Friday, December 14, 2007
Yesterday we got pelted with snow. The kids love it, even Jack. We were out in it for an hour and a half. Beautiful, crisp white light snow.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Mike and I are finally getting out of our emotional rut of the past few years. In 2005/2006 we lost my dad and Mike’s mom and step-dad. 2007 was our healing year as a family. Thank God for our smiling, happy kids, and our extended family and friends.
Isabelle is already 3.5 and developing quite a personality. She’s talking confidently now, and loves to sing. She’s still a peanut though her strength of personality makes up for it. She’s not afraid to play on her own and do her own thing. She’s extremely observant and hears everything. We call her Hawkeye.
Jack is 21 months and a little character. Here are the words that people have used to described him: mischevious, funny, imp, teaser, incorrigible, jack the destroyer. Discipline doesn’t work. But Jack is also lovable, huggible, and a sweet boy. Mostly he teases for fun, just to get a laugh especially out of Isabelle. She’s his world.
Mike is still working at the estate of Highlawn Farm in Lee. The main house is nearly complete and unfortunately much of the work left will be outside this winter.
I’m home with the kids. I love to see their faces each morning, though my patience is tried countless times throughout the day. I don’t know how my mom did it with eight. I’m also still working for Studio Two part-time (during naps and at night), so free time is limited. Every bit helps of course.
Our main house project this year was replacing half the roof. Mike did this in October with the help of two friends. The weekend they worked it was 85 degrees and sunny (105 on the roof). It took them one day just to remove the old layers of shingles (four layers, including the original wooden ones). By the end of the weekend the roof was tarped and on Monday it rained. Tuesday it rained. And the rest of the week too. He finished the roof the following weekend with the new shingles.
Did I mention before that both kids nap in the afternoon? Wrong! Bella is fighting the sleep.
Stuff happening: playing in snow, sledding, walks in the dark and searching for Christmas lights, family gatherings, visits to the library, hanging christmas decorations, reading stories, holiday cooking.
Isabelle: wants to sing by herself • knows more and more songs • is well adjusted to school • can walk upstairs one after another • likes to eat snow • read, read, read • Play in snow for a long time • sled • color • draw • sit on counter • do puzzles
Jack: loves to dance • is singing too • he knows many songs and can say the last word at the end of a song • does his happy dance • favorite song is EIEIO and Skinamarinkidoo • taking off slippers and socks • find belly button • tickle tickle • shed BIG sympathetic tears • run around saying MAMA or DAADEE • hitting kitty • giving lots of hugs • favorite toy: puzzle