Tots in Tights

Kate went to her first dance class earlier this week. It was quite the experience watching her watch the other girls and the teacher. She was tentative and shy at first, and wanted me to be with her at all times. She even started doing the "limp rag doll" on the floor routine so I couldn't pick her up to move. She kept fleeing toward the "mommy" folding chairs. I could tell that she really did like it, though, and as the class progressed, so did her confidence. Her teacher, Miss Heidi, did a great job of encouraging but not pushing her. By the end she was running around the circle on the floor without me and stretching her hands up in the air. She is extremely excited about next Monday.


Here she is, tentatively smiling before class begins.

All of Miss Heidi's classes are preparing for a short recital before Thanksigving. Needless to say, Kate will not be performing, as she is such a newcomer, but it was fun to see Miss Heidi trying to show a bunch of two year olds where to stand and what to do during particular moments in the song. I had to give her credit for her patience! You can see our friends, Miss Cath (green shirt)and Maggie (black, curly hair) in the center. We both signed our kids up for the same class without knowing it!

Class is ending and Miss Heidi is giving all the girls turkey stamps. Kate didn't want one, but you can see she's feeling much more relaxed. She's even really smiling as she catches me taking her picture.

P.S. There is another recital in May. We'll shoot for having our first performance then--but I probably won't tell Kate yet. :)

Happy Halloween

We began Halloween day with a trip to the ocean here in Seaside. This section of beach is a little hard to find and so it's quite empty. We were able to watch a school of dolphins swimming by and several pelicans diving repeatedly into the water after some fish.




Ellie was dressed up as a little pumpkin. We tied a pink bow on her hat so people could tell she was a girl.



Here's Kate checking out Ellie before she heads out to get some candy.




Kate was very excited to dress up as Snow White. She had a lot of fun walking around the neighborhood, though she was a little shy saying "trick or treat."





Here she is looking at some pumpkins at a neighbor's house. She liked staring at the candles inside (and asking her dad to blow them out).




After taking Kate around the neighborhood, we all drove down to the base chapel for a community Halloween party. We left our pumpkin guarding our candy bowl and there was still some candy left when we can back (one of the advantages of living on base).

Here we all are at the chapel. Kate was excited to see a fire truck and get her own fire hat. It went very well with her Snow White dress.

Boldly Gone

At long last the time has come to say goodbye. My faithful friend through so many years, it's time for us to part. Sadly, the friendship we have shared must continue only in reflection. I will always remember the excitement inside as I opened the closet door and saw you standing in there, waiting for me to discover where you were hiding. The joy when at last you found your place in my room. My adoration as we dressed alike year after year on Halloween. Such anticipation as you joined me in my first years of college! Your ever watchful and wise eyes, encouraging me through each day's trials. How you mutely bore the outrage of chewing gum stuck to your noble face. How duct tape was needed to keep you upright as the years passed and your stance became increasingly unsteady. In recent years you found yourself suffering in silence in another, more lonely closet, yet always close to my heart. How I will miss your bald head, your knowing half-smile, your unfailing companionship. Thank you for the years we shared together. I will never forget you, my friend and captain. I know not where the truck that carted you away will leave you; I only know you are entering another stage in the adventure of life. To these new adventures I say, with tears, Engage.

Thank you, thank you!

Most of you know what moving around is like. Some of you have even done it with kids in tow. While growing up, we moved four times (Courtney, I know you TOTALLY have me beat on that one! :)) and since Jon and I got married we've moved three times. This summer's move is the fourth, but it's the first with kids. And not just one kid but two. Wow, are things different with kids! Certainly not bad, but definitely different. There's just so much STUFF one accumulates, despite the ritural pitching before (and after) a move.

Well, about a week after we received our household goods, both my mom and my mother in law came to help us settle in. What a tremendous blessing they were!! (And are, of course.) At first I thought I wouldn't have enough things for them to do to keep them busy, but that was hardly the case once I started on my to-do list. Since we have such a small (and at that time very messy) house, they stayed at the Navy Lodge on the Naval Post Grad school, so every morning Kate would excitedly await their arrival. Oh how delighted she was when she saw the car pull into the drive! Then the real work would start. Both moms dove in with both feet. During the week they were here they emptied boxes, packed the storage shed, sorted china, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, watched kids, ran errands, bought groceries, made dinner, ran to Wal-Mart, moved furniture, organized our HUGE bathroom/linen closet, did laundry, washed windows, lined cabinets with shelf paper, sorted books, babysat, went with both girls and me to the doctor, took us to dinner, sorted baby/kid clothes, and a ton of other large and small things. And all of these jobs they completed with a smile on their face and a request for more to do. It was phenemonal!






Oh, and I also let them out for a little fun too. We went to Fisherman's Wharf and saw the shops, otters, and sea lions. We even got to spend a little time at the beach--since I let them out for good behavior. :) I had no idea how much there was to accomplish and only after they came and began the sorting frenzy did I realize how much I would NEVER have accomplished without their help. Thank you thank you to the best two moms in the world! We SO appreciated your selflessness and servant's hearts while you were here. We miss you and can't wait for you to come back. (Though I promise there will be less work and more play next time.)

Happy 5 month Birthday, Ellie!

Five months already! This child is such a trooper. We have been in our permanent home for almost a month now and she is still happy, excited and sweet. She has begun to blow bubbles and eat rice cereal (usually at the same time) and she loves discovering toys in her exersaucer. We're realizing that she's a definite people person and really enjoys being around us and seeing her big sis. What fun she is! We're still working on the sleeping through the night issues, but as for now she goes (consistently) 6-8 hrs without waking and still feeds only once between 7 and 7. Wahoo! Way to go, Ellie. And I think this is the first month in your life that you've gone without sleeping in a closet. Congratulations, Ellie! We love you. :)

Ellie and Grandpa

Turning on the charm for Uncle Evan...or not.

Loving our new beach lifestyle here in CA. Actually, Ellie loves being in the Bjorn while on the beach. She never complains and is so relaxed as we walk up and down. There's definitely some beach-loving-blood in her, right Gram?

Two of her favorite things: drooling and smiling.