Some random updates that didn't fit elsewhere

Friends

When you don't write an update for - um - nearly 4 months, then stories just build up. And then it's this overwhelming task to post, which causes further procrastination, etc. A bad cycle. And, with some of the former audience having moved to Colorado (yes, I'm talking about you, Grandma Babe), some of the pressure is off to provide updates. That said - we have this nice, almost 5-year-long diary of the kids growing up that I'm sure we'll look back on as a fond memory - so no more excuses.

Both of the kids have been taking swim lessons through the fall and again here in 2010. Daniel is working on technique and endurance, and Rachel is zooming up through the skills of floating on her back, blowing bubbles, kicking, etc. Her teacher loves her for her enthusiasm, and she's doing great. On the last lesson of the year, though - she must have swallowed a bit of water, so she complained that her "tummy hurts". When the instructor failed to take the warning seriously, Rachel had the most impressive projectile vomiting all over the pool. That shut down the pool for the day, so everyone else's lessons were cancelled. (Rachel was fine, it was just water)

We've had colds throughout December, and here in January, Rachel got RSV, so she was sounding like a harbor seal. Still everyone was in pretty good shape for Norway. Knowing that bad things can happen if Daniel gets a fever, we fought to get him vaccinated against H1N1 early, and that involved standing in line at a public vaccination for a while. He took it in stride. Rachel got hers a few days later at a similar event, and by December even the adults could get it. So no little piggies in our house.

Daniel is still a couple of inches taller than Rachel, but due to differences in their builds, they are within 0.5lbs of eachother in weight - and I won't be surprised if she laps her brother soon. They're frequently thought to be twins - though that impression doesn't last past Daniel opening his mouth. They have gotten a lot better about playing together - it's no longer Daniel dictating the game and Rachel just following, and he's adapted (sometimes) the idea that she has opinions too.

From preschool, Daniel has developed love for all things Star Wars - even though he's not allowed to watch it yet -> so he has these odd associations that he's pulled together from talking to his friends. He's constantly trying to validate his assumptions: "Can Jedi's die?", "Is Chewbacca a Jedi?" and "Carson says that there is a mom-Vader". After spending time in Norway with his cousins, he has a whole new lexicon to work with "Republic Battleship" is a favorite.

Leading up to Christmas, there were a whole series of activities related to the season. We went on a date with the Finch family and kids to see the Parade of Lights downtown, and while it probably made some impression, the cold temperatures made more of an impression. Then there was a Christmas party for our local city, which was popular - they got to decorate cookies and sit on Santa's lap (speaking of which - I'm not sure I've seen those photos yet).

Daniel is making some steps towards reading on his own - he can recognize short words, and sometimes sound out longer words, but he still prefers to have books read to him. His memory is so good that if you read a book to him once, he can "read" it back to you, so it's a little hard to tell when he's actually reading independently or just pulling things back from memory.

Rachel is about turn 3. She alternates between wanting to be a "Little gurl" and a "BIG Gurl!". She's really quite mature for her age - as I suppose most second children have to be to survive. It's worth remembering that at this age, Daniel still used a pacifier (Rachel never did), and her counting/sequencing skills are ahead of where his were at the same age - it helps to have an older brother! (that's my line and I'm sticking to it, Aunt Sara).

OK, no pictures makes for a boring post. Have a great weekend everyone. I hope to be back with more updates on a more regular basis than in 2009.

Love,

ADRE.