Christmas-ing

We make

We prepare

We bake

We care

We wait

We play

We skate

We stay

We sled

We stop

We read

We pop

We give

We receive

We live

We believe

We quiet

We shout

We light

We doubt

We laugh

We sing

We half

We ring

We light

We dim

We brighten

We swim

We shine

We spread

We dine

We tread

We pine

We serve

We sigh

We urge

We warm

We freeze

We charm

We please

We open

We peek

We hold

We seek

You Tube videos

I've been wanting to do this for awhile.  There are several musicals that I remember from my childhood, and the songs still stick in my head today.  However, when I go to show them to my kids, I realize how inappropriate they are.  Wanting to show them the musical aspect of it without the nastiness of some of these shows, we've been watching the songs on YouTube.  I've decided to make a little collection here of some of our favorite YouTube videos, whether from old musicals or from favorite songs.

Enjoy (and don't forget to click the pause button on the playlist over there to the right, so you can hear these)!

A trip to Kansas

Not too long ago, we braved the loooooooooooong drive out to Kansas.  It gave me even more respect for the relatives who do this regularly.  It's far!  Well, it was worth the drive.  We got to spend the good part of 2 days with my brother and family.  We couldn't believe this was our first time to visit them in their lovely house, and their very lovely town.  

We got a dose of beautiful natural Kansas, which at this time of year was blue skies peeking through black trees, which are lining bright green fields.  We also got a good dose of family time. We have such wonderful families, and it is sheer joy to spend time with them.  It had been awhile since so many on Mark's side had gathered, but this year his Oma turned 90!  She is an amazing, inspiring woman to many, many people.  So, there was a party, and nearly all the relatives together.  It was great fun.  That bunch is funny and entertaining, loves kids, and eats well!  We also got to spend some time with Mark's dad's family, which was treasured as well.

Bug-a-roo is 2!

I often wonder how much I will remember about these days.  They are in some ways such a whirlwind that I cannot imagine remembering much.  This year between 1 and 2 is so precious.  I really think it's one of my favorite times to be a parent.  The emerging of language and motor skills and social development makes it so exciting for the child and the parent, and so entertaining!

So of this last year, I wonder if I will remember, Bug, that you dribbled a soccer ball around the yard, rode a scooter all on your own, climbed a tree and jumped down, you started to talk more and more, you called yourself "Binny" and made a funny face that you said was "like Daddy."  You are desperate to do everything your sisters do and say what they say, and practically be them.  That's why one of your most common phrases is "me too."  I love the way you are trying out language, and mixing up the order of things, like when you say, "Mama, love you me" or "Carry you me."  I really love the way you sing a song, with a sweet little melody, and I still laugh at how particular you are about how the song it sung.  It must be just the way you like, or else you get in my face, nose-touching-nose and whisper "Bop (stop) Mama."  You have a wonderful urgency in your talking that adds excitement to just about everything you say.  Sometimes it means you try to say something for a painfully long period of time, trying to spit it out, but your mind is just going faster than those oral motor skills can handle.  You love balls and trucks and musical instruments and things to push (strollers, carts, etc) and things to build.  You love to run, and can easily run all the way around the block without stopping.  We have to spell the word "go" or else you insist on coming too (no matter where or when).  I'm pretty sure I'll remember how you love to eat someone else's food, so much so, that we have to play a little game with you in order to get you to eat.  We have to pretend the food on your plate is our's, and tell you not to eat it!  You and Stella are very, very good friends.   You roll on each other, sit on each other, hug, kiss, and chase.

We love you very much, birthday boy.  We cannot imagine life without you!  You light up all of our lives.

Boo!

How wonderful, for us to be excited to run around our neighborhood, to look forward to seeing the many families we know on our block, and the many we don't know, to let Bug go at his own pace, while the girls ran on ahead with their cluster of friends, to joyfully run into adult friends along the way.  It is such a breath of fresh air to live like this.  

This year, Moo decided she wanted to be a dancing flower petal.  I tried hard not to push her to decide more specifically (could you be a flower? a certain kind of flower?) because she clearly had a vision, and it was not my vision.  She wanted to be a flower petal.  So, we went with it, and I think she was happy with the result.  G-bear wanted to be a witch with a green face.  Bug, well. . . he didn't choose, but happily sported his fox hat and tail, as he walked to each house, wide-eyed and jaw dropped.

8 years old

Every year it's hard to believe how old my oldest is.  It's such a milestone, her birth.  Everyone's is, of course, but her's marks a before and after that is quite significant.  Before kids, our lives were different, and though some change was gradual, some was immediate.

We love you, Moo!!!!!! You are the definition of light and of love and wings. (I didn't just come up with that, it's part of a line in the poem by e.e. cummings)

Moo wanted a royal tea party, with treasure hunt, decorating of crowns, and a ball room dance.   I realized that maybe we have now come to a place where I do much less planning of the birthday parties.  She came to me with a detailed plan, down to the decorations, the guests, the activities. . . We had to pare it down a bit, but it sure made my job easier.  And fun was had by all, I believe!

Of course, my favorite part came at the end, when all these princesses and princes were running around the yard, jumping in the leaves, starting up a soccer game, and chasing each other wildly!

Thanks to my friends, Carrie and Carol, who came to the rescue when I discovered I had left my camera at my parents' house!  They took the pictures and sent them to me. . . THANK YOU!!!