Unplugged Experiement

I've been thinking a lot about the new year and my goals. I love blogging and sharing Sammi and Elli's adventures with family and friends. I've realized, though, that I spend an awful lot of time in front of the computer. Elli already insists on typing on the keyboard if she's on my lap and Sammi has been heard to say, "I've gotta blog about that!" With all this time spent online, I'm realizing a few things around the house are being neglected, my desk for instance!

So, in an effort to re-prioritize (that's what the new year's all about, right?) I'm unplugging for 2 weeks to get things at home under control so I can have a healthy balance of Internet and family time combined with a clean house and yummy yummy dinners.

I'll be back Feb 16 (and should have lots of cute pictures to share from all the play time we'll have!) But in the meantime, I'm going to pester Brent about getting his Christmas post done so you can finally see our fun little Christmas celebrations.

The phone will still be on so if you want to chat, I should have time (ha ha!) See ya on the other side!

Fun Today

Elli is always ready to smile :)

Sammi loved this art project. It took a lot of coaxing to get her to actually look at me for a picture.

Mailing Grandpa Knowlton a letter

There are lots of new posts today with cool pictures of the girls. Keep reading till you see them all!

Sammi wanted to send Grandpa Knowlton a letter. She then insisted on taking her duck for a walk to the mailbox. The sweetest part is that Grandpa Knowlton gave her the duck for Christmas 2007.

Other Random Pictures

A first! I've never seen quail fly up into a tree before. Sammi sure scared them!

Sammi's haircut (it's not so new anymore; I probably need to cut it again)

Elli holding her hands

Sweet Sammi (the curlers didn't last long. She pulled one out right after the picture)

And this is why I no longer have any makeup

The Girls with Friends and Family

Thanksgiving: Elli with Aunt Claire, now board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner!

Elli and our friends' baby Amythest (about 3 months younger)

Sammi and Elli

Sweet Sisters!

Elli Sleeping

I sure love sleeping pictures!

In her bed

Fast asleep but holding on tight to her toy!

Holding Mommy's fingers

Wrapped in Baby M's blanket. Oh so soft.

Sammi Sleeping

It's been a while since I posted and even longer since I've given you new pics to look at. Today's posts are pictures from the last part of 2008. Enjoy!

Where are Sammi's hands?

See the cute fee hanging down!

She was pretending to sleep just a few minutes earlier!

This happened when I was still babysitting Baby M. I was putting him down for a nap.

I love that she's using Mickey's head as a foot rest.

Sammi and the Computer

As observant as ever, Sammi knows that the computer is a pretty cool toy because Mommy and Daddy play with it all the time. Just this morning she showed me how much she really has picked up from observation. Sitting on my lap she started typing. She had two hands on the keyboard (one on each side all proper-like) and when she was done typing her letters, she used one finger to push the enter button! Way too clever!

Dear Kid Saturday-Being the Mommy

Dear Sammi,

I am so enjoying watching you grow in your understanding of how things work. It seems I can't get anything past you. As soon as you figure out a rule, you find a way to adapt to it. My favorite is the hand-holding rule.

Originally, you held my hand occasionally, but rarely with any fuss. Then, when you figured out that we hold hands to cross the street you figured out a way to not hold my hand. You started holding your own hand! "I hold Sammi's hand" you would explain when you didn't want to hold my hand. I couldn't help but laugh at your clever plan. Sometimes it worked, but mostly I still finagled your hand into my hand.

Recently you have discovered the role of Mommy. You love to be Mommy to your baby dolls. You carefully changed their diapers, feed them, and wrap them in blankets for nap time. I love to watch you act so grown-up and confident in your abilities. I hope you never lose that confidence.

The last time we went shopping, you brought one of your babies with you. When we got out of the car I asked for your hand as we walked in the parking lot. You explained that you couldn't hold my hand. "I'm the mommy and I need to hold my baby's hand. I keep her safe in the parking lot." Again my heart melted and I am amazed at how much you understand! How will I ever keep up?

I love you and love being your Mommy and the Grandma of your babies.

Love,
Mommy