A good way to end the year

The girls and I headed out this morning.  Samantha liked putting our outgoing letter in the mailbox, we all giggled while I "drove crazy" to the bookstore.  We said goodbye to the story time lady (Amy with the crazy socks), who has known Samantha and Sofia their whole lives and is starting her own family.  We ate cupcakes in the cafe before noon(!).  While waiting in line at the car wash, the kids cleaned the entire car and played all over the car.  We cranked the tunes and sang.  I granted their request to drive by the ski area multiple times.  Eventually, we made it home and I showed Sam how to play scales on the piano.  Now they're off continuing the tradition of spending New Year's with their Nana and Papa and it's quiet.  It's nice and I'm feeling so appreciative that this is how I ended the year with them. 

Recently in stores, people have commented to us that our girls are very well-behaved.  I don't know if we have a lot to do with it, but we are both very proud.  It's a good thing and I appreciate their choices!

Relaxing weekend

I decided to forget about the non-urgent work that I took home and hang with the family.  It was a good decision (as it nearly always is).  We made progress on some projects that had been waiting and just spent time with each other.  The time went by too fast, but it was nice for us all to be together.  We saw both sides of our extended family and while it was busy, it was relaxing most of all.  I needed the perspective change from "I've got to squeeze everything in somehow" to "It'll get done when it gets done because I'm with my family right now". 

Life is short.  I'm reminded of that witnessing my kids grow and watching our dog show his age.  It's natural and while I've dealt with the deaths loved ones and lived on a farm, I'm sad and resigned.  Fonzie continues to be as cherished and as frustrating as any member of our family.  I tell Daddy and the kids that we never know how much time anyone has, so we should appreciate the time we have now.  I'm grateful that we've got today.

From a quote my father recited to me:

The past is a memory, the future is unknown, that's why today is called a present.

Make it most of it.

Feliz Navidad with Grammy

We went down to Aunt Leana's parents house on Christmas Day this year.  It was a wonderful day and I'm happy we got some pictures out of it.  It's not often we all get together, but it's fun when we do!

Hanukkah dinner at Uncle Todd and Aunt Shelly's house

Random fun things

Culver's Night with friends (the 2nd time we've pulled it off with these friends!)

Lots of baking, especially cookies. 

They each got a hand to paint and could not decide on a color.

Just playing with their "kids"...

Cinderella with my girls

One of my birthday gifts this year was 4 tickets to see "Cinderella".  Antie She opted to come instead of Daddy.  It was a nice surprise for me when the Fairy Godmother told Cinderella it was up to her to make her dreams come true, since I believe you rescue yourself.  The girls were great I got to wear the jewelry that I got for Hanukkah too! 

Weekend without Daddy

Daddy went to visit Uncie in St. Louis so the girls and I were on our own again. We had lots going on though, starting right away Friday night and continuing through the weekend.

Friday night we went to synagogue for Shabbat dinner with Samantha's Sunday School class. It was a great gathering and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Saturday afternoon we went to see "The Nutcracker" with Grammy. It was beautiful and even more special since we knew some of the dancers. After that I took the girls to see Nana and Papa who were staying with Jordan and Dylan. It was fun, but we were all overly exhausted by the time we got home.

Sunday morning started off with Sunday school, during which time Sofia and I shopped at the Social Justice fair. Then we picked up some Hanukkah gifts and made it home just in time for Daddy to return!

Whew!

Sofia's Holiday Program

Sofia's program was tonight and it was so fun to watch her!  She sang her songs and danced very well.  I thought it was great that it was all about Sofia.  Nana, Papa and Grammy joined us, which made Sofia shine even more.  Samantha sat with the other older siblings that she knew.  All the kids ran around afterwards and enjoyed themselves.

Samantha's Ballet Recital

This past fall Samantha took a ballet class and today was her class performance.  It was short and nothing like the showcase we've experienced in the past.  Samantha has elected not to continue at this point, which is fine.  She was told to continue the class as it was already paid for and didn't make too much of a fuss thankfully.  It was too serious for her and she was ready to try something else.  (Both girls are very excited to start gymnastics after the holidays.)

There was a delay to the start of the show.  Her instructor acknowledged Samantha directly by thanking her for keeping the rest of her class settled during the wait.  When I asked her later, Samantha told me she got everyone to play, "Duck Duck Goose" to keep kids in a circle.  Like it was typical of her to take the lead (and it is).  I know she works her tail off and I love that she steps up in chaos to do what's right.  Daddy and I are so proud of her.

She did enjoy herself and loves to perform!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day did not go as expected for us, at least for me.  My body finally gave in to whatever respiratory issue that kept Sofia home for 2 days earlier this week.  That meant that I could barely move Thursday morning and couldn't really speak more than a whisper.  Uncle Todd commented that the family must be enjoying that.  It's certainly possible, but I don't think they enjoyed Mom being bed-ridden. 

Samantha apparently got overwhelmed by the influx of people.  She retreated to her room and it was a long while before I finally went up and got her.  Samantha wasn't feeling the greatest either.

Sofia got a timeout for not properly saying thank you for birthday presents that she received.  I found her asleep in her room so I took that as the reason for her defiance. 

We had our traditional 20 family members over and consumed a lot of food and wine.  Everyone was amazed at how much Jordan and Dylan have grown.  As always, it was great to see Susie and Stu with their family and Aunts Merrian and Wendy.  There were 6 different varieties of desserts and we'll be grazing on the leftovers all weekend!

Sofia's Birthday

It was our first snowfall of the season!   We celebrated with her first "friend" party at Pump It Up.  There were friends from preschool and family friends and it was a great time for all!  Sofia was surprised by Uncle Todd braving the snowy weather to help her celebrate, but so happy to see him!

Once we got home, I took the girls outside to play in the new snow.  It was only a few inches, but Sofia made a snow volcano and enjoyed throwing snowballs and sledding.

Happy Birthday Sofia! 

Sofia's Preschool Conferences

Sofia's turn for conferences came so Daddy and I squeezed ourselves into kid-sized chairs for a chat with Sofia's teacher.  Good things were said as we listened to how Sofia has made friends that she plays with and that Sofia is a great team player working in groups.  Daddy and I are incredibly happy that Sofia is blossoming at preschool.  It's amazing to watch her world open up and watch her play!  All in all, we enjoyed telling Sofia how proud we are of her! 

It's amazing how fast the time goes, but I'm conscious to enjoy the moment!  Sofia is a wonderful kid!

Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy doesn't particularly enjoy birthday celebrations about him and has been stressed with a variety of challenges, I'll share a poem I wrote for him.

I love my husband, he's the best.

Always moving without much rest.

He's the perfect man for me and a wonderful father.

We're a team, we're partners, it's no bother.

He's funny, loving and incredibly kind.

He even helps with laundry in a bind!

No it's not the perfect poem, but I hope for many years to come with him!

Child labor in our backyard

I put the kids in the yard waste can to stomp down the leaves.  They enjoyed it!

Now you see them...

Now you don't.

Sofia's Family Birthday Party

Sofia is turning 4!

We began the celebrations by having a party, complete with a Disney princess themed cake.  Sofia loved it, along with the gifts!  She is a girl who loves puzzles and is very much into princesses at the moment.  The family came over with Uncle Bob and Aunt Sherry, who were visiting from St. Louis.  Thank you to them for taking the picture below since it's a first!

Here is she opening a present in the morning wearing our "traditional birthday hat".

Samantha is Star of the Week

Any time our calendar gets full, both Daddy and I wait for the kids to get ill.  Whether it's a self-fulfilling prophecy or just the way life goes, our unspoken expectations were met.  Both girls were home 2 days this week and again, we owe many thanks to Grammy for her help.

It was Samantha's turn to be "Star of the Week", which is a chance for the kids to share about themselves and family to visit.  It took some creative scheduling for Daddy, me, Grammy, Nana and Papa to get there, but we all made it on Thursday.  Grammy and I got to her class and listened to Samantha share about herself and the pictures.  All the kids got to ask her questions and we loved hearing her answers.  Then I read a story to the class and played outside with the kids for recess.  It's amazing how many of them remember me from last year!  Daddy, Nana and Papa all stayed for lunch and we all enjoyed ourselves!  Make sure you read her list... I was touched by her answer for the "Happiest thing that has ever happened to me"!

Pumpkin Carving and Halloween 2011

We finally managed to get our pumpkins carved just before Halloween.  Samantha took her pumpkin to a friend's house while Sofia and I spent the day carving our own pumpkins.  Sofia did not particularly enjoy scooping the guts of the pumpkin out so I got to do it, but she did enjoy carving with her own method.

 

Nana and Papa came for trick or treating again this year.  Daddy even wore his scrubs while I wore the costume Sofia had chosen for me.  Originally I was going to be Maleficient to her Sleeping Beauty (similar to when I was the wicked step-mother to Samantha's Cinderella), but Sofia insisted that I should be Mrs. Incredible.  It worked out and Samantha enjoyed being a cheerleader.

Sever's 2011

Our fall tradition of visiting Sever's with our friends continued this year.  The weather was beautiful and it was a fun day!  We watched pig races, ran around mazes, visited the petting zoo and of course, we spent plenty of time in the corn pit!

I'm very grateful that we have wonderful friends to share this with!

Torah Consecration

Samantha began Sunday school at our synangogue this year.  As part of her inaguration into Jewish education, there was a ceremony welcoming her to Judaism.  Grammy, Nana and Papa all attended and it was lovely to see her keep the tradition.

The older students take on a mentoring role, here is Samantha with her "buddy" and Sofia.

Highlights from recent weeks

Life has been full and chaotic and wonderful for us... here are some highlights:

We've had plenty going on and I've enjoyed life.  There is a semblance of routine again with adventures.  Park visits, Sofie’s dolphin class and hanging at the zoo on a Saturday with a surprise fireworks show that we watched from our street on a recent Saturday night.  We have been baking and I've taken the girls to my office.  Sofie was sick this year for Rosh Hashanna so I stayed home with her while Daddy and Samantha headed to Nana and Papa's.  I think Samantha enjoyed the quality time with her cousins.

We spent the day with friends that we haven't seen in a long time for our traditional family day at the orchard.  All the girls rode ponies and a camel, and Sofia bonded especially with William.

I got to chaperone Sofia's field trip to the apple orchard.

Nana and Papa taking the girls to see the play "Miss Nelson is Missing".

Daddy and Sofia having their zoo class together about sharks.

The girls and I taking Fonzie on nature walks.  The fall weather has been wonderful!

Daddy took Samantha to her first football game.  They both enjoyed it even though Samantha requested that they leave early.  Daddy accommodated her request and they came home.  Sofia and I took Fonzie for a walk with Grammy and got ice cream.  The weather was gorgeous!

Sofia's first playdate with her friend Lily, who had a ball and "seriously" enjoyed her mac and cheese for dinner!  It's beautiful to see Sofia blossom and meet her friends.  She is loving preschool!

Our adventures continue and we are very blessed!