What baths do to Elaine's hair

(Side note: I hope you've enjoyed my Blog-a-palooza as I'm trying to catch up on over 2 months of busy times!)

For whatever genetic reason, ever since Elaine was born, a funny thing happens to Elaine's hair after it gets wet - it gets like this:



Yes, the child that has my dark Asian hair color is the only one with naturally curly hair (not your typical characteristic of Asian hair). Whereas both Peter and Natalie have auburn-ish hair color (sort of like Sam's) but is straight, like mine. I guess it's God's way of making sure there's a little bit of both Sam and me in each child!

Natalie going potty!

Low and behold...Natalie is starting to use the potty more consistently!

WOO-HOO!

For the past month, she has said the golden phrase:

"I gotta go potty!"

and proceeded to make good on her alarm!

She also has "all of a sudden" been able to put on her own diaper and pants. All this time I thought she was still too young. I need to keep reminding myself she is not THAT much younger than Peter and IS almost three years old!

With much hope, she'll be well into potty training by the spring/summer and be ready for preschool in August! I can now go put down that $100 non-refundable deposit for her application with confidence!

Peter's reading!

Thank you to all those who sent books as gifts...and to Sesame Street, Leap Frog (Letter & Talking Words Factory), Super Why, & Word World...it's made great progress in Peter!

Peter has been reading lately more than ever, trying his best in word recognition and sounding the letters out. It all started when I would hear him in the back of the van reading signs along the road like "Stop", "Open House", and "Blue Moon" (No, we don't serve alcohol to minors; we were parked outside of The Vine and the glowing blue sign was eye-catching). Even then, we were amazed and impressed.

NOW, he's blowing our minds with this:

He surely has a gift and we hope that his love to read will continue for years to come!
He even has good influence on his younger sister Natalie!