These are the triumphs of 2009 and things we don't want to forget when they happened. I love how from these little updates we can see the interests and personalities of the girls starting to develop.
Avery: learned to walk, talk, and generally get her way with everything. She became a jewelry lover. We don't go anywhere with out a bracelet, clip on earrings, necklace, or all of the above. She even picks her own clothes, shoes, and hair styles. She taught her sister how to climb up on the tramp with out my help. She also learned to jump on the tramp with all the bigger kids. She loves to sing, play mom to her baby dolls, dance, "shake her bum bum," and make us laugh. She is non stop energy. Though she is very smart with an extensive vocabulary, she has yet to sit in my lap and listen to a story. She is a joy and a handful all in one. She is a mix of dichotomies, curious and mischievous, loving and defiant. She will exert her independence at a grocery store by trying to either not walk with us, run completely away from me, throw groceries out of the cart or scream for something she wants. At home she wont sit in my lap unless she is tired, yet she is my little shadow. She has to be in the same room as me at all times. She loves music, attention, and making us laugh.
Callie: finished at least 15 coloring books completely front to back. She also finished countless art projects she came up with. She frequently comes to me and asks what project can we do today mom? Hmm maybe we need to sign up for Art. I certainly need to learn how to organize all of her projects. What to keep, what to toss? Callie learned to swim, read well, make best friends at any playground, help mom cook and clean, and she started preschool with Mrs. Jackson (no relation to Michael). Callie's talents are reading well (level one books), writing her letters and numbers (since she was three), she is very good at zoning in on something and keeping her attention there for a while, she can color, write, read or watch TV for hours. (opposite of Avery). Despite great attention span and academic abilities she is very social she loves to make friends and tells me how all the kids at preschool are her best friends. If we go to the YMCA or the park she tells me all about her new best friend she played with and then I will ask, "What is their name." She usually responds, "Oh, I forgot to ask? Next time mom, I will ask." She is a very sweet older sister who looks out for Avery, shares with her when it is hard, and generally tries to "Choose the Right." She told me at one point "Mom I always want to choose the right." She has also said the opposite when she was angry so I guess she is not perfect.
Callie turned 5 over Christmas break. I told her this year we should have a family birthday party since we had a big princess one last year. Then we decided maybe we could go see "The Princess and the Frog" movie, and she could bring one friend. So she decided on inviting Kiera from school. She went to school and told everyone about her birthday party and then said only Kiera was invited. She told me that it hurt Alexandrea's feelings. So then I had to decide do we cancel the party so nobody is left out or do we invite all 6 kids from preschool. We went with the later and had a "Princess and the Frog" party. It was a lot of fun and the kids really liked the movie, I always like having parties. I made cute frog invites and crowns to decorate, cup cakes, decorations, etc. Cameron could not come so Aunt Courtney came to help with driving etc. I got the tickets for $5 a piece so it was not too expensive. Do you think I was set up?
Speaking of setting me up. I had decided I hate the running around and throwing parties during Christmas because it gets too busy. Cameron was President of the JRCLS this year so he had told people that we have an annual cookie exchange and was inviting people before I had a chance to reject the idea. Set up again. So I had a birthday party on a Weds and a cookie party on Saturday. Don't miss understand, I do love to throw a party. Once people are there and we are enjoying the company I have a great time. I just don't like the stress of the preparation. I tend to go way overboard baking a ton of cookies, setting up games, making appetizers and decorations. During Christmas this can be a little much because of the other responsibilities mothers have. I was also on the Enrichment Committee and had to help with their Christmas party. Then there is Callie's birthday, card orders, and well my husband is usually MIA because of finals. Just thinking about it makes me stress. It was a fun party and we did have about 50 people there in our home so well worth the prep.
We invited the LaDukes over for Christmas and they came Christmas Eve. So we had a Christmas Eve dinner with Bill, Karen, Aaron, and the girls, and then I tried to do the Christmas morning feast my mother usually makes (too much work). It was nice to have them here. The girls got wonderful little outfits from India that are encrusted with jewels. Along with bracelets to match. They love them. As usual Santa and Grandparents spoiled us too much but we loved it.
So as if this was not enough, I set myself up for another party. I really wanted to make a prime rib. My family usually has prime rib for Christmas dinner and I was feeling like we needed to have one this holiday season. So I invited a the Wrights and the Clarks over for a New Years dinner party to eat some beef. We had a great time a laughed the whole night. Since we all have little kids we did not feel guilty about ending the party before midnight. I even broke out the china and crystal. The only downer was that I broke one of the crystal goblets. AGHH, at least it was me so I can not be mad at someone else right? I think I shed a few tears over that one.
I feel lucky to have such wonderful children, husband, friends and family that I love to throw parties for. And now time to breath a sigh of relief the parties are done.
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