Pictures of new feats

"Shh..." I want to hear the music!



After reading the previous post, many people asked for pictures of Violet doing "P.U. Stink-ums". So, we captured it on film, but in doing so, discovered that Violet has become quite the ham for the camera. In other words, she'll do her tricks, but she knows she's being photographed/filmed, so she always has this silly grin on her face. So, the effect isn't quite of that of the original P.U. Stink-ums, which was actually done in the context of a dirty diaper, but you get the idea.










We also were shown this week just how observant our daughter truly is. Due to a cooking mishap, of which I do not care to elaborate, we had to throw out our rug that sits on our kitchen floor to cover the white vinyl tile that the previous owner did such a wonderful job stapling down. That night, Violet goes in the kitchen, looks at the floor, gives us this quizzical look, points at the floor, and does her all gone shrug. It didn't phase her much though, as she discovered that in her footie pajamas, the newly discovered, somewhat slippery floor was perfect for having a dance/twirling party. It provided much entertainment for Ben and I as she would twirl, and then point to the floor and say all gone, and twirl some more. This routine actually continued for a couple of days, but has since expired. It now isn't different anymore--it's the way it is.

Let's see...what else...I think Violet is cutting the last of her teeth until she's older; she's got all four molars, but is missing the teeth between the front 4 and the molars, but her drooling and runny nose has come back this week, which is usually the sign for teeth appearing within the next month...and Violet had her first day with just Dad this past weekend as I was at a music conference all weekend. So, she witnessed her first indoor track meet, as well as experienced her father's idea of a great day--hours in Barnes & Noble. Evidently it went well; she was still in one piece when they picked me up from the conference and happy.


Not much else is going on in possibility manor. We have a snow/ice day today which is nice..unfortunatly we left the phone downstairs again, so we did not get to sleep in. But, we've found that Violet doesn't appreciate the art of sleeping in as well as we do, so it wasn't a big deal.
I wish I could figure out how to post the pictures within the text, but until I do, you'll have to put up with them being at the bottom or top of the page. Hope all is well where you are!

P.S. This last picture is one of Violet showing her 80's style. The headband actually belongs to a doll of hers, and she was running towards me as I took the picture. This picture is a favorite of both of ours, and I thought it would be a good one to end this post with.

Babble Babble Babble

So, the big news this weekend is that Violet is becoming quite the talker. We aren't able to understand much of her talking yet, but she's definitely increasing her vocabulary, with a very distinct 'car' one of the highlights.

She's also mastered some new signs which just crack us up. She does her own little cheer 'Baby Vi' holds her nose for 'P.U. Stinkums', and unbeknown to mom and dad, also picked up the finger in front of the mouth while saying 'Shhh.' We couldn't have possibly been doing that to her, could we????

The vintage Little People School Auntie Chandra got her for Christmas is still her toy of choice, and now that Ben and I bought her a set of 20 more Little People characters off Ebay, we no longer have to go house hunting for the ones that actually came with the present. It's great fun to watch her 'walk' the little character up the steps and send them down the slide.

Not much else happening here. Ben did finally contact Calvin College and pending faxing of the application forms by Tuesday will be enrolled to take the first few classes for his Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. Of course, he's not actually IN the master's program yet because that requires more paperwork, but he's on the right track. It appears that that tax rebate will be going straight to grad school tuition; a year off from making payments is rest enough I suppose. We did receive good news from my school that my Master's bonus kicks in immediately, so that was a small, but nice surprise. Not near what we'd be making in those other public schools, but it's better than nothing.

Well, it's Saturday, which means it's a whole day of being just a mom, so I better get going. Have a wonderful weekend, and if you're anywhere in the Midwest--stay warm!!!!

The end of Christmas break

When Christmas break begins, two weeks seems like an endless time to go without routine, albeit a great feeling when you're a teacher! However, when it boils down to it, two weeks is just enough time to get into a routine of non-routine and superb relaxation without any pressing activities, duties, work, etc. It's a glorious glimpse into what summer is like.

As much as I love my job, it's a bit depressing thinking about going back to the 5:30-9:30 schedule. I've enjoyed being up a little later in the evenings, and sleeping in a bit in the mornings (although with a child, 7:30 is considered sleeping in!). I've also enjoyed some of the perks of not working--being able to play and hang out with Violet and my husband, and getting to do some of my hobbies--scrapbooking, cooking things other than hamburger helper, reading for fun (which is a nice break after two and a half years of grad school), and getting the house into some semblance of order.

That all being reflection, Ben, I and Violet had a marvelous Christmas break. This Christmas was definitly one full of highlights--Violet really getting into opening presents and figuring out that as much as she enjoys books, they're not quite as fun to open as boxes, saying good-bye to Ben's dad & step-mom's house in Western Springs, IL., playing volleyball with the Talsma cousins until we all couldn't move, bowling, sledding, and the list goes on. It's a Christmas that we will always remember with a smile.

As I look into a new year, I look forward to the unknowns it brings. I anticipate that by the end of 2008, Violet will be chattering away, and I especially anticipate this summer as she will be big enough to run around in the yard and do all those things I fondly remember as a child.

I hope you all have had a great start to the new year! If I figured it out, the pictures are selections from our Christmas travels.