Cartwheels, Ponytails and Art classes

Today I was photographing some everyday things I want to remember about Anna and Cole:

Anna has been taking a drawing class with her friend Emily. She is enjoying it and I am amazed at what she can draw.

Cole has found a new found interest in cartwheels. It is not unusual to have him drop and do a cartwheel at dinner or in the store---just about anywhere is a good place for a quick cartwheel.

Anna has become very predictable about how she wants her hair fixed. I think she has worn her hair in one ponytail for at least 2 months in a row. She loves ponytails.

Manicures

Anna decided that it would be fun to paint my fingernails. After 5 coats or various colors and heart and flower stickers on each fingernail my manicure was finally complete.

The Fire House

Cole's friend invited him to visit the firehouse with him where his Dad works as a firefighter. He got to eat lunch with the fire fighters, slide down the fire pole and ride on the fire engine. Cole even told us that he signed his name on a list that says he is going to be a fire fighter. I admit, I was the tiniest bit jealous that I didn't get invited. I have always wanted to slide down the fire pole.

Eating Cereal

Exciting things are happening at the Partridge house. Tessa started eating rice cereal. For a couple of weeks she has gotten fussy at dinner time. I finally decided it was because she wanted to try eating some solid food. She took one bite, swallowed and opened for the next bite. She acted like she was a pro. She is definitely a Partridge.

Another Snow Storm

In the passed week we have gotten four snow storms. At first, I admit, it was pretty and exciting to play in the snow. I was excited when they cancelled school so the kids could stay home and play. After the fourth one it is becoming cold and slushy and not as exciting. I am looking forward to spring and hopefully it is just around the corner.

Skiing in Indiana

Just when you think Indiana is missing something you discover it was there all the time. We discovered there is a ski resort about 1 1/2 away in Lawrenceburg, IN. Corbin took Anna and Cole and they had a great day. Anna and Cole took ski lessons and spent the afternoon practicing their new skiing skills. It was a great way to enjoy the abundance of snow we have gotten this winter.

Tessa is Five Months Old

It is hard to believe that Tessa in five months old. The time goes so quickly. She brings so much joy into our family. She always has a big smile for us when we get her out of bed. She loves watching Anna and Cole play. She talks a lot and likes to try the different ranges of her voice. She likes to give big kisses and giggles if you tickle her in just the right spot. She hates to lay flat on her back. There is something she is sure she is missing out on. She can grab things with her index finger and thumb. She likes to sit in a high chair and eat a few crackers at dinner, although Mom hasn't gotten up the courage to start feeding her yet.

Kids Against Hunger

We have been reading in the news about Haiti and talking about it as a family. We wanted to do something as a family to help. Our church organized a project called Kids Against Hunger. Corbin, Anna and Cole spent the afternoon packaging meals that will be sent to Haiti. Corbin said they helped package over 80,000 meals.

Neighborhood Party

Our neighborhood has a progressive dinner every January. This year the theme was the Las Vegas Strip. One house was the Wedding Chapel. We had a great evening visiting with our neighbors. We live in a great neighborhood.

The Middle Finger

Anna has been worried about using her middle finger because her Dad explained to her that it is a bad gesture. She thinks that if she accidently uses that finger it is bad, or even if Tessa uses that finger she points it out (so to speak).

Riding home from church on Saturday she told us that she even had to tell her teacher to stop using the middle finger. I asked her what her teacher did. Anna said, "she keeps doing it. I guess I am going to have to talk to her again." What a funny girl Anna is. She tries so hard to do the right things. She keeps us all in line.

24

I have waited along time for season 8 of 24 to start....and wouldn't you know it....I could not stay awake.....

The New Season of American Idol

Well I guess it has started again.....I don't know how I got roped into this tradition but American Idol started again and the kids go just absolutely crazy of this show. This is the show that we all stay up past bedtimes and the kids watch every time.....there is NO missing this show. I don't know how this tradition started.....rumor has it, it started while I was deployed and Lori and the kids were staying with my mom, Grandma Jane. Well that was three years ago and so here were are...another season and another year of cheering and booing.

During the show Anna asked me if Wendy was watching. I said I bet she was and she asked me to text her....well sure enough, big hit, Wendy replied a little later that she was "of course watching American Idol."

GREAT TIMES!!!!

A cooking class and MORE Sledding on a Beautiful Sunday

Well today we had a cooking class in the morning which resulted in some very delicious cupcakes with some really cute smiley faces on them...mmmmmm delicious.....then we went to Fort Ben State Park and did some very Big and Fast Sledding. There were a ton of kids there and we had a TON of fun. Mom and Tessa enjoyed this beautiful day with a nice long walk.

I think one of the best parts about today was when we were up and down the big hill at Fort Ben State Park, Anna and Cole both did so well. I was especially a proud father to see a time when they were up and down by themselves and a point where Cole had to go to the bathroom and was struggling up the hill. Anna being the excellent big sister to Cole, grabbed his hand and took his sled from him and helped him up the hill all while she carried both sleds up.....I was so proud to see her being "A Big Sister" and watching out for Cole. There was so much love there for those two, always looking out for each other.

More SNOW

Cole loves to be outside in the snow. I came home and he was out riding his bike in the snow. After working out I found our neighbor John Palmer out snow blowing the driveway. To say that we have the best neighbors is such an UNDERSTATEMENT!

PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY

The Good Snow Storm

Well we finally got a really good snow storm yesterday.....these things tend to paralyze the city at times, but after work today (Friday) we jetted over to the Heritage Park in Fishers, IN and had a BLAST snow sledding. The kids obviously loved it and I think I personally remember staying alot warmer when I was a kid running up and down the hills. Now there is not too much running more guiding traffic. When we first got there there were not very many kids and it was up and down. As the hour drew later, there were a TON of kids there....amazing how many kids are in this little town which is quickly becoming a city......we had a blast. Mom and Tessa stayed behind closed doors to enjoy the heat of the home.......

Metallica Shirts

When we had our little open house in December Tessa got a Metallica T-Shirt from the Dager's and tonight Dad and Tessa decided to match and we both wore our Metallica shirts. Tessa is a cutie....she is the happiest baby when she wakes up from a nap or in the morning....it is great to go in the room and get her, she has the biggest smile ever.....it is heaven to get her out of her crib.

Trip to the Library, A Mobile, and a Baby Sister who takes after her older sister

Cole asked me (DAD) to take him to Story Night at the Library. It was a lot of fun....once we got over the slip on the ice fall that Cole experienced which aggravated his shots that he got on his legs....which he has been really saying has been hurting...however he still can run with the best of them when he feels like it. Getting back to the library.....Cole had a great time as well did I, as we read books and magazines then he went in for the story time about a Beaver after which he did a craft....now this is the best part, he usually is the anti-craft maker but right before he runs into story time, he turns around and asked me if he could do the craft.....of course I said YES......I think it floored me.....he is a great kid and I had a lot of fun taking him....

Then we came home and Anna was in her bedroom making a mobile for her sister our of a hanger and out of yarn...(picture is that in the works and NOT FINISHED AS SHE JUST TOLD ME) but that is not the point....she loves to make things for EVERYONE...which usually has her outlasting her parents at night.....which brings me to TESSA who I am afraid is taking after her older sister and she too, usually tries to outlast us at night......what I think is amazing about Tessa is how she smiles and laughs.....such a happy baby....(she has a great MOM to thank for that.......and I thank Lori for that!!!)

Grandma Jane

Grandma Jane spent a week with us over winter break. She took Anna and Cole to see The Princess and the Frog, the Chipmunks, to ice skating lessons and shopping. She babysat so Corbin and I could go on a date. She played lots of games and read lots of books. There were some big tears when she left this morning. It was so fun to have her visit.

Tessa in Four Months Old

Tessa is growing so quickly. She went for her 4 month check up and she weights 14 pounds 7 ounces and is 24 3/4 inches long. She hates to lay flat on the ground. She always wants to be up looking at what is going on around her. She has a lot of smiles and giggles for her family. She likes to stand up and is trying to roll over. Anna and Cole love to help take care of her and keep her entertained.

Roller Skating Lessons

Well the kids over the winter break were able to take Ice Skating Lessons at the ice skating ring. They loved it and enjoyed their lessons and free skating after the lessons. The best part was on the way home after the last lesson and a long skate, I asked Anna if she wanted me to take her and Cole skating again. She was very excited. When I told her that DAD was excited about skating with her, she was like, "um Dad, can you just watch from the stands?"

I guess it is now starting....independence.