There is just something fun and cozy about new pajamas, and this simple joy is definitely not lost on Delaney.  I was surprised how much she loves her new penguin PJs; she is constantly grabbing them and putting them on her head—her subtle hint for when she wants to wear something, and she isn’t into a phase of changing her clothes.  Yet, these are her first choice all day long.  She even pulled them out of the washing machine.  Silly Delaney!

The kids frequently celebrate Thanksgiving more than once every year.  One of those gatherings includes family members they don’t see very often—Great Grandma Margie, Uncle Steve and Aunt Diane, and Grandpa Marlyn and Grandma Susan—which makes these times special to get together.  This year, it also meant that all the cousins were able to get together, which made it a really fun time for the kids.  But, it also just a particularly nice celebration. There were a lot of interactions that were new and fun to see.  I hope that at least part of that is  because the kids are getting older and realize that while we don’t see them often, this side of their family are still important people in our lives.  For whatever reason, it was a nice Thanksgiving and a memorable for all the kids.

And, Delaney had her first taste of Great Grandma’s delicious peanut butter pie…it was definitely a thumbs up!

It’s very unusual for us not to spend our holidays in a traditional way, but this year was an exception.  We spend our day tubing on Mt. Hood at the Summit ski area.  It was a beautiful day with no wind, which made for a very enjoyable time.  It almost felt warm, compared to what we have had back home the last week!  It was a very special day, and the kids had a great time.  Tradition is nice, but not always necessary--I am so thankful for these very special people and can’t imagine what life would be like without them! They make life no less than wonderful, and that is something that I am thankful for every day! 

Delaney has her own unique scooter style…

The much anticipated snow finally arrived Monday night.  Not a lot of snow, but just enough accumulation to really appreciate the beauty and serenity of it.  There wasn’t enough for the kids to get out and really play in it, but they didn’t seem to mind.  And, with the temperatures so cold the last couple of days, the snow has remained relatively undisturbed.  It’s been a nice transition into winter.  I hope we have many more cold and snowy days like this in the months ahead. 

I have never before really started to think about the Christmas season until after Thanksgiving passes.  But, this year, an early-season family gathering has given us reason to start some Christmas activities earlier than we normally would.  Today, Franny and Cole made some Christmas wreaths out of beads and wire.  Franny loves all craft projects, so I expected her to be into these, but I was surprised how focused Cole was in completing his.  Franny also enjoyed setting up different patterns with the beads; her kindergarten class has spent the last several weeks identifying and working with patterns, so this was particularly fun for her.  In the end, it was a simple and fun project perfect for a cold afternoon.  And, it was nice to have some holiday cheer just a little bit earlier than usual. 

There has been a lot of speculation the past week of whether or not it will snow.  The weather has changed so quickly, that we have been caught a little off guard with the cold temperatures over the last several days.   This weekend, we went through the closets and made sure all the kids had warm coats, hats, and gloves that fit.  Now, all that is left is for us to wait.  I hope it comes soon!

Today, Franny completed a 200 piece puzzle.  She has been doing 100 piece puzzles for over a year, so I had her pick out a larger puzzle that she would want to do.  I had expected to have to help her some, but she did the whole thing without a problem.  It did take a long time—she basically completed it in three different sessions throughout the day, but she did do it all herself.  I was very impressed! 

Cole had his school Harvest Feast on Friday.  His classmates and their families all gathered for a really nice Thanksgiving meal--roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and lots of yummy desserts.  He was very excited about it all week--even choosing to go over his usual gymnastics class--and he had a really great time.  When Franny came home from school, the first thing Cole said to her was, I had my Thanksgiving party, today!  I think that he really gets excited about doing some of these things that he has seen Franny do over the years.  He seems to really understand that he is getting older and that there are lots of new and fun things waiting for him.  His enthusiasm makes it very fun and exciting to do these things with him.   And, it makes me thankful that he is such a happy little boy.  This age is really fun with Cole--he is sweet, intelligent, good-natured, and has a silly, but hilarious, sense of humor.  It's makes me just a little sad that he has to get older, but I can't wait to see how he grows in the years to come.

With play time moved indoors for the season, Delaney has become increasingly interested in the wardrobe of dresses, tutus, tiaras, and shoes that fill Franny’s dress-up armoire.  It started with a strong desire to wear the Cinderella slippers with the light-up heels.  Much to her frustration, they were just to big for her to walk in.  Fortunately, there are plenty of other things for her to wear to join in the fun.  One of her favorites is this pink tutu.  Franny actually has a smaller one that fits her better, but it doesn’t really matter to her.  It’s fancy and frilly and pink and she loves it!

When both Franny and Cole are in school, Delaney becomes my errand buddy.  Usually this means grocery shopping, but could be anything that needs to be done.  While it is easier with one child, rather than three, it can still be a tedious process.  But, Delaney is a good sport, and although it is never a quick process, we do get a lot done.  Today’s agenda was Trader Joes and New Seasons.  It took us over two hours, but we tried the samples, checked out the balloons many times, smelled the flowers, Delaney swapped out her kid’s cart for a different one numerous times, and quite intensely examined the colors and textures in the produce section before noshing on a banana as we checked out.  While it isn’t the most fun of an activity, and it does take a lot of time—not to mention patience, it is a must-do and I can’t think of a better companion to do it with!

If you think this is just doodling over Cole’s name tag, think again.  It actually is ‘Cole’ written by himself.  It is also the first time that he has spontaneously written any word in it’s entirety.  Cole can read his name, as well as a few other words, but he has never really done any writing of letters or words.  So, I was very surprised when he said he wanted to write his name on his name tag (it’s supposed to be my name under his).  I thought he was just going to make some sort of doodle, but he made his little C, looked up at me and said ‘C’ and then did the same for O, L, and E.   It may be only handwriting a mother can appreciate, but it is his handwriting, and I think it’s wonderful!

Delaney loves balloons—if there is a balloon within her field of view she will spot it.  She even finds the half-deflated ones stuck in the rafters at OGA left over from weekend parties.  There has been a lull in the usual stream of birthday parties the kids attend, so there have been very few balloons at our house in recent months.  This weekend, however, Franny and Cole went to a party and brought home balloons.  Much to Delaney’s dismay, they headed straight to the family room and let them loose (standard practice for Franny and Cole) and they floated to the ceiling.  Poor Delaney had to wait a day for the balloons to start losing their helium and drop down within reach.  But, with just enough lift left to stay aloft in the air, she had a great time playing with them until they finally lost their float.  I’m not sure when the next party will be, but I hope for Delaney’s sake that it’s not too long!

The addition of a child into a family leaves everything that was done before as history.  This was true when Franny joined us, then Cole, and then, Delaney.  It takes a long time to restructure life, and it can be difficult on the older kids as they adapt to the new way of doing things.  But, the angst of change is balanced by the incredible joy of sibling love.  And, life goes on in a new way and the our old routines eventually fade from our memory.  I have always tried to give Franny and Cole lots of opportunities to be exposed to a variety of things.  Delaney, however, has not had this same benefit.  I think she has had no shortage of fun and stimulating experiences, but not in the same way.  But, starting in January, she is going to have her own activities and hopefully a playgroup that is geared for her and her age.  i am looking forward to doing these with her and seeing what she responds to.  Fortunately, there is no question that she she loves her music class, so I can feel she does have something special as we approach the holidays and wrap up the year.  With three kids, each one has a different experience.  I don’t think any of them had it better than the another, but each has been different.  I do think it is time, however, that Delaney does more independent of the Trio.

September ushered in a series of big changes for Franny and Cole.  And, as they have gone through them and we have focused a great deal of our attention on them, Delaney has undergone significant changes of her own.  Although she is still little—just a mere 19 pounds fully clothed—she has a big personality.  Right now, she is all about independence.  She wants to walk down the stairs on two feet by herself, drink out of a cup by herself, put on her own shoes, and brush her own teeth.  Of course, she hasn’t mastered any of these things, yet, but she tries so very hard.  She doesn’t have the extensive signing vocabulary that Cole had, but she has no problem communicating.  And, she doesn’t chatter—she talks; her inflections and opinions are quite unmistakable, and she has does have a long list of words, including her newest addition, I want…, which is ironic, because it really has never been difficult to determine what Delaney wants.  I think Delaney really wants to be big, but in my mind she is big enough.  She amazes me every day, and her littleness brings me such incredible joy.  The changes in Delaney are incrementally small but so continuous that if I were to blink, she would be a completely different little girl.  I know I won’t be able to convince her to slow down, but I can enjoy each day and focus on the happiness she brings to our family every day.  She is a wonderful little girl!

8

Books have always been very important to Franny.  Since she started kindergarten, she has been very excited  been about the her library day, when she can spend time in the library and check out a new book to bring home.  She chooses good books, and we read them numerous times every day.  Even Cole likes to read the books Franny brings home.  The last three weeks she has checked out a different book in a series of books about a little dancing mouse named Angelina.  They are very cute stories, and I am anticipating another Angelina book will come with her next week, as well.  I really love that she enjoys books so much and spends a great deal of time with books every day, whether it is reading to herself, Cole, or Delaney, or copying words, or just studying them in general; and, I hope it is an interest that will always be a part of her.

Delaney loves music and especially loves dancing. When music comes on she starts moving around the room bouncing to the beat. Every day she seems to pick up new moves. I can't wait to see what she is doing a few months from now!

Delaney dancing from T on Vimeo.

There are few things that hold Cole’s attention as tools do.  His focus can become quite intense when he is observing something new or is doing something that he finds intriguing.  Fortunately, he has very special, patient grandparents who not only show and teach him, but who also don’t rush him and give him the time to absorb things at his own pace.  We hung two pictures this weekend, and Cole was particularly fascinated with the level.  They weren’t that complicated of tasks, but he did everything he could to help and understand what was going on.  A little more experience, and I think that Cole will be able to teach me how to do these things!

Last week, Cole had his final week in his Starlights gymnastics class.  It was a great class—2 and 3 year olds with parents, and Cole was in this class for a year and a half (he started before he was two years old).  His teacher, Libbi, was wonderful and very sweet and patient with these little kids.  But, with his skills mastered and potty training complete, it was time for him to move up!  I was a little concerned how he would do without me there to help him, but he insisted that he was ready for the move.  I gave him the option of going with Ministars, a co-ed class, or with Meteors, an all boys class.  It was no contest—he wanted to be in the boys class.  So, today was his first day, and he did great!  All the big kid classes (no parents classes) do their warm-up together and then split off for their smaller classes.  He did the warm-up without being distracted with the big group, and then did a great job in his class.  And, most importantly, he had so much fun!  When we said goodnight, he asked me when he could do his class again.  He was so pleased that he would do it every week, and he said I love my class!  I love it when the kids have experiences like this and I am so happy for Cole!

Cole and Libbi (in Halloween costumes)

               Cole and the big kid warm-up                                        the Meteors

We have so much to be thankful for, that I wanted to do something this month to really get Franny and Cole thinking about what they are thankful for, as well as what it means to be thankful.  Today, we started making these turkey notes, together—each says something that we are thankful for.  I am hoping that the more we talk about it and do fun things, the more they will really understand the meaning of giving thanks.  They did have some thoughtful ideas—not all of which actually got transposed to a note—as well as some interesting ideas—Franny is thankful for the bus stop and Cole is thankful for the color red.  We’ll probably switch to a different activity in a week or so, but this was a good first step to getting them thinking about it all. 

And, while I don’t know how thoughtful it is, I do think that being able to wear flip flops in November in Oregon is something to be thankful for!

Delaney has a good time coming along to Cole's playgroup events. Today, we all enjoyed a relaxing morning bowling at Big Al's--a new bowling facility unlike the typical dark, musty alleys that I've always experienced. This one was bright and smelled clean, the shoes were new, and the people working there were really friendly. While Cole tore up the lanes with an impressive 98, Delaney watched most of the time hovering over the vent that blew cool air up onto her face. Silly girl!

Breezy bowling from T on Vimeo.

Today, Cole got dressed up in his ‘fancy clothes’, styled his hair with just a little gel, and got his best smile ready for picture day!  I’m not too worried about his portraits turning out—he always does a great job smiling for the photographer.  Now, I am just hoping that a little of that natural smile rubs off on Franny for her retakes, tomorrow.  Hoping…

I love Cole’s curly hair, so I let it get pretty long in between cuts.  I am always so amazed how different he looks with his hair cut short.  Still the same silly Cole, though!