Update 2009

We made it to a New Year and I have once again fallen into routine (again) of doing nothing with our blog site. Life is full! Now that we have made it through Christmas and on to 2009 all healthy and happy, I am attempting to write another blog update.
Let's see. To start off Ava and Elle are doing great. Ava is now embracing being a three year old (especially the defiant and independent part). Other than taming her at times she is really a wonderful big sister. She has fun dressing up, playing make believe, and she loves creating art work. She attends "school" at the YMCA three days a week where they have some school activities as well as gymnastics, yoga and arts & crafts. It is truly a relief to be able to leave her on the days when I need to run errands or have some down time. Speaking of down time which Elle leaves me very little, she is a very busy eight month old. Last night she stood up and let go of the ottoman that was supporting her. I am sure I will be running to keep up with her in no time. Some other skills she has been working on are eating real foods (hence the spaghetti pic), babbling and waving "bye".
As for Jason he's kept busy with his job which we are thankful he still has in this recession. He also keeps busy with the never ending pergola project. The materials have been here for months and the last of the tiles have arrived , yet it is a matter of scheduling time to dig & construct. I am hoping by the spring it will all be ready to enjoy!
I really am conflicted about warmer weather. Though I would love to see my yard again for some gardening time, I also really want to have winter here for a bit longer. As I write we are awaiting snow, though I have my doubts, I am hopeful. I've not seen snow since my days in Chicago.

Busy, busy!

Trick or Treat

Smiles

Thought we'd share some smiles to start the day. As adults we smile and laugh less frequently than children. Maybe it is part of aging or part of becoming more concerned with out environment and world. We learn to worry about the little things and details that we cared less about as children. We accepted responsibility for our family and jobs. I would love to think that the girls will be just as happy and carefree as they grow up.
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." ~Mark Twain

Lemonade out of lemons?

I'm trying to make an ugly day better. I know life could be worse. It's always greener on the other side...
A self hair cut by my three year old yielding plastic safety scissors and her friend. The hair looked cute after it was fixed by the stylist. I will not complain about her style as I have not seen a stylist in months.
To complicate matters... my tooth needs fixing. Big time. It hurts to chew on, it's sensitive. The temporary fell out earlier (used some special fixodent to adhere it to my gums). Hello grandma-hood. To make matters worse, our insurance is maxed till next January. Woo-hooooo. I am frustrated.

It's October!

I've slacked this past week on updating our blog...what can I say other than life is busy.
I felt so busy all week long going places and doing things that I've felt overwhelmed. Sometimes my head spins just thinking about all of the daily activity from preschool with three year old drama to infant development. Not to mention daily errands, household upkeep, two dogs (one who's always itchy) and a husband (who's also over scheduled). I cannot recall a day that I wasn't busy and just relaxing...reading a book, enjoying a nap, drinking a cup of tea to settle down. Oh wait...yes I can! I had my first girls night alone!! Alone meaning without Elle & Ava Jason. Thank you Ms. Schuler & ladies for too much wine, behavior therapy and stinky cheese. We did miss SCH...maybe next round! While I was sad by leaving the girls I also knew they were in the care of their wonderful daddy. I returned to a quiet, clean house (though late) and the girls were both asleep...Jason too. It was nice to feel like I was a mommy as well as myself last Thursday. I know it's a bit of an identity crisis early. Oh well, that's a whole other post.
In all of my madness to get through the past week I realized Wednesday that it was already October, my favorite month of the year. In honor of this colorful time of year we are taking the girls to a farm this coming weekend for a fall festival & corn maze. I anticipate fun at the farm, smelly animals and all. I anticipate Ava running through pumpkin patches, hay rides, face painting, and that wonderful smell of fall. I'll have pictures posted asap. Hope you all are enjoying my favorite season, enjoying all that it offers. I know I will. And I promise to slow down and repeat "life is too short".

Ava's 3rd birthday party!

We had fun celebrating our third birthday!