January

Lily is taking gymnastics this winter. Parents can only watch on the first and last weeks, so grammy and papa came to see her the first night:


We visited the Children's Museum recently. Lily's favorite place is still the bubbles - it has been since she was about 2! She works and works on these bubbles, while Willow runs back and forth from the hand dryer to the water table - mostly at the hand dryer:




We celebrated Marc's dad's 85th birthday the other night. The girls had a blast with their soon-to-be extended family:


They both love Marc's brother, Bart:

I love when Sam takes pictures with my camera!

Willow and I went to see Sesame Street Live together, while Lily played at Marc's house:

We are getting closer to putting our houses on the market. Marc is hoping to have his ready by the end of February. I'm ready to put mine up as soon as he is!

I'm GETTNG MARRIED!

Marc and I are getting married in 2010! We couldn't be happier to have found each other and both believe all of our lives (us and our FIVE kids) will be more fun, more fulfilling, and happier together. We don't have a date and we do have a lot of work in front of us, but we are excited to get the ball rolling -sooner rather than later as Marc says. Willow adores Marc. Adores him. Here they are toasting - Willow has no idea that any of this is happening, but she was thrilled to have an opportunity to drink a limitless supply of bubbly grape juice in a fancy glass:

I told Lily in a sweet, quiet moment in the early morning in front of the Christmas tree: "Marc and I decided to get married." Long pause. "How do you feel about that, Lily?" "Good, but there's only one problem: our house is not big enough for 5 kids."

After I explained that we'll sell both our houses and get a bigger house, she said that she'll miss Marc when he goes to Hawaii. When I asked why she thinks he'll go to Hawaii, she said "Every man goes to Hawaii after they get married, don't they??"

Since I told her about our plan, she is more affectionate and connected to him than ever. About 2 hours later, she wanted to call him. When he answered she said "I'm glad you and my mom are getting married, Marc."

Here is the toast between Lily and Marc:

At 39 years old (and previously married), I wouldn't consider changing my name... if it weren't for the girls. They already have to deal with "Is that your real mom?" and "Is that your real sister?" constantly. We are all going to be a family, and I don't want to add on a life time of "How come your dad has a different last name than you?" and "Who is your real dad?" etc. It's so much more grounding for them if we are all Hansons. Here is the newest part of the Hanson clan-to-be:

December

These girls are so excited for Christmas! Lily has been asking me how many more days since Thanksgiving. She asked Santa for a Nintendo DS, a Cookin' Mama game, candy, and a white bunny with a blue bow tie. I have NO idea where she got the bunny idea, but Santa hasn't had much luck finding one yet. Dang.


We went to Eastman Nature Center for a walk in the woods, crafts and snacks with Santa. Willow did end up sitting with Santa (when he gave out candy), but Grammy had technical difficulties at that point, so there are no photos. Grammy was going to arrive during the class and take them home with her so I'd have the afternoon to do Christmas shopping. She showed up right as the class was starting! I had no problem leaving early and got a bunch of errands done. All these pictures are thanks to Grammy. Thanks, Gram!

The bear was part of a school assignment: each Kindergartener takes the bear home for one weekend and then writes a journal entry about their time together with photos included. He made it to the Holidazzle parade, the Nature Center, and to the over-night at Grammy and Papa's house that weekend.

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas shots:

Lily bundled up at the Holidazzle parade:

It's hard to believe this is the same child who had 30+ fits a day when I first met her. She is happy and silly and bright almost all the time. When she's mad, she's REALLY really mad, but when she's happy - she's joyful:

Willow has named her American Girl doll (from grammy) Fan. That's right: Fan. I asked her one day what the doll's name was. She blinked in thought, looked at the doll, looked back at me and said "Fan".

One night when I got to her room (after bed time stories and prayers on the couch) she had her PAPER gingerbread man in bed with her. I said "You're not going to sleep with a stuffed animal or a doll tonight?" She patted her little craft from Di's house (daycare) and said "no". I said "You're going to sleep with a piece of paper?" She said "Yes". So I kissed her good night and she said "Night night, mom. Night night ginger man." His little head was on her pillow and he was under the covers just like her. WEIRD!!!

That same "ginger man" had an incident on our couch recently: As I was reading bedtime stories, Willow (as usual) got up off the couch and went into her room. I kept reading to Lily, ignoring Willow's inabililty to sit still as long. She came out of her room with "gingerman" and climbed up on the couch with him. She bent his little legs like he was sitting on the couch between her knees, patted my arm, and said "Boo boo biaper, mom". That's how she tells me her diaper is in need of a change. So, this gingerman was going to the bathroom on my couch! Lily and I laughed 'til her eyes were watering. Willow was all business. She just kept saying "boo boo biaper", I kept telling her to get his stinky butt off my couch, and Lily kept cracking up.

We always have our Santa pictures taken at Portraits of the Heart in Andover. I love that we get an appointment (instead of waiting in a line), Santa sneaks in the photo while the camera ladies make the girls smile (instead of terrified kids forced to sit on the stranger's lap). Plus - it's not much more expensive that the mall shots. I love how Lily is her typical poised self and Willow is bursting out of her skin with JOY:

Before we left they asked the girls if they wanted to visit with Santa. Lily did; Willow didn't. Lily sat on his lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas. I have to admit that I put Willow on his lap for ONE SECOND in case I could get a cute photo (which I did NOT), and she screamed for about 5 seconds. As we got in our car leaving the studio, Lily and I waved saying "Bye, Santa. We love you!" Willow said "Willow no love you, Santa. Only Lily."!

Wrapping up November

Beam bought the girls matching outfits recently - they love matching each other!
We shared part of our Thanksgiving with Marc, Ben, Sam and Megan at Grandma King's house. At one point Willow fell and got a little goose egg on her forehead (between her eyes). She reached out of my arms for SAM! He cuddled up with her and read a book for about 1/2 an hour - 'til she forgot about her sorrows. No wonder she adores him.

They just play and play constantly - they are seriously kindred spirits!

Willow shared her myPod with Papa.

One night after dinner at Marc's house, Ben and Megan each put a little girl on their back and ran around the house. Lily would holler "SWITCH" after a while and they'd switch backs and start all over again. By the time it was done, they were all 4 hot, sweaty, and giggly.

Here are some new dance moves:

October Update

We didn't visit an apple orchard this year. Marc has an apple tree in his backyard, so we picked there and then Sam set up the peeler/corer/slicer. Marc made the best apple pie with our harvest!

Willow's been using the potty! She still need diapers, but they're very often dry at the end of the day. YIPEEE!

Lily loves Marc! We walked over to the park near his house many times this fall.

Marc's boys had homecoming this fall and we got to take pictures the night before the dance. Lily and Willow were totally impressed watching teenagers get all fancy!

Willow loves Marc too. When he walks in the door of our house, they run to him wrapping their arms (and often legs) around his legs screaming "MARRRRRRRRR!" They are sad whenever he's not included in our business. He adores them too:

We carved pumkins - the girls had a blast. It is not my favorite thing. It takes all my strength to sit back and let them dig and make that gigantic mess.

We had an Early Childhood class with a halloween theme. Lily's been going to these classes since she was 18 months. This was Willow's second class. The first time she was nervous and quiet - she didn't really want to do any of the activities. This time she painted, colored, and played in the kitchen area. I'm not sure if it was because Lily was along this time or because she was familiar with it. Either way, she had a blast.

Willow did not like her Elmo costume at first and the fact that she ended up wearing it was an incredible accomplishment! I got it out in mid-October, hoping she'd play with it and get used to it. Instead, every time I offered to put it on her she'd holler "NO ELMO!" Lily wore her princess dress a lot this month to try to help. Nothing worked. I told Willow she'd get candy if she wore it and said "Trick or Treat".
She put it one twice halloween night, both times she ended up screaming/crying and ripping it off her body. Finally, when all the cousins were getting ready to trick or treat, she put it on and loved it.

Lily, Willow, Grace (Cruella Deville) and Tate (Mr. T)

When Willow realized she really did get candy when she said "Trick or Treat" she loved halloween. She said it, got candy and said "Thank you" every time. It was adorable! We lasted about an hour before I headed back to Jen and Ross' with Willow. She was a sweaty mess under that costume!Lily loved her costume, but she wanted it shortened (as if it were a bridesmaid dress that we were going to get altered). She lasted trick or treating with Tate and yaya for nearly 2 hours! Willow wanted to eat all her candy. I gave her a limit and after she reached it, she picked up every, single piece and said "Tomorrow mom?" and I'd repeat "Tomorrow, Willow". When she found a Rolo that she REALLY wanted, she cried and begged and wouldn't accept "tomorrow." After about 15 minutes of crying and begging she held it right up to her face next to me and said "Elmo on, mom?" hoping the deal still stood: If I wear Elmo I can eat candy. I let her have it - that kind of creative desperation deserves a reward, right?


And Lily just sorted her candy. She opened 3 pieces, tasted them and then threw them in the garbage. She's a dentists dream!

October Update

I am disappointed to report that I only have 2 pictures to post. My only excuse is that September is always hard on a teacher (and a kindergartener). We are all adjusted now, though, and I expect to pick up the pace with "events" and more photo opportunities now that we're used to day care, school, and work.

Willow adores grammy. She cheers when we mention her name and runs to her arms when we see her. Willow has been going potty on the toilet for a week now! At first I'd ask her if she wanted to call someone to tell them, and she rotated evenly between wanting to call Yaya, grammy, papa, and Marc ("MAAAAARRRRR!"). Now I just give her an M&M and she's satisified. She loves going to day care and cheers when we mention Di's name too. She is incredibly happy most of the time. She's got a hot temper, but is generally silly, playful, and smiley. She goes willingly to the nursery at church each week too - she's not the least bit afraid of being left witha roomful of toys and other kids (like her big sister always was).


Here grammy is reading out on my deck: Lily loves kindergarten. She loves the "homework" and her friends and her teacher. Her favorite part of the day, I'm sorry to report, is Kidstop. It's the school-based day care program. She gets to eat breakfast in the cafeteria, go to the computer lab, make art projects, watch movies, play outside, and play games/toys in the classroom. She absolutely loves it there! On Saturday when she got up, Lily asked me if she got hot lunch or cold lunch that day (she BEGS for hot lunch every day). I told her we were staying home together and she was devastated. She just loves going to school!

OK - here's to a photo filled October!

First week of Kindergarten

Lily LOVES kindergarten! On Labor Day, she had some jitters, which nearly put me into crisis mode. All along she's been excited, so I've been looking forward to the big day. When she started crying because she worried some kids might be mean to her, I wondered if it was too late to open enroll her to my school (the night before the first day).





Here she is talking to grammy the night before her first day:





Marc offered to join us and took lots of pictures. I was incredibly thankful to have him there, because I think it changed the dynamic enough to help all of us feel (or at least act) braver. Lily was serious at home, but got bouncy and happy once we got to school. She hung up her backpack, and found a friend to play with at Kidstop right away. She'll attend the school-based day care program while she's not in kindergarten.

I worried all day long. I looked at the clock and wondered how she was feeling, where she was, and what she was doing about a hundred times during the day! I just couldn't wait to see her get off the bus so I'd know how her first day way. Can you imagine how I felt when this is what I saw coming toward me at the end of the day:

She chatted excitedly all afternoon and evening. She was giddy! She told me:
1. She has a friend named Maria who lives somewhere

2. You can never bring chocolate or nuts for snack

3. If you can't reach something you can ask a neighbor if they can please reach it for you

4. She has a friend named Tia who wants to have a sleep over

5. Everyone else has sleep overs all the time

6. Her school has puzzles with bumpy edges and straight edges

7. Some kids cried because they wanted their moms

8. The bus is really hot and really loud

9. They read a book about a cowgirl

10. They went to the office to look for a zebra (scavenger hunt)

She talked to grammy and papa on the phone after her first day. She said so many random bits of information, they had a difficult time understanding most of it:


Willow cried when I dropped her off at Di's the first 2 days, but yesterday (Thursday) she happily walked off to play with her friends. I love having the first week behind us! WHEW!