middle of winter, Rebekah took to Jess' original birthday plan

in December for hers and asked to go to the Crystal Grottoes. Paula, Jessica, Rebekah and Ann-Marie toured the amazing and breath taking cavern structure. We even got to pet a bat. Rebekah's theme was Hello Kitty so Jessica got off a little easy. The birthday girl was pleased. Remember the days of wanting to be "twins" with someone?

Following Elijah's birthday we had that precious time when the oldest kids are in a row: 6, 5, 4 so we took our special picture. I forget who inspired it but hopefully they will always laugh about it.


School is going well and report card time came around again. The older ones score S or higher in their subjects. Rebekah got the Lord's Prayer under her belt and Elijah completed the 6 verses of the Shema. They have been helping each other in their studies and Rebekah even read "Rabbit Ears" to Elijah for R week.


Elijah is working on fine motor skills and handwriting. He drew a picture of Pikachu, copying the one Rebekah had already drawn. It turned out really well. Caleb is finding enjoyment in chapter books.

Haddie began "pulling up" on February 2. This is a major milestone that they keep testing in checkups. Basically if you hold the baby's hands she's supposed to attempt to raise her head and work into a sitting position. Hadassah had not been interested at all, not even raising her head.

Hadassah also began holding things. Rebekah got a piece of paper in her fist, Chris followed with her paci. Haddie is smiling and laughing at the 2 month mark.

Chris is working on his National Board Certification. Hadassah likes working with him. Jess is tredding water with 3 teams of Upward (never fear she is the assistant coach for one), Upward in general and teaching at home and at church. We really can't express what a blessing the snow was.

Cute happenings: EA made a foam bead necklace at Mission Friends. He wrapped it and gave it to Jessica. She wore it on Thursday and he declared, "Mama, you look like a princess!" All parties were pleased.

We've been building a lot of Legos. Caleb got his very own very small set for Christmas in the Pirate line. Both Chris and Jessica have the originals in that line and have been building them up. Jessica working on Forbidden Island and the El Dorado Fortress while Chris tackled his Pirate ship much to Caleb's awe and help. After days of working on February 1, Chris and Caleb complete it. Caleb looks at it and leave. So Chris goes off to do dishes. Chris found Caleb "panting" before the boat having brought his raft (own kit). He had gone to get it so the Legos could play together.

And the video is an all time favorite. With Rebekah we learned what the term "Drunk on mother's milk" meant. They can get really tipsy so Chris sang the drinking shanty from "Jaws".