Christmas came and went and I never shared the great events. Here are the grand gifts that are still played with daily, heirloom quality I presume.

Grandma and Grandpa found this beautiful doll bed at a garage sale for lil' Norah. Before I knew they found it, I found the doll high chair at a flea market. I made her that doll (my first Amigurumi project) and determined she needed a handmade pillow and blanket. Luck has it that the blanket and pillow fit the bed perfectly, without planning!

Norah initially thought the miniature sized furniture was for her!

A big gift for the both of them.

Eric built an ark, for their collection of animals that has been growing. All animals need a place to play. Now Simon's jungle animals and Norah's farm animals have more to do and can co-exist! Believe it or not, around New Year's we found the perfect Noah figurine - at the dollar store! Simon kept saying he needed a Noah. Prior to Christmas I searched online; all I could find were super-hero styled Noahs. Who would have thought the dollar store would have just what we needed!

And of course the box from Grandma and Grandpa was also a gift of fun. Two fit quite snugly.

Of course the blue flashlight from Santa was necessary!

All the excitement tuckered out two precious kiddos. Norah needed her snowman pillow and blanket from Simon. Simon needed his new stuffed big dog, now named Ruff Ruff, from Grandma and Grandpa.

In these pictures, Norah is wearing a dress made by Grandma Wiens and her new slippers from Mommy bought at the MN State Fair.

Not My Learning Style

Not so sure about this on-line graduate course thing. Sure it is two credits, and done quite quickly. I started the class January 19th, and my final project/paper needs to be in the mail by March 2nd. But seriously, major bucket-loads of reading each week.

I do not think I am cut out for independent learning. I miss learning information presented by the expert. I gain meaning out of emphasis, tone, repetition, visual, and auditory presentation. Reading and deciphering on my own what is important is not so easy. Plus the on-line program logs me out as "my session will soon expire". Like every 20 minutes. Even though I am clicking and perusing.

Commenting does not equal interacting and conversing with my classmates. Can't quite get a handle on 'em. Even with the photo gallery.

So, SPE 525 Child Word-Finding: Intervention for Students with Language and Learning Disabilities, your saving grace is the hands-on completely applicable features to my job. My students have already improved because of you! And by the end I will be able to help them even more.

Soon, my free time will once again be my sleeping time, hubby time, play-time, and hobby time! Not frustrating computer class time!

Lego Love

Legos are L.O.V.E.D. at our house.

First by Eric, who has his sets still organized in the original boxes. Simon enjoyed Eric making his old models. He was not quite the early block boy, as he he did not enjoy his foam, alphabet, large duplo blocks as a little tyke. But, after a few little Lego sets for his birthday he has been converted. More little Legos for Christmas and he is hooked.

But, the other day he created this "plane boat" completely on his own - no instructions! All from watching Daddy build by following the directions; and Simon is now following the directions more on his own too! The directions provide a nice foundation to building requirements, and they thoroughly confuse and frustrate me. Too much brain activity!

Norah also L.O.V.E.S. the middle sized Legos and shares them with Simon. The only problem? We only have one rectangle train/wheeled piece. Totally worth hoarding and tantrumming about!

And look at the fun you can have with Legos and Hotwheels: