Out with the old...

My blogging as of late has been nonexistent.  I had high hopes of cute photos of the kids joyfully celebrating Christmas and all the fun things that coincide.  Here we are almost a week later.  We had a fantastic Christmas... first, enjoying time with Sean's parents and then with my family.  It flew by.  The kids have been busy with building new LEGO sets and spending hours in their PJ's.   Both proved to be at perfect ages for all the magic of the season and continue to enjoy the antics of elves that live with us in December, never seen, but leaving subtle hints of their existence.  Letters to Santa were written and Polar Express was watched, cookies baked, gingerbread house decorated and lots of time spent playing "Santa and his reindeer deliver gifts around the world".  

We bid adieu to 2012 and look ahead to 2013 and all the surprises that it holds.  Welcome New Year!! 

Kennedy can't get enough math these days.  She was bummed that she had to leave school early one day for an appointment because she was missing out on Challenge Math.  She asks me to print out 5 digit addition  worksheets for fun.   I hope this love of math sticks with her through multi variable calculus someday, if not, that's OK.  For today, she's learnin' and lovin' second grade math.

 

Peace on earth is a common Christmas adage.  In light of recent happenings it seems ironic.  May we all find what is good and true and work to make an impact on making this world a little better today than it was yesterday.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~Mother Teresa

Christmas Flashback!

Easton, Age 2

I probably post this video every December I can't remember, if I do, sorry for the repeat.  I just think it is so stinkin' cute.  I love me a good trip down memory lane and this one ALWAYS makes me smile.

All. Day. Long.

This chicklet loves her some snow.  Except for a brief hot cocoa break with her friends and a few minutes to throw her wet coat and mittens in the dryer, she was outside all day long.  She snow boarded, sledded, built a super duper tall snow girl, shoveled and jumped until her seven year old body could take no more.  At around 4:00 she showed back up at our door exhausted.  She took a long warm bath and was in her jammies by 4:30.  

East and Leo

These two little guys have become fast friends.  They are in the same class at school and have a ton in common.  Weekly play dates have become the norm and rarely a day goes by that Easton isn't talking about his buddy Leo.  They really are two peas in a pod....or, as they would probably say...two Ninjas in Ninjago.

S.T.A.R.

This girl is Star of the Week at school!

Little Cousin

I can hardly stand how much I adore this kid.  He is so good natured and has such a fun little personality.  When he comes to our house he holds celebrity status as both my kids want to spend every second with him.  I'm pretty sure he thinks his cousins are pretty cool too.  He follows the two of them around and does everything they do.  He's currently mastering sound effects thanks to Easton.  He loves to dance, play cars, run, cuddle, dress up, read, sing and play trains.  I'm having so much fun watching him grow and I absolutely love that he says "hang loose" and does the little thumb/pinkie shake.   

Grateful for.....

moms who bring turkeys,
little girls that sing the Star Spangled Banner to an audience,
friends who make super cute place tags,
nephews that cuddle,
bingo callers,
little fingers snitching mashed potatoes,
husbands that love (tolerate) in-laws,
little boys that try every food at the big feast,
brothers that wear turkey hats,
guests that love wine,
dads that play Chinese checkers....

abundance.

All we have is all we need. All we need is the awareness of how blessed we really are. 

Rehab Jeans

My little dude wore his rehab jeans to school today.  During sharing time he told everyone he had a pet shark and let everyone pet it (his knee).  One kid was scared he would get bit, so he skipped it.  

Date Night

These two had a little date night which included shooting hoops and building with Legos.  

She's....Alive

It's a little bit Frankenstein and a lot of luck, but, thanks to the generosity of a stranger she is six years post-transplant....living happily ever after.

Turkey Lurkey

All the kindergartners had to disguise a turkey so that it wouldn't be cooked for Thanksgiving dinner.

Kennedy and Lily!

These two are good little friends that have so much in common.  They keep themselves busy playing ninjas, spies, puppies, Legos and all sorts of other things.  

HaPpY HaLLOwEeN!

Little Girl with the Golden Curls

Buddhists say, if the guitar string is too tight it will break. If it is too loose it will not make a sound. Tighten just enough.

As always I am trying to find my equilibrium as a parent.  This girl is growing up before my eyes, but, remains seven.  She loves a good cuddle from Mommy one minute and the next she is singing along to Niki Manaj and looking at me as if I'm an alien from outer space for suggesting she wear a hair bow.  Luckily, she's not in a hurry to grow up and still revels in the fun of play and make believe,  She thinks second grade, pink, footy pajamas, notes from me in her lunch box, and the show Full House are all cool.  Then I get this glimpse ahead as she looks at me the other day, and in a most tween way says, "um Mom...that is me being sarcastic...duh!"

So, I am working to find symmetry between dependence and independence.  I'm trying daily to allow her to do for herself, guiding her in the right direction and letting go of the reins sometimes.  

This little man can make anything into a battlefield.  I mean, who hasn't used gourds as GI Joe barricades?

Pumpkin Patch

I love the little pumpkin patch that we go to every year.  It has a mix of Halloween scary and autumn beauty that makes it p-e-r-f-e-c-t!

Unicorns and Rainbows

I don't really do the whole meet at the gym and work out thing very well.  In fact, I belong to the community center, not the local gym.  It's perfect for me.  It has an indoor track, basic equipment and some fun classes.  When I go, I go to sweat and I look grungy, I'm in and out.  I don't like the pressure of looking cute while I work out or making small talk with the other patrons.  I know it's anti-social, but, it works for me. The other super great thing about the community center is that the median age of members is probably 70.  With that crowd I am young and spry.

In fact, the other day as I was walking up to the track a sweet little wrinkled lady stopped me and said, "honey, you're skinny, you don't need to run the track."  Hallelujah!  I don't know who sent this angel to me but she made my day, hell my week.  She took me for a split second to the land of unicorns and rainbows.  I seriously wanted to hug her.  Instead, I headed up to the track where I knew I needed to be and I ran circles around that sweet little lady with dementia.  

We're keepin' it low key this fall.  Both kids wanted a break from soccer and neither one had a big desire to do any other activity.  So, we're getting adjusted to the routine of school and homework and enjoying time doing our own thing.  I like it, life simplified.

The morning was spent at Stages to see Duck for President and then off to Chutes and Ladders with lots of energetic second graders. 

I have no words for this.

He was watching a movie in the Cave while I was on a conference call.  He decided he wanted vampire scars all over his body.  Thank you Sharpie.

 

Portable Magic

She cannot get enough of reading.  She checks out books at the school library 2-3 times a week and loves to meet new characters with some of her favorites being Ivy and Bean, Jack and Annie, Ramona Quimby or Henry and Mudge.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. ~ Stephen King

Say Cheese!

Once again, I am so pleased that I bought the cheapest school picture packet available.

Never to be forgotten, the quirky looks and fake smiles of picture day.