Updates

Christmas program at school - Kellen is a modern-day shepherd.;)

Apple Cup 2010...Huskies won, so they will wear these shirts again next year.:(

Annika's first day with no more binkies! She is resourceful!

Updates:

Annika: We had decided that Annika would give up her binkies when she turned 3, since they were starting to be a hindrance to her, & she wouldn't leave them alone & only use them for sleeping. We came up with the idea that she would give them to a baby, since she is now a 'big girl' at 3. We have been talking about it for a few weeks, & at first she was really excited! I think 2 things happened: 1) she thought she'd feel different when she turned 3, meaning she was now a big girl; 2) reality hit when she actually turned 3, that now she was going to have to give them up! I finally talked to a friend with a baby who said we could bring them over & we set a date to do it (today). I told Annika that we were going to give her binkies to Baby Sophie, & she said, "No, I want to give them to the baby where I jumped." Huh?! I finally figured out that one of the places we had the conversation about giving the binkies to a baby was at our small group, where there is a very little baby who was crying & needing his binky, & then later Annika went out & jumped on the trampoline.:) So we decided to split the binkies between Baby Sophie & Baby Aaron.:) Last night we put them all in a box, & today we delivered them! She did AWESOME! We celebrated by going to McDonald's afterwards. At nap time she did cry for her binky, but if you see the picture above she figured something out.:) I don't think she'll use her fingers as much as she used her binky, so I'm not too worried about it. YAY, ANNIKA!!!! ( I am SO glad to be rid of binkies!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you have any of ours at your house, throw them away immediately!;) )

Kellen: Kellen had his school Christmas program last night. He did well. He did not want to wear a costume, but he went up on stage with his class. He didn't sing either, but at least he was up there - & we did see him almost crack a smile a few times.:) Maybe he was just laughing at his friends who were dressed like shepherds & angels, or maybe he actually was having a bit of fun. Who knows, but I'm just glad he didn't freak out about the whole thing! He is doing more & more at school each week. His goal is more peer interactions, & last week he threw a ball back & forth with a friend, played in the sandbox, & also moved away from the art table (BIG deal) to play with legos & make a collage. He is moving right along. Another year of pre-school will be a plus for him

Kaarin: Kaarin may very well be our 'ham.' I think every family has to have one, right? She is so funny.:) We were at K-mart the other day, playing in the toy dept. They had a 'Dance Party Mickey Mouse' that played music & moved its arms & legs to 'dance.' She kept pushing the button, & DANCING along with Mickey! It was hilarious. I wished I'd had a video camera! Maybe she's on closed-circuit K-mart video.:) She is getting very independent, & really wants to do a lot more by herself. She also wants to do what Kellen & Annika are doing. Her favorite words are 'hi' & 'bye.' She says this to everyone she passes!:) Kellen even said to me yesterday: "Kaarin says hi a lot." :) She cracks us up.:)