YAY!

Partied out

Whole lot of cousins at the market

All I want for Christmas is...

To explain in Lily's words, "I would like another baby doll, because I only have seven, and it would be nice to have eight, and I have a brown teddy bear, but I would really like to have a pink one, and flowers, because that's what mommy and I love, and also a ball (that took several attempts to write), a new dress, a playhouse, and a dog. A real dog."

Buddies

I can't believe we haven't yet posted about our new friends, Karly and Ty. They live across the street, and are 4 and 2, only a few months younger than Lily and Jonathan. The four of them are great buddies and spend hours playing together. It so nice to have built in buds! Lily summed it up when she gave Karly a big hug and said, "You are my best friend, except for Jonathan!"

































We get to see even more of them as I am going to nanny them a few days a week, with a few full time weeks coming up. Yes, I know...six months ago if you had asked me to take on a few extra kids I would have rolled over and played dead. But that's the beauty of time...and more children of your own...you adapt. Today when they showed up at 8am I accepted them without batting an eye, and we had a great day! And do I sleep well at night? Definitely.

School is making me smart

Our bedtime conversation.

Me: So, Lily-
Lily: I know what you're going to ask me, mom. You're going to ask me about school and what I did today.
Me: I'm going to be asking you those questions the rest of your life because I'm your mom and I love you.
Lily: Even when I'm grown up?
Me: Yep.
Lily: Well, when I go to college I'll be sure to call you and leave you messages.

Earlier today.

Lily: Hey mom, did you know that I've seen old men wearing earrings? Really.
Me: What do you think about that?
Lily: I think it's not consistent.
Me: You're right.

Lily begins the age of reason

Lily started preschool today. I was so excited for her...so happy for her to have this experience. Her little class (six girls and one boy) were all so wondering and shy. Of course this will wear off quickly, but today was very sweet. Especially when compared to the boisterous, chaotic kindergartners. I mean, the teacher tells the little four year olds to get in line and they look back at her with blank faces. I could go on and on, but will stop before I get too sentimental. More on school to come.

Ready to go.



















At school.

J Man

Jonathan is two and a half, but if you ask him, he is five. He has kicked it into high gear, energized by complete verbal skills and the ability to throw, run, and hit. We spend a great deal of time channeling this energy.

His imagination is also reaching great heights. In keeping with the time honored tradition of the "fish story," Jonathan related this to Lily when we picked her up from school today (and I quote).

Jonathan: See my scrape on my knee? See Wily? Wily, look at my scrape!!
Lily: I see it buddy. What happened?
J: Well, I was walkin', and this big crab came up, and bited my lil' knee, and he came up out of the water, and bit me. And I was in the sand, and there was this crab, and he got my knee. See Wily? And then he went back to the water and didn't bite me again. Well, anyway.
Lily: Good story buddy.

When, in reality, he had fallen in the school parking lot and cut it open on a rock. I mean, how boring! But a crab, with sand and water, now that's a real story! For my two year old to have grasped this concept was fascinating. We like a good story.

Thinning out (maybe).



















Saying goodbye to Lily.

Ryle Henry

Ryle turned 9 months old yesterday, and his latest developments include crawling up stairs (with someone behind ready to catch), pulling up to a stand (but not being able to dismount), and cutting some pretty impressively sized teeth. He popped out a cute little bottom tooth about a month ago, followed by a huge fang on the top, looked like a Jack o' lantern for a week, then cut a second tooth on the bottom. The other top tooth is on the verge of breaking through.

Most importantly, however, he has learned to clap and is our family cheer leader. Whenever anyone feels he or she needs a little boost, Ryle obliges by grinning hugely and clapping. Instead of "mom, watch me!" Lily and Jonathan now call for Ryle to watch as they go down the slide, jump off the box, turn a somersault (or whatever). In fact, Ryle makes a perfect one man audience, always watching, ready to clap and cheer for his siblings. I have trained him well.

The fang on top.















Pulling up. The only way to get down is to accidentally fall back on his bottom.



















Demonstrating new skills.

Family dinner

Ballet begins