Monday, January 11, 2010

Bowling With You

So Marcy and I both wrote posts this week. I had not realized that she had written, so I wrote this ...

A quiet week here as we got back into the groove from our time away.

Lily was back at school on Monday and had a good time in her ballet class. Her semester end performance, her last at this school, is right around the corner! Kindergarten is coming up and she seems to be excited about heading off into the great big world, even if we are not ready for her to go just yet.

Jack was glad to be back with Beatrice and to his routine of visiting the library and the community center. In June he will be starting at his new school so he is enjoying his last few months with 100% of Beatrice's attention. His vocabulary continues to explode and he knows all sorts or words. His favorites this week appear to be "Stop it!" which he shouts whenever anyone other than him attempts to sing,

Not much else to report this week ... On Friday, Marcy took the kids swimming and they had a great time. On Saturday we ran some errands and relaxed. Marcy and Lily made some great home made chocolate chip cookies. Sunday started with swim lessons, then we went duck pin bowling with friends and finished off the day with dinner at Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice's house.

That is all for now. Onto the pictures ... and video ...


And she wrote this:

After getting back into the swing of things with school, Beatrice, and work, we had a fun, low key weekend. On Friday, Lily, Jack, and Mom went swimming, followed by a long nap by Jack, and Lily got to play with some of her holiday presents. On Saturday, we ran errands and hung around at home playing with toys and Mom and Lily made chocolate chip cookies - Jack got in another good nap. On Sunday, Lily had swimming lessons in which she worked on freestyle and floating on her back, then we went duckpin bowling with friends Donna, Dave, Sean, James, and Charlotte - both Lily and Jack had a blast, definitely a good winter activity! We finished out the day with a visit with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis.

Lily is really working hard on spelling and sounding out words and is constantly reading books with her leapfrog pen. She has also mastered the days of the week, and after making a real clock at school is now working on telling time. Jack is a talking machine - he forms sentences "Come back here Elmo" (that was in the tub) and "Where Lily go?" are just a few examples. He can identify shapes, and is doing pretty well with colors. He essentially likes to give a running commentary as to anything that is going on around him, and will continue telling you it is dark outside or that he sees the moon until you acknowledge him. Beatrice has been working with him on a large alphabet floor puzzle that she got him for Christmas in which he jumps from one letter to the next. He also continues to be a troublemaker and always wants to play with whatever Lily has, and when he goes to timeout he generally thinks it is funny and tries to be cute. He has zero interest in potty training so we will give it another few months. We have received confirmation that he will start at Lily's school in mid to late June so we would love to start potty training before then but fortunately it is not a necessity for him to go to school. Lily and Jack are getting along reasonably well. and I often find them in the bathroom, Lily on the toilet reading a book to Jack who is sitting on the stool.

We didn't have the camera this weekend, only got some shots of duckpin bowling, will try to do better next week!


All the news that's fit to print ... twice! Only one post next week ...



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Jack found the baby toys hidden in the shower and was having fun checking them out.


Jack bowling. He kept wanting to watch the screen on the camera!


Lily's turn.

2010-01-11 18:20:57 -0500
This is the weekly news feed at school:  Lily is a bit excited about the upcoming visit by her cousin Alli.  The word "house" should obviously be inserted after "my."  

Monday, January 04, 2010

The Christmas Waltz|Florida

Christmas, New Year's ... two weeks since our last post and a lot to catch up on.

Since our last visit we have had a chance to see friends, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents. Endured cold, sickness and a trip to Florida. Let's start at the beginning.

After a short week of school, Lily and Jack spent the day before Christmas Eve with Aunt Kelly who was visiting and babysitting. Then it was off to Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's for the Xmas festivities. Also visiting were Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and Cousin Casey. Christmas Eve started off normal enough but ended with Marcy have the stuffing knocked out of her by the stomach flu. Ten hours later she was fine but it certainly dazed her ... Christmas would go on though.

Friday morning was mayhem at the grandparents with wrapping paper flying everywhere. Santa took good care of Lily, bringing a guitar, some Princess & Prince dolls, a vet kit ... the list goes on. Jack got some tools and dinosaurs and books and so on. That was before presents from Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents began (American Girl clothes (three new outfits)). Needless to say, there are a few new toys and books in the house now.

With Marcy feeling better, we packed up to head home so that we could leave early Saturday morning for a visit to Florida. There we had a chance to see Aunt Donna, Uncle Stephen and Cousins Emilie and Stephanie. We also had a chance to visit with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis. Before any of the fun could begin, however, Jack was visited by the stomach bug. Since we started the year with meningitis, finishing it off with the stomach flu was no big deal. That being said, Jack was sick every half hour from 1 am until 4 am. He was fine the next day and then it was my turn to be sick. Somehow, Lily avoided it and no one else in the house got sick.

After everyone felt better, we kept busy with trips to the pool, riding bikes, a visit to the ocean and a rockin' New Year's Eve. We had a great time visiting everyone and returned home on Saturday.

Special thanks go out to Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen who were such great hosts (even putting up with our illness) and to Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice for hosting our day at the beach.

On to the pictures ...

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Lily and Aunt Tracy smushing Uncle Stan.

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Casey and Jack in their matching Christmas Eve pajamas.

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Opening presents.

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Checking out her vet kit.

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Julie dressed up in a new outfit - complete with goggles and snow board. Julie also got a cowgirl outfit and a figure skating outfit, complete with skates and blade guards.

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With Aunt Kelly in hats from Aunt Tracy & Uncle Stan.

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Julie checking out the snowman after hitting the slopes.

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Our annual Florida face painting.

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Playing with cars and Uncle Stephen.

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Horsing around with cousin Stephanie.

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Celebrating Jack's birthday.

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Jack checking out the sand at the beach.

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Lily investigating the ocean.

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Jack avoiding the waves with the help of Grandpa Maurice. About half an hour later, Jack got really adventurous and was in the water up this knees. Then he got stung by a Man-of-War and we had to take him home!

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On New Year's Eve at dinner with Aunt Donna.

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Fancy Nancy at bedtime.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Snowblind

Snow! Snow! Snow! We have been enjoying Snowpocalypse 2009, close to 2 feet of snow! Lily has been having a blast, she has been sledding in front of our house and playing with neighbors, went sledding on a big hill with Dad, and sledded for about 3 hours at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's today. Jack is very enthusiastic about getting on all of his snow gear, but once he gets out there, he is a little hesitant. He just gets swallowed up by the snow. He had fun on Sunday with a shovel and bucket although he wants to keep taking off his gloves, and has gone sledding a few times.

We are gearing up for Christmas - Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and cousin Casey managed to drive into town on Saturday and Aunt Kelly arrived last night!

Merry Christmas!!

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Working on an art project on his new desk a birthday gift from friends Meredyth and Shellie.

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At her last skating lesson.


Jack rocking out. That is him yelling Rock Star at the end.

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Just another dinner around here.

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Jack and his new Cabbage Patch Kid - Pat. A gift from Cousin Emilie.

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Pat is a big kid.

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Lil showing off her new cd - a gift from Cousin Emilie.

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Ready to face the snow.

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Covered in snow.

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Recovering from the snow by painting Hanukkah cookies sent by Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen.

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Sledding on Sunday.


A quick trip down the hill at the local school field.

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Hiking back up the mountain with Aunt Tracy and Aunt Kelly.

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Jack coming back up the hill with an assist from Grandma Gail.

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Just hanging around.

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Lily at the front of the train.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Each Small Candle

We have Jack's official stats in, he is 26 lbs, 3 ounces (25th percentile) and 35 inches tall (75th percentile) - he is a tall, skinny fella - we told the doctor it is because he only eats two meals a day, usually preferring to skip dinner, but no fear he is getting plenty of nutrition in the all the fruit he eats and milk he drinks! He also loves the gummy vitamins! He was healthy and the pediatrician said it was such a pleasure to examine a 2 year old who did not scream and fight her.

Hanukah is in full swing...Lily had her Hanukah party at school where she learned all about the menorah, dreidels, and Macabees - she already knows a lot from all of the books we read, but always nice to have a refresher. On Friday, Mom, Lily and Jack went to dinner with friend Sarah - this was Jack's second time dining at Spices in DC and he was not much better than last time, he really enjoys touring the restaurant and thus it is all about eating and running. We rushed home from dinner to light the candle for the first night of Hanukah, and the kids opened their first of eight gifts courtesy of Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen. Lily was very excited to open her American Girl pjs, she and Julie now have matching pjs (see below).

On Saturday, we headed to Grandpa Maurice's and Grandma Phyllis' for Hanukah dinner - we ate some latkes and Dad even made some kugel. G&G gave Lily a Nutcracker book and jewelry box, while Jack got a book about his name and some funny magnetic acrobats. They are enjoying their gifts!

On Sunday morning, while Mom braved the cold and rain to run a 10K, Dad held down the fort and took Lily to her last swim lesson. She has officially graduated to the next level which will start at the beginning of the new year, she loves swimming and she is making grand improvement. Next, it was off to The Nutracker Ballet at the Warner Theatre in DC with Hayley and Ms. Michelle - we had great seats and the girls loved the show. Dad and Jack hung at home, watched a little football, and Jack got in a good nap.

Tonight, we celebrated the fourth night of Hanukah - the kids love lighting the candles and opening gifts! Happy Hanukah to everyone!

In closing, special wishes to Bubbie who is feeling a bit under the weather. And many thanks to Great Aunt Donna who is working hard to take care of her!

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Checking out her new snowman.

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Learning that it lights up!

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Trying on some new mittens.

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Opening some presents with Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice.

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Is that Lily or Julie - it is hard to tell them apart.

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Sugar plum fairies.

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Working on a painting.

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A masterpiece in progress.

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Checking out the menorah.

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Monday, December 07, 2009

Tea for Two

Happy Birthday to Jack! He officially turned 2 today after a weekend of birthday activity. Jack loved hearing people sing happy birthday to him over the weekend and loved singing it to himself.

On Saturday, both sets of grandparents came over to celebrate Jack's birthday. Some of Jack's fun presents included little footballs from Aunt Kelly, a tool truck from cousin Casey, Aunt Tracy and Uncle Stan, a piano from Emilie, a cleaning cart from cousin Stephanie, a Matchbox car set from Grandma Gail and Granpda Tom, and Mr. Men books from Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice - Jack is very appreciative for all of his birthday gifts and wishes! Both Jack and Lily have thoroughly been enjoying the new toys!

Over the weekend we also enjoyed our first mini snow storm - unfortunately it was just a little too wet to really go outside and enjoy but it was nice to look at. On Sunday, Lily had swim lessons, and Mom and Lily went ice skating, she is getting pretty good at both.

Enjoy the pics and video.

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Checking out his new drill.

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Checking out his piano with his new Thomas backpack. Jack's new cleaning cart is in the background.

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Ready for dinner with some balloons.

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A portrait of the two year old and five year old! How time flies.


Singing.


Cupcake time ...


...

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Suffering through another Redskin's game and taking the edge off with a little milk.