Riding Bikes

A week after he turned four, E started riding his bike. We then lowered the balance bike for Belalu, and while I thought that it was too tall for her, we actually could lower it a little more. However, she still needs help because her tippie toes just reach the ground, so when she really wants to move, she goes back to the Tiny Trike. All of our bikes have been getting a lot of use this summer.

At the Children's Museum

So, most of these are blurry. Any tips for getting clearer photos from an iphone?

And a video.

Jam Session

Snow-day fun

Happy New Year!

I'm currently at my sis's place in Boston with the kids. I've been attending the MLA conference during the day while they visit. It's great they all get to see each other while I get to hear some interesting talks, and I know J is enjoying the quiet time at home.

What resolutions have you made for the new year? E started his year off well- he just up and threw out his pacifier the other day. Whew- we're really hoping that's the end of that. As for me, I've designated 2013 The Year of the House. This is the year I'm going to tackle a big chunk of all those projects that have been driving me crazy since we moved in three and a half years ago. I know I'll never really be done with it, and that's fine, because it should evolve as our family does, but there are a lot of things that I've been wanting to do and just haven't had the time/energy to do them. This will be the year.

I won't subject you to too many more trip photos. Here are my some of my favorite moments/scenes from our trip to Puerto Rico last month.

Gingerbread House

 One of the Advent Calendar activities this week was to build a gingerbread house. E and I had a lot of fun putting it together. 

Fall Holidays

Since I got behind this month, I'll combine Halloween and Thanksgiving into one. Before we know it, it'll be the winter holiday season!

Belalu had two costumes. My mom bought her a honeybee costume, but it was a bit big on her, so for an indoor party, she was a cowgirl instead. Then, the night of trick or treating she wore the honeybee costume, though she lasted a block and a half before she was ready for bed, so E went on with our friends, I put her to bed (J was home handing out candy), and then met back up with everyone.

The Queen Honeybee in her carriage

 Essie was a fireman. He's obsessed with Fireman Sam and rescuing, helping, and saving the day.

There happened to be a rocking horse at the party- too perfect!

This year was the first time I have ever carved a pumpkin- I'm not kidding! I usually leave that job to others, but this year J was dragging his feet and one night I just decided it needed to be done. E helped, of course.

Thanksgiving was low key. We spent the day at home cooking and then went to our friends' house for dinner.

Raking Leaves

Another beloved fall tradition for our family is raking leaves. I really enjoy doing it for the first few hours. I love the smell of the dirt and grass on the ground, the faint scent of decomposition from the leaves, their dry rustle as I walk on them and rake them into piles. I especially love hearing my raking echoed in that of my neighbors as we all work on preparing our houses and yards for those long dark days of winter when we'll barely nod to each other as we rush into the house as soon as possible to escape the cold.

This year, I recruited a couple of helpers.

When the leaves are collected, they are packed into the car and taken to a nearby farm, where they will become either compost or goat food.

Soccer

My little boy started soccer this week. It's a 6-week program for pre-schoolers, so I don't know if they'll ever do a scrimmage. They'll probably just work on ball handling and following directions. Still, I cannot believe he's old enough for something like this. 

It was so fun to see him out there, sometimes following directions, many times doing his own thing, like humming a song and watching the geese fly overhead. He was so excited to be playing "fútbol" like his Papi and Juju.

He doesn't get as much attention on this blog as his sis, but I have to tell you: I adore this boy. He is the love of my life and makes every day more joyful. He's a thoughtful old soul who loves to do puzzles and "read" his books.  I cannot go a single day without a hug from him. I am just so grateful to be his mom and to get to watch him grow. 

A Day Out with Thomas

Yes, the Island of Sodor I was referring to was that Island :) We actually went to the Railway Museum in Bar Harbor, ME for "A Day Out with Thomas." Essie had been missing his trains since Vigo (we had left them back home so as not to get lost). He inherited many of them from Juju and has since received some from the Easter Bunny, Santa, his grandmother, etc. It's quite the collection. So, when we told him we were heading to the Island of Sodor, and then he saw Thomas come out of a covered bridge tooting his horn.... It was such an exciting day, he feel asleep at 4 pm and didn't get up until 6 am the next day (jet lag probably had something to do with that, too).

We took two days of driving for 12 hours to get home, and Belalu screamed all the way. Both days she took three half-hour naps and almost all the rest of the time was screaming. I wish I was exaggerating. But it's done now, and we're home!!

The Trains

Here and There