Social Media

In case readers of "A Work and a Wonder" are not aware, I started posting family pictures and "isms" on Facebook. So much easier in a world of smartphones and tablets!

Kid's Bedding

I can't believe that I haven't posted since June! Since getting a smartphone, I confess, I have been relying more on social media to share pictures and tell kiddy stories...

We invested in new bedding for the kid's rooms back in May. Here are the pics:

I wanted to stay away from light colors with the girls, but really, I think we want something brighter!

Budding Diva

A glimpse of Ella-dear's personality (video clip below):

Make sure you watch the very end!

Storytelling

I mentioned previously that I would be posting something on Taylor and Averi's storytelling night at their school. It was quite unfortunate that I forgot to bring a recording device; however, it is just as well since the lighting at the school was ambient at best. I have finally gotten around to having the children re-enact their stories from that night.

Some history:  Bridlewood School had a "resident" storyteller for a month who coached the children on how to tell stories. This is evident in the exclamations and animated gestures! Each grade had different story-difficulty levels, and each student had some choice as to which story they were going to tell. Everyone rehearsed diligently for their big night.

Averi's story, as she indicates in the video clip below, was the Deer's Antlers. Averi does not have difficulty getting up in front of groups of people and did a smashing job of it!



Taylor's story, as he indicates in the video clip below, was Sirco and the Wolf. Taylor is exceedingly timid in front of groups and insisted to me that he would not get up for story night. Taylor's teacher indicated via email, however, that Taylor had been diligently rehearsing at school and had not shown any reticence for the big night. He did fabulously! I was so impressed with his skill and clarity! The re-enactment does not do his original performance justice.

Name Change

A week or so ago, Ella indicated that she was changing her name to "Nerfer-belle" and that we shouldn't call her Ella anymore.

Thankfully, it only lasted one day.

Ella Moment

Mommy tried to recruit Daddy to help with some grading. Daddy quickly became overwhelmed and gave up, apologizing to Mommy. While Mommy didn't really care, Ella was quick to pipe in "It's because you're a man!"

I have no idea where she gets this stuff!!

Bliss

Mommy (calling from upstairs to the main floor):  Averi, whatcha up to?
Averi: I'm putting away the leftover pancakes from this morning! They got left out!

Averi-ism

Averi (checking the weather on our tablet):  It's 11 degrees and snowing outside.
Mommy: I think it's probably -11 degrees, sweetie.
Averi: It's cold out. The "C" is for "cold."

(I proceeded to explain Celsius to her--still had a good chuckle!)

Ella Stories

#1
Daddy took Ella on a walk to the grocery store to pick up a few essentials yesterday. (Mommy took
Taylor and Averi to their storytelling night at school--more to come!) The kids always look forward to the free cookie provided by the bakery. Dad was quite touched when Ella immediately broke the cookie in half and asked if he would like to share!!

#2
Mommy likes to play Uno on her tablet. One time when Mommy achieved less that 1st or 2nd place after a round, Ella said, somberly: You didn't make me proud. I laughed, because it was so unexpected, but I explained that that was a rude thing to say. Today, she said the same thing once more. I reminded her that that was not a nice thing to say and asked if she could think of something nicer to say instead. After some thought, Ella said: I'm sorry you didn't make me proud. lol!! We'll have to work on it...  ;)

Taylor-ism

Mom (addressing Taylor after his bath):  Did you wash your hair?
Taylor:  Yup.
Mom:  Did you wash your 'pits?
Taylor:  Yup.
 Mom:  Did you wash your feet?
Taylor:  Yup.
 Mom:  Did you wash your privacies? (This is how the Nelsons discretely refer to private parts for the benefit of children.)
Taylor:  Yup, I even washed my bum.
Mom:  Did you wash behind your ears?
Taylor:  Uhhhh, they got wet?

A Dude-ism!

I can't recall the conversation, but Taylor commented (innocently):

Someone's panties are on the wrong side of the bed!

Tee hee! Gotta love blended idioms!!

Cubs Astonomy Field Trip

The Cubs went on a trip to the Rothney Astrosphysical Observatory to earn their astronomy badges. I assisted with the driving and was surprised to find it was so close to Calgary (it is affiliated with U of C). We got to see Jupiter and some of its many moons through a telescope, as well as a nebulous cluster of new stars about the location of Orion's sword.

An astronomer also told us about a recent supernova (a few days ago!) in a neighboring galaxy that is quite visible from earth. We were able to see the photographs being taken by the telescope--so cool!

http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=93229

I can't help but think that a visit to a planetarium or some such once a year is good for the soul! It reminds us that we are such seemingly insignificant, tiny specks in such a grand universe, and yet we are so significant in God's eyes. It reminds us that we are utterly dependent on God's good graces to even exist! It reminds us that there is more to life than just us.

Ella-isms

Ella-ism #1:

The entire family was having dinner over at Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's home. Ella was sitting next to Aunt D's foster charge (a very pleasant young lady!) and turned to look at her. After a bit of time, Ella announced, dead-pan, "I'm staring at you" and continued to do so.

It was such an unexpected declaration that it caused hysterics. The exchange was so indicative of Ella's social skills!  :)

Ella-ism #2:

I happened to be nearby Ella when she said the word "stop" and did the sign language gesture for the word. I asked her where she learned that and she said her teacher. I smiled, since I was not surprised such a thing had been necessary, and asked Ella what else her teacher said to her.

Ella thought a moment and then exclaimed, "Go and play!"

I went into hysterics because this is something we frequently say as well!  ;)

Toothless

Avi-girl lost a top-fronter!

New Glasses for Ella, Too!

Ella's all-plastic glasses have served her well, but she's really outgrown them. Her new glasses look a little big on her but will hopefully last!

You can see the girls' new dollhouse in the background!