Words and Words and More Words!!

Here is, as promised below, a very sweet video of my littlest saying some of his words in his adorable voice. -RL

My Elliot

Just a few random pics of Elliot at 20 months. He's growing up so fast and changing every day. Ethan didn't really say a lot until he was over 2, almost 3 years old. Elliot does not stop talking....ever. I'm going to video all his words this week and put them on here. He says no, yes, more, all done, all gone, mama, dadda, Bobbie, Boppa, brother, Emma, pup, kitty, book, ball, Elmo (over and over and over), Grover, Big Bird, mouse, moose, nose, mouth, ears, eyes, toes, Hi (insert above pronoun here), car, pig, horse, and poop, as in "Mama, I poop." And several more that I'm forgetting, but are so adorable coming out of his perfect little face. Look at this little man, have ya ever seen a more happy-to-know-ya kind of face?! -RL

Extreme closeup of eating!

Aunts & Uncles and the Children They Spoil

Here is Uncle Derek and Elliot. Derek was bouncing Elliot on his legs and he couldn't get enough of it. You figure out which "he" I mean.

Auntie Melissa looking so cute smiling at Elliot. Why is everyone in this family photogenic except me?!

Auntie Kendra helping Ethan work on his Darth Vader laptop that they bought him for Christmas. I'm glad someone helped him figure it out--I'm still confused. -RL

Cousins

I took Ethan & Elliot to Brainerd last weekend for some Schmeck family fun. Lots of good food was eaten, late Christmas presents were opened and REALLY late Christmas presents were bought by that adorable little sister who isn't quite on top of things like her siblings and siblings-in-law. Yep, that's me. We went to St. Cloud to watch my niece Naomi play hockey. That girl can skate!! Ethan had fun with his cousin, Devin, who is the same age and also very into Star Wars. -RL

Ethan and Devin happily eating popcorn.

How beautiful is my sister in law Noriko? Here she is with Elliot who loved her immediately.

I love this picture. Cousins Naomi, Ethan and Julia looking as cute as can be.

Reading is Fun....damental!!

Recently, Ethan has become interested in reading chapter books. Hallelujah!! I've been awaiting the day that he would want to listen to books that I loved as a kid and new books that are fun for me to read too. I love a good dinosaur/Diego/Star Wars book, but bedtime is just so much more fun now! I'm starting this on-going entry, not so much for anyone else, but for me and him to keep track of the books we've read together and the dates we finish them.

1. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (10/09)
2. The Tale of Despereaux (12/27/09)
3. Because of Winn Dixie (1/09)
4. The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1/09)
5. The Tiger Rising (2/09)
6. The Underneath (3/26/09)
7. Choose Your Adventure: Star Wars (3/27/09)
8. Stuart Little (3/29/09)
9. Charlotte's Web (4/09)
10. Trumpet of the Swan (4/09)
11. I Spent My Summer Vacation Kidnapped by Aliens (5/09)
12. Little House in the Big Woods (5/09)
13. The Long Winter (6/09)
14. Little House on the Prairie (6/20/09)
15. The Borrowers (6/21/09)
16. On the Banks of Plum Creek (6/30/09)
17. By the Shores of Silver Lake (7/13/09)
18. Little Town on the Prairie (7/09)
19. These Happy Golden Years (8/09)
20. The First Four Years (9/7/09)
21. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (10/09)
22. Fantastic Mr. Fox (12/09)
23. My Side of the Mountain (2/10)
24. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (3/20/10)
25. Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday (3/20/10)
26. Junie B. Jones and the Stinky Smelly Bus (3/20/10)
27. Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business (3/20/10)
28. Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch (3/27/10)
29. Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine (3/28/10)
30. Junie B. Jones has a Monster Under her Bed (4/2/10)
31. Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake (4/2/10)
32. The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear (did not finish as of 5/1/12!)
33. The Strange Case of Orgami Yoda (5/11)
34. Fake Mustache (5/18/12)
35. Where the Red Fern Grows (6/19/12, with a sobbing mother!)
36. Horton Halfpott (7/8/12)
37. Gregor the Overlander (current book)

2009: The year of the Schlien...and probably Obama.

Happy New Year one and all! I haven't got my blog on since way back in '08 so I thought I should represent. 2008 was an amazing year for me in many ways. I got plenty of family time going to Emma's basketball games and choir concerts, reading volumes of books with Ethan, and teaching Elliot the fine art of tickling. All in all, I was able to see a lot of the world with trips to North Carolina, Scotland, Florida and Northeastern Minnesota. Professionally, I started teaching ninth grade which is a treat because I learned that ninth graders still care about learning. Who knew? For 2009 I hope to spend more time travelling with (and without) my children and visiting family and friends around the country. Recently, I discovered Facebook. Apparently, one can be friends with thousands of people just by clicking a button. Nice, huh? Another goal, besides dominating Facebook, is to finish my Masters in Liberal Arts and spend more time biking. In the meantime, though I'll keep shoveling my driveway and pray that God realizes that he's overblessed us with snow. Seriously, enough is enough, Dude! I hope that all is well in your worlds and look forward to reading all of the comments you leave. -C.L.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I cannot remember a colder winter than this one. I cannot remember as much snow falling ever. Today was 16 below. I want to go back to Florida so much that I get almost teary eyed about it. Remind me, what about this place was so appealing to our ancestors?

At least we can build tunnels and sled and play outside--well, when it warms up to zero, we can. Plus, I'm going to teach this kid how to skate one of these fine days. I may need an Uncle Derek and a Boppa Dale to supervise, dust off your skates!! -RL