Build A Bear Bash

I totally forgot to post our visit to Build A Bear last week!  Alex, Rob, and Silvia gave Maddy a gift card for Christmas so we all went together to watch her pick out a friend.  At first she didn't know what to pick, but she decided on a cute puppy that she named Frenchy.  It was too cute!  

Here's a video from last night.  Jordan loves to read the blog and look at the videos and this one is just too cute.  These kids are awesome.  

Operation Giving Part Four

It was a kind of slow week for giving...but I did make this cute pencil holder for one of the teachers I am mentoring this year.  Didn't it turn out cute?  

Touching Spirit Bear

Most Recently Read Book:

Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelson

I first learned about this book at an inservice where a consultant for our school district used an excerpt from this book to model visualizing.  It was such a strong example, I, of course, had to read the whole book.  It's the story of a boy who has so much anger and rage inside of him.  One day, he takes it out on one of his peers and gets in trouble.  Instead of having to serve a jail sentence, he is sent to a desolate island in Alaska where he has to stay for a year as he gets over what he has done.  It's an interesting story of survival and overcoming hard times.  

Mallrats Strike Again!

This was one of the most fun mall nights...except that we were missing Maddy's daddy, Marc...we had a huge turnout.  Besides the Garneau's and the Benassi's, it was our family plus my parents, Silvia's parents, and Mamita.  We had fun playing in the play area and then made our way up to the food court for dinner as usual.  Of course, we did some dancing, and then were off to Barnes and Noble for books and the train table.  Fun! (AH!  Sorry about the blue underlining!)

Jordan and Maddy riding in the blue car!

Jordan and Alex cruising in the red car!
Here we are!  It was so much fun to have everyone with us for dinner!
Not to be forgotten!  Maddy helped me take this beautiful picture of Kathy...you can see her finger in the bottom left corner!  
Jen and Maddy, a self portrait.
Dancing, yeah!

Jordan's 2nd Train Ride!

Since we had the weekend pass for the train we decided to go again today.  This time Grandma Sue and Bubba came with us.  We went to Glenview this time and ate breakfast at Egg Harbor and then came back.  Jordan really likes the train.  He has fun waiting for it to come and saying, "ding, ding, ding" when it starts to get close to the station.  We'll definitely be doing this again...especially as it gets warmer.  (Oh, can it please get warmer...now!?!)                                                                                                                                                                                                                Daddy, Jordan, Grandma Sue, and Bubba on the train!  This was Bubba first time ever on a train!  It was fun!

Mommy and Daddy