March in pictures

 A belated celebration of 100 days of Kindergarten!  This was actually in February but due to some illnesses we had to wait to celebrate. 

 YES, still winter.  This has been the longest winter!  Started the beginning of November and went strong into March.  

 Luke learned to pump his legs on his swing.  WOO HOO!  

Mags loves bananas!  She thinks she's big time now that she's biting it off herself. 

 On Forrest's 35th birthday, Mar. 20, we got about 6.5 inches of snow.  The next day he grilled out hamburgers in the snow to celebrate. 

 Olivia made her own "snow-burgers" while Forrest was grilling. 

Maggie's newest trick - she scoots everywhere on her bum and usually looks for crumbs.  Who needs a dog? 

 Already 10 months! 

 Also a favorite pasttime - I often find the lids to these containers in strange places.

 Morning tea party hosted by Olivia.  Maggie wasn't a willing participant, ya' think? 

 Learning to ride a bike!  He thought he could do it in 1 afternoon but it's taking a bit longer.  His plan is to learn to ride by the time Poppy comes to visit  in May! 

 Love this sweet face!  She's WILD.  Bum scoots everywhere and puts absolutely everything in her mouth.  She's way more active than Luke or Olivia ever were.  I may lose 10 lbs the week she starts walking!

Can't let a single drop be left.  This girl enjoys her meals!

Olivia and her Russian  teacher after a class performance for International Women's Day.  

February in pictures

 This is O's hair when she wakes up most mornings. Plus she has on princess long underwear, a Barbie dress up dress, and a necklace - she's got it all.  

 Miss Mags is 9 months old and growing every second.  What a sweetie she is! 

 A special Valentine date with Luke 

 Olivia got Forrest to take her to a playground for her Valentine date

 Ok, upside down but not going to try to fix it. I'm just glad I'm getting pics on here!  Maggie is pretty obsessed with her paci and bunny. They are a package deal. Just the paci is not enough.

 Olivia the Pig cartoons are some of the most requested around here. 

 One of Maggie's favorite activities

 We dress-up daily around here.  With Captain America, Cinderella, and Barbie we are set!

 We went to a village in the mountains with a few other families for a break. Luke got a lot more courageous sledding and had a great time. 

 Olivia liked it a few times and then she ...

...decided to make herself a comfy place to sit and eat snow. 

Maggie is 8 months!

Our little Maggie is 8 1/2 months old and I can barely believe it. She continues to grow and change every week and is developing more of her personality.  Here are some things I want to remember about her:

*She loves food!  Especially spinach, banana, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, cheerios...ok anything I've given her she has loved except for white potatoes. 

* She loves her paci and if she sees it and can reach it, she sticks it in fast!  She also rubs her bunny on her cheek as she goes to sleep.

*She sleeps well although is in a funny early wake-up thing right now. Hopefully she will get over that soon! 

* She just learned how drink out of a sippy cup well. 

*She sits up, lunges for things she want, but is not crawling.  She can stand holding on to the table but is still a bit wobbly.  She might just walk before she crawls like Olivia did. 

*She smiles at everyone, giggles a lot and adores Luke!

*She says "Da  Da" a lot and one time looked at Forrest and said it.  Was it a coincidence?  After 3 kids, I'm not taking it personally that she doesn't say Mama!

*She can sign "more" but also waves her hands in the air.  Actually when she waves them in the air it can mean, "pick me up", "I'm happy", "I'm angry" "I want more food", etc.  Complicated girl. 

*She claps her hands to music and tries to move around. 

*Is great for babysitters. 

*Loves to jump in her exersaucer

*Loves to be held.  Uh - oh....does this ever happen to a 3rd kid?  Honestly I can only handle so much noise , so I have picked her up a LOT to quiet her...which she has grown to love.  Oh well, they are only little once!

* She doesn't have much hair at all, but it sure is blonde!
*2 bottom teeth... and I am regularly thinking she is teething again.  Teething is a good excuse for fussiness!

December in pictures

December around our house ended up not exactly as we had expected or planned. We had a nasty flu that made it's way around the family and were also very busy with Christmas parties and other work. But , we did still stop and enjoy this special holiday with our sweet family as they are beginning to understand more and more of the wonder of the Christmas story. 

Here are some pictures from December at our house.  Sorry - in no particular order.  I'm just happy they're getting on here !

 Luke and Olivia's school had a holiday celebration for New Year's (major holiday here).  Apparently 2012 is the year of the dragon. 

 Luke, some kids from his class, his teacher, and some dad of another kid.  Oh, and Santa and his granddaughter too.  Yes, Luke is dressed as Spiderman.  These holiday parties at schools are more like Halloween - costumes and way too much candy. 

 Olivia, her American buddy, and a few kids from her class. 

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning! 

 Christmas break always means tons of game playing  for us. 

Our special stockings.  

Enjoying their presents from each other.  Luke gave Olivia makeup, Olivia gave Luke a ball that sticks on the wall, and they both gave Maggie some baby soap. 

 Making gingerbread houses at a friend's house

 always begging for a craft

 They do really love each other.

 Olivia opening her stocking on Christmas morning. 

Luke showing off his new ear muffs

Maggie turned 7 months old!!

The expat women in our city have a tradition of a Christmas cookie exchange. You might gain weight just looking at this picture.  You have no idea how hard it is to pull off these kind of treats here! 

Luke and 2 of the ladies that are planning to marry him.  I'm not joking  The first girl is from Holland and told her dad, "If I marry Luke, I'l have to move to America and speak English all the time! "  The 2nd girl draws him pictures often with "I love Luke" written on them.  Who knew we had such a ladies' man!

Sweet Maggie's 1st Christmas

Annual Christmas shopping trip (for each other)

Christmas Eve

Maggie and her 1st stocking!

Maggie and her 1st baby doll - is basically the same doll as Olivia's beloved  "Baby Ruth".  When we opened it, Olivia   said "the same eyes, the same mouth!!"  Maggie giggled and then threw it, as she throws most things these days.  I bet she will grow to love "Baby Claire" too.

Messy eater but loving every  bite

Christmas party with other expat kids

Finally, one of the hardest parts of December. My grandfather passed away after a long battle with emphysema.  Here he is in June holding newborn Maggie.  I wasn't able to go to the funeral but I'm thankful for his long life and the impact he had on many.  I only wish he could see this little sweetie grow up (and the others too).