Haley's Art

Haley has only improved as an artist in the last year. She definitely has an eye for detail and sees the world with an artist's eye.

I would call this piece contemporary art perhaps. She actually made it on the computer and Brent and I were able to save it. I'm frequently amazed at her work. She puts a lot of effort into her pictures. She colors for hours everyday. Currently she is illustrating a story that my sister wrote for an English class.

I think when we move I'm going to create a gallery wall in her room. I'll frame some of her best or favorite pictures and we'll accent them with some special lighting.

I keep wondering what Haley will be when she grows up. She's so talented in many ways. Someone suggested that she could become a famous public speaker after she gave a talk in front of all of the children at church during their sharing time. Most children, when asked to present a topic, stand at the podium with their parents or a teacher, but Haley practiced hard and didn't need our help at all. She stood very confidently at the front of the room in front of 50+ kids and told her story. She never ceases to amaze me!

Thank You Bubo!

I have to share this picture with my Bubo.

She bought these "Be Happy" pajamas for Joseph and last night I happened to get a picture of him smiling in his new PJ's. I think his smile could brighten anybody's day! Thank you Bubo!

Updates

On Saturday we took the training wheels off Haley's bike and she learned to ride without them. It was a funny and inspiring experience watching her. First of all, there were other neighborhood kids riding their bikes in the couldesac across from our house, so when Brent got the training wheels off, Haley took the bike from him and says, "Okay, I'm going to ride over there with them (the other kids)." She didn't have a moment's doubt that she would be able to hop on and immediately ride her bike without those training wheels. Of course, Brent and I let her think it was going to be that simple too. Haley spent all day getting on and falling off her bicycle, and as some of you know, she can be a bit of a drama queen. But each time she fell off, she didn't exaggerate her injuries. She cried for a moment, then got on and tried it again. I was so proud of her determination, we all were. By the end of the day Haley mastered riding her bike. She was so proud of herself and so excited to be able to ride her bike, she snuck out at 8 pm that night and rode it in her nightgown.

Joseph hung out in his swing while we watched the girls ride their bikes. He really enjoyed himself.

At Joseph's 2 month check up he weighed 12.5 pounds and is 24 inches long. He is a very smiley boy. He's always cooing and smiling. This is a picture of him in his church outfit. Too cute!

Brent and Allie had a nice birthday. Brent never cares much about his birthday coming around or any other holiday for that matter, but he did turn 30 this year. My sister Katie made Brent his own cake, butter cake with chocolate frosting, Brent's favorite!

Emily and Joseph

Allie and her new make up with Haley close beside her, ready to try it on. Grandma and Papa,

Just so you know, you bought Allie "TWISTER" for her birthday. I'll explain next time I talk to you, but she loved it. We played as a family last week and it was hilarious. It's been good for the girls, teaching them left from right.

Katie also made Allie's birthday cake. It says, "Happy Birthday Allie Alligator". Allie has had a fascination with alligators and other creepy crawly things lately, so she had an alligator cake for her birthday, which she loved. All the alligators were made out of frosting, so they were lots of fun for Allie to eat.

Hopefully I have redeemed myself today as a daughter, grandaughter and even great grandaughter. We miss everyone and are excited to see you soon. For those who haven't heard, we are officially moving back to Alabama this summer. HOORAY! We can't wait to see all of you, and yes, Brent and I have already discussed taking a trip to Floriday so Great Gran, Bubo, Aunt Ann, Uncle Scott and Aunt Kelly can hold our newest baby, Joseph.

Joseph today

This is Joseph today. He'll probably look different tomorrow. He was very good boy last night and only woke me up once at 4:15 this morning. He's also a good eater. He takes 5-6 ounces of formula every 3 hours and that's in addition to nursing! He's getting some meat on his arms and legs. He's not smiling much, mostly in his sleep, but he's a happy baby and is content most of the time. He loves to ride in the car or be pushed around in the stroller. Now that the weather is warmer, Joseph, Emily and I walk to pick Haley and Allie up from school. We're all having a good time together!

Happy Birthday Allie!

I took these pictures of Allie this morning before school. She's very excited to be 4 years old today.

Allie says "thank you" to everyone who sent cards and gifts. She felt very special today.

Mama, how are baby goats made?

Allie's preschool had a fieldtrip to the Wheeler Farm to see all of the animals. Thanks to a very hospitable and childless farmhand, the children got to see a freshly born, less-than-a-minute-old goat. The farmhand invited the children back to the stable and while they were stading there watching the goat clean its baby, it delivered its placenta (if that's what it's called for a goat). Of all the children there, you-know-who was the first to ask, "Mama, how are baby goats made? What was that? How was that goat born? How was Joseph born?" Haley is not shy and is always looking for an answer. Luckily Laura was the on-duty parent on this occasion and she brushed it off and gave an extremely general answer. But, that general answer was not satisfactory for some of the other, slightly older children and they persisted with their moms.

I don't know who took a picture of it, but I figured I'd post it. Look at the little baby goat, not the mama.

The kids chased ducks for a long, long time.

Family Date Night

Pictures at the top. Videos at the bottom.

Every Thursday is Family Date Night at the Helms house. We plan some kind of fun activity as a family. Our plan tonight was to play bowling on the Wii because it has not stopped snowing now for more than 24 hours and it is extremely cold outside. After we got Emily out of the highchair she walked over to the door and tried to open it. When it didn't open she began to knock on it and cry. We changed our plans and had a lot of fun outside in the snow as a family. I didn't realize how ruthless Laura was with a snowball in her hand - she even threw them at Emily.

Forget the .45, I'm gonna buy a Bazooka or a Missle Launcher when they start dating.

There was over a foot of snow this morning. It has melted since. It's the very wet kind of snow that makes great snowballs and snowmen.

They were not enthusiastic about taking pictures, they wanted to throw snow. Laura was in the front yard making a mound of snowballs and we were clueless. I told you, she's ruthless when it comes to snowball fights. Once the snow drys and it warms up we'll break out the croquet set and I'll pulverize her.

We came around the corner of the house and Laura started hitting us repeatedly with snowballs. We didn't know she was outside yet. Emily was checking the mail.

Allie is our little snow bunny. She loves the snow and the cold doesn't bother her much. Haley has grown out of her coldafobia - the fear of cold weather - and snowistouchingmefobia - the of snow touching exposed skin such as fingers, ears, cheeks, etc.

Emily walked up and down the sidewalk. She has about a six house radius in which she loves to walk. She is a stinker. She would not wear the mittens and she kept playing in the snow. She wanted to throw snowballs like the rest of us. Plus, she wanted to retaliate against Laura's attacks.

He's telling Allie a secret.

Obviously, it was inappropriate. You get 'em Allie.

He apologized.