Preschool Opening - January

I started the school year with two preschool classes - both full with eight students each.

I guess even preschool is affected by the economy, as we have had three students move for job related reasons....

Since I now have openings (and since I have never gotten over the guilt of turning people away when I was full) I thought I ought to get the word out that I do have a couple of immediate openings that I am willing to fill.

If you know of anyone looking for a 3-4 year-old preschool, please pass along my name and number. We have LOTS of fun!

Thanks!

Christmas 2009

What is proper blog etiquette in regard to the time that can lapse between an event and the blog post about it?
Since I don't know, I'm totally backdating this post.

It seems almost obligatory to post some photos from Christmas on the family blog. I'll let the photos tell the story (with some words thrown in for posterity)...

Cason kept changing his mind on Santa. This was requested after the pitching machine, but before the Star Wars legos. What's a Santa to do?

Jake's gift. Turns out Ty wants his own plasma board

Ty testing the shamy to see how absorbent it really is

Kaitlyn's only request to Santa - a BLUE razor scooter

thanks for the smile Tanner

Rich's signature thumbs up - a very warm thumbs thanks to Cason

Katherine is now on Skype

Tyler learned very quickly what to do with those pesky bows

Cason gave Conner a football...Conner gave Cason a football. Subsequently we have had a lot of football going on at our house

Now that is the kind of reaction that mom likes to see

If you don't know what it is, and it's too heavy to shake, try standing on it

Thank goodness we had tech support (tanner) here

Proof that Ty is a little more willing to share than Jake (see plasma board photo)

All in all, a great Christmas!

We're down one child...

We didn't actually lose anyone, it's just that Tanner turned 18 today!

Last night Rich and I (and Ty) took Tanner out to celebrate his birthday.

We began by eating the worlds largest deli sandwiches at the Carnegie Deli (NYC knockoff at the Mirage Hotel).

Then we walked down the road to Serendipity's (another NYC knockoff at Caesar's) for dessert.

I just had to include this photo - can you just see Ty eyeing that iced hot chocolate or what?

NYC was the theme of the evening, albeit Tanner didn't know why.

Today the theme continued when we gave Tanner a NYC t-shirt and a NYC metro map...and let him know that after his HS graduation in June he and Rich will be going to visit NYC together.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

What Jake is going to miss...

It's just a guess, but I think that what Jake is going to miss most about this Christmas Season is the Christmas music.

He has listened to it.

He has sung along with it.

He has become highly attached to his radio...

MERRY CHRISTMAS from us all!

Merry Christmas from JAKE

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(The first part of the video is a bit of an "outtake" - complete with a burp mid-song. We did finally get a good video, but I couldn't not include it all. )

Merry Christmas from KK & TY

Merry Christmas from CASON

Handy Manny is now officially THREE

Jake not only requested a Handy Manny cake for his birthday....Jake became Handy Manny for his birthday. Throughout the day as I was making his cake he would tell me that he was Handy Manny and that it was Manny's birthday - it turns out that Manny was also turning three today!

Luckily, by the time we opened gifts and blew out the candles, Jake was back to being Jake.

Jake's birthday was made especially special because Grandma and Grandpa were able to join us for the celebration on their way to San Diego.

The Handy Manny theme continued as Jake received a Handy Manny motorcycle from Grandma and Grandpa and a Handy Manny book from mom and dad. The cutest part of the gift opening was that before Jake opened each gift he would pick it up and look at me and say "I open this?" It was said so politely - it was just very endearing and sweet.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Time to unionize?

Christmas generally turns my kitchen into a bit of an assembly line...

from the 12 dozen cookies for the Cookie Exchange...

to the 2 dozen neighbor/friend treats...
(this year we made s'more kits)

to the handmade nativity sets...

and let's not forget the 80 Christmas cards...

Turns out that Santa is onto something with those elves. I think I could have used a few helpers myself these past few weeks.

Here's to 12 months of rest before we do it all over again :)

What the.....?

Seriously?

What is that face?

And how did it get on my Ty?

Oh, to be TWO!

In one week Jake will celebrate his third birthday.
You know what I will miss most about Jake turning THREE?...
...Jake no longer being TWO!

My heart is simply overwhelmed with love for this little guy.
I cannot get enough of him.
I LOVE YOU JAKE! Happy Birthday.
Love, Mommy