Three!

Three years ago today, after a long, long wait, Clar was born.

I can't believe what a big boy he is now. He has so much to say! It makes me so happy to hear him encouraging his brother and sister, joining in on school, and telling us jokes and funny stories. It is a joy to watch him grow. I thank God for my little boy and pray that Clar will always trust in the Lord with all his heart.

Happy Birthday, Clar!

We Have a Reader!

Today, Ellie read four books to us by herself!

She has been working hard on reading during our school time for awhile now, but today was the first time she picked up a book on her own and decided to read it aloud in front of us. We are so proud of her!

I have suspected since she was a very small child that she prefers to practice her skills in private and then reveal them when she's good and ready. She didn't walk until 15 months, although she'd been standing in her crib after hours for weeks. Practicing. When she was a little baby, we'd hear her cooing and talking her herself after we put her to bed. She's been going to bed with books for a few months now, and I wondered if she was secretly working on her reading skills.

Whatever her methods, she decided she was ready to read to us today!

Ellie's favorite books to read right now are any books by Mo Willems. She loves to read the Gerald and Piggie books and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Clar loves it when she reads Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, also!

Five!

Today my Ellie is five years old. I can hardly believe it. In some ways, it seems such a short time sine her very first birthday, and yet I can hardly remember life before she was born.

Ellie is our storyteller. Her magnificent imagination is evident as she plays with her brother and her friends and in her many plans for sequels to her favorite books and movies. (Want to know what happens in the eighth Narnia book? Just ask Ellie.)

Ellie is thoughtful and generous and quick to forgive. She gets along well with her brothers and loves to help her parents, especially with projects. She has big ideas and big plans. She loves to be surrounded by her family.

We love to be with her, too, and look forward to seeing the way God develops Ellie's gifts and talents and interests to serve the Lord and to serve others.

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Blizzard '11

After promising the kids that it really does snow in New England, we finally had big-time proof yesterday.

Ezra and I stayed in the house where it was warm.