Accomplishments

Emily is learning so much. Since Brian has homework after school, she works on homework too. She has learned to write her name, and puts her name on her papers at school all by herself now. Yesterday, while we were riding in the car, she asked how long it would take to get somewhere, I told her 5 minutes. She asked how high she would have to count until we would be there. I said count to 60, 5 times, it helps to pass the time and is educational too. She can count to 30 perfectly, and then needs some help with the what comes next (40, 50, 60). She only misses a few numbers and can get to 100! I am so impressed.

She is learning so much at Gymboree, I am happy that I decided to keep her there this year. She is also having fun at her Little Gym dance class. Of course she wants to be a real ballerina when she grows up. Last week was "Superfriends" week. The kids were supposed to bring a doll or a stuffed animal to class. Emily brought her bear that has a ballerina outfit, Perfect!

She plays so great with her sister, it is fun to watch them, and know that someday they will be great friends.

Portraits 2009

Here are the kids professional portraits that were taken in 2009

Brian school picture, Kindergarten 6 years old

Emily 4 years old

Danielle 1 year old

First Haircut

Today was another milestone in Danielle's life. Her first haircut. She was born with a full head of long dark hair. Over the year it has just grown longer, the back was very uneven and the front was so long that it occasionally got stuck in snot from a runny nose. So a haircut was definitely in order.

I like taking the girls to see Jasmine for their haircuts. Jasmine has young kids and works out of her home. She also has naturally curly hair so she knows how to cut curly hair and does a great job.

I didn't take pictures, but I did save a lock of hair, to put in the little keepsake that Auntie Erin got her for her first curl.

Happy First Birthday

My baby is One! I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems only yesterday, I was very pregnant waiting and wondering when you would come. You are not walking yet, but that is OK. You just say maaaaaa, and daaaaaa and also jabber about lots of important things. You have started learning to do some signs. You will now clap your own hands when we play, instead of grabbing mine and making me clap. You point to tell us about something or show us where you want to go. You will entertain yourself, and love to do what Brian and Emily are doing. You are an excellent climber. You express your displeasure with what we call "a worm on a hot rock." You are learning to eat a little, and I think you have a little sweet tooth. You only have two teeth, so you don't eat too much.

I came up with my own party theme, the colors were bright pink, purple, yellow and orange. I used fondant for the first time on your cake, and made buttercream icing.

We had to have party hats

and presents

Mommy got this pretty dress.

You liked to open presents and play with the tissue paper

Emily picked out this cute pink pig puzzle for you.

Brian got you a... what do you call this?

Nana got you a learning puppy

Mom and dad thought this CD player was cool.

You were ready to dig into the cake

Waiting patiently as mommy takes picture and we sing happy birthday

OK, you can eat now!

You think it is pretty good. You kept handing daddy the fork so he would feed you another bite.

Partying with my brother

My three little cuties

A Year in Review...

Newborn (about an hour old)

Blessing 9/21/09

One Month 10/26/08

Portrait-1 month

Two Months 11/30/08

Three Months 12/12/08

Four Months 1/21/09

Five Months 2/11/09

Six Months 3/11/09

Seven Months 4/12/09

Eight Months 5/4/09

Nine Months 6/12/09

Ten Months 7/12/09

Eleven Months 8/17/09

Nine Eleven

It seems that lots of people I know have posted 9/11 remembrances today. So I thought I would share mine too.

I remember...I was at work early at Blockbuster Video. Another employee came and told me about the attacks. We turned on the TV and watched as the second tower was hit. It was shocking, and seemed almost unreal as we watched.

I also remember the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. I was a sophmore at Columbine High School. Since there was a teacher aboard this mission we watched the takeoff in the cafeteria at school. I think as the shuttle exploded we really didn't even know at first that something was wrong. I remember that there was an extra edition of the newspaper printed that day, and I kept a copy of it.

We Have Another Breakthrough

of a top tooth. Oh sorry about this post, just another false alarm. Back to the tooth watch.

Heading Home

Oh the dreaded drive home. We don't have anything to look forward too, unless you count mounds of laundry, unpacking, cleaning and returning the camper fun?

So would I go to the beach in a camper again. Yes! But if I owned my own camper there are a few things that I would like to have. First would be a bigger holding tank, we had to dump way too many times, which also means unblock, unjack, hook up, go dump, block, level, unhook, lather, rinse, repeat. See what I mean, what a pain! Also more accessible storage. We had plenty of storage, but it was not easy to get to. Finally I would need a wider trailer with slide outs. We were tripping over each other and could not walk past each other.

We made it home safe, with no unexpected events, and made better time than on the way out. The kids were not as good, but we all survived. On the way home we did move Danielle to the front seat of the truck, I know, not that safe, but what if the truck didn't have a back seat, she would have to ride there. Justification for not have to twist my whole body and hold her hand so she would not cry. Then when my arm would fall asleep and I took it away she would cry again. I didn't want to go through that for another 12 hours, so this was the best solution. It was also neat to have her in the front seat where I could see what she was doing for a change. We worked on some sign language on the way home too. She has signed milk, more and cookie. We also mastered patty cake, patty cake. It was a fun trip. Now we must get back to reality; school, work, and responsibilities. Until I start planning my next adventure...