So hard

Always hard to say goodbye.

But let's just go to the airport and play card games for awhile and pretend we're not leaving.

I'll never know how it's possible to be ready 

to go home but not want to leave.

Love you guys.

And there you have it.

Daniel, looking at a navel orange, casually says, "this looks like it's having a baby. See, that's the baby's head."

 Okay Daniel, well you're not going to find any argument from me there...

---

In other news, I think perhaps in 7 years Daniel has changed less than I have. ;)

Great Grandparents

I remember visiting my great grandpa when I was young.
He told the same stories over and over about his life when he was younger.
I remember that it was slightly uncomfortable but at the same time
kind of intriguing. I don't know what my kids thought today,
and they took awhile to warm up, but it was sweet for me to see them
doing something that I so clearly remember doing.
And even though my Grandma and Grandpa are 92 and 93,
they didn't tell the same stories over and over!
(Grandma was more interested in my iPhone, amazed that zooming in and out didn't ruin the photo. Cuteness.)

Laura loved Great Grandma's china doll, can you tell?

Christmas presents

An iPad for the kids for Christmas has changed the way we see ourselves...

Happy New Year 2012

Here's to looking forward and not behind...
*I didn't save the photo for this, it was taken today!

You know you're in America when...

Nick says to Grandpa, "Can I please have a weapon?"

Enough said.

Mom

It was my Mom's 60th birthday the other day. 

Okay, well nearly 2 weeks ago now...

I was just letting you ease into your 60's Mom, you know, 

instead of bombarding you on the day with lots of that 

"oh welcome to your 7th decade" stuff... ;) hehe.

I love you more than I can express, and miss you just as much. Thanks for all the love you've poured into my life. I owe so much to you.

Ballet concert

Did I ever EVER think a child of mine would wear makeup at 5 years old?

Nope.

Did I surprise myself by thinking it was sorta kinda fun to indulge
this girly side of my daughter that only faintly exists in me?

Admittedly, yes.

 She was blissfully happy and I found myself very much
enjoying the day with her.

She's had such a fun year doing ballet.
She performed so well on stage with her group, paying attention to detail
and feeling so proud to be doing it in front of so many people.
Perhaps it's not such a terrible thing to let her continue for a bit... the jury's still out...

Luckily the makeup is only for the concert - it's more makeup
than I have ever worn, even on my wedding! :)

3 on 2

3 years old and on 2 wheels.

Go Nick.

I'm telling you, my sister's trick really works!

He's always been coordinated and hugely interested
in anything physical, but this is cool. 

Wish I'd tried it with all the kids, but then
you tend to go with what they are interested in...

Can't wait till he's confident enough to go for a real bike ride!