Decorating a Valentine Box For School

Joseph needed to make a Valentine Box to take to school. They are going to have a contest on the best decorated Box. I was discussing this with my co-workers today and thought...Hey! what about making a box that looks like a birdhouse. So I went to the $ Store at lunch and purchased things that we could use. When Joseph got home from school today, I told him that he needed to do his project for school. He sat down at the table and said, "Nana, can I try to make a birdhouse for my Valentine Box?" I couldn't believe it. He had thought of this before I ever told him that I had already bought the stuff for a birdhouse. Boy! we were on the same "wave length" today.

So... here is Joseph with his finished Valentine Birdhouse Box. He did great. Well, I helped a little, but I really like to do this kind of stuff and I just couldn't resist. The bottom box is for his cards to go in and the top has the bird in a nest with eggs. We used 2 kleenex boxes (a larger one and a small one) & covered it all with brown gift wrap with small gold stars. The top is a flap off 1 side of a lid from a box and also covered with the wrapping paper and hot glued on. I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think!??

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY everyone.

Planting Trees & Now We Could Use Some Rain

Joseph has been a big help. I found him outside this morning planting another Oak Tree. He did it all on his own too. He dug the hole, put the tree in the ground, covered it up and then watered the tree too. We are so proud of him. But now is his time to play. He's outside with our "back pasture" neighbor's son, they go to the same school, and get along pretty well.

Now the real trick will be to keep all 11 trees alive. We have seen no rain since, gosh, last year, and I really can't remember when it did actually rain.

Jackson learning how to "SIGN"

Jackson has been learning how to "sign" since...
well, probably right after New Year's 2009.
He is doing great... for a 17 month old. He has learned several, and I got a few pictures of him.
He says them as he does the sign.
DADDY (below) Feb 1,2009

(almost 18 mos.old in 9 days)
DADDY (below) Feb 8, 2009

(will be 18 mos.old in 2 days)
Below: Jackson is Showing Pa how to sign "DADDY"

above:Feb 8, 2009
THANK YOU (below) Feb 8, 2009

MORE (below) Feb 8, 2009


I think he is doing great at his new "language"!!
I will post more as he learns them
(& if he sits long enough for me to snap a picture).