Alex, Boo and KK Too!

Dear Ham,   It's hard to believe a year has gone by. You're turning into quite the little independent cruiser as you want to walk all over, all by yourself of course.  I often offer a hand for support which is pushed away as you cruise around finding your own path.  In this way you are proving to be quite different from your siblings as they always stayed close to home base (i.e. me) whenever they explored.  You may become that kid that I break my kid-leash rule for! Your little personality is really starting to come out and I can tell you have a stubborn streak and will really speak up for what you like or don't like.  When things don't go your way it's not unusual that you'll just fall to the floor crying.  At least you got smart enough to try to put your head down gently.  The highlight of your day seems to be when you realize your brother and sister are up and ready to play with you.  As soon as they come over you bring out the b...

With the other two kids I always felt there was a very definite "they are walking!" moment but with Ham it didn't feel as clear.  He has been furniture walking for months, taking 4 or so steps independently for weeks but on Thursday it was very clear that he was walking as he would choose to walk instead of crawl.  Once the older kids started getting wild he would drop back down and crawl in an attempt to follow but for the rest he would get up and go. What's amazing is that two days prior he was still taking about 4 steps and then diving towards his end goal (generally a person or soft object luckily) but then suddenly he went to taking multiple steps, turning, continuing to walk and then slowly sitting down.  It was an overnight change and really quite fascinating.  Time to go buy some new walking shoes!

Hip Ski Dude I have been wanting to get Noodle in a ski lesson for two years now and finally we got it done. The whole family headed up for some snow fun. First some skiing and then some tubing. By 6:30 both kids were in bed and I haven't heard them since. Even ham went back down by 7:30 even though he napped most of the car ride up and back down. Focusing hard Even ham was in on the fun "That was totally awesome mom!" It's like being in a podracer  

In the never ending barage of holidays and parties between Halloween and Ham's birthday there is Opa's birthday so we headed to the lake house to celebrate.  At the lakehouse there is a gnome who hides in different spots and leaves notes for the kids.  When you have acreage and are retired these are things that happen at your house... Even though it was January this was no exception.  Noodle headed out on a gnome hunt, after a meltdown because Boo didn't want to go and she was adamant that the gnome can't move to a new spot until Boo had found him too.  After some negotiation skills that would no doubt make me an excellent hostage negotiator, Noodle headed out with Opa and Dad.  This time there was the gnome, and the gnome came with friends.  The gnome was nice enough to leave a letter letting Noodle know the comings and goings of visitors at the lake house.  Not unlike the staff at Downton Abbey, the gnome knew there...