Life with three stepped up its intensity this year with New Kid's increased mobility. By her first birthday in May she was walking and climbing and doing her best to keep up with her brother and sister. She has also really progressed her verbal skills just over the last several months and is able to communicate her needs to us which has made things a bit easier. Everyday brings new words and she likes to use them over and over again. Her disposition continues to be just as sweet as the day she was born, but she is not afraid to fight for what she wants and when she gets angry her teeth come out - literally! I hope her loving nature continues into this next year when we hit the terrible twos but I am soaking it up as much as I can now. Her favorite things are any of her stuffed animals and doing anything her sister is doing.
The Boy successfully wrapped up 1st grade and matriculated to 2nd grade without issue. Although his teacher changed, many of his friends from 1st grade stayed in his class for 2nd grade and he has met many new classmates as well. He continues to excel in school although he still hates writing and doing homework; reading is his passion. This was the “Year of Harry Potter” as Josh and I agreed he was ready to read the books and he flew through all of them over the summer. Josh decided to read them with him and I read them all again as well. We haven’t let him watch all of the movies yet as we feel the movies are little scarier than the books. I think he has only seen one through three but he continues to re-read the books and loves to play with his Harry Potter Legos. He played baseball in both the spring and fall and also participated in Chess Club at school which prompted Josh and I to learn to play as well.
Pickle is a Montessori whiz kid and is a busy bee every day at school. In the fall she became an “all-day” kid and was thrilled to be able to take her lunch; she is there 9am to 3pm. Josh had jokingly told her teachers that he wanted her reading by Christmas . . . although she didn’t make that mark she is getting pretty close. She desperately wants to do homework like her brother so we have her stocked with activity books to keep her stimulated in the afternoons. Her other passions include singing and dancing. I took her to see the musical Annie over the summer and then the movie last month and she loves all of the songs. She also loves playing dress-up in fancy skirts and dresses and wants to listen to music and dance. We started her in dance class over the summer so she has a weekly tap/ballet combination class that she loves.
It was a pretty exciting year in terms of work as I was presented with a fabulous opportunity to join a small company in the Recruiting Process Outsourcing industry. This new position is a virtual role so I am set up to work from home and it has been a big adjustment for everyone. I love not having to get up and rush to get dressed and rush out the door only to sit in traffic on my way to the office. Not having to hurry to wrap up work at the end of the day to make it home in time for dinner is even better. The positives to working from home far outweigh the negatives but I know it is stressful for Josh many afternoons when he has to keep the kids quiet and entertained after school. In August my small company was purchased by ADP so I now work for another large conglomerate but the day-to-day aspects of my job have not changed. I truly enjoy my work and am excited to do it every day.
Josh stays VERY busy with the kids and working on the house. We tackled only one major project this year and that was making over the backyard which involved knocking out our concrete patio and then laying down crushed granite over 1/3 of the yard to create a seamless patio, garden, dining area. We are still looking for the right furniture to complete the project but we love how it looks. Josh had a good year on his bike although I am sure he wishes he could have attended more races. He also keeps busy promoting races including several during Cyclocross season which just wrapped up.
Josh stays VERY busy with the kids and working on the house. We tackled only one major project this year and that was making over the backyard which involved knocking out our concrete patio and then laying down crushed granite over 1/3 of the yard to create a seamless patio, garden, dining area. We are still looking for the right furniture to complete the project but we love how it looks. Josh had a good year on his bike although I am sure he wishes he could have attended more races. He also keeps busy promoting races including several during Cyclocross season which just wrapped up.
In May my Dad and Lynna came for a visit that coincided with New Kid's birthday. I talked Dad into frying fish for the party and he spent all his time at the fryer; the fish were awesome and everyone loved them. They both worked so hard helping us with the party and I was grateful to have them here.
September brought Josh's Dad and Betsy out for the final Diamondback's home stand which was against the Giants. When we invited Harold the race for the West was a little tighter but by the time they arrived the D'backs were able to clinch that Friday night. We still enjoyed the game that Saturday and celebrating Harold's birthday at Oregano's.
Our final visitors of the year were Jo and Jay for Christmas. It is so special having family here at that time of year - any time of year really. The kids love having their grandparents visit and it gives them quality time that they don't get when we visit Louisiana or go to Colorado where they have to compete with their cousins. We are all so loved and I truly wish we could see family more often.
September brought Josh's Dad and Betsy out for the final Diamondback's home stand which was against the Giants. When we invited Harold the race for the West was a little tighter but by the time they arrived the D'backs were able to clinch that Friday night. We still enjoyed the game that Saturday and celebrating Harold's birthday at Oregano's.
Our final visitors of the year were Jo and Jay for Christmas. It is so special having family here at that time of year - any time of year really. The kids love having their grandparents visit and it gives them quality time that they don't get when we visit Louisiana or go to Colorado where they have to compete with their cousins. We are all so loved and I truly wish we could see family more often.
For Spring Break we had our first family trip to Wolf Creek where The Boy learned to ski. He was a natural and was racing down the slopes by the end of the trip. We had a lot of fun as it was nice and warm already in Pagosa Springs where we stayed. Besides getting to snowboard it was nice to have a week away together.
In August we went to Colorado for our annual trip with Harold, Betsy, and Josh's sister's family. This is always our favorite vacation as we get out of the heat and enjoy cooler temps (and some rain) and spend time hiking, playing, and just play visiting.
This year we had a big "first" for everyone . . . we went to the beach. It was a lot of fun to hear the kids talk about what they imagined the beach and ocean to look like and to experience their wonder when they finally saw it. We drove to Rocky Point which is about an hour across the Mexican border and only about 4 hours from Phoenix. It was a pretty desolate drive and then you cross the dunes and you see the ocean . . . the Gulf of California actually. We rented a house with our good friends and their boys and spent a few lazy days simply playing in the sand and floating in the water.
It was a fabulous year and we feel very lucky to have such smart and fun kids who love adventure and exploring. We hope to do more in 2012 including camping trips and more visits with family.
May your 2012 be filled with learning and amazement and many happy times.
In August we went to Colorado for our annual trip with Harold, Betsy, and Josh's sister's family. This is always our favorite vacation as we get out of the heat and enjoy cooler temps (and some rain) and spend time hiking, playing, and just play visiting.
This year we had a big "first" for everyone . . . we went to the beach. It was a lot of fun to hear the kids talk about what they imagined the beach and ocean to look like and to experience their wonder when they finally saw it. We drove to Rocky Point which is about an hour across the Mexican border and only about 4 hours from Phoenix. It was a pretty desolate drive and then you cross the dunes and you see the ocean . . . the Gulf of California actually. We rented a house with our good friends and their boys and spent a few lazy days simply playing in the sand and floating in the water.
It was a fabulous year and we feel very lucky to have such smart and fun kids who love adventure and exploring. We hope to do more in 2012 including camping trips and more visits with family.
May your 2012 be filled with learning and amazement and many happy times.
