Pictures

I just have a hodgepodge of pictures and words today– but I guess that is not too bad
Here are some great pictures my friend Zane took when we were sledding a while ago

Oh I can not wait for Andy to have new employment. We so need a new camera. But in the mean time thank you Zane for such great winter pictures!

Here is our sweet Haddie.

Here is a fun picture we made on our flannel board after reading the king winter story on Friday. Both Drew and Phoebe really had fun creating with the wool. We will have to do this more often.
Today is the first ski race at Hickory. Drew and Phoebe are bouncing off the walls with excitement. I’ll try to post again tonight with how it went!

My sister, I’m sorry

On occasion my children get rough, grouchy, they push or (gasp!) hit each other. And, it is always hard in the heat of the moment to know what to do (as a parent). So now I have come up with a new protocol. When someone gets too rough they need to go write a sorry note and come read it to the injured sibling. It is a little bit of genius I came up with. The best part about this is it gets the kids separated for a few minutes after the altercation and everyone is able to calm down in that time. It also gives the injured child a few minutes alone with me for an uninterupted hug and kiss.

Drew pulled Phoebe’s hair today. They were fighting about who got to fill the birdfeeder. Ugh.
Here drew read to Phoebe ” I’m sorry to my sweet Phoebe. I should not pull your hair. I will not do it again. If you take this paper it will help you fly”. — and off they went to go jump from my bed. Happy again.

And tonight they went to ski. Here are a few pictures.

Andy has been helping Phoebe this week– just to be sure she is doing ok. She is by far the youngest in the group. But she is great and loving it. They both come home so hungry, calm and talkative. I think I will take this opportunity to try new dinners — since they are so hungry and often asking for seconds! Then they soak in the tub– boy that must feel so good. And then they are sleeping in minutes from hitting the pillow. I am so glad they can ski this year. We are all looking forward to the first race on Sunday.

Smart baby

Andy thinks it is never too young to learn the family business.

And this is how we charge her up at night

Seriously– I don’t really remember why Andy put his power cord on her that night. But do you notice something else?? She is sleeping in her carseat! She does not mind it at all anymore; it is wonderful. We can all talk in the car again…. deep sigh.
Random tidbits–
*Phoebe loves being on the ski team. She seems so mature in the last few days. First race is Sunday!
*My left arm is ripped. Imagine carrying a 15lb bowling ball around with one arm all day. Anyone want to arm wrestle? I’ll win.
*Hadley said her first word tonight. Really. But I wish someone else would have heard her to believe me. I set her down on the floor so I could fold laundry and she was looking up at the ceiling light. She then looked at me and said “ight” Andy said it makes sense because one needs teeth to make the “L” sound. I have a funny husband, and a smart baby.
Well. That’s all for now. I hope to get a few pictures up soon of my ski buddies.

Some thoughts for 2010

I am really looking forward to what this year will hold for our family. I know there will be changes, possibly a move, and of course more great times together. I am not really one to make resolutions per say but I thought I could write down a few ideas on where I would like to focus my energy in the coming year.
First, I am going to start doing some of the enki kindy stories with Phoebe– the younger ones– and some fingerplays– she loves those. I think I have a good established rhythm with Drew and that it is time to add in stories for Phoebe. I am planning on starting up again on Monday. And as always I’ll just give it a go and then readjust if need be
Second, I want to learn to knit a sweater. I hope to be able to go out to innish knits in the next few weeks to choose some yarn. Oh– and I would really like to knit some legwarmers for Phoebe. She has been asking and asking.
Third, I am hoping to find more creative ways to get protein in our meals– especially for Phoebe. She is getting very picky in what she will eat. It is a constant challenge for me to find nutritious things she enjoys.
Fourth, I need to change my reactions to Drew. He is in a new stage and I need to welcome it. Many of the Enki lists talk about a trickster energy that comes forth in or around the seventh year — I think Drew is hitting it early. He has been hiding behind walls and jumping out to startle me (oh boy!) He has been telling half- truths for shock value. And, a few days ago he was strangly excited to put the vacuum away — and today I found out why. He had turned it on — so when I plugged it in today it zoomed across the floor all by itself — you should of heard the laughing from his room! (and many more things like this– the list goes on and on) And well– while I have not been resisting it– I can not say I have really wrapped my arms around this stage and welcomed it. Now it is time to! And I need to start plotting some good tricks of my own! I can imagine things are going to get pretty funny around here
Well that is a good start to my thoughts in 2010. And of course I will vow to follow my sweet husband to the ends of the earth — even if it means southern California. I am always up for an adventure.