What she's saying

At 17 months old, Vivian understands almost everything we tell her. Using her own words, however, has been a slow process. Since she was 12 months, she's been saying "mo, mo, mo" for "more." Her "more" means everything from "I want" to "pick me up." She's now saying more words -- shoes, dog, meow, moo, yay, nose, mouth, daddy -- but she still uses "mo mo mo" for something she wants. And when I request that she says "up" to be picked up, she stares at me and opens her mouth (with no sound). It's hilariously cute, but totally missing the boat. Ah well, I'm sure we'll be miles along in a few more months.

Passed down

It's a neat thing to see, in the span of 6 short years, traditions being carried out. This is the third child who has used our wooden high chair, gifted to us before Evan was born from my Great-Aunt Nellie & Uncle Rich. 

This is also the third child who has used the toddler table that I purchased from a thrift store back when Evan was around 2. I brought it home, gave it a new coat of paint and recovered the chair cushions. All of the kids have loved it and Vivian is no different. She loves to get on and off of the chairs and take snacks and toys to "her" table. 

A big achievement

Today was a great day in the 6.5 years of Evan's life. He was recently retested for the Enrichment program at school (he missed the first test by 1 point on one section of the test) and today he received the letter that he had been accepted. When I told him this afternoon about the letter, he literally danced around the kitchen. Jason & I made very little emphasis (beforehand) on getting accepted -- we told him it would be a neat program, but if he didn't get in, it would be ok and that he could try again later if he wanted. But apparently, he thought it was important. He kept saying, "I can't believe I'm in Enrichment!" He said to Grant, "Grant, I passed my test for Enrichment -- you should tell me congratulations!" He also told me, "Mom, I tried my best and I passed!" It was so sweet. I delighted in his pride and told him, "That's all you can ever do -- try your best."

Silly dress day

That time of year again! Silly dress day at preschool. Grant follows in the footsteps of some pretty kooky outfits worn by Evan. Grant tried this morning to convince me that it was also silly dress for the moms -- that his teacher "said so." That kid is always trying to trick me. Oh, what am I in for in the years to come?

Favorite spot

Pip loves being half in, half out.

Evan, full of confidence

Not that I don't want to raise confident kids, but....

Evan came home from school earlier this week and said, "Mom, pretty much all the girls like me. I'm kind of like the 'main kid'."

Tales from Grant

As told by his father, while hiking during a camping trip:

G: [whining about being tired] Daddy, will you hold my arm?
J: Hold you arm? Why?
G: So I can suck my thumb while you hold onto me!


In the car:

G: Mom, I can buckle all by myself now.
C: Really, let me see!
G: See!
C: Wow, in one whole week you learned how to buckle yourself!
G: Yeah. I'm still 4.

Absence makes the heart grow

Upon arriving home from just a week away from the boys, I found them to have grown up more and grown closer. Not too long ago was a scene where Evan would cry and cry about Grant "touching my toys!" Now they're scheming together on "how to set traps to trick Dad." Of course, there are still plenty of tears -- from both -- and screams of "he hit me!" on a regular basis. But the two have a definite bond and as they are growing older, and are developing their own unique, brotherly relationship.

Happy New Years!

Here's to the start of another year... may it be wonderful!