Christmas Letter 2009

Hadley Sue and Harper Kate are two rambunctious two-year-olds! They can walk, run, jump, climb, throw, sing, and dance, among other things. Their favorite songs are the Alphabet Song and Itsy Bitsy Spider. They find it necessary to clap at the end of every song, much to the amusement of everyone else! They are avid watchers of Blue’s Clues and Max & Ruby (don’t bother them when either is on)! The corral (aka “the cage”) is still in the living room. Cage fights are a daily occurrence, but we also get some cage kisses, cage hugs, and cage songs.
Hunter, our oldest, is now five and a half. He is in kindergarten at Straight. This summer he was in t-ball (the first place team!), and this fall he was in soccer. He still likes school, but likes recess best. He goes to AWANA at church (this year he’s in Sparks). He is learning Bible verses and earning points and jewels. He is beginning to read on his own and surprises us often by reading something we didn’t know he could decode! He grew two inches in the last six months—he’s going to be taller than Mom pretty soon! He recently learned to ride his bike without training wheels, and now Amy’s worried he’ll just ride away!
Phil is still teaching and coaching at Straight Grade School. He is looking forward to this year’s hunting season. His German Shorthaired Pointers are looking good this year—we now have four! He is still supporting his Kansas City Chiefs even through the rocky years. He had the kids this summer while Amy went to Ada for three weeks—he’s got a lot of patience! He keeps the yard looking wonderful (compliments abound)!
Amy is at home with Hadley and Harper each day. She has one more class, a certification test to pass, and a practicum to complete before getting her Masters of Education degree for School Library Media Specialist. She got 9 free hours of class this summer (and lived in the dorms in Ada for three weeks). She stays busy with homework, diaper duty (potty training coming soon!), laundry, and chasing little girls (with help from Grandpa Gene). Will she go back to work next fall? Only time will tell….
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The crafty urge hit, so I made these dolls from The Black Apple for the girls. The urge has finally left me, so I think this may be all there is for now.

I saw so many crafty items at the weekend arts and crafts show! It really made me want to make something myself again. I am thinking later in December (when classes are done for the semester) I will have to crank out something handmade just to ease the urge! Wonder what it's going to be?

Finally got the caterpillar costume done for Hunter (thank goodness, because he needs it Thursday!). He's going to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar for Storybook Character Day at school. He thought it was going to be a fun costume, but now he wishes I'd made a scarier, more macho character. Wish in one hand, spit in the other...

"What Can You Do @ Your Library" by Amy R. Harris

"What Can You Do @ Your Library" by Amy R. Harris, originally uploaded by AtYourLibrary.

This is my entry for a Tote Design Contest with @yourlibrary.org. If you belong to Flickr, please mark this as a "Favorite" to vote for me! Of course, I made it at www.wordle.net!

After an excrutiatingly long wait (almost three hours!) to get the kids and the adults flu shots, we were on our way to New Mexico! Hunter and I hadn't been to the mountains in four years, and the girls had never been at all.

The weather was wonderful, sunny and warm in the 70s. We enjoyed the scenic drive (Hadley didn't like the drop-outs on some of the roads). The trees were turning for fall, and the air was clean.

We tried to get a family picture for Christmas cards...not too sure if we succeeded, but we'll probably use one of them anyway. How can we get five people to all look the same way (and not have goofy looks) at the same time?

It was fun to get away, but much better to be back home in my own bed! Try Eagle Nest or Red River, NM if you ever want an inexpensive trip in the fall!

I hosted a Pampered Chef catalog party (OK, so there's no party, but who's getting picky!), and now I'm going to get myself a Cranberry Deep Covered Baker! I LOVE that thing (I saw it at my cousin M'Leah's house--she's the consultant)! I am so happy I could jump for joy! Phil thinks it's big and wonders where I'm going to put it. I'm pushing something out of the way, 'cause this thing is coming home to Mama! This thing rocks!

So, I'm telling ya, I'm totally addicted to Wordle.net! I can't stop making stuff with this program! Somebody stop me!

My new Wordle creations for a class! Fun! Help me! I'm addicted to Wordle!

It's soccer season. Hunter has three soccer games each week until the middle of October. He doesn't play much, and he doesn't really understand the game (neither do his non-soccer playing parents). We have resolved to just tell him to go out there and have fun. It's hard to not tell him to play better or work harder (we have to remind ourselves he's only 5).

My cousin has a baby girl who is four-months old. She's a doll with big brown eyes. My two blue-eyed girls are just fascinated by all babies, and she was at my mom's house for lunch on Sunday. Mom tried to get a picture of all three of them in the recliner, and this is the result. I don't think Maddy's as fascinated by the girls as they are by her! Doesn't it look like they're trying to avoid that screaming baby!!! It seems like they're saying, "We didn't do a thing to make her cry!"

I started back in my graduate classes August 17, and it's just been an uphill climb since then. We went from blended classes (half ITV and half online) to totally online classes. This is NOT good! I miss the interaction and voices of my classmates. This is not my ideal way to get an education. Not at all!

Hunter won two blue ribbons, one red ribbon, and one white ribbon at the county fair! He was excited and proud to show his winning entries to his grandparents (he even showed a few strangers!). We are going to try to do some things a lot earlier for next year (but I'm not promising anything). Am I raising a procrastinator by being one? Probably, but I'll work on that tomorrow... .

I made a pillowcase dress for the girls thinking it would be a quick, cool(as in weather) dress for them to wear. One of them unties it in about 5 seconds, and the other one cries when I put it on her because she doesn't like how it fits (I guess). I got some pictures of Harper wearing it (Hadley just cried when she had it on). I don't think I'll make any more for the time being seeing as how it was not a big success story. It was cute though!

I forgot I took some pictures of the girls in their wrap dresses I made earlier this summer. The dresses were size 2, and I thought they looked small--until I put them on the girls! They are too big and will have to wait until next spring/summer to become a part of the daily wardrobe. I again discovered it's extremely difficult to make a 1 1/2 year-old hold still for a picture!

Hunter finished his first day of kindergarten and is in the middle of his second. He loved school, and his comment was, "Mom, we had three recesses and nap time!" It's so nice to see him smiling out the door instead of leaving him crying every day (like it was at three-year-old preschool). He's growing up, and I'm so proud of the boy he has already become!

Hunter and I have been working hard on fair entries for the county fair (entries are due tomorrow). He's made two painted rocks (a ladybug and a "mystery" creature) and a sand art picture of Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba. He starts kindergarten on Wednesday...where have the years gone?

On a lighter note, here's a video shot a couple of days ago. Hadley is checking Harper for poop--down her shirt! They are starting to talk and make a lot more sense. So funny and so darling!

We got an early morning call (they're never good) today to tell us that Phil's brother Chris died as a result of a motorcycle accident. He was 25, recently out of the Army, and living in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a gunner in a turret of a Hummer in Iraq, and he was also a sniper. We always thought one of those jobs would be the end of him, but he made it through with flying colors. It's so sad to lose a relative, but it's always much worse when they're still young and vibrant. My children will never know or remember him. Just sad.

I was recently reminded of my days long ago when I was a nail biter. I used to bite them off so short that the quick would bleed. I finally gave up this disgusting habit when my mom offered to buy me a doll that I really wanted if I stopped for a whole week. I still have that doll: a little tiny thing dressed in a white christening gown and bonnet laying on an oval satin and lace-trimmed pillow.

Confession time: I have since fallen off the wagon. Sometime after my daughters were born (they're 20 months-old now) I again started biting my fingernails. I'm not sure why (stress could be a factor here). My husband HATES it and tells me almost daily his opinion. I wasn't too worried about it until one of my daughters started to nibble on her nails. She does it when stressed, when watching Blue's Clues, and even when taking a bath. I'm going to make a conscious effort starting tomorrow (well, it's after 10 p.m. so I might as well say tomorrow) to STOP BITING MY FINGERNAILS! Update at a later date and time (unless I fail...then, no update--it will conveniently slip my mind).

I saw this lovely green friend (upside down at the top of the photo) on my jalepeno pepper plant a few days ago. He's still there (guess he's doing well using it as a food source). He almost exactly matches the green of the leaves. So beautiful!

Finally finished the wrap dresses for Hadley and Harper (with help from my mom and her sewing machine on the buttonholes--thanks, Mom!). The one on the left is the back view, and the one of the right is the front view. They are a size 2, but I think the pattern runs a bit small. I hope they can wear them this summer and next summer, too. They turned out cute, but I'm not letting anyone inspect them too closely for flaws and my sewing technique! heehee

My mom brought over a huge stack of clothes (all but one item she made herself) that my sister and I wore when we were little (back in the early 1970s).

We tried them on Harper and Hadley and took pictures of their modeling efforts. I don't think they enjoyed all the wardrobe changes, but Mom and I had a good time looking at the clothes on little girls running all over the place! Well, okay, they WERE in the cage, but they ran all over the cage... .

I took a side-trip in my sewing to make three "tie-totes" that I found on Betz White's blog site. (This, by the way, is why NOTHING ever gets done on time when I'm working on a sewing project--distractions!) They turned out cute if I say so myself! I even remembered to take a picture for the blog post...I'm getting too organized, must be time for bed!

I have been working on a sewing project for a few days (well, weeks, but who's counting?). I am making the girls matching wrap-dresses with bloomer pants (they are green jumping frog print on a pink background with green lining inside).

I have decided I haven't sewed in a LONG time. I had forgotten how to pin correctly. I had forgotten how to thread the sewing machine...thanks, Mom, by the way!

I am 90% done with the outfits (pictures to follow, I promise!), and I am unsure if I'm going to keep up the sewing projects. I think the outfits have ended up costing more than just buying cute matching outfits at Kohl's or JC Penney. My time invested in them adds a whole other layer to the cost-analysis.

I wanted to make them those cute "pillowcase" dresses everyone is posting on Etsy...we'll see... .

So, we're riding in the van and hear a voice from the back-back saying, "Mom, did you take Paxil?" I said no and asked why he (a 5-year-old) wanted to know. He responded by quoting almost verbatim the entire lawsuit commercial for women who took Paxil while pregnant and had a baby who either died or suffered from heart/birth defects. It's crazy what kids choose to deem important enough to put to memory!

It's hard to get a break from being a wife and mother. I won't lie, I enjoyed my days of no worries. No laundry, no dishes, no whining, no diapers, no baths, just me. A bit lonely at times, but I was usually busy enough with class and assignments to not be too concerned about home.

Stepping back into my old shoes (wife, mother, hiney-wiper, etc.) has been an adjustment. I guess I won't get another three-week break like that for many years to come. My only regret? I didn't take ANY pictures while I was in summer school of my new friends and living quarters. My husband didn't take any of the kids while I was gone either. Guess that's just a chunk in time to remember in my head. Hmmm... .

I haven't seen my family since June 7th, and it's getting to me. I don't miss the daily housekeeping, laundry, and diaper changes, but I do miss the smiles, hugs, and songs they sing to me. Sending a hug and kiss their way!

Took the girls to their well-baby checkups for 18 months old today. Harper weighed 19 lbs. 14 ounces; Hadley weighed 19 lbs. 11.5 ounces. They each had to get two immunization shots, but we are done with immunizations until they are four! Woohoo! They are very tiny and petite for their age, but otherwise they are healthy and happy. What a relief--we have two normal 18-month-old daughters!

I woke up this morning to the girls just laughing their heads off! They were tickling each other and laughing so hard. There's something I'll miss next week!

I'm going to miss almost all of Hunt's t-ball games this summer. I will catch the last two the last week of June. What else am I going to miss when I'm at school? Hadley's next tooth that JUST WON'T come through? Harper's next song she likes to sing? Oh, this is going to be a tough three weeks for mommy!

Both Harper and Hadley are really starting to put words together. It's starting to make sense, and I can understand it!!! It always amazes me when babies learn to talk! Some of the latest phrases:
-Hunter's shoes (and they WERE his shoes)
-hat! go outside! (they know they have to wear a hat to go outside, so they want a hat on)
-who is it? (when someone comes in the front door)
-Hello? (when talking on the play phone they have)
-drink sippy (sippy cup with milk in it)
-I have poop (and unfortunately for me, she did! They also have a "baby sign" to go with this one)

Hunter has assured me he will never become a dad. When asked why, he replied that he wasn't going to be a dad because he was never going to move to a different house. He's staying with his parents forever. I'm going to remind him of this when he's a teenager and hates us, our rules, and his present life. Right now, I'm just going to hug him and tell him he can stay for as long as he wants to!

My sick little boy (who's 5) was shrieking, "I need to wash my hands! I need to wash my hands!" When I finally got him to calm down enough to hear me ask why, he yelled, "Dad told me I have to wash my hands to get off the germs so I won't be sick. I don't want to throw up any more, so I HAVE to wash my hands!" He truly still believes that if I'd just let him wash his hands, he'd stop vomiting and be well...oh, so sad. My poor, sick baby boy!

Harper and Hadley are officially graduated out of the SoonerStart program! They are no longer considered "delayed" or developmentally behind. What a relief! They are both doing most things at 18 months (and they turn 18 months old tomorrow), so they have definitely caught up and progressed.

Hadley said "clean dipey" which is what I say when we're getting on clean diapers each day (I actually have a song...don't ask!). Harper said "my puppy" yesterday (and it wasn't her puppy, it was Hunter's). I can't believe how all of a sudden they're talking! They do Baby Signs for a few things, but now I think they're talking more than signing.

Harper got two more teeth, and Hadley's trying to get hers to work their way through. Then they'll both have 12 teeth. Just as they're getting their teeth IN, Hunter is going to start losing his. I dread the "loose tooth" stage! Teeth just gross me out! I think my idea of Hell is something involving me and other peoples' teeth!!!

Hunter is still very anxious about Big Nick coming down the street in the parade (in four days). I wonder if we're even going to get him out of the house! Prayers requested!

I gave my presentation yesterday in Young Adult Literature--the semester's officially over! Summer school starts June 1, and I have to be in Ada May 31st...that's coming up soon (I'm dreading that more than the teeth issue!). Hopefully it's a smooth three weeks for my whole family!

Here is the costume that frightens the be-jeezus out of Hunter! I finally found a picture of him, and maybe if he looks at it, it will de-sensitize him. I sure hope so! This is an 11-foot tall walk-around costume (a full-grown adult looks out the front from a mesh area near the "NICK" name). It's huge and walks with a lumbering step (because the knees don't bend). The arms are either straight down (as in the picture) or can be bent straight out (think Frankenstein!). Many children in our community are afraid of him, but most think he's great...hoping to join the latter group one of these days!

I'm trying to get everything ready to have a garage sale in a couple of weeks. I love going to garage sales, but I dread (with a big capital D) having them! I can't stand people who grab up a bunch of stuff and ask to make a deal on all of it...I put a price on it for a reason! I'm not a bargain-maker (my husband is, though), and I just want to sell it at the fair price I've already assigned to that item (I mean, come on, 25 cents is already cheap!). So, I'm pinning all the little tiny outfits together (oh, how can I get rid of those tiny little clothes Harper and Hadley wore last summer?), and stacking up stuff we no longer use (how can I sell all the things with memories attached?). I'm such a pack-rat--what a disaster!

I'll put it all out on display. It will look so nice and organized until the first rush of bargain-hunters pours in...then, I'm mad again--look at the mess they've made of my size- and season- categorized baby clothes!

Hunter will cry when we sell his toys (that he no longer likes or plays with, but LOVES when he sees them for sale). I'll declare I'm NEVER having another garage sale ever again. Until next summer when the stuff gathers and the clothes pile up...Phil will talk me into another one. *sigh* I still hate having garage sales!

Hunter is very worried that since May comes after April, and Mommy is leaving in May (for a three-week summer school event), that Mommy is leaving any day now! I'm having a hard time convincing him that May 31st is not for a while...not too easy for a new five-year-old to grasp!

He's got a pathological fear of an inflatable (larger-than-lifesize) fireman named "Big Nick." He is on a float in the annual Pioneer Days parade (riding on the lead fire engine, no less). I've already had to promise him that he and I will go into Dollar General until Big Nick passes by...then we'll go back outside to grab up some candy and treats! Anyone have suggestions on helping with pathological fears??? I'm out of things to try! *sigh*

The girls are now 17 months old--and into everything! They're growing out of the 12 month clothes (which is good because most of their summer wardrobe is 18 month size).

I'm working on getting my masters degree in education with a library media specialty. I'm done about a year from now (after I make it through the summer program living in the dorms again for three weeks).

I just heard my old classroom from last year will be vacant again (I would love to go back to work, but who would watch the kids, pay for their medical insurance, and have enough energy to play with them in the evenings?). I wonder who'll be there in the fall...