Playing People

Ben is really into playing with Little People lately. He says, "Mommy, do you want to play people with me?" So I lay in the floor pretending (though I never do it exactly the right way) while he bounces around me setting up his people and animals in a parade, or all crammed into one room of the people house, or all on the deck of the imaginext boat. Actually, he has finally started playing people some by himself this week - a new accomplishment for him and somewhat freeing for me! Looking at my family room right now, I can see little people and animals strewn across about 10 feet, but I don't mind. They've barely been picked up at all this week, but I don't mind. It is a nice reminder that this is where we live, grow, dance, cry, learn, and play people - in more ways than one.

Updates

The last couple of weeks have been filled with snow and dreary weather and more snow and
dreary weather. I think it is giving me the blahs. I sit around in my jammies all morning saying "blah." My kids are saying "blah" (it comes out as whining, but I know it is really blah). I listen to the weather report and all I hear is blah, blah, blah. I am quite ready for spring! In fact, my sister-in-law Rachel said to me the other day (as she also lamented the dreariness) that she was willing to skip spring and go straight to summer. Here, here!


In the meantime, here is what we are up to while stuck on Cobb Knob for days on end.



1. Ben is officially potty trained! We struggled for a while, but he has not worn a pull-up in over a month and no accidents in at least a week. Hip Hip Hooray! But he does have trouble keeping his pants up now without the diaper bubble underneath.



2. Katie has lost both her top front teeth. I do wonder why all kids lose them together, but she has done the same thing (with a little help from a friend's elbow on the school bus)! She is getting so tall and reading amazingly well. Some of the outfits she has put together lately are actually presentable, too! Growing up, I guess.



3. Annie's tongue looks pretty normal again and Aaron's scalp is almost completely healed as well. He fell into a corner of the wall last week and gave himself a small laceration which I proceeded to glue (i.e. dermabond) at home because I did not want to make another trip to the ER!



4. The kids have had several snow days already this year with more to come most likely. My house has been a total wreck most days with forts in progress, books and toys strewn about, snacks and lunches on the counter. We go to the library whenever there is a pretty day to replace the books we are speeding through. Today I found the large couch cushions in Annie's crib. I didn't ask, but I'll take the mess over "I'm bored" any day!



5. Annie is developing quite the personality. At this point, I'd say she is the most strong-willed of them all. She doesn't have many words, but she can definitely let you know what she wants and if she can't, she'll at least let you know what she is thinking!! She does say, "Mommee" very clearly as she hangs onto my legs while I walk around the kitchen. Still, she is certainly very sweet at times, so I call her my lovable monster! Her favorite activities are loving her baby doll and playing in her kitchen, bringing me drinks and plastic food.


6. Aaron is semi-enjoying Cub Scouts. I think he will like it more when spring comes and they can do the fun outside things that Scouts are known for. He does look great in his uniform, though!

Aaron's 8th Birthday

Aaron turned 8 years old last Sunday, January 24th. The Sunday prior we had just a few friends over for lightsaber cake and yoda soda (green punch). We listened to Star Wars soundtracks on Bob's computer while the boys played with their lightsabers! Then Jake and Carter stayed all night. Most of their time was spent playing Clone Wars on the Wii, watching Star Wars Episode IV, and playing Star Wars games on the computer. They did stop long enough to eat pancakes, but that's about it!





What a great kid!