2013 Recap

So how did we do on our 2013 resolutions?  We didn't knock it out of the park, but it wasn't a total bust.  

• Make my bed MOST days - C.  I probably should add this to my 2014 list.  Could we make one of Brady's chores to make all family member's beds?
• Eat PBJ sandwiches for dinner one time a week or less - B-, still a fair amount of PBJ happenings, but have added a few new variations to the quick and easy menu.
• Take at least one, maybe two adult only vacations -  A, we spent a weekend in Chicago and took a week long trip to London.  
• Teach Brady to read - B-, lost focus on this one, but are going to spend more time on it this year. He does well with sight works and simple books, but not to the curling up in bed and reading a book for an hour point.
• Find balance - C.  Still feel like we're living in the fast lane most days, but I guess that's ok.

I will give Cory props as he set a goal to recycle glass and did an awesome job with it.  Our trash company does not allow glass in the recycle bin so it takes little extra effort to recycle it.

I haven't thought about 2014 resolutions so I'm giving myself until the end of the quarter to come up with the new plan.  It's been a pretty good 2013 and looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings.

Christmas 2013

For the first time ever we spent Christmas Eve at our house.  I know our family probably doesn't want to hear this, but it was really nice.  We went to church, had a steak dinner and opened presents.  We celebrated with Cory's side of the family the weekend before Christmas and then drove down to Wichita on Christmas day to celebrate with my side of the family.  We enjoyed spending time with our family and getting some downtime from work.  Both Ellie and Brady loved opening gifts and all the other festivities.

Weekend before Christmas

Christmas Eve/Morning

Christmas Day with my family

Let it snow

First measurable snow of the season.   Brady loves it!  I convinced Ellie that the girls should stay inside.

Orange Crush

Brady played in a 8 week indoor soccer league.  He loved it and thought it was awesome that they had goalies.  The league was for Kindergarten - 2nd grade so he was playing with a little older kids than normal, but he did great.  He scored a goal almost every game and his last game of the season he scored three goals.  Brady would play soccer every night of the week if he could.   Great job Orange Crush.

Crib fun

This makes me smile every time!

Ellie - 18 months

Ellie is 18 months and is full of personality.  She is very busy, knows what she wants, and gets frustrated when we the rest of us can't figure out what she's trying to tell us.  She goes hard all day and is typically exhausted by 7:30pm.  

Official Stats:

Weight: 22.5 pounds 25%

Height: 30.25 inches 10%

Other highlights from the past three months:

• Sleeping -  Still a rock star sleeper.  Goes to bed around 7:30 or 8.  We have to wake her up during the week, but on the weekends she typically gets up around 8.
• Eating - She is still a good eater, but has really discovered treats the past few months.  She is known to sneak in the pantry looking for a 'snack'.  I made the mistake of leaving the candy bucket with miscellaneous holiday candy, etc on the floor and she's very good at finding and unwrapping them.  The other day I asked her what she wanted for a snack and she said "M&Ms".  I said how about cheese and some crackers which was followed by a dramatic "NOOOOOO".
• Favorite activities - Ellie loves playing with her babies and lovies.  She likes to carry them around the house.  One is not enough as she likes to have as many as she can fit in her arms.  Ellie also loves Elmo and Abby.  When we go to Target she regularly spots an Elmo item from a distance.  She also still loves eating pouches and her favorite are the ones with Elmo on the front.  She'll say she wants to "Eat Elmo" for breakfast.  Ellie prefers to be outside and is not too happy that winter weather keeps us indoors.  She stands by the back door and says "outside".
• Accomplishments -  Ellie's vocabulary has grown tremendously.  My guess is she has around 100 words that she uses regularly.  She can say most of her classmates at school name.  Most of the body parts.  Names colors, but doesn't always say the right one.  One of my favorite things is to ask Ellie how old she is and she will hold up one finger and say two.  I will say Ellie you're not two and then she'll say three.  I guess she is more focused on learning to count than knowing her actual age.  She also has started to tell us if Brady does something to her she does not like.  "No No Ba-Ba" she'll say.

Brady's Aquarium

Brady drew a picture of fish and cut it out.  I then noticed he was digging in the cabinets looking for a baggie.  I asked him what he was doing and he said he was making an aquarium.  He filled the baggie with water and then asked for salt as apparently his fish was a salt water fish.  After he had the water and salt in place he added his fish.  One of the aquariums even had some sea shells.  So creative!

Christmas Program

Brady and Ellie's school had a Christmas program this year.  Each class performed 1 or 2 songs.  Ellie was not too excited about being on stage, but loved clapping for the other classes once her song was over.  Brady's class was the last to perform and they did a great job singing two songs with actions.