The Algeras

This is Sara writing her name! Really! Well, maybe not. She picks up her pen and says "S-A-R-A, I write my name!", and then scribbles. But doesn't she look so grown up? She almost looks like she's doing homework.

The story of how she acquired that pen was the highlight of yesterday. We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa who have their Christmas tree up. Sara was so excited! "Christmas tree so beautiful! Where my presents?" Grandpa told her there weren't any presents, and she took that to mean no presents ever. She collapsed into a sobbing heap. So Grandma ran to the grandkid toy stash and rolled these pens in some wrapping paper. Sara loves her light up Pooh! She's been writing all day. I'm just glad she listens to me when I tell her she may only write on paper!

Today was a great Saturday. The kids slept in until a more decent hour. We made pancakes for breakfast, which made Sara extremely happy. We made a Target run and got Sara a step stool for handwashing and toothbrushing - she's getting a litte heavy to hold up there. I got her some flannel sheets, too! They're pink with snowmen and Christmas trees. She loves them. "Fuzzy sheets like Grandma's house! I like! I show Hayden!" She slept on flannel sheets at Grandma's house when David was born. She has a great memory!

I like to try out new recipies on Saturday afternoons when Ben is around to play with David. Sara helps me. We made a tiramisu triffle! Ben calls it "faux" tiramisu since it has no ingredients in common with the real thing other than the coffee. But it was really good! Sara got to lick the beaters and she licked them clean. "So good pudding, Mommy!" She learned what spatulas are and how to use them, too. "This my spatula. For scraping sides!" I love teaching her things!

After dinner Sara played Chutes and Ladders with Ben. I got that and Candyland at a garage sale last summer. Best $1 I ever spent! Sara likes to play games even though she really doesn't get the concepts yet. We play by taking our turns and then letting her do whatever she wants for hers. Occasionally she will "get it" and take a proper turn. I guess that's how she'll learn. In six months she'll probably be routinely kicking our butts.

I got my guitar out and played a little this evening. It's hard to practice when Sara wants to play, too, but I'm going to try to make time for some music every now and then.

Sara splashed and swam through her bath and then got into her "so snuggly pjs" to watch a little football with Dad. She was very excited to sleep in her pink sheets. She's sound asleep now, and David is nearly there. It was a very satisfying family day!