I”m sure that I’m not the only blogger who has become completely disenchanted with their blog upon finding facebook right? It’s fun to share my pictures there where they can JUST be seen by family and friends.
So, what does this mean for the future of my blog? I have no idea, but I’m not ditching it yet! I really only ever considered it a place to share my simple kind of life with those who care. So, are there those who care that are not on facebook? I don’t think so….
Summer is over! Carter declared it a good summer! And it truly was! One where we were blessed with wonderful friendships and many adventures!
Lots of cottage trips
Berry picking (raspberry, wild blueberry, blueberry and elderberry!)
We had our first family meeting today. I hope to have more as we grow. A chance for us all to be heard. I had a specific agenda in mind. Chores.
We all talked about our responsibilities around the house. Then I asked the kids to re-consider what they do.
This is what we came up with
Carter 5.5 years old
Unload silverware from dishwasher
After dinner clean up
clear table
sweep
Put own laundry away
Help when mom and dad ask.
Carter does a wonderful job around the house. He’s always eager to help!
Skye, almost 3
Bring trash from bathroom and office to kitchen. Bring back cans after mom empties them.
Set the table before dinner.
Help mom and dad when asked. She really likes cleaning the bathroom!
Separate to and not related, we talked about allowance. Carter asked for a raise from $1 per week to $2. We compromised at $1.50 per week. He’s STILL saving for one of those ride in cars.
We agreed that Skye, while doesn’t NEED an allowance at this age, should get $.50 per week. Mostly to keep her happy.
We pay allowance for being a ‘productive member of the house’ and NOT related to the chores. I can only imagine the day when they say, ‘I don’t need any money now, I’m not doing…whatever’. Anyway. Our little update for today
I taught the K-1 class in RE this month. We studied The Posada and Christianity. I loved working with the kids and I loved having the Christian influence in our UU church. Carter and Skye loved hearing about Jesus’ birth and how and why we celebrate Christmas.
A few good ideas new to this year; I wrapped all of our Christmas books and let the kids alternate opening one a day. Usually in the morning. (we are a two car family now, so we were able to have pj mornings!) and we read them all. It really worked out great. I look forward to doing it again next year!
I put the ‘kid’s ornaments’ in a special box last year and put them right up top. So when we were decorating they were able to just have an entire box of stuff that was good for them to put up right away. Worked out really well!
Also, in true UU fashion, we celebrated the Winter Solstice. We had dinner with friends them a small celebration where we talked about the solstice and what it meant. It was quite lovely!
We got our tree from Greenfield Village. If ever the opportunity presents it’s self, I recommend you go! It was a lovely, picturesque lot with cute little Balsam Firs from Nova Scotia. The best Christmas tree we’ve ever had. Not the biggest, or the fullest, just the best!
Also, we went to HFM for their Christmas fun! We saw Santa there. Made crafts, played with trains and had lots of fun! Another ‘must do’ annually, if possible!
We spent Christmas eve day in PJ’s. Baking, playing, and enjoying the calm before the storm! The kids and I made peppermint bark and chocolate chip cookies. Yum!
Christmas Day was what it should be. Not over done. Simple, fun, happiness! Carter received a knight shield and sword, a klean kanteen, a bouncy ball (thanks for the great idea Nicki!) and a few books he’s been wanting. His stocking was full with a Turbo twist math game, small bilbo, gum and candy and a few other goodies!
Skye received a Webkinz Horse, a klean kanteen, Plan people for her dollhouse, and a book about a homeschooling family. She also had a hugely full stocking with all kinds of goodies!
They both received a few games and a train set from mom and dad.
The kids really enjoyed Christmas crafting this year! We did mostly homemade gifts for family. Rolling beeswax candle and making lavender dryer bags. The kids wanted to help and did help with the entire process this year!
Also this month, Carter traveled by train to Kalamazoo (with Grandmas of course). He had a great time! What wonderful memories for him!
Wow, we had a busy month in retrospective! The mall hosted a Polar Express exhibit. The kids really enjoyed. Thank goodness for homeschooling. We were able to go early one weekday morning and explore the area with no lines. Carter is Polar Express’ #1 fan. We also caught a free showing of it at a local theater. After they had a drawing and Carter won, the book, the cd and THE BELL. He was so pleased!
December also brought one of the biggest snow days we’ve seen in awhile! The kids had fun playing in it!
With everything seeming to be recessed, down turned, closing and bad lately, it’s sometimes hard to look for the everyday positive. But we do, because if we focused on the negative we would only bring more negative to our lives. I am so happy for the lovely children I have to remind me that everyday is good, even the bad ones.
Wishes for 2009. Well, while I wish for stability. I have a feeling it’s a year of change. Even more than last. So, I wish for myself the patience with change. Knowing that it can be unsettling and that things will get better. Hopefully it will be the kind of stuff that makes us all grow stronger without breaking us in the process.
Sorry this post has been sort of spazy and wordy. Still trying to figure out what I want out of this vs what should be out there. Trying to hold back a bit, but I have so much to share!
Pictures are on flickr. You need to by my ‘friend’ to see them LMK if you want an invite or need any help with that!
Carter wants to be an egg eating vegetarian who is also Christian when he grows up.
Both Carter and Skye asked Santa for a book for Christmas. I guess thats from what we do for Christmas, Something we want, something we need, something to play with, something to read.
We’ve been enjoying making homemade gift for our family again this year.
Sorry for the pause, hopefully I will be back to full time blogging again soon. Thank you to those who cared to ask why and for the log in.
Lots of great reviews on movies and games. Great info for parents so they can make an informed choice about what they are watching. But the biggest bonus is the age rating. If Carter REALLY wants to watch a move (Star Wars) we just go there and agree (most of the time) with whatever they say. He accepts it!
Good bye Summer! Today is the first day of fall. It’s gone by too fast this year. And while I look forward to all fall has to offer, I’m not really looking forward to the 6 months of hibernation that follow.
We did lots of fun things this year including;
two visits to the cottage, bats, tree swing, messy party, outside storytimes complete with explosive experiments, playdates, going to parks, water sport @ Jays, ice cream truck, Dunham beach, Lake Michigan, putt putt, backyard pool play, weekly farmers markets, slip and slide, berry picking, countless trips to Greenfield village, many times at music in the park, picking tomatoes from the garden, swimming in friends pools, loosing a tooth, DSC, making new friends, playing with old friends, go carts, bike riding including to Toys R Us, parties at the lake, swim lessons, tie die party, Aunties new apartment, water park, windows falling on heads, open houses at the fire station, horse rides, nature walks with friends….
what we didn’t get to flying kites, Toledo Zoo, more bike riding, more geocaching….
we went up north for the long weekend and said good bye to summer. It FELT like good bye. Our last swim in the lake, Carter caught his first fish, jumped off the dock for the first time, but it was good bye. All his friends return to school tomorrow. We will celebrate in ‘not back to school’ ways. Including his first ever sleep over at a friends. They do grow up so fast.
Wow, what a quick two years this has been. Some days I need to remind myself that she’s been here 2 years and not one.
Skye is a very charming little girl, in a very quite way. She loves people as much as her brother ever has. If there is a lap available, she’s in it. Usually with a book in hand. She isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. She communicates in an unusual way, combining signs, verbal and body language.
She always says no first then yes. She is very independent. Wanting to do everything on her own first. Which is normal, natural and yes, sometimes annoying.
She loves her Auntie Monique and think that she represents everything pretty. She hangs out at the window, wondering if Auntie is coming over. She loves for her to paint her toe nails and play with her.
She loves to laugh and her brother is still a very funny guy to her. She wakes up thinking about him and their hugs before bed are my favorite part of the day!
Skye loves to talk. In the car. Non stop. Mama this, mama that, mama me, mama mine. I’ll take a video of it one day, it’s hard to get a sense of how much she talks till you hear it.
She loves to jump, run, play, get into messes, take baths, be primped, color, use play-dough, and she loves to help mama cook. She thinks all knives and scissors are called ‘ouch!’.
She has too many words to count but they are mostly only understood by me, Paul and sometimes only Carter.
Her favorite color is yellow. She loves to say it, she loves to find it in thing (books, toys…).
When I have tried to steer her to ‘girly’ things, she retreats to the more causal items. For example yesterday we stayed home from a Valentines Day party and I wanted to make the day special for the kids. So I found some dressy pj’s I was saving for Skye. She had zero interested. Went for the cute heart zipper jacket instead. Hello! It had a hood AND pockets. What more could a girl want!?!?
It has been a great year getting know to this little person Skye a bit better. Her personality is becoming more clear and strong. Looking forward to what the next year brings for my little girl (who thinks she’s still a baby!).
Enjoy this year’s slide show and scroll down for last years!
