Hallo! Long time no chat. Where
did the end of 2008 go? November obviously swept in with some majorly-welcomed change that really and truly restored hope to this house.
Crisp, dry fall weather held on nicely for most of November, and Evelyn got lots of visits to the local park with Nataliia. The back deck remained nice for a diversion.
We had lots of events in November, from Mike's birthday to other kids' birthdays and fun outings. Check out the photographic goodies on Flickr. Mike treated the family in style for Thanksgiving, which was a relatively homey affair but delightful nonetheless.
December has been even more lively so far. We really can't get enough of Zoo Lights, the Portland Zoo extravaganza. It's a poor and very family-oriented person's Burning Man! ;)
We went once for the annual Au Pair meeting, and then again because we had to miss the Zoo Train due to excessively-long lines. We didn't mind! A chance to strafe the dragon....
December brought tree-trimming! This activity is just a joy, especially with Mike's patented light-wrapping skills. And Evelyn helped this year!
Generally, Evelyn's a bundle of energy and good times. She's definitely having her moody spells and growing ever more willful. But that's as it should be, really! She's graduated from her high chair into a booster seat, which means she's even closer at the table. She now uses fork usually and knife sometimes. Still eats great, trying almost everything and enthusiastic at most meal times. (How'd we get so lucky?) And her naps remain very consistent, about 2 hours a day, plus a night-time sleep of a solid 10-11 hours. It appears that she's got her mother's sleeping proclivities.
At play time, more puzzles and problem-solving has come online. She is an ace at matching games and getting good at memory (which we even play on the iPhone occasionally, check out Jirbo Match.) She likes to complete mazes (with Daddy or Mama driving the crayon) as well as connect-the-dots. We force her to count things all the time and she's getting super-competent up to 6 and decent up to 10, with a tendency to skip items.
Evelyn's also fanatical about hearing family stories lately. There are a whole range of daily happening and a couple explanations and one-point-five fictions that have taken on legendary status:
- The Startle Car
- The Gardeners
- Train (Daddy version & Nataliia version)
- Daddy Takes Out the Garbage
- Daddy's Haircut
- Diaper at Grandma Leeth's
- Talk About Fisherman
- Daddy & Evelyn Ride the Hot Air Balloon
- Detour
I will not enlighten you with their content for they are far more interesting in the abstract. Interestingly, most involve scared feelings, parental mistakes, and just-in-time recovery of the treasured item.
Perhaps the most common thing that happens every day is Evelyn saying "Big Kitty talk." It's an invitation for her best furry friend to join the conversation, adding something from the banal "Miao miao" to the profound "I love you, Evelyn". BK also does a variety of flips, bounds, nods and zooms with great entertainment value. She goes with us everywhere, although Evelyn's fine to leave her in the car when we mention how we don't want all the other kids being jealous and trying to play with her. I was quite proud this weekend that Evelyn let BK have a much-needed pass through the washing machine. We all knew it would be traumatic because every night we have to tell Evelyn that no, BK doesn't want to go into the bath with her because cats don't like water. Well, um, oh, except for quarterly baths!
Charging full steam ahead!
We're also thrilled to look forward to a grand-parental Doug visit to Portland next weekend and then a proper visit
en famille to Wheaton as well as a New Year's with friends back here in Portland. Best wishes to you and yours! Send us your stories....
--Liz
