January has been pretty noneventful for us, which is actually a nice break. So I figure it's time for a child status update:
Maggie is doing great in school and has a couple really good friends (and they both have siblings Evie's age!). She is starting to get the more moody / teenager vibe, but I suppose that is expected! She's an avid reader (mostly because we won't let her on the ipad after 8) and still very into creative art projects. Maggie is such a sweet kid, and seems to get along with everyone around her. She also loves baking, and I wish we had more time to experiment together. Loves tacos and all sweets.
Happy girl
Evie is becoming a better reader every day, and has made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year! She has my quick temper, but is also getting a lot better and admitting wrongs and apologizing. Evie still enjoys soccer and is practicing with her team once a week inside (and her coach let's Maggie tag along too!). While Maggie is more motherly towards Ben, Evie is his buddy and playmate. She loves having dance parties (even if it's just her) and pretending to do gymnastics with Ben. Loves pears and Vernors, hates most other healthy things!
She cracks herself up
Ben is definitely the adored baby, and is very happy-go-lucky. He potty-trained really quickly, and stays dry through the night with no coaxing from us (the girls took forever!). He loves to sing songs at bedtime, is really into Spiderman right now, and basically repeats everything you say whether he understands it or not. He is scared of smoke detectors (after I accidently set ours off) and doesn't like car lights flashing in our windows... Ben loves marshmallows, yogurt and ice cream, but still happily eats most things we give him!
Dreamboat
On MLK day we donated some items and went on Royal Oak's march. I think they normally do service projects, but kept it simple this year with an outdoor walk due to COVID. The girls got to make signs, drink hot chocolate and even ran into some friends!
In typical Maggie perfectionist fashion, she did not have enough time to finish her sign the way she wanted!
Evie wrote "be kind to everyone" as her message
The girls were bored one night and decided to put on a fashion show for us.
Work it, darling
So fabulous
Some others:
Sometimes I miss them sharing a room... builds character
Unicorn game with Daddy
He's such a sweetie
Chasing after the garbage truck
Here's Ben singing the rainbow lullaby - had to save his little singing voice:
Christmas 2021 was wonderful! The kids are all at such fun ages, and I treasure all the sweet moments and hypotheses about Santa throughout the season.
Merry Christmas! Snazzy in our PJs from Grandma and Grandpa
We took our annual trip to Frankenmuth before Christmas Eve, and did our usual visits to Bavarian's pools and arcade, along with a car-ride tour of Christmas lights (where we got lost in the outskirts of Frankenmuth a few times!), and we opted to get the "chicken dinner" takeout in our room. We tried to avoid the big crowds and thankfully got some time in the top-secret pool that most people overlook! The next day we went to Bronner's and got some fun ornaments before heading home!
Still no Santa at Bronner's because of COVID, so here's another lame photo with a statue. Ben is unimpressed.
Annual throne photo
Acrobatics in the hotel room
Ben and Evie fighting over who gets to "drive"
Ride or die - don't mess
Roller-coaster simulation, they really enjoyed it!
Sometimes you gotta kill some space aliens
Attempting to take on Daddy in air hockey...
Top secret pool for the win!
We all prefer the hot tub!
On Christmas Eve we did church and spaghetti, got out goodies ready for Santa, and took showers before the big day!
Carrots and cookies and eggnog for Santa!
Getting ready for bed
Maggie's note for Santa
Christmas morning was just perfect! The kids were so tired that they "slept in" until 7:30 - this is big, they normally start stirring at 6am! We opened lots of great presents downstairs and hung out. My parents came over later in the morning for a yummy brunch and some more presents - I really loved getting to see them on Christmas! Christmas morning in the new house was definitely a success, and felt "like home."
Action shot
We got Ben a gardening set with his own wheelbarrow and watering can - he'll have fun this summer!
Annual Christmas ornament from Jamie (AP Bio, if you know, you know)
My ornament for Jamie - note the amazing hand-made bow! (Squid Game - this is a coffin. I went dark this year).
Maggie's gift for Jamie - an artist dinosaur
One of Ben's favorite toys - his own vacuum!
Love that my parents came in PJs too!
Aww, love these two!
In the afternoon we went to the Donoghues for presents and family time. The cousins are so happy playing together, everyone was in pajamas, and it was just a really relaxing day. Everything was great, and I think my favorite part was holding my new niece Jane (more on that below)!
Look at all these beautiful grandkids!
The family
Ben always feels the need to cuddle with me if I'm holding baby Jane
Family selfie!
Other news that I'm late in posting! Amy and Rex welcomed beautiful Jane Noelle earlier in December and she is just an adorable little peanut of smooshy love! The kids were super excited to hold her (for like a minute)!
Evie got to be the first one to hold her, because she "never gets to be first!"
Wisely wary
Not impressed with Maggie's stories
Ben "holding" Jane, he was very loving and gentle
Some others:
Jamie designed this ornament for all Royal Oak residents and got a lot of laughs on Facebook... Caracals and garbage cans. Not going to try to explain further.
Making hamburger cookies for Jamie's co-workers
These two
Finished a pretty complicated Lego set! (so far no one has "blipped", seems we are safe)
Grammer watched the girls for a couple days during their break when we had to work - even made and decorated cookies!
A date with my girls!
Bobby is old!
Mixie Magic fun
Dump truck, stacking all that garbage
Working on painting the Avengers canvas with Daddy
Looking good, Maggie!
This stud knows how to ring in the new year (peacefully asleep!)
