Bunco

I played Bunco for the first time tonight. For those of you unfamiliar with the game, it's a dice game - a game of chance. I had heard of it several years ago and was under the impression that it was more about socializing than game-playing. It's true... I did a lot of gabbing this evening, but you actually have to be on the ball when the game is on. My friend, Sarah, has gone to a couple of Bunco nights in her neighborhood and decided to start a Bunco group. A couple of months ago she put out an open invitation on her blog and some of us bit. We invited some more people and thus our Bunco gang was formed. There's always need for subs so if any locals are reading and think this sounds fun, let me know!

Not only did I have fun, but I won $20!! My first earnings (if you can call it that) of 2007!!

Simple Joys

This is a fun year with Emma. She has such excitement for both Christmas and the snow. She has two Advent calendars - one my mom made of felt years ago for my sister and me, and one she made at school. She goes to the felt one first each morning and reaches into the pocket after she figures out what day it is. Afterward she heads to her handmade tree where she puts a sticker on the right day. Along with these traditions, she has been requesting to "enjoy the lights" each evening before bed. We turn off all of the lights except for the ones on the tree and the mantle. The three of us (Andrew's in bed) snuggle on the couch and sing Christmas songs. Yesterday morning Emma and I went to the grocery store with a list of items for the food pantry. We bought for pantries in both Elkhart and St. Joe County since we border the two, and both our church and her preschool do collections. Emma and I had a long conversation about who might need food and why they might not have enough money to buy their own, etc. I think/hope it made an impression on her. She was very enthusiastic about buying certain items for "the pantry." I hope we can make this an annual tradition. These all have been special ways to prepare for and celebrate Jesus's birth. I look forward to more ways we can do this as a family as the children get older.

Friday evening, Pete, Emma, and I cuddled on the couch and watched "Polar Express" while we ate popcorn and drank Sprite. Emma's disappointed whenever she smells us making popcorn after she has gone to bed, so this was extra special for her!! On Saturday, she and Pete made a snow person. You can see he/she is very unique. She is very proud of her work with daddy!!

Andrew is ONE!

How this year has flown by!! Today our little Andrew Jacob turned one year old. We had celebrated in PA over Thanksgiving with a little party, but I couldn't resist celebrating again this evening. I know he wouldn't have known the difference and certainly he (nor did any of us) didn't need more sugar, but I couldn't let the day go without something special. So Emma and I made cupcakes this afternoon and frosted them.

His reaction with both treats was just priceless. During the party, he looked very intently at the piece of cake, studied it, slowly stuck his finger in the cool whip (we used this in place of frosting), then studied it some more and eventually licked his finger. It was then time to dig in. I thought he'd be less hesitant today since he had already experienced the taste of sugar. But this time, he stuck several fingers in the frosting (it was cream cheese frosting) and just moved them around for a while... feeling the texture. He did all this with a content smile on his face, of course. After a good minute (I mean it), he tasted it. He must have approved.

It's been such a joy to watch Andrew's personality develop over the past year. He really is a content child in so many ways. He loves to explore and study things. He's happy just waddling around the house checking things out. But he's also happy sitting and playing with different toys and objects. He loves to manipulate things, read books, and listen to music. He dances, "sings", and plays the drum. Last evening I was putting lotion on my hands and he started to imitate the motion. He adores his big sister and our cat, Elly, saying "yyooowwww" whenever he sees her. And he loves when Daddy comes home in the evenings. This is so sweet to see since Emma was still pretty attached to mom at this age. Can you tell I'm in love?! :)

Happy Feet

Last Friday Pete, my sister (Tonya), and I took Emma to see her first movie. I had seen trailers for Happy Feet and thought it looked adorable. If you know me well, or knew me growing up, you know I love penguins. I haven't collected them in years but this movie and "The March of the Penguins" have reinforced my love for them. They are just such cute animals! And they really do have a fascinating existence.

Anyway, I had read that the movie was rated PG for some language, humor, and "mild peril." I figured it was worth a shot with Emma. Usually three year-olds don't pick up much with the humor. I was right about that. Nothing concerning in the least. And I can't even remember what the language was, but it was like "stupid" or something like that. No biggie. The mild peril, on the other hand, was a bit much for Emma. It always occured when an animal was trying to get/eat the penguins. The movie was very loud and the sound and visual effects made it scarier than it needed to be. Emma learned to hide her eyes and did ask to go back to Grandpa and Grandma's a couple of times. I'm pretty sure it didn't traumatize her or scar her for life though. I suppose it's a good thing she is sensitive to that. But do think twice about taking a child if he/she is young and/or sensitive to this type of thing.

Other than the peril, I highly recommend the movie. It was very entertaining. The music and the dancing was so fun and well done. I'll definitely be adding the soundtrack to my wish list. Some really talented actors, such as Nicole Kidman, Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, among others, were the voices. The movie had several good messages - about proper disposal of waste and its effect on animals, the benefit of keeping animals in their natural habitat vs. caging in a zoo or aquarium, how fishing/taking their food source can affect penguins (and other animals), learning to find the good in others despite their differences. It even had a multiethnic spin in its choice of characters and music.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who might have seen this movie. If not, I'd encourage you to get to the theaters or put on your priority list when it comes to DVD. I have a feeling this will be another must-own movie in our household!