Delaney skis

 

So Delaney finally got to go to the slopes with her Daddy this year. She was very excited and seemed to be practicing to be a snow bunny. After skiing she enjoyed playing with her little toy penguins and having hot chocolate. All good events that include snow also include hot chocolate.

How old is she?!

 

Its so hard to believe she turns 4 in less than a week! Here's a picture Nate took of Delaney flying a kite. She looks and sounds so much older so often and then she turns into "Looper the cat" and meows and paws at me and I remember she's really just a little thing. She can still curl up into the tiniest imaginable ball on my lap.
Here's our exchange from a few nights ago when she was frustrated with a decision I made concerning her...
Delaney: It just makes me want to fire you!
Me: What does that mean?
Delaney: I don't know.
A little bit later, after being told to pick up in her room, she asked for help. I reminded her that I had been fired.
I've heard her "fire" Jackson before also. He's so earnest; he always replies, "But Delaney, I don't have a job."
And then, Nate just reminded me of an exchange he had with Delaney the morning following a major battle of the wills between two of the most strong-willed people I know....(myself excluded, because I'm not strong-willed...at all...seriously...believe me or else!)
Nate: Delaney, I don't like it when we argue. It made me feel bad last night that we argued.
Delaney: I don't like it either, Daddy. (and then in the sweetest possible voice you've ever heard) Maybe you should just let me do what I want to do.

Uhhhhh.....

She continues to be in that place of wanting independence but also wanting to not be independent. I guess all of us live in that place from time to time in our lives, or for some of us, all the time. She can be so, so sweet, and so, so sour. I just have to keep remembering that's she's still pretty young, no matter how articulate she is.

Drew's walker

Drew has started walking for real since this video was taken, but I think its worth watching for... A.) his cute smile B.) Nana was visiting and you can catch a glimpse of her C.) you can witness Drew's very low level of tolerence for frustration D.) you'll be encouraged that children don't actually need expensive walkers E.) Nate's high tolerance for Drew's low tolerance for frustration.

Drew plays piano

 

Ahhh...the love affair between a small, baldish person and a big, musical instrument. Drew loves the piano. He can not tolerate anyone playing it, if he is not helping. He likes to help play notes, eat...I mean turn the pages of the music, and compose. If not on my lap, his little finger reach up over the keys and he "tinks" away. Look at the joy on that face! We recently had the piano tuned, for the first time in a LONG time and found out its considered a honky-tonk style piano because of its size and the height of the back. I guess I'll have to learn to play some honky-tonk music. (I have a feeling Drew will help.)

Great Education

 
 

If you talk with me on a regular basis, you've probably heard me sing the praises of Jackson's 1st Grade teacher. I admire her greatly and am a little amazed that we've had such great teachers 2 years in a row. As a former public school teacher (although a brief experience), I speak with respect and also a sense of reality. There are lots of great teachers out there and sadly, also a few duds....these seem to be the only ones you ever hear about....the teachers who leave a lot to complain about. Well, I am not complaining! I love this teacher and the great skill and art she applies to her craft. And the children love her even more, at least mine does. Anyway....one of the fun and educational days they've had this year was "Crazy Hair" day - they read a book by the same title on that day. Well, you know Delaney also had to have a crazy hair day when she saw Jackson's hair. I must say he looks pretty cute like this and maybe a little too old.
Below is a photo of Jackson with his Leprachaun Trap. There was a pesky leprachaun in his classroom that kept rearranging things, tipping over chairs, leaving funny notes on the board, and even stealing the homework folders! Jackson's teacher finally asked all of the children to design a trap to catch the little man so they could get his pot of gold. Apparantly, the leprechaun did get caught and as the teacher was ready to pull him out of the bag to show the class, all that was left was some green glittery dust. Tricky little fellow. It was amazing fodder for their journals and vocabulary/spelling lists.

California Winter Sky

 
 

Here are two photos from this winter. There are plenty of things to gripe about living in the desert (especially if you live somewhat remotely, like we do), however there are also so many amazing things like the sky! We don't have clouds all that often, but when we do, they're amazing! You can see the whole cloud. And clouds at sunset....well you're looking at pictures of that. We have pretty nice sunsets for a non-beach location.

Christmas 2008

Okay...so the posts are out of order...it drives me a little crazy, but it is what it is. I think it's fairly appropriate to post Christmas pictures on Easter day though, as I believe Christmas does not hold much meaning without Easter. Anyway...before I get all theological, let me just tell you about these photos. We had our first Christmas of just us at our home this year. I thought it might feel a little sad or lonely to be just us, but it was actually good. Don't get me wrong, I love to be with my family also and it would have multiplied the joy, but "just us" was more than enough joy. Tymaree joined us the day after Christmas. We were glad to have her. I roped her into making sugar cookies with the kids...muuhhahaha. She put on her happy aunt face and did her duty. I think she may have liked it a little too.
We all get to open one present on Christmas Eve. Its normally some sleepwear item....this year it was Snowman PJs for everyone. As Jackson was opening his, he said, "I hope its a toy and not clothes." I guess he's moved onto a new stage were the novelty of having a present to open is outweighed by the excitement and expectation of what is inside the package. I will say he laughed when he opened the box and found the PJs and was actually delighted when he discovered that we all matched. Drew really enjoyed eating the tissue paper. Christmas was right around the time he started LOVING the dishwasher. Like on crack in love. Like can't get enough. Of late, he's transferred most of the obsession to the vacuum cleaner. Delaney was the first to notice the GIANT trampoline on the back patio. During breakfast, she casually said, "We have a trampoline."
This year, Jackson and Delaney made presents for each other. Jackson made Delaney a sock puppet reindeer. Delaney painted a piggy bank for Jackson. It was very sweet to see their excitement in exchanging gifts. They chipped in together and gave Drew set of three plastic trucks, which Delaney promptly adopted and named - they are a family of trucks afterall and she loves families of anything. She has since agreed to leave the trucks in Drew's room, although I sometimes hear her hiding them (in his room) and saying "Oh the trucks are afraid of babies!" when she hears Drew coming down the hall.

Jay visits

 
 
 
 

We were delighted to have my brother Jay visit for a short (and I mean less than 48 hours) visit, around a trip for work. We were happy about the visit, not the short. He called me before he came to check on the weather, which had been nice. So I told him...it's been nice. It rained the whole time he was here. Here, where we get very little rain ever (as in, we celebrate and play in rain unless it's cold), it rained and it was cold. We had a nice time staying inside and visiting and watching the kids bounce off the walls, literally. The kids were delighted and couldn't stay away from Jay. He also met the Drew-man for the first time. I think their heads are similar shapes, but I think Drew's ears are from a different part of the gene pool than Jay's.
I miss having my family close by and I so enjoy having time to visit. Even in the rain. Even when it's quick. Even when it leaves me a little sad because it reminds how far apart we all are from each other. Thanks for making the trip, brother. We'll be coming to see you in Hawaii, but it won't be quick.

Go Macaroni!

Jackson and Nate had a great time planning and creating Jackson's Pinewood Derby car. It won 1st place overall. All of the other cars looked like cars. It was fun to hear people cheer "Go Macaroni!" as Jackson's car raced. Nate has a pinewood derby video posted to his facebook page, if you're curious. Anyway, here they are, after the big win with the car. Jackson is already planning next year's car - it will be him, asleep in his bed, which is actually a car. I love that boy

Jackson Snowboards

 


Last year Nate took Jackson skiing and while he had a blast, he spent a lot of time watching the snowboarders and decided that this year he would snowboard. So, they went. It was fun but there is still some learning to do, like you can't ride the same edge the whole time without turning. More fun for next winter.

Thoughts and Proclamations

So, this is kind of a random entry. A few thoughts to share...

First, you might notice that I've added a few more blogs to my list. One is a blog I picked from my friend Tracy's list. It's from a pastor in Brooklyn. He writes about life, his family, and then throws out some scriptures and challenging ideas sometimes too. He has a great post about Gomer. You should read it.

Another new blog I've added is from my childhood friend, Erin. She was my best friend in elementary school and good part of middle school. We moved to different places. The last time I had talked to Erin was in high school. She recently found me on Facebook. She's rather clever, I must say, as I don't have my maiden name on my account. Erin is so familiar with my life though, that she knew how to find me through my brother's family. I remember her as thoughtful, creative, and as having a presence. We used to play Narnia together. And now....she's still that same person, only cooler, with more presence and heart. Her blog is worth the read. It will move you to think about others, especially children in Africa, and maybe even influence your heart to do something good. We were never purposefully "not friends", we just moved away. I'm so grateful to be active friends again. We're going to get together for coffee one of these days.

Okay...and now facebook. I joined a little while ago. Holy Moly! Why didn't someone talk me into it earlier? I've reconnected with so many people there. It's a great tool for keeping up with friends. (It can also be a great tool for wasting time and procrastinating if you're not careful.)

So....I think that 2009 will a good year to be reconnected with friends and loved ones. Also this year (I write this here so that I'll be accountable to you.)...

* I'm getting back into those skinny jeans. You know what I mean. We all have a pair of skinny pants. I've given up on the pre-baby skinny pants, I just want into the ones that make me feel good about my fitness level and acknowledge that I've carried three babies around in these hips.

* We're getting our finances in order. Enough playing around. It's time to get serious. We may not travel as much this year, but a little discipline this year should allow more travel later. We're going to enjoy and relish what we have without worrying about accumulating more of the greatest and latest (remind me of this later.)

* I'm going to enjoy the children more and worry less about if I dusted before you came over. I apologize in advance. Not that my house has always been pristine, but I'm not going to feel guilty about it if the time was spent enjoying the little people who fill this house with life or if it was spent building and cultivating my relationship with my amazing partner. (If I was watching TV, I reserve the right to feel guilty.)

Those are probably enough grandiose proclamations for now. I don't want to be accountable for too much more. I just wanted you to know why I'm eating carrot sticks in a dusty house and can't fly to see you.