Grateful

Kyle walked into the room this morning to find me watching the inauguration.

"What's this?" he asked me, suspiciously.

And as I started to explain, I choked up.

I was moved by gratitude and pride for the country in which I'm lucky enough to live. A democratic country where every voice is heard, freedoms are enjoyed, and the transition of power is seamless and smooth.

I may not have voted for our new president, but he has my support and admiration. And I'm filled with gratitude on this day.

Flower Girl

I had an impromtu photo shoot with my little gal the other day.
Sunflower + good lighting + the cutest subject ever = keepsake photos

Museum of Natural History

Kyle loves museums. We used to frequent them often and he's missed them since moving here. So when we asked what he'd like to do for the holiday yesterday, I wasn't surprised when he said, "Go to a museum."

So we found ourselves at the Museum of Natural History in L.A.
We felt like we'd stepped right into the movie, "Night at the Museum."

They had a pretty impressive children's discovery area, and Kyle loved it.

He dug for dinosaur bones...

...and got to pet a millipede.
FYI, centipedes are venomous, but millipedes aren't.

It was a beautiful day, so after we'd exhausted the museum and bought a gigantic rubber tarantula souvenir, we headed outside to enjoy the sunshine, fountains, and rose garden.
What a fabulous day!

Just because...

...she makes me happy.

Success

For a kindergartner, the monkey bars are a status symbol. It's almost a dividing line:

"Can you do the monkey bars?"

"How many bars can you skip?"

"Can you do them backwards?"

Since starting school, Kyle's been obsessed with the monkey bars. For the first few weeks, he came home with a new blister everyday. He'd put a band-aid on, let it heal, then tear it open again a few days later.

But he was determined. Determined to catch up to that friend who could swing across so easily. Determined to do it for himself. And he's succeeded with flying colors. Everyday he shows me a new trick and waits for the "oohs" and "ahhs." He's pleased with himself, and I'm glad. Because he worked hard. He deserves it.

In fact, I've been amazed at his growth in all areas since he started school. I suppose it comes with the territory - they can't sit in school for hours everyday without learning something. But to compare him to the kid I dropped off at school 5 months ago - well, he's not the same kid. He's so confident in what he does and what he's learned. He's loves surprising me with something new he's learned and I love being surprised. It's amazing to watch.

A friend recently asked me if I regretted starting Kyle in school this year. My reply was, "Not yet. I might regret it later, but not yet."

But the more I think about it, the more I think my answer is a resounding NO. He's thrived this year. An extra year at home would've almost been wasted, academically speaking. His teacher has reached him in ways I couldn't. Sure, an extra year might have put him at the top of the class, but he's still in the top half.

And I think he always will be. Because if I've learned anything about my son this year, it's that he thrives on competition. Heaven forbid somebody know more than him or be able to do something he can't.

Oh, he doesn't get mad or jealous, but he notices, and internalizes it. Then he goes forth with a quiet determination to achieve. And when he does, it's magical. For him and for me.

It's a good quality to have, one that will serve him well.

Now, will he hate me when he's 15 and the last one to date and drive? Absolutely. But I think I can handle that.

Milestone

If there's anything that signifies the true end of babyhood, it's this:

Moment #1: Kyle came to me one day, very concerned.
"Mom, I was eating a snack and it pushed on my tooth and now I think it's loose!"
It was only after much excitement and celebration on my part that I convinced him that it was okay for his tooth to be loose. Not only was it okay, it was great!

Moment #2: He comes to me again, even more concerned,
with a bloody mouth and a gaping hole in his smile.
"Mom, I was un-tying my shoe lace (with his teeth) and look what happened!"

Once again, it was up to me to convince him of the greatness of this moment.
So we danced and cheered and celebrated.

He celebrated because not only did he get two whole dollars, but he also realized he was the first of his friends to lose a tooth. That's a big deal.

I celebrated because I didn't have to pull it out! I don't have the stomach for it, and he's too big of a chicken. I was sure that tooth would be hanging by a thread before it came out.

A Jolly Holiday

We experienced a freak snow storm here in the desert this year. Except, when I say we I really mean them because we were on our way to Virginia for the holidays. And as much as I'd like to have experienced snow in the desert, we sure had a great time. It was the first time we'd all been together in about 2 years and we'd been looking forward to it.

What's a vacation without a trip into D.C. on the metro? We thought we'd seen it all,
but we made it to a few new stops.

Like the Bureau of Engraving. It was quite possibly the worst tour I've ever been on, but it was interesting and Kyle was fascinated by the money.

I wanted to buy a sheet of un-cut dollar bills, but they were charging four times the price!
First of all, they're rejects. Second, I was actually saving them time and money by not
cutting them. I just couldn't do it...

Next stop: The American History Museum



Where, luckily, they had a fantastic children's area. We love kid-friendly museums.

We had some new family photos taken.

And still had time to relax...

...and play Rock Band. Kyle and I are starting to feel gypped that we don't have a Wii OR Rock Band. Might have to do something to remedy that situation.

We played games, including some killer Bunco, and Bingo, where Kyle won 4 of the 6 rounds.

Then it was time for Christmas Eve pajamas, which were out of this world.
Are you ready for this?

No really, are you?

Aren't they fabulous?! Kyle had "Kung Fu Panda" on the brain and declared them his Ninja pajamas. The fabric came straight from Grandma's craft room, were sewn with love, and are oh, so comfy!

We were having so much fun that Christmas was almost an afterthought.
Marie couldn't get enough of the bows and paper.

And Kyle seemed pleased as punch over this Star Wars toys. And BYU gear. And videogames. And movies. And new Transformer. My, my, isn't he spoiled.

And somewhere in all of this, my girl celebrated her half-birthday.
To celebrate the big day, she got a new dress.

And at:
15 lbs. 5 oz.
25 5/8"

it fits her perfectly.
I could eat those cheeks all day long.
Love her.

A Moment in Time

If only I could freeze time. I'd keep her just this size and in just this stage. She sits by herself, is easily entertained, but unable to get into trouble. She smiles on command, babbles on endlessly, and loves everyone.

And then I tell myself that the next stage is just as fun. She'll soon be delighted by the new tricks she's performing. She'll discover food and will be entertained and distracted by snacks. Her personality will emerge and I'll get to know this little person even better. Every stage is oh, so fun.

But I can't help but feel a little sadness as I notice how much room she takes up in her crib now. How her 6-month clothes are fitting perfectly, which means soon they'll be too small. I breathe in her smell and bury my face in the rolls of her neck because I know that all too soon, I'll forget. And I don't want to.

How do we love the past, the present, and the future all at once?

Taste Buds

Research shows that children may need to try a new food up to 10 times
before they'll accept or like it. I'm afraid Marie might require 15 or 20.