~*~*BRAINS*~*~

What is it about the Brain that is so fascinating? Tonite was my first experience in dissecting one! A sheep brain at that....Warning the next few lines are not for the weak of stomach! I love how squishy the brain is. I was able to cut the meninges off the brain (that is the layer around the brain that protects it), cut the brain in half, and examine and recognize all the parts of the brain. I don't know why but it was so interesting to poke through the sulci (the ridges of the brain). One downside I think I smelled of Formaldehyde all night. OK enough about that!

Yesterday marked my first parent/teacher conference. I was nervous, but it went great. Leads me to the title of my Blog again. Brains! Ms. B was thoroughly impressed with Ro. She had no complaints or real concerns. She mentioned that she felt Rose was advanced with most of the aspects needed for Kindergarden readiness. Things that amazed her were Rose's ability to add and subtract - numbers between 1-10; read a small book with recognizable words; and her rote rehearsal of numbers past 100. Of course, she said she was *the* only child in her class to know her name and how to spell it, address, birthday, phone number, and how to spell family members name and their birthdays. She did voice how Rose can talk an ear off! I hope that doesn't become a problem! ;) She did mention a few things were Rose was improving - she has a hard time recognizing the color gray and the shape of a diamond? Not sure how we missed covering those. Ms. B is also noticing progress in her ability to share without instruction or being assisted and following through and cleaning up her activities after she is complete. Two things that I knew would be a work in progress.

I'm proud of my "bud" that is for sure. She is ready for the next step, I hope I can be!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess Bella Grace!

February 14th - Valentines Day - my beautiful Bella turned 3. I am still in utter dismay! It seems like yesterday, I just found out I was pregnant with her. I was shocked and really didn't want to tell anyone, but told one of my closest friends. We were in a locker room, of all places, getting ready for swimming time with our first born children. What a MOMENT! Bella was born via C-Section on Valentines Day (yes, I did pick the day) weighing in a whooping 9 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long. I didn't know at the time, but she proved to be one of my easiest in Oh, so many ways. Her birth experience was perfect in more ways then one and she was by far the easiest of my babies thus far.

Sunday, we celebrated her day with our family. She was gleaming with joy! She wanted a Strawberry cake with Strawberries on it and Strawberry ice cream (do you think she likes Strawberries or something). So Grandma W. made the magic happen and produced a "Princess Belle" cake. She got some beautiful gifts, but above all her favorite was her Princess Belle (dress up) outfit. She immediately put it on and struted around like a Princess for the rest of the day.

I still can not believe 3 years have gone by. She has instilled so much into me as a mother.

**I love her way behind my back**

*~*~Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess Belle!~*~*