Fans!

This crew gathered together to cheer on Trevor at his big basketball game.  Lizzy and Drew actually watched most of the game, and cheered and chatted.  Reagan worked really hard to be like one of the big kids, and sat on the bleachers and had a blast.  Then there's Peter and Connor.  They couldn't stop wrestling, and hitting each other, and hugging, and running up and down the bleachers.  What a motley crew!  They sure had spirit, that's for sure, and I think Trevor appreciated all his fans.

Girls Rule!

Lizzy's cute classmates have formed a basketball team together.  At their first practice, there were a lot of little girl shenanigans- hugging, cartwheels, giggling.  There was a little bit of actual basketball mixed in, but mostly a whole bunch of chaos.  I'm not sure what happened over the next couple of days, but somehow, when they arrived for their game, they were ready to play.  You should have seen those girls!  They were awesome!  There was passing, and hustling, and dribbling, and lots of great shots.  Lizzy even made a couple of baskets.  It was so much fun to see the girls working together, and looking like a real team.  I can't wait for more games!

Basketball Boy

The day that Peter has been waiting and waiting for finally arrived- the start of basketball!  Peter has been so excited to finally be a part of his first real team.  He couldn't wait to wear a real uniform, play a real game, and (at the end of the season) get a real trophy!  He almost couldn't take it.  As soon as we arrived, Peter ran right into the gym, threw on the uniform his coach gave him, and started shooting hoops.  He loved being on the team with all his neighborhood buddies.  It was great!  The kids had a great time, and I was so, so proud of Peter.  Basketball is not an easy sport to play, and he hung in there, even getting a couple of shots off.  Peter and Connor were "guarding" each other, and often looked more like giggling dance partners than athletes, but they were sure having fun in the process.  Way to go, Peter!  You are awesome!

Worker Bees

We visited Grandma and Papa and enjoyed all our usual traditions.  This time, while Lizzy was busy helping Grandma make cookies, Peter decided to dive into a workbook that Grandma had gotten him.  Papa helped him with his work.  They kept working and working, and chatting and visiting.......we couldn't pull them away.  Peter was a machine, and Papa was right there encouraging him the whole time.  When we got home, Peter told me, "Mommy, did you know that Papa is my friend?  I mean, he's always been my friend, but now, he's my best friend."  Later, while I was putting on his pajamas, Peter quietly said to me, "Mommy, I did way more work than Lizzy today.  I don't want to hurt her feelings, so I'm only telling you, but I did way more work than Lizzy."  I think that everyone loves to have something to do, and someone to pay attention to them.  Today, Peter was lucky enough to have both.  

Fun Day Out

We had a free day, and a little reprieve from this very chilly weather, so we decided to head up to the city and visit one of our favorite museums.  What a day!  It was clear and crisp, sunny and warm, just a beautiful day to be outside enjoying the world.  I always feel so alive on those days!  So thankful to be in such a beautiful place, with such special people.  I love watching the kids having so much fun.  We've been coming to this museum since Lizzy was one, so it was pretty incredible to see Lizzy as such a big girl there, and now Catherine is the one toddling around.  The kids loved exploring around outside, seeing the amazing stick "palace," and hiking up to ring the bell.  What a great day together!

Gym Class Cutie

Guess who's big enough to be in her own gym class?  Hard to believe, but it's Catherine!  Catherine and Reagan are taking gym class together, and boy are they a couple of cuties.  Catherine was a little cautious her first class.   She checked out the trampoline, and enjoyed climbing through tunnels and playing with balls.  She wasn't too sure of the parachute, but I think it will grow on her.  I'm so excited we get to have some special time together.  What a treat!

Littles at the Zoo

When Lizzy is off at school, the kid dynamic shifts.  Peter becomes the big guy, and he's in charge.  Even Catherine somehow seems not so little.  When all three are present, there's usually a partnership between Lizzy and Peter.  They are busy, busy with their imaginary games, and Catherine is observing, or more and more trying to find her way in.  She is often Lizzy's little baby, and both like that role.  Without Lizzy, there is a different partnership.  While Peter is still clearly the guy in charge, the footing becomes slightly more equal for Catherine.  These two are starting to play more as peers, the way Lizzy and Peter used to.  We had a fun day at the little zoo the other day.  Catherine and Peter loved exploring and playing.  They loved looking at all the little animals.  They had fun playing together, and that is always the best to see.

Little Bear

Peter came home from school and said he wanted to build a cave and hibernate like a bear.  He did such a convincing job, he promptly fell asleep.  Sweet dreams, little bear.

School Stowaway

Peter really loves going to school.  Every time it's a school day, he gets really excited and wants to leave right away.  He loves all the different activities, but he really loves playing with all the other kids, especially his friend, Evan.  There is someone else in our house who also gets really excited when we take Peter to school.  In fact, she thinks she's part of the class too.  Catherine marches right into school and is ready to get to work.  She loves the sandbox, the kitchen, and pretty much anywhere she can explore.  Peter loves to show Catherine all around his school, and he always takes time to play with her.  One day, Catherine will be very ready to head to preschool on her own........just not quite yet.

Chatty Girl

Catherine has always had lots to say.......in babytalk.  But now, she's starting to say a few words, and boy do we love hearing it.  It's only appropriate that Catherine's first work is "hi."  Anywhere she goes, she waves at every person she sees, gives them her big, winning smile, and now sometimes says "Hi!" along with it.  When she sees Pat she'll call out, "Da da da da da."  And recently, we're hearing a lot of "Mamamamamama!"  I like to pretend that she's talking to me, and perhaps a little bit she is, but Mama seems to be associated with whatever imperative, immediate problem that needs to be solved.  We're also hearing "bye" accompanied by a wave when people are leaving.  I love all these words!  Keep it up sweet girl!

Yummy

Let's just say that Catherine's appetite is becoming legendary around our home.  She'll eat pretty much anything, and lots of it, and has the tummy to prove it.  We, of course, love it!  We love all her snuggly parts, her extra rolls, her squishy sweetness.  Now, she's so big, that she's started to eat a sandwich at lunch.  A real, honest-to-goodness, peanut butter and honey half sandwich is her favorite.  Congratulations, Catherine.  You are officially a big girl now!

Vacation Adventures

One of the best parts of Christmas vacation is the chance to go on lots of adventures together.  We hit up parks, went on a hike, and visited one of our local favorites, Happy Hollow.  We were there until 4:00!  We took in two puppet shows, played and played at the cool parks there, went on a few rides, and visited the zoo.  Whew, what a day!  And what a perfect way to wind down our busy vacation and get ready to go back to school and begin a wonderful new year together.

Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year the same way we've been celebrating for as long as I can remember- enjoying a delicious dinner and wonderful company, hosted by our dear friends, the Nelsons.  The kids were so excited!  They ran around blowing on their horns and wearing their special party hats.  They played and played together, and then put on their jammies and watched a movie so we could actually enjoy a pretty fancy and lovely meal together with just the adults.  How wonderful!  All the kids loved watching the ball drop on T.V. (at 9:00) and then went back to their movie.  It was our latest New Years on record.  We made it until 10:30, which for our kids is crazy late.  They had the best time!  What a perfect way to begin our New Year.  

Locked Up

Um......let's just say that if I leave the room for 30 seconds, I never know what I'll find when I return.  Apparently someone who really loves their policeman's uniform thought it would be a great idea to lock up Catherine and put her in jail.  Lucky for all of us, Catherine thought this was a great idea too.  Mommy didn't really like this idea, and promptly sprang her from the clink.

He Came!

Christmas this year was just.......awesome!  Each year, it just gets better and better.  Lizzy and Peter were so into everything.  They loved all the decorating and getting ready, they loved all the tradition and routine, and most of all, they loved waiting for Santa.  They were just thrilled Christmas morning.  They had huge smiles on their faces, and were dancing all around, so excited and ready to open all their presents!  Grandma Susan and Janelle came over on Christmas Eve, so it was even more exciting to have special visitors with us.  They joined us for our special breakfast and we loved getting to start our day with them.  Then we were off to Uncle Brian's house.  The kids love being with their cousins, and they just ran around and played all day.  We loved all the delicious food, all the fun games that Patrice plans to make the day so special, and most of all, we loved time together with our family.  What a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pageant Cuties

Lizzy was so excited to be an angel in our church's pageant this year.  She practiced for weeks, learning many songs and figuring out where to stand and what to do.  And Catherine, yes Catherine, got to have a part too.  She didn't have too many lines, but she sure did look adorable as a camel in the manger.  

Good Times!

You know those perfect family pictures you see?  The ones where everyone is perfectly coordinated, smiling beautifully, and effortlessly looking like a Hallmark card?  Well, that's not really us.  This year we had the matching outfits, but not necessarily the happy attitude.  But I'm one who likes to play the odds, and I say four out of five isn't too bad.  Not bad at all!  And the even better news is that that sour face was quickly turned around.  You can't stay grumpy for long on Christmas Eve!

Holiday Dinner

It's not often that we all get a chance to get together, without distracting (but wonderful) little kids around, and enjoy some adult time.  And that's just what we got to do, and boy was it wonderful!  What a night!  We drove up to our cousins house and left the "little" kids at home with a sitter (which didn't go too great with Catherine crying a lot and us coming home to her soaking wet with her diaper on backwards.......but that's a different story) and we were off to enjoy some special adult time.  We went to one of our very favorite restaurants in Sacramento.  It was such a great night.  Not only was the food out of this world, but I felt myself taking a deep breath and just relaxing.  Everyone was full of smiles, and laughter, and we so enjoyed talking and eating and just being together.  I'll remember that night for a long time, and boy do I feel thankful for the wonderful people in my family, and the chance to spend time with them.

The Sweetest Singers

After starting our morning off with the first graders, Catherine and I rushed over to Peter's school.  Before Christmas vacation, Peter's school has a wonderful tradition of gathering in the church to learn about the awesome organ they have and to sing some carols together.  All the kids love to watch the man play the organ, and then they really love when the pastor breaks out his guitar and starts a sing-along.  Peter was right there singing along, doing the hand motions and everything.  Catherine was really taken with the pastor.  She sat as close as she possibly could to him, mesmerized by his guitar.  There is nothing more precious than watching all these adorable children singing sweetly together.  It's something I look forward to every year, and it really sets the tone for our Christmas time together. 

Santa Snacks

Catherine and I sure had one busy day.  We were in charge of the first grade "special snack" for Christmas.  We (I mean me) were up very late cutting marshmallows, making skin colored frosting and assembling all the parts necessary to turn a graham cracker into Santa.  The good news was that all the kids enjoyed the project, and Lizzy was very excited to see us, and to get to show off her adorable baby sister.  Catherine loved getting to watch all the big kids work away.  Our day was off to a great start!