little sweeties...

a few things to share...


Quinn: Is getting over the stomach bug :( poor thing started throwing up at 12:30am and it lasted for a few hours. But I have to tell you, I was so impressed, and proud of the way he handled it...no screaming or crying - very calm, and even charming about it, if you can believe that! I was rubbing his back and saying that I was so sorry that he was sick, and that I wish I could make it better. He said, "it's ok mommy, it's not too bad. I don't like it, but it's kind of funny to see it come out of my mouth." Our little nite together had many conversations like that, and lots and lots of snuggles. After the first time, we headed down stairs together and blew up our airmattress. Crazy, that I can say a night of vomiting, and a sick toddler was in some way enjoyable! Who wouldn't love, the sleepy voice of a 4 year old drifting off to sleep saying..."I love you Mommy" He was still having some crampy feelings for the first half of today, but by the afternoon, was wanting water and food, and kept it down. So, no school and no Tai Kwon Do - which he wasn't happy about. He's doing great with that by the way. Catching on, and really liking it. The program is so great - self control, self discipline, education, respect... just really great. We've been working on him doing things on his own, without being asked. And keeping track of his reading - they give you sheets to record on. Once they hit a certain amount, they turn them in for patches and stripes for their belts. He's loving it, and we can only imagine how excited he'll be when he earns his first reward. I'll have to take a picture, and post it. He looks so adorable in his uniform. He's all smiles when he's on the mat - and often turns to look at billy or I with a big smile, wink, and thumbs up. So adorable.

Keira is just a love almost all of the time. She needs her snuggle -buggle (she calls it that) time, and lots of physical affection throughout the day. She's also quite attached to me...which I love...well most of the time! She's an Aug. birthday, and with her personality, I really do question when she should start school. She loves bringing Quinn to school, and often says "I go to Kiddie Car when I get bigger!" So, we have enrolled her for the Fall, but are not set on sending her to kindergarten in two years. We do have a 3 year Pre-School option if we want to use it, and keep her for one additional year. She'd be 5 when she could go, but only a few weeks before ---- it's also hard to imagine her not being older when we do send her, as Quinn is early December, and had to wait. I like the idea of them being the older kids in their classes, especially with the pressures that are around today. BUT, we'll see. We're looking at preschool as socialization only, not her track to K.
She's been loving "Horton Hatches the Egg" book - we've read it every nite for over a week! And she loves doing prayers at bedtime - something about a little sweet voice praying...aaggghhh really melts you heart. "You lay with me mommy?" is always the last request, and we snuggle for a few minutes. Often she wraps her arms around me and holds my face.

Yesterday we took down the last of our Christmas Decorations - the cards. I hate taking them down, mostly because of all the photos. So, we used some blank board books the kids got as a favor at a birthday party - to make their own 12.08 book. I cut out pictures from the cards, and decorations for the others. The kids glued them in, and added some stickers for extra color. I wrote for them - kind of labeled who was who - and now they each have their own book that they made and can read. It was fun, and I think we'll make it a tradition every year. A nice way to keep some memories. :)

Sorry no pictures tonight - just wanted to share some sweetness with you and hope you're finding some of your own in your lives.

good night - xxxooo genine