Updates

RYANNA: The time is fastly approaching and I'm reminded every single day about a certain girl's birthday! Ryanna is turning six on April Fool's Day and she is so excited. I just thought that this was cute, since this is her birthday wishlist:

1) The movie Matilda

2) Anything that says High School Musical on it

3) Nintendo DDS

4) Dress-up makeup

5) Her OWN sewing machine (we have sewing lessons when I have mine out now!)

She's getting into Hannah Montana and loves Sharpay from HSM. We watched it twice last week and since Ryanna walks around singing the songs, Dawson has started picking up on them too. It's funny because they know every song to the "That Thing You Do!" Soundtrack, Dawson's favorite song is 'Drive Faster' song. Ryanna says, "That's illegal! You can't tell someone to drive faster and break the law, cuz then you'll get arrested." Her other favorites right now are: Hairspray, Matilda, HSM, Even Stevens Movie and Gilmore girls. She's already acting like such a teenager!

She gave the talk last week in Primary and insists on helping with the lessons. Her teacher is gracious enough to allow that too. Ryanna reads nearly all the scriptures and anything else that she can. She does the dishes here at home when I'm helping Carter eat or something, so she's quite the little helper. My next project is to make her and Dawson another couple aprons so they can wear them in the kitchen. (Their current ones are just about worn out!)

DAWSON: He's potty training (STILL!) and doing better. The incentives we've gone through are:

-coins in the bank every time he goes

-little candies for every time he goes

-stars and stickers on a chart for every time he goes

BUT NOTHING is working! We've tried one more thing, it's our final attempt out of desperation...nintendo time. This seems to be working. Once again I ask, "What is it about boys and their video games?!" I'm just glad that this is working. He can maneuver Mario unlike any other 3 year old I've ever seen! It's a hoot!

He has his very own scripture bag that fits one little BOM, which he just loves carrying to class. Ryanna also has one, so he feels more like a big kid. He's still hesitant going into Primary by himself, so Ryan or I have to sit with him for the first few minutes.

We've reached a milestone with him: NO EAR INFECTIONS FOR 9 straight weeks!!!!! He hasn't gotten one since he got his tubes in December while we were in Boise. That's a RECORD! He's gotten one every month for the last year and a half. I'm so pleased that it was successful. Dawson no longer covers his ears when eating cold cereal, I can run the vaccuum now and he doesn't cry because it no longer hurts his ears, I can sneeze without him jumping out of his skin. His ears aren't quite as sensitive anymore and I'm so thankful that his hearing is better too. Thank goodness for our wonderful ENT in Boise!!

CARTER: He's everywhere! He army crawls down the hall, in the kitchen, empties out his toy basket, and leaves a mess in his wake! He's doing great, he's getting his belly off the floor and is actually going forward a couple crawls. Won't be long now! He's still teething, those poor little gums are so sore. I hope they come in soon. I can't believe that he's EIGHT MONTHS OLD! I have so much fun with him and cart him around the house like a doll.

RYAN: He's interviewed with a few law firms around Northern Idaho for an internship for the summer. A couple of them are looking like very possible prospects, and he might even be able to work from home. We're praying and keeping our fingers crossed! Updates will come later on this subject. He's doing wonderfully in school and I'm so proud of him.

ANGELA: Well, I'm keeping super busy with house and home duties. We're still the Nursery Leaders, and I love that calling. I have figured out the secret to making good bread, (it's the YEAST! I swear by Saf now!) and I have recently discovered a love for my sewing machine! I find myself sewing and tailoring anything I can. It's so FUN! I'm still teaching piano one afternoon a week, it's difficult with three kids; naptimes, snacktimes and entertaining have to be worked around. Makes life fun.

We've officially past the 18-month mark for living in Moscow! I can't believe that it's ONLY been 18 months! On one hand, it feels like it should be more than that, but on the other, it feels like it hasn't been that long. I love love love our little house and will miss it terribly. I do look forward to a few things, though: a dishwasher, an airconditioner, a disposal, etc. Silly I know, but these are things I was used to before we moved! I don't wish these days away for anything though. Another plus is that the snow is melting! Hooray!

Okay that's about it for now, be sure to tune in next time for yet more exciting updates from Moscow!