Vacation Roundup

Ross finished off his vacation week with a flourish and I didn't blog much.  Just soaked it all in.  We filled up our family Patience Jar and were able to go to Incredible Pizza for a fun lunch treat.  I saw the idea on Integrity Parenting's Blog and the girls really responded well to it.  We picked patience as something we needed to work on and whenever I saw the girls being patient in a situation without being told, I put a cotton ball in the jar.  It took almost two months to fill it up, but what JOY the girls had (especially Amelia) when we reached our goal. 

Amelia has just now discovered the beauty of showing the food you are eating to others.  You are welcome. Note Elise's "ew gross" face.

Since we went at lunch, we had the place to ourselves pretty much and there wasn't a soul in the gameroom.  We had a blast playing games and wasting money, hehe.  Amelia chose a Tootsie Pop and Elise chose a sticky, suction cup ball.  Clearly one person made the better choice. 

During vacation we had Jared's birthday party and as usual, Jen gave the best party.  She had a taco bar set up that was magnificent.  I absolutely love that we all get together for every family birthday.  Makes me so happy. 

A great-grandma that gets down on the floor and plays like a young pup.

Tom working hard!

Beautiful Jenny

Sissies!

Oh how Amelia loves this Livvy Poodle

Elise kept proclaiming, "Oh I have MISSED my Pop."

Twin

Birthday boy hates pics, so I tried to take very few

Showing D how she can sound out a few words!

 

We had mostly low-key nights and played a lot of games.  Our current favorites are as follow:

Elefun

Hungry, Hungry Hippo

Zingo Bingo

Cootie (ugh, I only added this because Buzz likes it, haha)

Scootin' Along

It has been SO cold this week.  Like, wearing sweatpants and a robe, and still chilly type of cold.  We had a beautiful burst of sunshine and warm weather poke through on Saturday and we went to the walking trail for the girls to use their new scooters from Santa.  We were blown away at how well Amelia did.  She literally was zooming on hers!

 Elise did great also.  She was very cautious and would scoot her little foot and people on the trail would stop and say, "Aww."  They couldn't help themselves.  She did fall once and after that only wanted Ross to push her while she held on. 

 I know I took a million pictures of them on their scooters, but it was just one of those few hours that I couldn't stop smiling.  So proud of my girls. 

Discovery Center

Ross is on vacation this week and we couldn't wait to go to the Discovery Center on Monday to kick off our fun week adventures.  (actually it was kicked off on Saturday with game night and Sunday with Jared's party, but I haven't uploaded those pictures).  Elise didn't remember the last time we went and I was really excited to see her reaction; she LOVED it.  Both of my girls have such a great time there (and my husband lives for science) that it is worth the hefty price tag every once in a while.

Figuring out the pulley

Elise would have spent FOREVER digging in these old tire pieces

The wind xylophone

One of our favorites

They have a dinosaur dig, a grocery store, a health section, magnet tables, gravity spins, funny mirrors, and so much more.  It was a wonderful morning.  Ross was obsessed with these Kapla blocks.  I made a railroad, Amelia made a teepee, Elise threw her blocks on the floor, and Ross made this...

Genius/show off

 

Then, after naps, G and Pa surprised the girls and they were so excited and WILD.  They had a ton of fun playing and we had a lovely supper at The Village Inn.  I had strawberry crepes with whipped creme that were simply AMAZING.  And, I had a cheese omelet that was so fluffy and delish.  Perfect night.

G brought new sticker books

2012- Oh What a Year

I know we are halfway into January, but I am wrapping up my posts for the end of 2012 so that they will all go in my book I print off for the girls (okay, mainly me for now).  This has been a fabulous year full of so much growth for everyone.  Ross is now comfortable doing deliveries by himself and has been in several high stress situations that he has come through with flying colors.  He is such a fabulous father and has continued to better his doctoring skills as well as improve his ability to balance his roles at home.  For the second year in a row, he scored the HIGHEST of all the residents on the national test they are required to take.  I have begun to get over the hours and unpredictability of his schedule and learn that it is what it is.  It has helped our relationship grow as I focus more on what I can do at home and with the girls and worry less about if he is on call or working.  The main thing that has helped me with this is seeing how the girls are fine with the schedule and as long as I smile and act like it is no big deal, they truly think it is NO BIG DEAL.  In the process, I have even convinced myself a few times :)

Of course the girls grow and change and flourish every single day.  We have had some nighttime struggles and Elise still has a LOT of room for growth in this area, but I am delighted to look back at the progress Amelia has made.  I have loved watching the relationship between Elise and Amelia develop and this year they have started playing together without me at times.  It is such a blast to crouch in the hall and listen to the dialogue and enjoy those moments before I have to break in and peace keep.  How thankful I am that I had another year at home to work on all that being a stay-at-home mother entails.  As I have watched several of my close friends that work outside the home struggle this year with stresses of juggling both, I feel even more blessed to have the opportunity that I do. 

2012 was definitely our year of much growth.  There were growing pains and cramps and stretching, but we settled into year three of residency without much fanfare and for that, I am so grateful.

Elise Turns 2!

We had a few more days of fun playing with our Christmas toys, but I had to jet home and de-Christmas so that we could have Elise's party.  I was really dreading this task and had expressed such to Ross.  Much to my jaw-dropping, is this my husband, surprise, the tree was taken down when I got home.  Ornaments packed away neatly.  Box in garage.  Christmas lights outside were taken down and boxed up.  This is not normal Ross behavior.  And, it may never happen again.  But, who cares?  This gave me so much pep in my step to do the rest and I want it to go down in blog history that he did something with no hints and without being told.  I was so HAPPY. 

Her party fell on her actual birthday, December 29th, and I was so happy everyone was able to come celebrate with her. 

She looked insanely adorable in her Cookie Monster outfit- her request- and she had the most wonderful time opening her gifts.  She got a kitchen and a piano that have been played with non stop.  She got two new babies which are on her hip constantly.  Her sister got her a helmet for her new scooter and a fun diaper bag full of baby accessories.  Ross and I got her a princess castle (which you might remember from previous posts, haha) and we have all had a great time with it.  I loved how much she loved this day and feel so full of pride as I look at these pictures of her. 

Elise Mae,

You are the funniest little two year old I know.  I worried and worried when I was pregnant with you that Amelia might overpower you or that I wouldn't know how to be a mom of two and let your personality develop to its fullest.  Just as the Lord smiled at those worries, I now crack up at the thought of stifling your personality.  You are the jokester of the four of us, always trying to make us laugh and demanding that people think, "Leese funny."  Somehow you have decided your go-to joke is singing about pee and poop which leaves your sister in a fit of giggles and leaves your mom trying hard to keep a straight face.  I love your confidence and joy.  Your dad, sister, and I are quite a bit less fearless than you and tend to stay on the safe side of things.  It is so freeing to see you try new tricks in gymnastics class and toddle off to your Sunday School class ready to, "see my friends."  Thank you for the assurance and reminder you bring that you are His child first and that he created you perfectly.  I still think about the spot on your forehead and worry about any emotional pain that it might bring you later in life, but the more you exude self-assuredness, the less I worry.  I pray that you always have those flashing, mischievous blue eyes followed by that over the shoulder grin.  I pray that when you are 30 times two you can grasp my hand and make me double over in laughter and whisper to me that you are funny.  And I will lean over and kiss those (hopefully still rosy) cheeks and thank you for all the hilarious memories I've banked in my full life. 

I love you my two year old!

Mommy