February 2013
We have had a busy month so far!
We started a sticker chart for Eleanor. She earns a sticker for her chart when she does a "good job" on her chores and following directions. Feeding the dogs and picking up her toys at night before bed mean that she gets to choose a sticker, put it on her chart, and count how many she has earned. Eleanor can legitimately count to 4 but then she recites her numbers to 13. :) It's so cute that she always has 13 stickers. Her current chart has spots for 25 stickers, which was an arbitrary choice I made when I made the chart. She is now pretty close to filling it up, so we are planning a big ice cream outing or something like that, where she will "turn in" her chart to "pay" for the treat. It's amazing how a sticker can motivate a toddler.
Several Saturdays ago we had a perfect family day. We drove to Ann Arbor for a birthday party for one of Eleanor's little friends at the Hands On Museum. I have heard about how great the museum is for several years now, but the thought of (1) driving all the way back to Ann Arbor on a Saturday-- one of the only 2 days per week that doesn't involve 2 hours of driving for me-- and (2) purposefully touching something in a children's museum--- ewww! germs!-- has always held me back.
But Little Miss E loved the museum-- it was so cool and she had such a good time that I could overlook my fear of germs.
After the museum birthday party, we drove up to Fenton, Michigan because Adam wanted to participate in the polar plunge. Basically, a big hole is cut in the ice on top of the lake, and crazy people jump in.
It's a northern thing. If you're from Texas, you probably won't understand. :)
Adam claims his Finnish roots and Montana birthplace gave him the motivation to plunge.
The only slightly scary moment was when Eleanor said "Daddy!" and ran a few feet out on the ice from where we were watching and taking pictures. She remained at least 60 feet from the hole at all times, but still....
She said, heartbroken, "I want to go swimming too."
And Eleanor found her shadow in the parking lot.
"Momma, what's dat?" And then she ran and ran and ran and tried to catch it.
Oh, the joys of childhood!
In other news...
We are moving back to Waco in July. Adam has signed on as a urologist at a local hospital and I am joining the Baylor faculty to teach a course this fall semester. And just before the move this summer we will be busy welcoming our little baby BOY. :)
