A little update

Here is an update on the Berry Tribe, mostly for my own memory.

Abram:
Had a hard time going back to 1st grade after the Christmas break. He survived the week, though, and only had to come home "sick" on Tuesday. He said on Friday, "School is back up and running, how it used to be."

He continues to be fascinated with tornados and hurricanes. Much of his day is spent reenacting tornados or reading about them. He is specifically interested in the "tornado alley" states, and he wants to know all there is about them. He has ranked his favorite states in order. Kansas is his #1 favorite state (you will have to ask him why), and Missouri is his least favorite (you will have to ask him why).

He is doing great in piano lessons, and he just joined a singing performance group that he is very excited about. He has aspirations to be a "Disney channel" star, but I think I will keep the encouragement of that one to a minimum.

Abram bore his testimony for the first time in church last week. It was all his own idea. He knew it was fast Sunday, and on the way to church, he told Phil with great certainty, "I'm speaking in Sacrament Meeting today." He did a great job. Mom and Dad couldn't help being proud.



Alexandra:

Has seen High School Musical 3 a record of FIVE times in the theatre. Is that healthy? I'm not sure. But she is pretty darn cute to watch during the movie. She sings her heart out. She knows every word of the movie- not only all the song lyrics, but the dialogue as well. She did ask me a little while ago if we could change her name to Gabriella, and to her dismay we had to turn her down. I've seen it 3 times, but I have to admit that I love it too.

Alex considers Sam's slide that he got for Christmas as her own personal stage where she can act out the HSM soundtrack.

Alex loves to play dolls and she won't take no for an answer when she asks you to play.

She continues to be my best little helper at home. She never disappears when there is work to do, and I love her help.

Alex LOVES for me to straighten her hair. She only wants it straight these days, and I can't help but wonder if it is an early form of rebellion against me. :)

Samuel:

Had a rough couple of weeks from being sick, but finally this weekend he has turned back into the sweet little boy we know and love. He had a bad cold, then an ear infection, and all combined with the asthma related problems that he always has. I am so happy he is feeling better!

Sam has been impressing us all with his counting skills. He is so cute, I need to get it on video. He counts all the way to ten (and then I think he says eleven, and then thirteen). He is very amazed with himself each time he does it.

Sam loves his Elmo slippers that Phil brought home for him from his last trip. He has become quite the Daddy's boy these last few weeks, and Phil can't leave the room without him crying. I'm glad they are such good buddies.

I have caught Sam more than a few times in the last week drawing on our couch. Sharpie, pen, pencil, you name it. Most of it has come out- a little elbow grease, and a few swear words have done the trick. :) I have moved all the writing instruments out of his reach, but somehow he finds a way.

Sam talks like crazy these days, but one of my favorite things is when he calls the dog. He says "Elphie" in the most high pitched voice, and then he slaps his leg over and over when he beckons her to come. He also loves to call his brother and sister when we need them. He yells, "Abi" (Avi) and "Sasha" in a very urgent tone. He even called me Heidi the other day.

More to come soon...