January good and bad

Dear Maya and Emi,

Winter can bring out the best and worst of us, right? Excitement over the holidays and snowflakes and family visits. But also cabin fever and shorter days and fights over who gets to play with new toys. Did I mention cabin fever?

Maya, you've been doing well at school and learning and growing so much every day. You've also been kind of careless at times, knocking your sister and adults alike around in excitement, and breaking things left and right. We're working on it together, but it might take a little while.

 

 

 

Emi, oh, Emi. You've been really stretching your legs into this terrible twos thing. We've got bossiness, tantrums...you're all about independence. But you're also amazing us with your vocabulary, your intonation, and your singing. Oh, it's a bit of a roller coaster with you right now!

 

And then there's the two of you together. You bicker, yes. But you also love each other so much. Maya, you find ways to make sure your little sister is included. You even play horsey for her. And Emi, you copy your big sissy all the time. It's just heartwarming watching you together.
 

Well, soon you'll be getting off the bus, Maya, so mommy's going to sign off. Love you both!

Christmas and birthday, continued

Dear Maya and Emi,

We've had another exciting week. This time Grandpa and Lori came to visit to extend our Christmas and birthday celebrations. We'll be sad to see them go tomorrow and I think it will take a little while for all of us to get back into the routine. It sure was an awesome holiday season!

Cheese and green grape caterpillars and Eric Carle bookmarks for Maya's classroom birthday celebration

• Maya's birthday day, continued--a brunch and movie date with Mommy ("Sing" was so good!), a visit with Wyatt and Natalie, then home for waffles with berries and whipped cream!

• New Year's Day playing in the park

• Maya's SIXTH birthday party! We went with an Eric Carle theme after finding this awesome dress online. Plus, after meeting him last year, it seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate!
  (some photos from Grandpa)

• It was such a great party! We enjoyed spending time with our friends and family, and they gave you so many beautiful and generous gifts, Maya. The big hit as far as keeping the guests entertained (and the kids CONtained, ahem) was an enormous caterpillar from Grandpa and Lori. The four of you kids lined up under it like a Chinese dragon dance and went around our room in the restaurant 'eating' and 'napping' with it. It was so funny!
  (some photos from Grandpa)

Well, mommy hopes to get some sleep tonight so I have all my faculties to deal with the grandparent withdrawal that you'll no doubt be going through the next few days. The last several weeks were worth it, though! We're lucky to have such wonderful family and friends, and mommy's lucky to have you two adorable, funny, sweet, clever, silly girls. Let's make 2017 a good year, okay? Love you both so much!