Ok, so first of all, Shawn put together Anastacia's high chair this weekend. It is a really nice high chair that my Dad gave me at my baby shower. We didn't want to put it together until she was ready to use it b/c 1. we didn't want it messed up 2. the apartment is small and we only want things we currently need. So, Shawn and the kids put it together this weekend and Anastacia LOVES it!!! She likes this thing better than her swing or her jump-a-roo or anything else (except maybe her Bumbo). I think she just really likes being able to sit up and look around without anything obstructing her view. We put toys in front of her, b/c she is just starting to be able to grab things on purpose. We have to put blankets around her b/c she really isn't quite big enough to sit up straight on her own, but she still really seems to like it.

Secondly - Anastacia laughed out loud today!!!!!! I mean for several seconds!!!! And three times in a row!!!! It was for her Daddy, of course, but I got to hear it. She laughed quietly once a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I heard her but noone else did (I don't think anyone believed me). And then this weekend at church a friend was holding her and she told me that she laughed, but I did not hear it. So today, Shawn had just gotten home from work and was in the bedroom playing with her and I hear him say "Larena, come here, you gotta hear this!!" So I go running and she is laughing so hard at her Daddy. I ran back to the kitchen to get the camera and she starts laughing again. By the time I got back with the video camera, she stopped. I tried three times to catch it on video so I could post it, but she would not do it again. So I will keep trying and when I do get it, you better believe you will get to see it!!!

Next, we did our first science experiment today. Here is a little pic of the fun we had....
The experiment includes growing radishes and learning about the different stages from a seed up to a full grown plant. It will also include testing different growing environments to see which works best. It will take four weeks for us to complete this experiment. Today we started a sprout tray by cutting open an orange juice carton and laying it on its side, lining it with paper towels and wetting them. Then we placed 20 seeds inside, taped it shut and placed it outside where it is warm. Tomorrow we will check it and see if any have sprouted. If they have, Colten will make drawings of each stage of sprouting, then make a graph to show how many are at each stage. He also got to make "mini planters" with tinfoil and potting soil, which is what you see in the picture above. He wrapped tinfoil around a size D battery and left the top open. Then he taped it, pulled the battery out and filled the planter with potting soil. He placed 2 radish seeds in two of the planters and then placed them in a styrofoam tray with a little water in the bottom. Now we wait to see if they grow. We have to water them and record results each day. He is very excited and he is sharing all of the activity with Mahala (like the good big brother that he is).

Mahala learned how to spell "stop" this weekend. She saw a stop sign and asked me what it said. I told her and then later that day out of the blue she writes it on the dry erase board and says "Look, mama, STOP!" I was so shocked - this girl is gonna teach herself to read before she even starts kindergarten. She loves to "read" and write and she knows all of her upper and lowercase letters. She knows a lot of their primary sounds and is working on sounding words out. She spends a lot of time "journaling." She carries a notebook and pen or pencil around all of the time and she writes entire pages of letters, sometimes even writing words that she has seen. Then she sits down and reads them to me. She also likes to make lists of things that we need to buy at the store. She is learning about adding and subtracting. We add and subtract everything - this girl LOVES to learn!! So here is a picture of her in a typical Mahala position - laying on the floor with a notebook in front of her and a pencil in her hand:

I am so proud of my little family - they are a bunch of little geniuses! God has blessed us with a wonderful group of kids. The Word tells me that my children will always be taught by the Lord and that their peace is great - I absolutely believe it. They are wonderful, wise, mighty children of God and I love them more and more each day.