Snow Days!

(First, with the new "tricks" I learned the photos are smaller than normal, I'm looking into how to fix this. I like the bigger pictures. Still, if you want to see them bigger, just click on them and then hit your "back" button to get back to the thread again.)

OK, here’s the first post in a VERY long time that actually contains as many pictures as I would like for it to have. I hope you have a good connection ‘cause if not you could be here for a while.

This takes us back to the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Sunday is when it all started. I didn’t suspect a thing really and usually I’m on top of this kind of weather activity. It was a pleasant surprise to wake up one morning and find snow.

Zion and Gabe were in awe.

Gideon was in awe. We got one dusting of snow last year and nothing else. When we got a ton of snow the year before he would have been too young to remember. When he came down the stairs and saw it for the first time the other day I said “Look, Gideon, what is it?” and he said “It’s Christmas!”

Eva was in awe. This is her first snow ever.

I can’t say that our plants were likely enjoying it much. Most of them still had blooms which is more Spring clothes for a flower than winter clothes. Poor things.

Our bird house looks like a cozy place to room for the winter. Except we can’t actually attract any birds.

Because of her…

Death thy name is Maisy.

If you’re a bird anyway.

Elias seemed in awe of the snow but he’s in awe of everything. Stick anything in front of his face and his eyes get big as saucers and he grins like it’s the coolest thing he’s ever seen. Snow was no different. He was content to stay in and play while his siblings went out and half froze and I was content to stay in with him (at least at first). He was just getting to experience his walker for the first time and was thoroughly enjoying it.

At last there was an opportunity to play outside. Even though Zion absolutely did NOT want to wear a coat of any sort and I could almost not get pants on her. She definitely does not get that from me. I hate being cold. I did realize later that one of the reason that she doesn’t like to wear a coat is because when she puts it on it forces the sleeves of her shirt up in a bunch. That she does get from me. I taught her how to hold the end of the sleeve so it doesn’t ride up and now my chances of getting a coat on her with less than three objections has gone up considerably.

Afterward Gideon knows how to warm up. A comfy pair of jammies and all the lovies the couch can hold; blanky, woof, Elmo, paci, and even Elias’ Pillow Pet that someone gave him at a baby shower.

After a couple of days where it snowed non-stop to some degree or another our water table was half buried.

And our patio swing wasn’t going to be welcoming anyone anytime soon.

Zion let me wrangle her into her heavy winter coat, honest to goodness jeans and real snow boots (which now she loves and wants to wear everywhere – and she’s not playing peek-a-boo she just inherited by intolerably sensitive eyes and can’t look anywhere close to the same direction of the sun ).

Of course one must temper outdoor activities by including lots of warm indoor activities so she also played with our new Nativity set a lot during these days. She seems to be adding to the story though. Can you find the double bed? Naturally Mary would have found this a much more comfortable place to recover from childbirth than a pile of straw, right? Or what about “Blueberry Muffin” one of Strawberry Shortcake’s good friends? Or how about the individual who I can only assume is the Holy Family’s tax account? Naturally they were seeking tax advice regarding all those expensive gifts.

When I suggested a craft Gabe got very excited and took over showing Zion how to make a turkey out of a fall leaf - all his idea (well, he came up with what to show her, I suspect a teacher somewhere showed him the craft originally). My first born sure is super sweet, he even cut out the teeny pieces to make the head and beak for her and patiently showed her how to place them.

While they did their craft I was free to put together a snack. I called it “S’mores In A Bowl”. It consisted of graham cracker pieces, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows all mixed together in a bowl. In this picture you can see Zion stacking hers together. All of yum of S’mores but none of the mess.

And later back outside for some more fun.

Who is this BIG boy? Certainly not my little Gideon. Alas, it is true. He’s growing so fast. But if I had a dollar for every time I’ve made that statement on this blog I think I’d be rich, they are ALL growing so fast and though some people may experience otherwise I absolutely LOVE my kids when they are two. It is such a magical time of discovery for them, everything is amazing and new and they are able to interact with their world in all new ways. I LOVE it!

I let Gabe borrow a loaf pan in order to make bricks for a snow fort. He didn’t get very far as he wasn’t packing the snow tight enough but I think if we get more snow like this he’ll be an expert in no time.

And still a puppy even though he’s on the verge of elderly in dog years. Towzer had a blast in the snow. Especially after I tossed him a Beggin Strip which he got to “lose” and find repeatedly.

I read (I think) a while ago that when you use bubbles outside in freezing temperatures that they crystalize so I got out some bubbles. By that time though it was late enough in the day that it wasn’t cold enough to freeze them but the kids still loved it and I was surprised that the bubbles seemed to last a lot longer in the cold air than they do when it's summer.

Gideon quickly had his hat (which didn’t last long on his head) and his mittens encased in snow. It didn’t slow him down though, not that he really needed much protection to participate in his favorite activity of eating snow.

Once again Elias found himself wiling away his time indoors, safe and warm and having a blast on his play mat.

We were a bit worried that the snow would keep us from getting to family on Thanksgiving but we dared to make the drive the hour North to get to my sister’s house and by the time we left there it was way to warm for more snow or for the roads to freeze.

We had such a blast that week. I’d forgotten how neat it was to have a snow day when I was growing up. The only drawback was that it was conference week so Gabe’s parent-teacher conference was canceled when school was canceled. By this time it’s been made up but that is for another post (in the very near future I think now that I’m back to being happy with my ability to actually post and upload pictures).

Something New

After consulting the most-knowledgeable-about-everything folks on my favorite “search engine” (AKA Ravelry, knitting people just seem to know about EVERYTHING) I was told about Windows Live Writer.  It seems this may by a solution to both my Blogger issues, or at least a way around them.  So I’m tying it out.  I’m hoping you won’t have noticed if I hadn’t told you because if it works properly everything on the actual blog should look exactly the same but everything on my side will be so much easier.  We’ll give it a go anyway.

If this works as I hope it will I will soon be blogging as frequently as I used to and providing y’all with tons of pictures of my cute kids.  I know.  Exciting, isn’t it?! 

Irresistible

ir re sist i ble [ir-i-zis-tuh-buhl]

-adjective
1. not resistible; incapable of being resisted or withstood
2. lovable, esp. calling forth feeling of protective love
3. enticing; tempting to possess

-noun
4. an irresistible person or thing

ad

Yep. That pretty much sums him up.

Sorry.

It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  :(  I don't think I've gone that long between posts ever.  I've been continuing to have frustrating issues with Blogger.  One of them has been worked out, the other one not so much.  I hope it will be worked out soon though and I'll be happy to post a lot more.  As it is, tonight it's late and I'm tired so this is all you get.  Except for quick blurbs:

I have Gabe's parent-teacher conference tomorrow.  It was supposed to be last week but school was closed due to snow.  I had a dream recently that he tested at a tenth grade reading level.

Zion.  Oh Lord, what to say about Zion.  She is a free spirit.  Moving on...

Gideon is so darn super cute I just don't know what to do most of the time.  Tonight we circled the neighborhood to check out what Christmas lights have been put up so far.  He was a constant recording of "Hey, Mama!  I got Cwistmas!!!"  "Heeeey, Mamaaaa!  I got Cwistmas Twee!"  Non-stop.  He does the same "Hey, Mama!" thing at the grocery store too.  Shopping with him is non-stop fun for us and everyone within hearing distance (and I mean that sincerely).

Elias just turned five months old, just cut two teeth and is saying all sorts of new sounds like "Da da!" and "Mmmma!"  I love to watch his face when you make sounds to him, his expression changes to one that is very thoughtful and his mouth starts trying to copy yours.  Tonight he actually mouthed "Mama" right after I said it only he didn't make a sound.  I am confident that he will be sitting unsupported soon and I'm already worried for when he starts to be more mobile.  As it is when he sits in your lap he is always kicking, kicking, kicking and rocking back and forth.

My Sweetie

Yes, he can be sour but then he's sweet. Mostly he's sweet. Tonight was a prime example. We were at Target waiting at the pharmacy counter. Rob was pushing the cart with Elias in his carrier in the basket and the other kids goofing off on the ground. Zion asked to sit in the cart so I hefted her in and we went to move on with our shopping. Gideon didn't see Zion in the cart and about half way down the aisle thought we must have been leaving her behind so he turned around and ran back shouting "Zion ... where are you?!" It was so, so, so cute.

He is also amazingly tender toward Elias bringing him toys or his pacifier or bottle if he fusses. I admit to having concern over how Gideon would handle not being the baby any more, especially since he tends to be very attached to me, but after the first couple of weeks things have just been getting better and better.

Watching my children grow in their care for each other is one of the best parts of being a mom. It's great to watch them play and enjoy each other that way but even better is when one of them demonstrates a real concern for one of the others and acts on it. It is so rewarding.

One Stitch At A Time

That's how you knit a mile. Or in this case a bunny. Remember this from a few posts ago:

It's the bottom of a bunny head. But I bet you got that figured out on your own.

It eventually had a little bunny body and some limbs. I got tons of practice on DPNs (double pointed needles) and picking up stitches on this project.

It looks like some sort of medieval torture technique at one time. Here's the start of the second ear.

From another angle. I admit, I was a bit intimidated at the description of how to start the ears. You pick up stitches to place on four needles, which are very close and oddly placed, then use a fifth needle to knit. It was actually a lot easier than I had built it up to be in my mind (as with most things knitting I've come to discover) and went along quite nicely.

And VOILA! A bunny. I think it took me 8 days. It would have gone much faster if I was able to get in more knitting time, as it was we were preparing for a visit from Rob's dad and step-mom and I kept having to put off my knitting.

Not the best lighting but a pretty cute face.

Now in the arms of his boy. I hope these two will be friends for a long, long time.

Currently on the needles:

• An elephant for Zion (same designer that wrote the pattern for Elias' bunny, Ysolda Teague)
• A washcloth for Gabe with Yoshi on it (Yoshi is a character form the Mario games)
• A shawlette/scarf for me
• A gift that I can't name until it's been given
• A lace shawl that has been hibernating for a while but deserves mention anyway
  

Happy Birthday Party Day!

That's what we say in our house when we celebrate a birthday not on the birthday. Today was Zion's birthday party day. I am just so impressed by what a young lady she is turning out to be (when she's not burping or trouncing her brothers). She's FOUR (well, almost)!

Behind that cute smile is a super funny, sweet girl with a ton of energy and a huge creative streak.

And today we sang "Happy Birthday" and she blew out her candles (funny story, I only put 3 candles on her cake until our little friend Isaac said "Isn't she turning 4?" I'm such a dork.)

Gideon got to enjoy his cake with soy ice cream. We've had success in introducing soy into his diet with no noticeable effects - yay!

First Zion wanted a unicorn party. Then she asked for a kitten party. Finally, while we were at the party supply store she settled on a Hello Kitty party.

Our little friend Sarah enjoying the wand that came with the Tinkerbell jammies (which you don't know about because you haven't seen yet).

Those jammies.

We and her Grandma Marlene were able to treat Zion to some new clothes and winter coats. She loves the jammies. We'll see if she'll wear the coats. This girl seems impervious to cold.

Zion got another addition to her collection of Disney Princess dolls. (Funny story. Her first doll came early by accident when she was visiting Tantie Jamie who had purchased Belle for Zion's birthday and forgot to hide the doll when Zion visited in August. I guess dorkdom runs in the family. Just kidding, Jamie!)

Since there was no doll waiting for Zion's birthday Jamie and family gave Zion The Aristocats movie and a stuffed Marie kitty. I think she likes them. :)

Gideon flipped over the kitty, too. uh oh I sense some tension in the future.

"It's so fluffy!"

Ah ha ha ha! I got the kitty!

Watching The Aristocats after the presents were all opened.

Joey, our littlest guest (Jamae's puppy), finally got Towzer's attention through the glass door.

Aw, someone's all tuckered out.

A close up of cute little Joey.

Zion went to bed in her Tinkerbell jammies, with her new unicorn Pillow Pet, the Ariel doll, and the stuffed Marie kitty (wresting it from Gideon's grip with my help) and she said she loved her birthday party and she was so sincere when she said it. I just love that girl. My princess.

Before He's Four Months

I should post some photos of my little-big three-month old. I have no idea his stats since he hasn't had a doctor appointment since his two-month check so there's nothing to report there. Just infinite cuteness.

Grins and giggles.
He's got a wicked awesome laugh. I did get it on video. Now I just need to get the video off the camera. Small details.

Stare down.
A little fuzzy but still cute. Taken in our hotel room a couple weekends ago when we went to my cousin's wedding.

Ain't The The Truth.
Not to much more to be said about this picture.

Zzzzz...
Nap time with daddy. Our foot rest makes a handy little hammock for babies. Elias, Gideon and Zion have all napped here. We didn't have the couch when Gabe was little.

...zzzzzzzzz.
Aw, he looks like such a boy here and not a baby. And he looks a lot like Gideon I think. We have started to call those two twins separated at conception, there are so many things alike between them.

Merry Last Christmas And More

This blog post isn't nearly as overdue as some of these projects were.

These slippers were my gift to my sister for LAST Christmas. I hope they were worth the wait.

Close up of the cute button (which I can take no credit for, she picked it out).

My attempt at drawing coffee cups on the bottoms. A cute detail (I hope anyway) but also the puffy paint makes them non-skid.

Another belated Christmas gift, a jewelry frame for Jamae. It is black lace over white satin to match her room colors. I even used her actual wall paint to repaint the frame.

Last year two of us gals in MOPS knitted bibs for moms who had babies (well, for the babies but you know what I mean). We ran out of girl bibs though and one mom had twin girls at the end of the year. She also moved to an area that has more extreme temperatures than here so I offered to knit hats instead.

Two summers ago we went to a local art festival where a couple of women were demonstrating spinning and selling some of their yarn. I picked up this soft, chunky yarn which has been sitting in a basket waiting for me to be inspired by a pattern. Found one! Now it's a cowl to keep my neck warm during this winter which is predicted to be very, very cold.

Speaking of warm necks, I knit this one for my cousin, Noah who got married last weekend. He and his bride, Crystal, have a little farm with a bunch of critters so they'll need to keep warm this winter, too. This one is his.

This one is hers.

I picked natural wooden buttons to go with the vine pattern.

And this is what I'm working on now. It doesn't look like much now but it will be a bunny for Elias. I'm getting a lot of practice at picking up stitches which is where you create live stitches off of an existing piece of knitting. The whole project is knit my picking up stitches and knitting the bunny parts one at a time and stuffing it as you go. I can't wait to finish this one!

So Yeah...

... once I was on this roll and posted three posts in one day! Wow! That was cool. Too bad I flaked right after that and then didn't post again for nearly a month. Sheesh, that's almost a third of Elias' life.

Of course, my lack of posting lately could have something to do with Elias. Rob traveled for work twice. Naturally this means Elias' sleeping habits had to go down the drain. They, and we, still haven't recovered. I've also been on an outing or two with the kids, MOPS has started up again, I started a Zumba class which has a Bible study after (Me, Myself and Lies. I'm only two chapters in but I already highly recommend it) as well as AWANA and our Life Group (just another name for Bible study, Rob and I attend this together while Gabe and Zion are in AWANA) and last weekend we all took a little road trip to attend my cousin, Noah's, wedding (congrat, Noah and Crystal), not to mention that I finished FOUR knitting projects. Can we say busy with a capital "B"?

So we haven't dropped off the face of the Earth but I'm also really tired today. On top of not getting enough sleep right now Zion has a nasty cold and Gabe is complaining of a sore stomach.

I need a vacation.

More later.

Gabeism

(Man, am I on fire today or what? Three posts in one day! Just like old times.)

Today I was searching for a snack for the kids which is entirely unrelated to the story but anyway, searching for a snack, head in the pantry and I hear Gabe say "I want phantom armor* for Christmas."

I said "Oh, does it really exist?"

He replies "I don't think so, so I'd like the Armor of God instead."

:)!

*phantom armor is from the video game The Legend of Zelda and the Spirit Tracks.

Life

Rob is away on his Reserves weekend and 5 of the 5 of us left at home have a little cold so we played hookie from church and are having one of our famous "pajama days". Since I have a cold I don't feel guilty ignoring some of the household chores to work on some of the more sedentary items on my to-do list. You know, really important things like knitting and blogging. Though, I have to confess that one of the knitted items on my to-do list is a Christmas present.

From last year (yikes!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel Baby
Elias is one of those babies that, when someone asks "Is he a good/easy baby?" you get to say "Yes!" and really mean it. Truly, all babies are good babies because they are all just doing what babies do but some are definitely happier/more content/less demanding/whatever and he fits into that category right now. You can often make him smile even when he wants to cry, he laughs a lot (and sometimes so hard he snorts), he is content in the bouncy seat, the swing or on his mat until he gets hungry or needs a new diaper of course, and he sleeps through the night two out of every three night which isn't too bad for a 2-month old. Needless to say, we are really enjoying his personality right now.

Lunch made to order
Not wanting to deal with cajoling a bunch of not-feeling-so-good kids to eat their lunch I made them each something I knew they would eat. Zion got pasta (we happened to have a bunch of plain pasta in the fridge already made) with butter and parmesan with olives on the side, Gabe got a PBJ, chips and banana and Gideon got his version of fish and chips. (Those are Finding Nemo fruit snacks. He also got some banana with today's ever so healthy lunch fare.)

This is was Zyrtec does to my little guy apparently. The day he got hives around his mouth from eating the yogurt bar I gave him some and this is how I found him a little while later. He was awake at least and the second I asked "Do you want to go outside and play?" he jumped right up. Then he got attacked by the ants.

Turn that frown upside down! ;)

Naptime
Zion's kitty, Eva, sure is getting big. She's becoming quite the good cat, just has to learn a few more kitty manners (like not jumping up on the table even when we aren't there to squirt her with the water bottle). She sure likes her girl (at the very least when her girl is sleeping). She has also been more attentive to me which has been helping me not miss Ben quite as much. Every little bit helps, his absence in our home is still glaringly apparent. Eva very much loves to hunt and once she's allowed outside (not until after her spay surgery!) I'm sure she'll be a bringer of gifts like our other kitty Maisy. Maisy who we watched hunt down and play with a big gray mouse the other day. A literal cat and mouse game.

Binky Buddy Pattern

I have written out my very first knitting pattern, I'm so excited. It's something very simple but still, it's mine. :) The idea came about after I knitted a hanging kitchen towel and realized that a much smaller version could replace the burp cloth I'd been shoving through the loop of my baby's binkies in order to keep it in place and easily findable. So I knit one and gave it away as a baby shower gift. I entered it into my projects journal on Ravelry and some people saw it and expressed interest in the pattern. I won't say how much time has passed *cough* but at last, here it is:
____________________________________________________________________

The Binky Buddy by Julie Ross

Materials:

· 1 skein worsted weight cotton or cotton blend (machine washable is recommended, this is for a baby after all, Lion Brand CottonEase works well)

· Size 6 (4.0mm) needles

· One 1” button (or smaller, just adjust the button hole as necessary)

· Stitch marker

· Tapestry needle

Gauge: No Matter

Cast on 64 stitches placing a stitch marker between stitches 32 and 33.

Rows 1 through 4 knit.

Row 5 and remaining right side rows (until loop) knit to two stitches before center, ssk, , slip marker, k2t, knit to end

Row 6 and remaining wrong side rows (until loop) k4, purl to last three stitches, k4

Continue until 12 stitches remain.

For the loop:

Knit all rows continuing to decrease on right side until 8 stitches remain and end with a wrong side row.

Starting with right side row knit 5 garter ridges (back and forth ten times) and end with a wrong side row.

For the folding line:

Knit right side rows and purl wrong side rows for 4 rows.

Continuing the loop:

Knit next 8 rows (4 garter ridges) and end with a wrong side row.

For the buttonhole:

Knit 2

Bring yarn to the front

Slip 1 purl wise

Bring yarn to the back

Slip 1 purl wise, pass first slipped stitch over second. Repeat “binding off” 4 stitches

Place last stitch back on left needle (leaving 2 stitches on left needle and 2 on right), turn work.

Cast on 5 stitches using cable cast on method.

Turn work. Bring yarn to back, slip first stitch off left needle on to right needle and pass last cast on stitch over it. Slip first stitch on right needle back to left needle, work in knit to the end of row.

Knit 3 rows.

SSK, k4, k2t - 6st.

Knit

SSK, k2, k2t - 4st.

Knit

Bind off in knit.

Weave in ends.

Sew button in place - TIGHTLY!

***Only use the Binky Buddy when you can supervise and make sure that the fabric stays away from baby’s face as well as periodically check to see that the button stays firmly attached.

You can also use this item as a burp cloth or attach it to a favorite toy so that it is easy to keep track of, always heeding the above warnings in order to keep baby safe. If you knit this item to give away please pass on the safety information as well. Thank you!

_______________________________________________

p.s. If you knit this and find any errors or have comments or questions just let me know, I'd love to hear from you.

Rough Day

Poor Gideon is having a rough day. First, I let him try a rice krispie type bar that had yogurt in it. I wouldn't have let him have it except that his allergist gave the go ahead to try him on some dairy and Gideon has had them before and I never noticed a reaction. Granted, it has been a long time since he had one because that was before the allergist told us to cut out all dairy including things that were baked and cooked (like the bar). So I let him have it. He ate half and got little hives around his mouth. Now I feel bad because he had a reaction (i.e. he still likely can't have dairy even though his allergist keeps telling us he should have grown out of it by now) and I feel like a bad mom because I gave him something that made him react. *sigh* So for the first time in the year since we started seeing the allergist I broke down and gave him the oral antihistamine he was prescribed.

So I thought maybe he would have a fun time playing outside. And he did. Until he got attacked by biting ants. I had to come in and check Elias because I heard him start to cry and I get inside and am in here for a minute or two when I hear Gideon cry. Back outside I go. Gideon is standing at our back fence and he's crying. I can see that he's soaking wet and his head is covered in sand. This usually doesn't make him cry though so I look closer and Gideon holds up his hand and says "See." so calmly and shows me there's a big black ant there. I swipe it off not thinking anything of it and guide him up to the house and proceed to stripe him down. Ants are falling out of his clothes. I think I get them all and take him inside with just his diaper and sandals still on. Inside I go to take off his sandals and notice a black ant that is actually still in the process of biting him. That sucker has chomped down on my baby's pudgy ankle, he's trying to hard to bite the ant's body is actually waggling back and forth. I had a dickens of a time dislodging it so I could squash it mercilessly under a shoe. After him I had to squash three or four more of its brethren and that's just what I found while taking off Gideon's sandals. Poor baby. I gave him a quick bath to wash off the sand and cuddle him in his super soft towel and he feels better but darn it, what a day - and it's not even lunch time!

Before all that though he and I did puzzles together and I grabbed the camera to record his great funny giggle.


And another take here:

First Day Of School

It's that time of year again. My favorite time of year for many reasons. Cooler weather usually but this year we didn't so much have warmer weather so it doesn't feel quite as special.

Fall colors. They're coming, you can see some turning in those leaves. Oh yeah.

Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin muffins. I might even try pumpkin pancakes this year. You get the picture.

But the bittersweet moment is sending Gabe off to school. Not only do I miss him during the day but he is most useful to have around the house especially when I'm stuck on the couch feeding Elias and I need something. He's my go-to guy.

Gabe was so excited for school to start. The morning of he came to find me at about 7:20. He said he wanted to make sure I was up. Then he asked if he could get his own breakfast. I'd planned on making waffles but he was so anxious to be ready I let him get his own. A Poptart. Oh well. Then the poor boy had to wait anyway. He kept asking over and over if it was time to go. Finally he just told me I should finish my breakfast after I took him to the bus stop because he was afraid of missing the bus. Silly boy. Rest assured we got out of the house in time and he didn't miss the bus.


The bus has been spotted and the kids start lining up. Gabe wasn't even going to look at me to say good bye until I told him to.

And there he goes without a second glance. Rob was able to come home early enough to pick him up after school so we both got to participate in the joy/sadness of the first day of school.

I believe this will be a good year for Gabe. I think there will also be a bigger adjustment for him because he was hoping to know some of his classmates and as it turns out he's stuck in a class of new faces. The night before school started the school held a "social" where the kids got to go and find out who their teacher is and find their classroom and get an ice cream treat. So it was only the night before school started that we found out that Gabe was put in a mixed first/second grade classroom. His new teacher said that there are 20 second graders and 6 first graders in her class (and she herself only discovered the night before that that she would be teaching a mixed class). It seems that Gabe is a little sad that none of the other 5 first graders were classmates of his last year. And he is especially disappointed that his friend Jordan (who happens to be a girl) isn't in class with him. At the same time he can't stop talking about how he gets two recesses. Today he said he also got to play with Unifix blocks and that was just like having a third recess.

So, yeah, he is likely going to have a really good year but I do hope that he makes new friends soon.

As for us at home we are going to be busy as well. Playdates, MOPS, Bible study and home preschool for Zion. She is super excited about that and was really disappointed that I didn't fit it in today except for a short story time. It will be interesting to see how this goes because as excited as she is she isn't serious about learning AT ALL. Though despite her distraction and goofing off she does seem to absorb some of what comes her way.