Line upon line: Our children's growth

Our children are continuing to grow! Enjoy the mini-vignettes about their mini-milestones.

Benjamin is learning to read in school. He had really been down on himself earlier in the year because he was afraid that he wouldn't learn to read in time to go to first grade. We helped him calm down and reassured him he would be fine. Now he is one level above where he needs to be! He is doing really well sounding out words and recognizing his sight words! He also is using some big words (with occasionally interesting results). Today he came home and said that it was an "arguable" day in class. I responded with "argumentative?" "Oh, yeah. Everyone was fighting."
Additionally, he has been really nervous the past couple of week about going outside (some of his classmates have told him stories about the "scary" animals that are outside around here). I had assured him that Heavenly Father would protect him and that our yard is safe. Well, today he asked to play outside, and before he went out, he knelt down in the living room (without any prompting), and I caught a few words of his prayer for safety as he ventured out to play.

Seth is continuing to grow up (in addition to the previous post about his "cooking" skills). He is doing so much better sleeping in his own room--save for the occasional night I wake up to find him snuggled up next to me in our bed. We put a futon mattress on the floor and both the boys sleep there (think "sleep over"!). He has stopped calling Benjamin "Be-be" (some of the time) and can say "Benjamin" well. He continues to surprise me with the words that he knows. He also is into everything but comes up with serious face and an adult excuse every time I remind him he's not allowed--banging on the computer: "check my email"; dismantling a laptop power cord: "it my job!" He also loves to look at books and "read" them like his big brother does. He also is doing well in family scripture study repeating most of the words of a scripture as I read it for him. He folds his arms really well for family and meal prayers and loves to say prayers with my help!

Madeline is crawling well and can sit up after she gets somewhere (she is also 9 months old today). Also big news! She pushed her FIRST TOOTH through her gums! She is jabbering often (particularly at church). She is not very interested in the doll she got for Christmas--the boys' toys are just too interesting. She does however love the measuring cups Benjamin gave her--they bang so well! She loves chewing on books (and "tasting" everything else she can pick up or lean towards). She is very ticklish and has the sweetest laugh. She also smiles very big to see those she loves and will often bounce with happiness. She is going in for her check-up Thursday, and I will try to post her growth statistics then.

We love our family and are so happy to see them growing up so well and happily. We are so thankful we can be together forever!