Body Parts and Family Names

The transition from age one to two is my favorite. So much happens in that time. A baby turns into a little kid. They learn to run, talk, feed themselves, and make 'deals' with their parents. And they do it all while being the cutest, sweetest, most devilish little things!

Happy Thanksgiving

Chas has been taking piano leassons and played 'Happy Birthday' on Thanksgiving. Our cheesy family changed the words to 'Happy Thanksgiving'. Chas played it flawlessly one time through, but when we started singing, it was a little tougher for him. It was still amazing to watch him play and see how happy he was to be able to do it. This comfortable people around the den show that this was obviously filmed after lunch! Emma is hanging out on the massage chair, Chucky is in the recliner where he stayed for about three hours, and Libby is trying to get into trouble! I am thankful for all of these people, for our health, and for knowing that each year we pass on our traditions to the next generation. It is fun to have little ones around during the holidays (and every day)!

Update: Thanksgiving night Emma was up all night vomiting, which for some reason included loud crying and yelling. I think taking care of a sick child all night can sometimes make a person feel sick even if they aren't . . . I need to lay down.

Photography by Emma

America's Got Talent

One day your kid is just learning to toddle around the house, then all of sudden she can hula-hoop. It has been amazing to watch her change and learn. She taught herself to hula hoop, over several months of trying almost every day. The first time she really got it we were both screaming, cheering, high-fiving and hugging. I love these moments!

Libby's First Hair Cut

Libby's first haircut at Shear Delight in Urbanna, VA by Jan Dunlevy.
She was an angel and deserved her lollipop!

Four Year Old Photographer

Emma still begs for the camera and takes hundreds at a time. Most of them are trash, although I have saved a few cute ones of her feet, and a few of our dog. She took this one last week, and now that I have made a hair appointment for Libby I can't decide if I should cut bangs or keep fighting it everyday with clips and headbands. Girls are so high maintenance!

Classic Emma

A Saturday in November

On Saturday, I kept my neice and nephew for the day, and at 3:45 when Libby woke up for her nap, the rest of the kids cheered because that meant it was time to go outside. Yes, it was cold. I was the only one bothered by it! On her first jump Emma got a mouthful of leaves . . . and after the drama passed she jumped in again and again. Libby didn't like the big pile of leaves and just enjoyed watching!




Notice the red spot under Libby's right eye. She got in a fight at school. It's been there for almost two weeks. Yup, that's my feisty girl.

Seven Years Old

Chas turned 7 on Saturday.

Here he is at about 21 months or so . . . just a smooshy baby!

Beautiful Fall Day

The girls decided to stomp around in the crunchy leaves this morning.


Emma caught a leaf that was falling from a tall tree above. She was so proud of herself, she saved it in a 'special place'. I'll probably find that leaf in a very strange place on a cleaning day.


Libby was still for one moment, and I caught it:

Kooky

Vote

Emma and Libby,

2008, A Historical Election

I voted. You both were with me. We all got stickers! It was an exciting day. Our country was preparing for a big first, either an african-american president, or a female vice president. Emma, you were four and you wanted Barack Obama to win because his name was fun to say. When I showed you a picture of Obama and John McCain side by side you still picked Obama because you liked his blue shirt. You repeated 'Barack Obama' over and over again for days. I guess it was realllly fun to say. Barack Obama did win, and his party (the democrats) won majority in the house and the senate, so now we wait. Nervously. We wait for the change.

Fun Guy

This is why, when the back door closes around 5:30pm, the kids go running to the door while screaming "Daddyyyyyy!"

And, unrelated, I had Libby's hair in my hands with the scissors around her bangs, and I couldn't do it. I put the scissors down and shook my head. I know as soon as I cut the bangs she will look like a "kid" and not a baby. I'll just keep pushing it over to the side and trying to get her to keep a clip in it. Stay little. Stay.