Welcome 2012!

Oh how much has changed in a year!  (including my photography skills, a little bit?)

Sylvia was very excited for New Year's, and a little sad that she forgot to ask everyone what their resolutions were, so feel free to comment with them on the blog!  Hers was to "be healthier".  So, we are going to get outside more (once this weather warms up!) and as a family are doing the 14 weeks of mini-challenges outlined here:  (or at least some version of this):  http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/category/100-days-of-real-food-mini-pledges/

Week 1 is to have 2 fruits or veggies at each meal.  We started yesterday, and so far so good!!

Sylvia finished off the year able to read an amazing amount and able to complete simple math.  She's kind of astonishing, really.  Her favorite Christmas gifts were her new camera and her American Girl Doll.  I haven't checked out the photos that she has taken yet, but I'm thinking there will be some great ones! 

Poor little Stella spent New Year's Eve very concerned that the "rain drop" that was falling would be scary.  Once THE BALL dropped, and wasn't scary, she was very confused and wanted to see it again.  :)

Stella finished off the year knowing most of her letters.  She loves to learn, but can be a little challenging to teach.  The other day I was working on flash cards with her.  She held up the letter G and proudly said "G!".  And what is G for?  She looked at the picture on the back.  "I don't know...".  I think that's a gift.  G is for Gift.  "No Mommy, that's a present!!".  It could be a present, but on this card it is called a Gift because G is for Gift.  "NO, IT IS A PRESENT.  G NOT FOR GIFT - IT IS A PRESENT. PRESENT MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!"  ok, never mind. 

She is so feisty, and makes me laugh out loud everyday.  She has been very excited to wear her new "Flowers" hat.  (Flyers!!)  She squealed in the grocery store a few weeks back because she thought the package of ground beef was worms.  "No buy worms Mommy!!"  She loved "the Christmas season" and as we started to undecorate the tree, she changed her mind and started hanging the ornaments back up.  "It's the Christmas season!!"  Her favorite gifts were all things Dora, and everytime we see anything in the stores with Dora she still says she is going to ask Santa.  "I ask Santa to bring that for my birthday!"

Jeremy stayed up until 11 on his first New Year's Eve; not too shabby for an 11 month old!  He was exhausted, but pleasant.  He finished up his year able to say Dada "Ah-Da", Mama (sometimes), and hello (maybe, not confirmed).  He can now tolerate about 1/4 of a jar of stage 3 food at a time, and will eat puffies and 1/2 pieces of yogurt melts in small doses.  He doesn't crawl, but does get up on all fours and moves by wiggling / scooting / rolling.  He can stand if he is holding on to the refrigerator handle, but can't be trusted alone - he lets go with no notice. 

In the midst of all of the excitement for the Eagles in the beginning of the season, John said they would be lucky to go 8 and 8........hmmmmm.  Well Jeremy is still a big Eagles fan (and Flyers and Phillies), but is excited to wear his Peyton Manning Jersey / onesie that Santa brought for next year! 

Well that's enough for this post, but I'm hoping to update a little more often in 2012.  The time just goes by too fast.


Lots of love,

Keri