On the Twelves

Twelve bits of my day:

* Finished reading book one of the Sisters Eight series with the girls while having a tea party.

* Mailed out Christmas cards. Photocards. With professional pictures. And they will arrive before Christmas. This is kinda a big deal for me.

* Made venison chili for the first, and definitely NOT last time. Yummy!

* Proudly listened to Aubrey tell me about her babysitting adventure yesterday, and how she handled a particularly challenging child.

* Set Lauren's on-line curriculum settings to 2nd grade. Smart cookie.

* Cleaned out my yahoo mail box - aka the junk mail box. Any guess how many unread messages there were?

* Remembered some special events in my life. Namely, Sasha's birth and Grandma Marg's passing.

* Played with my new, yet technologically old, cell phone. No more internet-at-my-fingertips, thankyouverymuch. (Andy thinks I'm crazy. I might be. But, I'm also $50 richer per month. ;-) )

* Listened to Sasha attempt to plunge the toilet. Twice. It was not overflowing, she just likes to think it is.

* Had a giggle-fest with Zoe. On that note, have you heard of Laughter Yoga? I am intrigued.

* Thanked the Lord that I am not yet parenting teenagers. I know I'll get there, but today I'm glad I'm not there yet.

* Enjoyed Blue Bell's Cookies-n-Cream ice cream. The best. Seriously.

As requested, more pictures. Well, a picture.

Zoe is quite the people person, and finds herself in many different arms at church. It so happened that Pastor Heath had her one Sunday as Church began, so she helped him with announcements. <3

Magic Wand

It's like my fairy godmother waved her wand, and suddenly my baby isn't a baby anymore. And a small (very, very small) part of me longs for more baby-ness. But that is mostly, I think, because Andy has had surgery, so now we *can't*. And aren't things that are off-limits more enticing? All that to say that Zoe turned 1 last month. At 11 months she decided that food was acceptable, and she LOVES to eat. Just about anything. But, after last night, I can safely say pizza is her favorite. After meals there are always bits in the high chair. Not after pizza. Not one little bit escaped her. And she ate a TON. She still doesn't care to walk, but as in everything she's done, I know that once she starts, she'll be running, so, really, she can take her time. And she is such a little cuddle-bug. Still a happy, mellow child. And quiet, always observing her world. Reminds me so much of Aubrey like that. But with more chill thrown in. I do some signs with her, and she has her own versions, completely different than what I've shown her. But we mostly figure out what we are saying to eachother. (and that sounds fancy, that we do sign language with her. it's not. it's a very, very few signs. Mostly, NURSE and MORE. The MORE always being 'MORE food to eat.' She is incredibly enthusiastic with that sign. Especially on pizza night. And NURSE is usually signed with a head bob, indicating she is tired and ready to cuddle in. I don't think she can sign NURSE without dropping her head. It's very cute.