January Happenings

And now it seems weird to sit here thinking that January is already almost over.  The new year really started off with a bang for us.  The kids went back to school, activities started up - Sawyer loves her selections of piano and gymnastics and I think has decided on lacrosse and softball for spring.  Isla is also loving her pics.  After her first soccer class she came home with the biggest smile on her face and just lit up talking about it...her words, "I loved it".  She also just had her first Spanish class.  This girl has really shown an interest in languages the last few months.  Some of her birthday and Christmas presents were Spanish themed - books, DVDs, etc.  She learns some words in school and just wants more.  So we signed her up for class and she really seems to like it, and though she doesn't seem to remember much after she leaves I'm thinking that doesn't matter.

Because the girls have been busy, Mark too has been busy.  In addition he's been doing a number of things with Sawyer for Indian Princesses.  They did laser tag this week, the went on a camp out last weekend in Michigan, and met up with the Michigan cousins for lunch on their way home, and they have roller skating and a sleep over at the Field Museum coming up.  All cool things, and I'm so glad we got Sawyer involved in this.

I too have been busy - I went back to work and hit the ground running with a ton on my plate.  I won't belabor it, other than to say it keeps me busy and no day is like the one before.  But we're having a good start to 2016.  The kids behavior has gotten a bit better, and they are playing with each other.

The other night they were playing dress up.  First Margot was a cowgirl, then Isla showed her how it was done...

Then Isla became a cow, Sawyer a ballerina, and Margot a superhero (she has a cape on, though it's hard to see in the picture).  Margot ran around the house saying "super blast off" and occasionally getting Mark to carry her like she was flying.

We haven't had a ton of snow this winter, and in fact other than a two week stretch in January the weather hasn't been nearly as bad as it could be.  We did get a bit of snow and each time it comes we make sure we get outside - both to shovel and to play.

 Everyone wants to shovel some but they don't make a ton of progress..

This was a very wet snow so it was almost shower-like.  They were wet and cold when it was time to come in by the fire.

And last but not least, this past weekend Sawyer and Mark went to the daddy daughter dance at her school.  The theme was Hollywood Night, so they were dressed up, and even coordinated their outfits together.  Aunt Katie lent us the dress and Sawyer couldn't have been happier.  She requested I curl her hair (a first for us), and really looked so grown up.

 A better shot of the curls in this one.

And just because it was Hollywood night, we had to make sure we had shades in case there was paparazzi.  They seemed to have a great time.