PRESCHOOL VISIT

Nora and I visited preschool for a little while yesterday. She had a great time. When I started to leave she didn't want to go. She played with all the kids and tried to do everything there in 3o minutes. We have to decide if she should start in the fall or if we should let her start in the summer. They don't have structured classes until the fall but they have fun classes in the summer and Nora loved being there. After the stop at KinderLight preschool we went for ice cream and then went to the park to play. It was a very good day. After talking to the lady at the preschool I think half days will be best for Nora. In the afternoon she said they eat a snack and take a nap. The afternoons are not as much fun as mornings and she said the children who stay are usually the ones whose parents work. She also said we could change our minds about the length of time she stays but we have to choose two or three days before she enrolls.

MAIL

Last week Nora received a postcard from Lottie and Emma who live in Costa Rica. We gave Nora the card and read it to her and she ran off with it. At the time I thought I would find it in the floor somewhere later but when I went in to put her to bed the card had been placed over her peg board. I don't know how she got it there and I didn't ask. I know she had to have moved a chair or something. This week it's still there and every night she asks what kind of bird it is and if it make a loud sound or a soft sound.

PICNIC

Del took off work on Friday and we went a State Park and had a picnic. Nora had such a wonderful time. The weather was beautiful and the temperatures were in the seventies. Nora could have cared less if she had anything to eat but she loved playing with all the children at the playground. It was the week of spring break around here and there were lots of kids there. Nora played for hours. The kids changed throughout the day but Nora played with everyone there no matter what age.

FAMILY FUN

We watched the first episode of "The Pacific". It was good. Valton wasn't there for Guadalcanal. His part comes later. Del, Nora and I went to my parents home to watch TV and my sister Angela and her husband Dale was there also. We had dinner and all watched "The Pacific" together. Nora watched video's in another room. She didn't want to leave when it was time to go home. She loves watching "Backyardigans". We plan to get together each week and watch the mini-series. We had a lot of fun.

I inquired about preschool today. Nora turns 4 in May. I can't believe she is almost 4 years old and will be ready for preschool in the fall. She is very excited about school. I don't know if she should go for two or three half days a week. Probably two half days a week. I know I don't want her to go 5 days and I don't want her to go all day but my sister said her girls wanted to stay all day because the children had more fun in afternoon. They had school in the morning and played all afternoon. I still think two half days a week will be all the time I will want her to be away. She already knows all her letters and numbers. She can add numbers already. She has always liked numbers. She likes to count sheep when she falls asleep at night. She likes to count anything.

THE PACIFIC

A new HBO mini-series starts on Sunday March, 14. It is titled "The Pacific". This mini-series is based on true events during World War II. One of the characters portrayed is R. V. Burgin (Valton to my family). Valton is my Dad's first cousin. He was named after my Grandfather Romas Burgin. An actor (Martin McCann) came and stayed with Valton and his wife Florence (they met in Australia during World War II) to learn about Valton's mannerisms. There is a picture on line of Valton and Martin McCann standing together (google it). Martin McCann is about 6 inches shorter than Valton and my mother said when Valton was young he was much better looking than McCann but I think they look a little alike. Valton and Florence got to meet Tom Hanks both in California and in Australia for filming. I think they got to spend a good bit of time with him.

R. V. Burgin also has a new book out. It is "Islands of the Damned". I ordered a copy of the book before it was released and got my copy last week. I can hardly wait to read it. We are all very proud of Romas Valton Burgin. Not only for what he has done for his country receiving a Bronze Star a Purple Heart a Rifle Expert Badge and a Pistol Sharpshooter Badge, but for being a man deserving of respect in all areas of his life. Valton we love and appreciate you more than you know.

SNOW

It started to snow early this morning. It snowed like this all day. By four this afternoon we were able to go out and play in more snow than we've had in more years than I can remember and we are supposed to get snow all night tonight. Nora had such a wonderful time. She said it's winter now because we have snow. She has been telling me it's not winter because it snows in the winter. She learned that watching Little Bear.

DEL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Here are some pictures from Del's birthday party. You will notice that the front yard is under construction (like the cake). It has gone slow because of the weather. Del got a scooter for his birthday and we all had a good time riding it. There was enough concrete finished to ride. Nora has a scooter just like it only smaller and a different color.

DAD'S BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was Del's birthday and he was out of town on business. Nora and I went out to eat with Aunt Angie. Nora picked the place and we ate at Lee's China. Nora loves food of all kinds. Her first choice was Dairy Queen but we don't have a Dairy Queen here and we didn't want to go out of town. We came home after we ate and made smoothies. It was a good day and Daddy will get a party on Saturday. I hope we will have some good pictures on Saturday.

PEANUT BUTTER TOAST

Many years ago while my nephews were staying with me for a few days I fixed peanut butter toast for breakfast. I had never had peanut butter toast but I was out of everything and needed to go to the grocery so I checked to what I had and I came up with peanut butter toast. I put peanut butter on bread and then put large marshmallows on top of the peanut butter and popped it in the oven until the marshmallows melted to a golden brown. The boys loved breakfast. A few weeks later my sister called and said "How do you make peanut butter toast. My boys said you fixed the best breakfast they had ever had and when I tried to make it they said yours was better." We figured out that she had used small marshmallows not large. Well, today I made peanut butter toast once again. I wanted to see what Nora thought of peanut butter toast and it was a big hit. She loved it. She said "We have to make this for Daddy because he will love it." I'm not sure what Del will think of peanut butter toast but I'll bet he gets to try it in the near future.

NORA AND DAD

MORNING AROUND HERE

Sometimes Nora comes to breakfast looking like this

and sometimes like this

Nora took this photo of me. It's not bad for a three year old.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Before Nora woke

Nora a little surprised to see the gifts

She loved the gift from Cody

Then announced she was ready to watch TV

This is the mess she left behind

TIS THE SEASON

Del has always loved decorating for Christmas and this year is no exception. Nora is very aware of what is happening this year. She asks me to tell her "The Christmas Story" several times a day. She loves to hear about baby Jesus. I am not usually enthusiastic about decorating because the house is such a mess while the decorating is going on but Nora's enthusiasm has me enjoying decorating this year. The house is looking pretty good and I'm finally showing pictures.

I have posted pictures for the past two months. We have been so busy that I was very behind on my blogging but now we are caught up to date. I hope you have time to see all the pictures.