Sylvia can write her name

Her hair is hiding the S, but trust me, it's there.

At The Nutcracker

Things I might forget

Time is moving so, so fast these days, and I want to remember every little detail of the things the kids do (the cute details, at least!). That's not possible, of course, but here are a few. 

Right now Sylvia is really into saying, "It's time for my races!" Then she goes outside and lines up her scooter, her tricycle, and her blue bike and enlists her imaginary friend Belissa (pronounced just like Melissa but with a B, of course). And she and Belissa take off, doing a lap around the garden box, and they always win. I am often invited to compete on my imaginary vehicles. 

She'll even do this when it's cold out, and even if it's dark. She also calls her races "channels." I have no idea why. 

The other day she used the words "gossamer gold" in a sentence as we were driving in the car. I'm not sure she knows what it means, but she heard "gossamer" used in a Frozen audiobook to describe Elsa's cloak. 

Lately she wants to hear audiobooks or kid music in the car all the time, and sometimes I say no, let's talk, but sometimes we all ride quietly, just listening. Even Levi rests, looking out the window at trees. I already feel the pang of what it will be like to have a teenager back there, listening to her headphones. 

Sylvia is extremely independent and has been saying "I REFUSE!" a lot to simple things, like "Pick up your coat." But she often says it while complying with whatever I have asked her to do, so I try to keep quiet while she's repeating it, just in case. 

She is rapidly learning to write letters, thanks to her preschool teachers ingenious idea to have the kids "sign in" when they arrive using dry-erase markers. 

Levi learned to say "Up!" so I'll pick him up, and he is always so obviously pleased whenever we understand what he's saying. 

Life keeps going. I hope I take more notes. 

More super cute soccer tricks

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Levi’s new soccer trick

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Levi’s favorite game

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Lawrence Christmas parade

So many horses! Levi was wrapt. Dad is still talking about it, too.

Announcement!

Sylvia drew pictures of all of the people allowed into her room: herself, her parents, and all her cousins. She also drew a picture of Levi, and drew a big line over him. He isn't respecting that decision.

Before she started drawing, she announced to me out of nowhere, "No babies are allowed in my room." Then she remembered that she likes Pia. So she amended that to, "No boys are allowed in my room." Then she remembered that she likes Daddy and Isaiah (sorry, the rest of you guys: no one else got mentioned). So she amended that to the essential truth, "Levi is not allowed in my room." Then she got to work on the signs.

Why do we ever stop dressing like this?

Sylvia’s “new” room

I moved the furniture around and it's so much easier to play in there. She was delighted. She kept saying, "Mom, did you know you changed my room A LOT?"

Red Light Green Light

With Zack and Luke at thanksgiving at Marilyn's. Even Levi played.

Levi and Grandpa Charlie

That can’t possibly be comfortable

Pia and Levi make escape plans

Blustery day at the park

Kateri and Sylvia

Pia and Levi

My lunch dates

Levi will eat almost anything. He just doesn't like to sit down.

Starting to build a gnome and fairy garden

We were inspired by a great one Paul found in the neighborhood.

This isn’t even the cutest face he makes.

Farming fun

Preschool fashion

Sometimes an outfit just comes together, ya know?

Science City with Clare

Levi tried to escape to the train yard.

At “the big park”

Photos of Levi and me by Sylvia.

Ginkgo drop at the Nelson

Superheroes

Fun with Ginkgo trees

Love you, Clare. Thanks for the visit.

Moab: Paul, his muse, and his trainer

Just before the race.

Clare knows just what to do

Drive these kids around the grocery store!

Fruita, Colorado

Every corner had something we probably weren't supposed to play with, but we did.

Museum day

Reading time

Levi has a favorite picture book. It's "The Swing," by Robert Louis Stevenson. Good choice.

Levi loves this random piece of paper

Sylvia, behind the camera