Skyla's Birthday Part II

I asked Skyla what she would like to do with our family on the actual day of her birthday. Again, she had no hesitation and rattled off the following:
Get up early and have pancakes.
Go to the book store and Target with Christmas money.
Lunch at Willy's and dinner at Jason's Deli
Open my presents
Stay up late and play

Things didn't turn out exactly. We settled on lunch at the deli and dinner at home. Also, she didn't need much convincing that the book store shop -a -thon was all our family could handle in one day. It was raining and cold and Jude and August were sick. The entire family was cranky because we were all up in the middle of the night before. But...we tried to make it special and fun and she seemed happy. In fact she ended up on her daddy's lap watching football after August and Jude were in bed. Daddy all to yourself...well that is a present in itself.

She loved her presents all mostly involving books, sewing, and her new interest in hand embroidery. I must add one thing. She really wanted a barbie doll. She doesn't have any and she asked for one for Christmas. When she didn't get one she said, " I guess Santa knows my mama doesn't really like barbies." So, I thought this over a lot because I don't want her feel bad about liking things I don't. I just couldn't buy a barbie. She is SO impressionable right now and barbie just isn't the girl I need her comparing her self to. I did give her what I thought was barbie ish in a pixie doll. I bought it when she was a toddler and still had in my "stash". I knew she had a lot of the barbie allure with the little shoes, brush and clothes. This doll doesn't seem as sexualized as barbie. She was VERY excited when she opened her and it was nice to see her reaction. Later, she was undressing her and she said, "Oh, she has breasts like Barbie, but they aren't as big."

Skyla's Birthday Part I

I asked Skyla if she wanted to have a party this year or if she wanted to plan a special outing with a friend. She immediately decided she wanted a two night stay at Grammy & Grandpa's with Eryn. Grammy was delighted and she set to work planning as Grammys do.... a special visit for the girls. They went to lunch at the American Girl cafe and their dolls had a bath and hair styling. Then they went shopping (for clip-on earrings of course), took their babies on the carousel and spent the rest of their time at Grammy and Grandpa's house. I can only imagine the multitude of excitement this was for the girls. They are very lucky indeed to have had this time, this experience and this love. Thank you!

Here are a few photos my mom took.

Jude's Hat

I started knitting sometime around November and I just finished my first hat. I needed the help of my wonderful neighbor but it is finally complete!

Sunday

Me: August, Why don't you get dressed.

August: Can I wear anything I want?

Me: Yes.

Silly Girls

The girls had so much fun playing with Logan and Alexa on Friday. Lots of giggles.

Logan made this little frog catching a fly with clay. She loves art and is SO creative!

Interviews

Another interview with the girls. Again, I had to ask them the questions separately because I was afraid all of August's answers would be the same as Skyla's. They love doing this.


1- If you could do anything you want today what would it be?
S: It would be going to the library.
A: Christmas, I mean Easter actually.


2- Name one thing you love about daddy.
S: Everything
A: When he comes home


3- What would you like for lunch if you could have anything you want?
S: Pancakes
A: I always like those muffins at the deli and peanut butter and jelly and fruit


4- What makes you laugh?
S: When somebody says potty talk.
A: When Jude puts his hands in my mouth and stuff.


5- Name one thing you love about Jude.
S: He is so sweet.
A: I love when he hugs me and tickles me.


6- What do you like about having a sister?
S: She plays with me.
A: When she takes good care of me and she is my best friend.

Hanging Out

Normally, I am not one to hang around the house for long. I get anxious to be outside or go somewhere. I get overwhelmed by all the things I see around the house I want to clean. Lately though I am such a home body. Even though it is not as cold as many other places it is still cold enough to discourage an outing. Lester took vacation the week after Christmas for the first time this year. We all have loved every minute of it. It has been the most peaceful, lazy but sometimes productive, bonding, happy time. I just want to read and knit and read and knit. Even though this can't be a reality, I am happy with seeing the kids get in their own world and be so happy to play at home.

Playing in their "house". The beads all along the edge were Christmas lights. The fabric scraps everywhere was snow. Love it.














A teeter totter from Santa
Wearing Christmas presents























They thought this was SO funny. (actually, it was pretty funny) Skyla drew on August's face. I could tell that Skyla did the drawing. It is so typical of their personalities. Skyla would be the one to carefully just put a few dots on her sister's face. She is not one to get messy and also not really one to do things she knows she shouldn't do. August however, if given the opportunity to be in charge of that marker would have made really large marks all over probably covering her whole face.

Our Family :: 2010

I read this quote on my friend's blog and I love it. I think it is a great inspiration for the new year.

If we make our goal to live a life of compassion and unconditional love, then the world will indeed become a garden where all kinds of flowers can bloom and grow.

Dr. Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross