Oh Suzanna!

She Stacks

Neva has always been a pretty serious stacker.  Here she is, almost a year ago, right after Frances was born.  These days her stacking efforts are most often undermined by a little sister who thinks knocking down block towers (and sister's reaction) are quite delightful.  Neva does NOT think this is delightful!  Sometimes my instinct is to back off and let Neva realize that having block towers knocked down is part of life and it's not a big deal.  But other times it seems like a good idea to protect her vision and let Neva complete the stacking task for herself.  So the other day I harnessed Frankie in and watched Neva go.  She was quite pleased!  And, like the big girl she is really becoming, she was totally willing to let Frances destroy it after soaking the moment in. 

She Eats

And eats. And eats.  There must be a serious growth spurt happening because we've been marveling the past few days at the amount of food this little child consumes.  And oh how she talks.  Usually repeating just about anything her older sister says or telling us the same stories over and over (and over and over), she is just so eager to join the conversation!  Our little Frances seems to throw herself into all aspects of life with gusto, which is equal parts hilarious, delightful, and terrifying (especially when coming down the stairs)  Robb and I have often remarked that at times it truly feels like we are trying to tame a wild animal! How different she is from our gentle, mild mannered Neva!  How different and how wonderful. 

.: w e e k e n d i n g :.

Snowy Day

With snow covering the world outside, winds gusting, and temperatures well below freezing, how happy we are to find ourselves home-bound for the day.  Our mighty stove keeps our little house quite toasty (the downstairs at least) and having Robb home from work for the day makes being stuck inside together even sweeter.  For now there are books to read, games to play, and knitting by the wood stove. 

 

Happy Weekend!

 

 

Yuletide

 Like everyone I suppose, for us the Christmas season went by in a flurry of preparation, celebration, working, and playing.  But the past week has been a time to slow down, savor, and enjoy our little family.

(playing in the snow a few weeks ago)

 

Our Christmas celebration was very sweet and very simple. After spending a cozy morning at home we headed up to Mum Mum and Popeye's house for Christmas dinner.  Gifts were quite minimal...I made each girl a winter bonnet and a sock monkey and they each got a new winter book, along with some little items in their stockings.   We also like to celebrate the "12 days of Christmas" (the days between Christmas and Epiphany, January 6th) so each day the girls have a very little gift in their stocking. The best gift of all, however, was the birth of our new cousin/niece on New Year's Eve!  Congratulations Dave and Stephanie!  Welcome Evelyn!

 (Christmas morning)

Happy New Year!