Getting Big

Here's a picture of Marci at her new school.  She's getting so big!  It's hard to remember sometimes that she's only in pre-K.  It's been a hectic four weeks for Marci, but I think the toughest part of her adjustement is behind us.  She's doing very well, and we're so proud of everything that she is learning.  She really is quite a little sponge.  Way to go, Marci!

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Mommy and Daddy had a little fun of our own this Christmas season at Daddy's annual cigar club Christmas party.  It was fun to get dressed up and have a night out on the town . . . kind of like old times except we were both happy to be home by 11:00!

Santa Baby

We went to see Santa today.  The kids both look so big sitting on his lap!  And they are certainly not babies anymore.  Gone are the days of the sweet, coordinating outfits.  Nope, they both picked out what they wanted to wear, and they rehearsed their top three choices for their lists as we waited our turn.  Osten asked for Legos, Bey Blades and a Nerf gun.  Marci asked for a Red Rider BB Gun (guess what movie we watched earlier this week??!!), some Littlest Pet Shop toys and a real bunny.  And I was surprised this year at how much they chatted up Santa.  He could hardly get a word in edgewise! 

December Swim Meet

The kids had a low-key indoor swim meet earlier this month.  Grammi and FaFa went in our place while Tom and I hosted his office Christmas party at our house.  It was Marci's first meet, and Osten's first time swimming breaststroke.  I really, really hated to miss it!  They both did great, and we got periodic text updates which was almost as good as being there in person. Especially since this was Marci's first meet, I thought it might be fun to record their stats:

Marci

Girls 6&Under 25-Free:  42.36 

Girls 6 & Under 25-Back:  39.75

Osten

Boys 7-8 25-Free:  25.94

Boys 8 & Under 25-Breast:  44.22

Boys 7-8 25-Back:  31.83

Here We Grow Again!

I took the kids to the pediatrician this past week for their annual checkups.  They both got a clean bill of health, and Tom and I got confirmation that they both had another busy year of growing!

Osten (age 7)

Height:  49.8 in. (76%)
Weight:  56 lbs. (70%)

He grew 2.5 inches and gained 9 pounds since last year!  He also had his hemoglobin and vision tested and passed with flying colors!

Marci (age 5)

Height:  44 in. (69%)
Weight:  51 lb. 4 oz. (92%)

She grew 3.25 inches and gained 9 pounds since last year!  She also had her hemoglobin, cholesterol, vision and hearing tested and passed with flying colors!

We feel so blessed to have two healthy children, even though they insist on growing up so quickly.  Way to grow again, Osten and Marci!  We love you so much.

Date Night

Lest the kids look back on their childhood and think of Tom and me in our PJs on the couch every night, here is proof that we get out for a fancy date every once in a blue moon!

We had a wedding reception to attend for one of Tom's partners.  I can't even remember the last time we got dressed up!  After I overcame the procrastination-induced stress of finding a dress, it was a great night.  I even got Tom out on the dance floor! 

Another Birthday Milestone

As promised, Marci got to take the back off her booster on her fifth birthday.  She has been long-awaiting this big milestone!  The eve of the big day finally arrived, and the removal of the booster back proved to be rather ceremonial. 

She was giddy with excitement and dragged her seat into the middle of the driveway for a test run.

Meanwhile, it was life as usual for Osten and Cash.  Another day, anohter battle!  Speaking of battles, Marci looks to me like she's giving some serious thought to a thumb battle with herself.

Well, heck.  If you can't beat 'em, you may as well join them or at least try to boss 'em around a little!