Tis the Season

To begin, if any of you are looking to help a perfect stranger this Holiday season, check out WANA. I've participated several years, and even little things can make such a difference. If you'd like to keep your money local, but want to make a difference in a child's life, consider either of the options below. When there is so much hate and violence in the world, it makes it even more important to remember and support and share love and goodness.

Gift of Literacy and The Christmas Store

We had a very busy weekend with our company Christmas party, pancakes with Santa, a bridal shower, a dinner party, and Christmas card pictures! Tonight is the town Christmas parade! It's been fun, but I am looking forward to some down time with my family soon. I am bound and determined to make cinnamon rolls for friends and neighbors again this year, and I'm excited to have Sullivan's help again. We'll of course be making sugar cookies and/or gingerbread men. Ahhh, the holidays!

Behind as always

This cutie has less than a month until her 2nd birthday and she used the potty several times last weekend! Where has my tiny baby gone? She is speaking in sentences, singing Christmas songs, and exerting her independence as often as possible. She loves to say, "I'ma do it". She wants to pick out her own "baby (s)poon", her shoes, her clothes, etc. She wants to climb in to her crib and on top of her changing table. She wants to dress and undress herself. The list goes on and on.

She had gumbo for the first time recently and LOVED it. Not afraid to try anything. Eats yogurt or oatmeal most mornings for first breakfast. A granola bar typically follows later.

She and her brother are typical siblings. Arguing over books and toys one minute, playing or reading sweetly together the next. He loves to get her out of her bed and to teach her new things. This week he taught her how to turn on the Christmas tree, so that's the first thing she wants to do each morning and when we get home in the evening.

Sullivan has been doing well. He's reading so well and doing great with his math. He's a worrier like his Mom and is already stressing out about 1st grade. I've got to set a better example in regard to stress and new things and hard work! He wants to stay in Kindergarten forever, and I can't say I blame him! I'm definitely still unsettled about whether this current school is the right place for us, but can't do much about at the moment anyway.

We had his 6th birthday at the Arcade. It was chaotic, but quick and easy for me. Hard to believe he is already 6! We've been going through his toys to make donations since he was inundated with more "stuff". Having birthday and Christmas so close makes for gift overload in my book. Poor Evie will have it even worse.