Downs and Ups

The last few days have brought quite the roller coaster of emotions for us. We were actually having a really nice, relaxing weekend until Sunday, when we went out to the garage and discovered that our bicycles had been stolen sometime during the night/day. This included Violet's bicycle seat and helmet. It really isn't the value of the bike that upsets us so much (although we found that bikes aren't cheap), it just really makes you sick to your stomach that someone was in your garage and taking your stuff--mostly likely while you were sleeping. And, really, what kind of person steals a bike with an infants' seat on the back????

Fortunately, Violet doesn't completely comprehend the situation, and feels in her heart of hearts that the policewoman that took our report, is out scouring Big Rapids for our bicycles and she will bring them back. Oh, to have the faith of little ones....

To add to this misery, we came home from one of Violet's friends' birthday party and our computer had crashed. There was no choice but to set it back to factory settings, and when we first got it turned back on, I could not find any of Violet's pictures after her first birthday. I was already fried emotionally, so I turned the computer over to Ben, and he eventually found where they were hidden. Phew! I am buying a large MB flash drive very soon and getting all of those backed up! And, I have vowed to update Shutterfly more frequently, because they're always there. Thank goodness for them!

So, needless to say, we went to bed Sunday night somewhat emotionally exhausted, and for those of you that know that I was interviewing for a new position in my district, that was happening on Monday. It really didn't feel like the stars were aligning very well for me!

But, Monday morning came, and my interview wasn't until 2:00, so I taught all morning and begged for the afternoon off so that I could prepare for the interview. It was very weird getting ready--I haven't interviewed for a position in 7 years! Even when I moved to music, my 'interview' was the principal asking me if I wanted to move, so the last time was when I interviewed for a kindergarten position straight out of college. My how time flies! And of course, they ran late, so I got to sit in the office and wait a little longer--all the while 'revealing' to fellow staff that I was gunning for this position. (Although I was rather proud of myself because many of them were surprised!)

The interview went very, very, well; at least in my opinion. I haven't heard anything official back, but I've gotten good feedback from some members on the interview committee, and really, job or no job, I now have my first 'administrative' interview under my belt. I now have an idea of what they are going to be like! I felt very good with my answers, felt very prepared--even with some unexpected questions, and now I'm just in the waiting game. As soon as I know more, I will pass on the news.

Well, I'm going to get some 'real' work done now. I have a daughter who is playing 'doctor' with her dolly, and we're patiently waiting for Ben to get done with X-Country practice because our car died uptown and it is raining so I didn't want to walk home carrying a 2-year old. Hope all is well wherever you are!

Possibility Manor

When I started this blog, I said I would explain the name of it at some point in time. That time is now. There really isn't much of a story, but it's a story nonetheless.

About 4 years ago, shortly after purchasing our house and coming to terms with living 'up north', Ben and I took an overnight trip to Cadillac to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary. Since we were up north newbies, we took the opportunity to walk around downtown Cadillac, which we had heard was somewhat of a 'destination' and came across some unique boutiques. One of those boutiques had all sorts of home decorating things in it, and because we had just got our house, we were looking for things to decorate it that weren't passed down from family and friends (even though we REALLY appreciated all the passed down things). We came across some wooden plaques that had different key words spelled out in bold letters, and a 'famous' (and excessively cloying) quote using that bold word. We took turns vetoing, scorning, or ridiculing each plaque, until we came across "Possibility", with Emily Dickinson's quote, "Dwell in possibility." Since we were just starting out in our married lives, in new jobs, and in a new house, we decided that it was just cloying enough for us. We picked up the plaque and dubbed 824 Rose Ave. "Possibility Manor".

And that's the story...probably more meaningful to us than anyone reading the blog, but at least now you know why the blog is titled "Life at Possibility Manor".

All about Violet

It dawned on my today that we really don't talk about Violet's 'vitals' that much...probably because we get to be around her all day, so when people point out something to us, we're just like, yeah, that's our Violet. Anyway, here's an update for those of you that are interested:

• At her 2 year appt., Violet was 33 in. tall and 26 lbs. (fully clothed--she even got to stand on the BIG scale while dolly snuggles got weighed on the baby scale). This puts her in the 25th percentile for height, and 27th percentile for weight. She is definitely taking after her mommy! (And making it VERY difficult to find clothing that's long and skinny enough)
  
• She is, for the most part, potty-trained, as long as mom and dad aren't too busy to take her to the bathroom (which only adds to the clothing issue--no more bulky diaper taking up room).
  
• Sings the entire alphabet song, in rhythm, with all the letters, including L,M,N, O, P.
  
• Can "read" (fill-in-the blank) of a couple hundred (not exaggerating, she has a small public library in our house) of her books
• jumps, getting both feet off the ground, and land!
• hangs on the trapeze of her swingset and lands on her feet (most of the time)
• pedals her tricycle (when she wants to)
• counts to 10, 20 with hints
• counts with one-to-one correspondance
• identifies letters, and numbers 1-9
• points out her favorite letters on walks--look mommy, there's an X on the sign, etc.
• knows her basic shapes, and identifies them (square, circle, triangle, rectangle)
• knows her colors
• has a CRAZY sense of humor, and her new favorite phrase is "that's kinda funny
• has a vocabulary that is amazing--and she's very quick to pick up words--which is VERY scary!
  

This seems like a little brag session, and I really don't want to be one of those kind of parents. But, for the family and friends that don't get to see her, hopefully this gives you a little glimpse into what Violet 'does'.

Until next time!

Violet's Birthday Bash!

Saturday, September 13th was the date we set for Violet's birthday party. A little late, but we decided that having all the grandparents there was more important that celebrating on the day itself (and it gave Ben and I time to settle back into the school routine before being hosts!).

Unfortunately, the weather was the only thing that decided not to cooperate! But, despite the rain that lasted all day, we still had a fantastic time celebrating Violet's 2nd birthday (and her grandpa Fynaardt's 53rd!)

Recently, Violet has gotten into pretend play, and really loves to pretend to cook things. There were a couple of kitchen sets at the various doctor's offices that we visit from time to time, and Violet always has a blast 'cooking' in them, so Ben and I bought her a little toy kitchen, and she also received play food and pots and pans from her various grandparents and friends.






She also received a child-sized rocking chair,



a collection of British stories and poems from her grandparents across the ocean, tinkertoys (the real wood ones) from her Uncle Nick, and a alpha/number recorder-boom box from her friend Andy that she can sing into and it records her voice! So, the last 24 hours, Ben and I have been enjoying gourmet dining thanks to our new chef Violet, and her dolly Snuggle (another present she opened on her birth day) has enjoyed many a story in the new rocker. It really is so much fun to watch her play--sometime I'm going to have to sneak a video of it!

This year has also seen an infatuation with all things Curious George (the books, not the new cartoon). So, her 'theme' this year was Curious George, and in keeping with that infatuation, Auntie Chandra bought her a plastic George that blows bubbles in the bathtub! We haven't tried it out yet, but I think it's going to be hilarious and tons of fun (and probably a big mess)! For you Star Wars fans out there, when you squeeze George to get him to blow bubbles, he sounds very similar to Darth Vader, which makes the toy that much more fun!

Well, I am being served a piece of toast, on a leftover George plate with some lemonade and water, so I will close with some pictures. Turning 2 isn't quite the hoopla as turning 1, but it was still tons of fun. Ben and I really enjoyed celebrating Vi's birthday with all who came! I can't believe she's 2 already.......

Violet was very thirsty after opening all the presents. The George on the right is the bubble-blowing George.

She wasn't quite sure what to do with all the attention--and she tried to put the candles out by grabbing them.

Sunday morning we finally got her to wear her hat for more that 30 seconds--the rest of us

including Bu!
got to wear those hats while she opened presents!

VIOLET'S TWO!

Happy 2nd Birthday Violet Dawn!

You are our BIG Girl, but still Mommy's Little Pumpkin and Daddy's Big Gaboo!

Love you lots!

To those reading: Violet's birthday party will be held this upcoming weekend--there will be pictures and stories I'm sure!