Random Highlights from the past week

Not in any particular order...and for Matt--Go Heels! UNC beat Duke last night!

Gracie and Courtney are 11 Months Old!
Gracie is 11 months old today. Courtney will be 11 months tomorrow. They are both getting so big. It's hard to believe we'll be celebrating their birthday in just one month! Both girls starting signing "More" today. It's so cute how they each have their own little variation to the sign. They love to do Pat-a-Cake still, dance to any music, and can climb stairs like champions. Courtney weighed 19 lbs 8 oz at a Dr. visit last Friday. Gracie is long and lean, probably about 18 lbs or so.

Plans are underway for the big birthday bash/celebration on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 pm. If you are in the area, we'd love to have you come. Email me for more info!

New Cousin-Ellie
We had a new cousin born on Tues, Feb 10, Ellie Barbara Walbruch. We are excited to have another cousin on Liisa's side, and she lives less than 2 hours away! Check out the Walbruch's link on the side of my blog to see her pictures and info. Congrats to Nate, Ashley and Hannah!

Valentines
We have Transformer Valentine's this year. Both boys chose them. Can I just complain about 20 Valentines costing $3? I guess I better hit the stores on Monday and buy next years:), but then I have to store them. Alex had his party on Wed at school and Kirill has been "stealing" his candy with promises of sharing his candy from his party Friday. We'll see what happens. Kirill has almost done all of his Valentines. I'm very proud of them.

Dentist Visit
Kirill and Alex both had great check ups today. It was Alex's first time to get his teeth "sparkled." He loved it and kept looking at them in the mirror. He even came home and brushed them twice with his new toothbrush and paste so they would sparkle even more.

Bakugans and Bribery
For those of you who don't know what a Bakugan is, check out http://www.bakugan.com/en/index.html Kirill found out about them on the bus. They have been providing incentives to the boys to be nice and helpful for the past two weeks. Alex just earned his today. Kirill got his yesterday. I'm sad the thrill of the prize is over because they've been going to bed, cleaning up and playing so nicely. We'll have to find another, reward/bribe to help me keep my sanity and motivate them to love one another:)

Matt's MBA and APA style
For those of you who don't know, Matt is getting his MBA at night while he works full-time. This term he has a marketing class. It is A LOT of work. Last night I returned to the classroom as I studied up on APA style and helped him cite his very lengthy case study on Starbucks marketing. I haven't written a paper for over 11 years and was a bit rusty, especially with online sources. Using some very helpful websites, including http://citationmachine.net/ we made it through. I hope we get a good grade! Maybe I should write and cite some papers just to keep in practice?? I've always used MLA so APA was new for me.

Good luck!
Here's wishing good luck and sending prayers to some of our friends who set out for the mid-west this morning to pick up their baby girl. Their birth mother called them at 3 am from the hospital in labor. We are praying that all goes well and that they are able to welcome this special baby into their family.