Another year has passed. I say it every year, and I mean it every year.....where has the time gone so quickly? Seems like just yesterday we were crazy kids ourselves and now, our kids are growing like weeds.
2012 was decent year. It had it's ups and down's and while it ended on a not-so-high note, it provided us with much to grow on in 2013.
Top ten lists were a common sight in Christmas Cards this year, so here (in no particular order) is the White Family Top Ten List of 2012:
1. Alexandra turned 4.
2. Nathan turned 8.
3. Nathan started 2nd grade in July.
4. Alex learned her letters and their sounds (finally!) and is starting to read.
5. Both kids had their first dance recital in June. They killed it!
6. Our favorite neighbor got married and we loved being part of her day!
7. September was the White Family trip....a cruise to New England and Canada.
8. Grandpa-great turned 90! We love that guy!
9. We lost a dear friend when Jared died. This was really tough.
10. Disneyland full year passes.....wowzers!
We also had some wonderful visits with family (Zoe was here in December). Spent the year watching the twins grow in to crazy three year olds. Are still learning Chinese (well, Nathan is anyway). Filled out pre-registration forms for Alex for kindergarten (I cried). Spent the night at Grand America (Nathan has wanted to do this for ages!). And took the grandparents (all 3 of them) to Vernal to see the Dinosaurs.
With 2013 right around the corner, there are some big things on our plates. Alex will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, she is soooo excited to go to the "big" school. I am learning that my kids will grow up no matter how hard I try to keep them little. Nathan will hit 3rd grade. Amazing! he will continue in his Chinese immersion program. Grandpa and Grandma White are going to serve a mission for the LDS Church and while we are excited for them, we sure will miss them too!We are going to get some use out of our Disney passes....Greg and I will return this spring to Disneyland for our 13th anniversary and 1st trip to see the Mouse without the kids, since we had kids. We also plan to go to Disneyland later in the year with Gran and the Hadden's for the twins first trip. I am so excited for them. We will continue to pray for a baby for Mike and Stephanie, by birth or adoption (we aren't picky). Plus I am sure we will be visiting Grandpa and Grandma somewhere! Dance recital is in June and both kids are in 2 classes this time around.......my little performers.
So here is to 2013......may it find you happy and healthy!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Election 2012
I am so tired of this election cycle. I am exhausted. I am tired of the candidates and their incessant blabbering. We have been playing this election game for far to long in my opinion. In addition to the candidates non-stop yapping, we now have social media, and suddenly the good and decent people you thought you knew have turned into purple polka-dotted monsters. Spewing whatever crap (both true and false) their party has given them the previous few days. I, unlike many, try to stay out of it and keep my nose mildly clean. It's not that I don't have my opinions, because I certainly do, but I respect that those around me may not feel the same.
I also HATE when those running for office tell me how bad their opponent is......I will do my own looking into your opponent, tell me about you! Tell me about your plan and YOUR ideas! Pointing out your opponents short comings makes you look shallow and mean, and I don't do shallow and mean. I also do not appreciate 5 million phone calls, this is particularly true when I am putting my children to bed, or after I have told you 65 times I will not support your candidate. (Mia Love, please make note of both these statements.) And if I ask to have my name removed from a calling list and your volunteer gets nasty, it sure doesn't win you any points in my book, whether you have paid for the add or not. You might consider that when you develop your platform, and who you seek support from.
That may all sound like I do not value my vote. My right to vote. My American status. You are WRONG. I am very deeply rooted in my roots. I am only a second generation American on my mom's side of the family. My grandparents did it the hard way. They came here (one on a cattle boat, thank you very much), established themselves, had a family. My Grandmother, even became a citizen after many years. I don't know about my Grandpa, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, he died when my mom was young. I very much value the rights and liberties I have, and am grateful for them.
So yes, I will vote. I have my mail-in ballot right here next to me on the table. And I will likely complain to someone (likely my politically chatty husband) about how the elections turn out. But don't for one second think I will not be so excited they are OVER!!! After all, someone will have to start campaigning again 6 months from now for an election 3 and 1/2 years from that time.
I also HATE when those running for office tell me how bad their opponent is......I will do my own looking into your opponent, tell me about you! Tell me about your plan and YOUR ideas! Pointing out your opponents short comings makes you look shallow and mean, and I don't do shallow and mean. I also do not appreciate 5 million phone calls, this is particularly true when I am putting my children to bed, or after I have told you 65 times I will not support your candidate. (Mia Love, please make note of both these statements.) And if I ask to have my name removed from a calling list and your volunteer gets nasty, it sure doesn't win you any points in my book, whether you have paid for the add or not. You might consider that when you develop your platform, and who you seek support from.
That may all sound like I do not value my vote. My right to vote. My American status. You are WRONG. I am very deeply rooted in my roots. I am only a second generation American on my mom's side of the family. My grandparents did it the hard way. They came here (one on a cattle boat, thank you very much), established themselves, had a family. My Grandmother, even became a citizen after many years. I don't know about my Grandpa, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, he died when my mom was young. I very much value the rights and liberties I have, and am grateful for them.
So yes, I will vote. I have my mail-in ballot right here next to me on the table. And I will likely complain to someone (likely my politically chatty husband) about how the elections turn out. But don't for one second think I will not be so excited they are OVER!!! After all, someone will have to start campaigning again 6 months from now for an election 3 and 1/2 years from that time.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Holy Terror
I love my girl. I love her tenacity. How daring she is, and how she takes all things in stride. I have more than once called her my "what the hell" child. And I mean that in a good way, for her, but not for me. This child will be the death of me, I swear. Many are the times I have had to take a deep breath and just watch, knowing that whatever she is up to may not end well, and luckily, when it doesn't she cries only for a moment before she is, truthfully, back at whatever it was that she just got hurt doing. She looks at all things as something she CAN do. Hence the "what the hell" label. Alexandra looks at things, get that particular look in her eye, the one that you can just see her wheels spinning with, and you know she is off to it. No matter what it may be.
Off-tracking
Let's see, both the kids are back in school, for now. Both started dance this week, but we only started on Wednesday and Nathan has a Tuesday class too. I guess I need to find this families grove. Easier said then done. We have only a few days before Nathan tracks-off (he goes to school for 5-6 weeks then is off for 3 weeks) and that usually throws things into a tailspin. As hard as I try to keep the same routine every day, there is just something about having him home that throw a wrench in nearly everything. I love the kid, and he is by no means a pest, but it's just WEIRD to have him home all of a sudden. Nothing really changes, we just don't take him to school. But that also means he wants to play with friends, eat lunch, have snacks. He needs me to help him with a few of those things, which I do. But some days it just makes things really complicated. More so for me. I like my schedule and when we throw a wrench in it, ugh. And just as I get use to having him home, back he goes to school. I think this is some one's idea of a joke. Maybe I am just the only one who doesn't find it to be terribly funny. I can safely say that this schedule was not created with mom's in mind.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Back to School
07/25/2012
Alex's first day of 4-year-old Preschool 2012-2013
08/22/2012
We did our favorite quick getaway the weekend before Nate went back to school and ran to the Little America for a quick overnighter. The kids love to swim and just have the adventure of not being at home. No bedtime, no real rules. We even got a bonus of being able to see the fireworks that went off right down the street from our hotel. We settled in at the window and watched them in all our air conditioned glory. Sa-weet!
Nathan goes off track in just about 2 weeks and I will love having him home. He is so much fun. He has been reading Harry Potter lately and very much enjoying it. I never thought I would be a mom who was okay with a year round schedule and I am not sure I love it, but when you have a kid in a immersion program, it is more blessing than curse. And I have learned to love to be able to go do things on our off track periods when everyone else is in school. I don't mind traveling but I am not a fan of crowds or long lines.
We had one more milestone for our family in August. One that both thrilled us, and left (at least me!) in tears. Our wonderful, adorable, amazing neighbor got married. Courtney was 14 when we moved in and she and Nate bonded from their first meeting. In fact, I think she was the first non-family member to touch him after he was born. I love that girl and admit freely that she has saved my butt on more than one occasion. And while I want her to be grown, married and wildly happy with her sweet husband, Ethan, I am so sad to see her go. This is two-fold. First, I love that girl like there is no tomorrow. We moved to a house where I knew NO ONE and this sweet girl not only loves my kid(s) but takes the very best care of them and I can hand her a credit card and send her to the grocery store or beg her to bring me milk on her way home. And she not only did it, she did it with a smile. She was always excited to watch the kids and they LOVED when I would tell them Court was coming over. I don't think she knows how much she meant to me all those years. The second reason I am sad to see her go is this: if she can grow up and move on, so can my kids. That is a horrifying thought. I realize that I have a lot of years before that happens, but I am sure Court's parents, at one time, thought they did too! There are no words to thank her for all her love and care. You will always be "Our Courtney" and we love ya kid! Thank you for letting us be part of your special day.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Summer 2012, Part One
Does it seem like time just keeps going fast and faster to anyone else? I keeping waiting for the day when I am able to catch up to all the forces swirling around me, at this rate that is never going to happen. Anyone else?
The beginning of June brought our last 1st grade off track (well, part of May and June). It was bitter sweet and we got our schedules all messed up. A good holiday and loads of fun will do that to you. And then we smacked the middle of June, just as we went back to school, we had our very first dance recital. Times two! My kids are so stinking cute and I am so wildly proud of them. We spent two very long days at the Theater (yes, real theater...and all the way downtown too!) with both dress rehearsal and performances in two different shows on the same night. I saw this as a blessing and a curse. First, it was great because the kids got to see each other's performances. Which was awesome to have them cheer for each other. But wholly crap it was a L...O....N...G couple days for all of us. Three weeks later, I still feel like I am recovering a little. So that Thursday and Friday night were nuts, and then Greg had to work all weekend. When we finally rolled into Monday, we had our studio party at a local water slide park and that meant we were out late there too. But I am happy to report both kids *nailed it* and loved every second. Nathan has asked to dance again next year and Alex has informed me that she will be taking ballet AND tap/jazz.
I am proud to report that, as of the end of June, Nathan has successfully completed the first grade. In both English and Chinese. He is reading on a high third grade level and can do math in two languages. The kid amazes me. That means I have wrapped my year as room mom, and will be passing the torch to the next crazy person in line. It was a great experience and I loved Nathan's teacher, but I am looking forward to just being a party helper instead of a party thrower in the second grade. Alex wrapped up 3 year old preschool and asks daily when she gets to go back to school and when whether this is the year she will go to "the big school" with Nathan. One more year of preschool kiddo.
Summer is only three weeks long for us. Nathan goes back to school before July is out. Second grade is lapping at our heels. We don't really have anything exciting planned. I think we need some down time around here. We have a big trip planned for the Fall and the kids are begging to hit Disneyland again this Winter. So we will have to see what plays out in the next couple of weekends.
The beginning of June brought our last 1st grade off track (well, part of May and June). It was bitter sweet and we got our schedules all messed up. A good holiday and loads of fun will do that to you. And then we smacked the middle of June, just as we went back to school, we had our very first dance recital. Times two! My kids are so stinking cute and I am so wildly proud of them. We spent two very long days at the Theater (yes, real theater...and all the way downtown too!) with both dress rehearsal and performances in two different shows on the same night. I saw this as a blessing and a curse. First, it was great because the kids got to see each other's performances. Which was awesome to have them cheer for each other. But wholly crap it was a L...O....N...G couple days for all of us. Three weeks later, I still feel like I am recovering a little. So that Thursday and Friday night were nuts, and then Greg had to work all weekend. When we finally rolled into Monday, we had our studio party at a local water slide park and that meant we were out late there too. But I am happy to report both kids *nailed it* and loved every second. Nathan has asked to dance again next year and Alex has informed me that she will be taking ballet AND tap/jazz.
I am proud to report that, as of the end of June, Nathan has successfully completed the first grade. In both English and Chinese. He is reading on a high third grade level and can do math in two languages. The kid amazes me. That means I have wrapped my year as room mom, and will be passing the torch to the next crazy person in line. It was a great experience and I loved Nathan's teacher, but I am looking forward to just being a party helper instead of a party thrower in the second grade. Alex wrapped up 3 year old preschool and asks daily when she gets to go back to school and when whether this is the year she will go to "the big school" with Nathan. One more year of preschool kiddo.
Summer is only three weeks long for us. Nathan goes back to school before July is out. Second grade is lapping at our heels. We don't really have anything exciting planned. I think we need some down time around here. We have a big trip planned for the Fall and the kids are begging to hit Disneyland again this Winter. So we will have to see what plays out in the next couple of weekends.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Ups and Downs
I miss the days when my kids napped. I miss those precious moments I had to myself. I love how they are growing, and most days I love who they are becoming. Like right this moment I am pretty sure our lawn care guys (best ever!!) probably know how the animals at the zoo feel. There are four little people sitting on the back deck staring and yelling at them. Nothing like mowing the lawn for an audience. And really they are pretty good kids. We have been off-track for the past two weeks, and usually I am a bedtime nazi. No matter on track or off, I make them go to bed at the same time. Well, I admit, the past week or so I have been terrible, we have been up late nearly every night and this would not be so much of a problem if the kiddos would just sleep in a little bit, but they do not. And that leads to grumpy, whiny kids. Which quickly leads to a mommy breakdown. Not a good combination. I have got to get us all back on track, or we are going to be in big trouble.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Twelve
Twelve years ago I married my best friend. Greg is my husband, my friend and so much more. He sent me roses on Friday, I can't remember the last time I had flowers delivered to me.....probably when I had Alex 4+ years ago. To be fair he has given me flowers many times since then, it's just when you work at a grocery store, it is so easy to bring flowers home, which he does! We have had our fair share of crazy ( hello $100,000 baby!) and it feels like more good then I have ever deserved. I am the luckiest girl around. Eat your heart out world!
Monday, April 2, 2012
March 2012
Wowzer, time flies when you are busy living life. Things here are moving along at a clip that seems to never slow down.
We are in the middle of a doggy sitting jag. Conan and Roo made their appearance in late February and it looks like they will likely be with us until at least May. They are great dogs, great big dogs. They have made themselves at home. Conan has decided his favorite places are sacked out on the couch and my bed. My poor cream colored blanket was nearly grey from all the black doggy hair. I can vouch for the fact that German Shepherds only shed on days that end with a "y". Wholly dog hair batman! But they have been gems and we love having them. Greg had to work three overnights in a row, and I loved the piece of mind I had when I went to bed at night, knowing my big dogs were sleeping near by. There was also the added bonus of my cousin in the spare bedroom, and his highway patrol car in the driveway. I don't think I could be an "overnight" wife. Those nights were miserable and the days were miserable. Thankfully, remodeling doesn't happen but once in a blue moon.
We survived off-track. Nathan was a little disappointed that we weren't going anywhere this time. Considering the last 2 off-tracks have brought some big trips (a cruise and Disneyland) I can understand his expectation, and really I wish we had been able to go someplace, but with doggies, it made it necessary to stay home for a change. Maybe in next time we can have an adventure.
Speaking of adventures, the other day we had to take my Aunt home, she lives about 2 hours away, part freeway driving part canyon highway. On the way home, about 20 minutes into our drive home Alex informed me she had to pee. When I asked her if she could hold it, she informed me she could not, so I found a little place to pull over so she could pee on a tree. We all jumped out of the car, Nathan ran over to do his business and Alex looked at me like I was going to chop her arm off. I wanted her to WHAT? So I help (got her) out of the car and my mom was talking to her. Well, the minute I let go of her she ran and crawled back in the car and started crying and yelling about how she was NOT going to pee in the bushes. She is usually so adventurous, so I snagged her back out of the car, kicking and screaming (literally!) and hauled her over to the bushes so she could pee. Needless to say, she was NOT! going to have anything to do with this nonsense. So I told her she could hold it, she said that was fine, and we all got back in the car. Me, licking my lip wound from where she scratched my face while trying to escape me trying to make her pee on a bush. And she wants to go camping....should be interesting.
March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. And was over before I hardly had time to realize it.
We are in the middle of a doggy sitting jag. Conan and Roo made their appearance in late February and it looks like they will likely be with us until at least May. They are great dogs, great big dogs. They have made themselves at home. Conan has decided his favorite places are sacked out on the couch and my bed. My poor cream colored blanket was nearly grey from all the black doggy hair. I can vouch for the fact that German Shepherds only shed on days that end with a "y". Wholly dog hair batman! But they have been gems and we love having them. Greg had to work three overnights in a row, and I loved the piece of mind I had when I went to bed at night, knowing my big dogs were sleeping near by. There was also the added bonus of my cousin in the spare bedroom, and his highway patrol car in the driveway. I don't think I could be an "overnight" wife. Those nights were miserable and the days were miserable. Thankfully, remodeling doesn't happen but once in a blue moon.
We survived off-track. Nathan was a little disappointed that we weren't going anywhere this time. Considering the last 2 off-tracks have brought some big trips (a cruise and Disneyland) I can understand his expectation, and really I wish we had been able to go someplace, but with doggies, it made it necessary to stay home for a change. Maybe in next time we can have an adventure.
Speaking of adventures, the other day we had to take my Aunt home, she lives about 2 hours away, part freeway driving part canyon highway. On the way home, about 20 minutes into our drive home Alex informed me she had to pee. When I asked her if she could hold it, she informed me she could not, so I found a little place to pull over so she could pee on a tree. We all jumped out of the car, Nathan ran over to do his business and Alex looked at me like I was going to chop her arm off. I wanted her to WHAT? So I help (got her) out of the car and my mom was talking to her. Well, the minute I let go of her she ran and crawled back in the car and started crying and yelling about how she was NOT going to pee in the bushes. She is usually so adventurous, so I snagged her back out of the car, kicking and screaming (literally!) and hauled her over to the bushes so she could pee. Needless to say, she was NOT! going to have anything to do with this nonsense. So I told her she could hold it, she said that was fine, and we all got back in the car. Me, licking my lip wound from where she scratched my face while trying to escape me trying to make her pee on a bush. And she wants to go camping....should be interesting.
March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. And was over before I hardly had time to realize it.
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 9, 2012
It is a good week into February and it was 55* today. We have had a really weird winter. We have not yet had to shovel snow. At all. Not once. I have really mixed feelings about this crazy weather. I am a snow girl. I attribute it to being a winter baby. I love the cold and the snow and that freshly covered look A good snowman. Snow angels.
We froze our butts off in December. Had temps that I would have expected now. About this time of year we have snow on all the lawns and in the field behind our house. It is not all this yucky uncovered ugliness. I feel like Spring is going to be very anti-climactic around here. Ya know, since it started in January.
We froze our butts off in December. Had temps that I would have expected now. About this time of year we have snow on all the lawns and in the field behind our house. It is not all this yucky uncovered ugliness. I feel like Spring is going to be very anti-climactic around here. Ya know, since it started in January.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
2011 in a Nutshell...
Wow, to cram a whole year into a nutshell. I will give it a try......
Greg started the year still driving 65 miles round trip to work. At a store that he hated. With a crappy staff. But, being the Mr. Awesome that he is, he not only held it together, he was able to persevere and make it better. At least to a degree. We waded through crappy days off. But it all paid off in June when he was able to put in for a transfer to a store so much closer to home. We go the offer over 4th of July weekend, and six very long weeks later he was able to transfer to his new store. So August was a good month here. He has a great staff, that is super nice and he is back to a "normal" schedule. Which we are all so grateful to have. Greg didn't go to Alaska this year with his Dad, which has been the case for the past 6 years. This year the whole family went on a cruise to Mexico in September and it was so fun. Us, the kids, Greg's parents and his brother Mike and his cute wife. We had a wonderful time and I am sure we will be doing that again. Throw in some fantasy football (or 10 teams) and a whole lot of reading books (his new passion) and I think Greg would list 2011 ending on a high note.
I spent 2011 pursuing a lot of interests. I spent my 6th year on the Ronald McDonald House Gala Committee. I got the chance to work for the March of Dimes with March for Babies. A charity especially near and dear to my heart. And I also continue to watch my nephews, be a stay-at-home mom and also still work part-time as a pharmacy tech. My plate is plenty full and I am grateful to be able to do so much and have a chance to give back when I have so very much. Along with our cruise we also took the kids to Disneyland for a week in December. It was a truly lovely trip. We got to meet up with friends we adore and spend sometime with them, and also just relax and enjoy our children. I am also a room mom for Nathan's class so I have mastered the art of planning classroom parties. The end of December also brought a show of my natural grace when I stepped down to what I thought was the bottom stair (it wasn't) and I broke my left foot. I spent 4 long weeks in a boot, but am happy to report things seem to have healed well.
Speaking of Nathan, where to start! He tried tennis in 2011. He was good at it, but didn't want to continue to play, so we have moved on to other endeavors. He broke his other arm this year, in February. So for those keeping track he has now broken BOTH arms. This time there was no cast, he broke it high up by his shoulder, and so we spent 3 weeks in a sling while trying to make a 6 year old take it easy. He finished up kindergarten with flying colors, and breezed right into first grade where he is in an immersion program learning Chinese of all things. At Fall parent/teacher conferences, he was reading on a late second grade level and doing well at everything but sitting still. Nothing new there. He has had the chance to speak to a handful of Chinese speakers, and they are always very impressed with him. The blond haired, blue eyed boy who speaks Chinese. He almost always takes them by surprise that he speaks so well with such clarity and accent. He has some great friends that he loves to play with and we spend our Fridays and Weekends taking turns with extra children or dropping him off to play. Also, Nathan decided to give dance a whirl (ugh....sorry for the pun) and he is taking a tap/jazz class at the studio where Alex is dancing. He loves the class and I think is looking forward to recital in June. Nathan ended the year with his seventh birthday and trip to Disneyland. And he is begging for our next cruise to be on a Disney ship.
Alexandra, as she does every year, started 2011 with a birthday. She was 3 and at our house 3 is much worse then 2. Most of the year was spent hanging with mom, but she did have a few huge milestones. First, she had her tubes out of her ears and the holes patched in June. Never to be "normal" after 25 months her tubes never fell out, so we had to have them pulled out by the ENT and then had to do a lot of praying that they healed properly. After 6 long weeks of waiting she was proclaimed whole and it has been great. No more ear plugs and her hearing has returned to normal (big collective sigh of relief here!) Top that off with no ear infections in almost three years and I am good! The Fall brought the start of preschool and she loves it. Her teacher reports that she is really quiet in class. WHAT?!?! Alex quiet? I am going to have to take her word for it. She learns so much different then her brother, I am still getting used to it. She also started ballet. She is so cute in her pink tights, leo and skirt. I totally admit to reliving my favorite times through her. She also loved the cruise and Disneyland, and was excited that Santa brought her a "waza" scooter like Nate's.
So let's see, 2 big vacations. Broken arm for Nathan, a little surgery for Alex, broken foot for me. Greg kinda got off easy in the personal injury department! Can't wait for the adventures of 2012!
Greg started the year still driving 65 miles round trip to work. At a store that he hated. With a crappy staff. But, being the Mr. Awesome that he is, he not only held it together, he was able to persevere and make it better. At least to a degree. We waded through crappy days off. But it all paid off in June when he was able to put in for a transfer to a store so much closer to home. We go the offer over 4th of July weekend, and six very long weeks later he was able to transfer to his new store. So August was a good month here. He has a great staff, that is super nice and he is back to a "normal" schedule. Which we are all so grateful to have. Greg didn't go to Alaska this year with his Dad, which has been the case for the past 6 years. This year the whole family went on a cruise to Mexico in September and it was so fun. Us, the kids, Greg's parents and his brother Mike and his cute wife. We had a wonderful time and I am sure we will be doing that again. Throw in some fantasy football (or 10 teams) and a whole lot of reading books (his new passion) and I think Greg would list 2011 ending on a high note.
I spent 2011 pursuing a lot of interests. I spent my 6th year on the Ronald McDonald House Gala Committee. I got the chance to work for the March of Dimes with March for Babies. A charity especially near and dear to my heart. And I also continue to watch my nephews, be a stay-at-home mom and also still work part-time as a pharmacy tech. My plate is plenty full and I am grateful to be able to do so much and have a chance to give back when I have so very much. Along with our cruise we also took the kids to Disneyland for a week in December. It was a truly lovely trip. We got to meet up with friends we adore and spend sometime with them, and also just relax and enjoy our children. I am also a room mom for Nathan's class so I have mastered the art of planning classroom parties. The end of December also brought a show of my natural grace when I stepped down to what I thought was the bottom stair (it wasn't) and I broke my left foot. I spent 4 long weeks in a boot, but am happy to report things seem to have healed well.
Speaking of Nathan, where to start! He tried tennis in 2011. He was good at it, but didn't want to continue to play, so we have moved on to other endeavors. He broke his other arm this year, in February. So for those keeping track he has now broken BOTH arms. This time there was no cast, he broke it high up by his shoulder, and so we spent 3 weeks in a sling while trying to make a 6 year old take it easy. He finished up kindergarten with flying colors, and breezed right into first grade where he is in an immersion program learning Chinese of all things. At Fall parent/teacher conferences, he was reading on a late second grade level and doing well at everything but sitting still. Nothing new there. He has had the chance to speak to a handful of Chinese speakers, and they are always very impressed with him. The blond haired, blue eyed boy who speaks Chinese. He almost always takes them by surprise that he speaks so well with such clarity and accent. He has some great friends that he loves to play with and we spend our Fridays and Weekends taking turns with extra children or dropping him off to play. Also, Nathan decided to give dance a whirl (ugh....sorry for the pun) and he is taking a tap/jazz class at the studio where Alex is dancing. He loves the class and I think is looking forward to recital in June. Nathan ended the year with his seventh birthday and trip to Disneyland. And he is begging for our next cruise to be on a Disney ship.
Alexandra, as she does every year, started 2011 with a birthday. She was 3 and at our house 3 is much worse then 2. Most of the year was spent hanging with mom, but she did have a few huge milestones. First, she had her tubes out of her ears and the holes patched in June. Never to be "normal" after 25 months her tubes never fell out, so we had to have them pulled out by the ENT and then had to do a lot of praying that they healed properly. After 6 long weeks of waiting she was proclaimed whole and it has been great. No more ear plugs and her hearing has returned to normal (big collective sigh of relief here!) Top that off with no ear infections in almost three years and I am good! The Fall brought the start of preschool and she loves it. Her teacher reports that she is really quiet in class. WHAT?!?! Alex quiet? I am going to have to take her word for it. She learns so much different then her brother, I am still getting used to it. She also started ballet. She is so cute in her pink tights, leo and skirt. I totally admit to reliving my favorite times through her. She also loved the cruise and Disneyland, and was excited that Santa brought her a "waza" scooter like Nate's.
So let's see, 2 big vacations. Broken arm for Nathan, a little surgery for Alex, broken foot for me. Greg kinda got off easy in the personal injury department! Can't wait for the adventures of 2012!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Happy 4th Birthday Alexandra
(blowing out the candle on her birthday cupcake)My sweet girl is growing up so fast. Seems like it was not so long ago that she was a baby, doing all those baby things. I was going to say snuggling up in my arms, but for her that would be a blatant lie, she has never been a snuggler. The past year has brought the start of preschool and ballet class. She loves to steal her brother's tap shoes and wear them on the tile to make noise. She is still a screamer. And a sudo-big sister to the twins. She makes me crazy with her independence and strong will, but since I know exactly where she got them from, I can hardly complain. Happy Birthday Alex, we love you bits and pieces.
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