Report Card

Today was our first parent/teacher conference. I was a bit nervous. Just hoping that the teachers have seen what a wonderful person Venice is turning out to be (and that she hasn't been treating her classmates as she has been treating her brother lately). The teacher was very complimentary about Venice. She participates, is excited about all things, is always keeping busy, plays well with the other kids and, as we already knew, is very bright. While some children don't know their colors, Venice knows all her letters, does well with her numbers and can write her name (although some letters are on a different line or backwards, very cute.) So it's great to hear that she is excelling at school and really doing well. Yay, Venice!

Camel Poop

Today we played with our brand new chalk. Venice drew a camel with two humps. Then she drew the camel's poop (she is obssessed with animal poops lately) and said, "The camel's poop smells good. Like cookie dough." Yum.

Xander as Baby Jaguar

Since Venice asked to be Diego, she wondered if Xander could be Diego's sidekick Baby Jaguar.

Venice a.k.a Diego

Venice asked to be Diego (Dora The Explorer's cousin) for Halloween this year. After giving up my dreams of having a precious little fairy or princess trick-or-treating, I said, "Of course!"

Eating - More or Less

So, the last few days has brought a change in Xander's eating habits. If I attempt to feed him with a spoon, more often these days, he screams. Loudly. Angrily. He wants the spoon himself. However, if it's not a particularly 'sticky' food, he winds up tossing it across the room or down his shirt. I try to give him as much finger food as possible. However, he will rake with both hands. One will grab the food and make it into his mouth, while the other is just raking the food onto himself or the floor. Thus, mealtime is no longer as successful as it used to be. Or as quiet. Xander screams if I don't allow him to feed himself, and I scream as he makes mess after mess. I love him for his drive towards independence, but .... oy.

Hello, Flintstones style.

These days Chris is working out of the home in his new office. The kids definitely notice that he's gone. When he comes home at 5pm, they are super excited to see him. They BOTH run to give him hugs and kisses. It's nice to see and I know Chris enjoys this new display of recognition and love from Xander who has been a Mama's Boy for a long time.

Off and Running

Xander is now walking. Or should I say running! At 9.5 months he's the expert, except right before bed when he's super tired, then he's a stumbling drunk. In the last few days he's finally mastered getting up from a seated position, then to a squatting position, then standing and then walking. Before, he used anything to help him stand up (chair, leg, wall, etc.). So now he's almost walking all the time. Bye-bye crawling!