Iditarod 2015

We broke tradition this year in where we watched the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2015. We went to the finish line, which happens to be about a mile from our home. Because of this, we gathered up our gear and our stroller and walked in to the event. We were the pedestrians on the road with cars and buses going past us, because our stroller needed the firmer pavement under the wheels. The pedestrian pathway had soft, mushy, wet snow--and we couldn't kick it in to 4 wheel drive well enough until we moved to the road.

This was the first year that we splashed through puddles (instead of over snow banks) to find the mushers. In fact, the race start has been moved North to Fairbanks, and the organizers are hoping that the new location is far enough North that the ground and rivers will be frozen for the mushers. While the rest of the country seems to be having a winter apocalypse, Anchorage has had "the winter that never happened."

The glistening on the ground was puddling water, not ice as one might expect. But it was in the high 30's and windy, so we were dressed for the duration of being outside.

Alina loved seeing "uh-dah"--which is Alina speak for any animal, particularly "a dog."

David liked our adventure--he was hanging back and running to catch up with us until I insisted on being the caboose on our single-file-walk in. He found a great walking stick for his size, and used it to get him to the race finish line. Once we got there, I think he realized that his feet were wet through his boots (what, may I ask, is the trick to finding boots that don't leak with a 6-year old boy wearing them? He seems to be hard on boots, and I find out that his socks are getting wet when we still need them to keep his feet dry for several more weeks.)

Anyway, once David figured out that his feet were wet, his mood turned sour (understandably so, poor guy!). He really wanted to ride in the stroller, but settled for a short time of being lifted up by Dad instead.

We ended up taking the shuttle bus back to the school across the street from our house, so the walk home was not as tiresome. As soon as we sat down, my little Sweet Pea closed her eyes, and didn't wake up even when we got off and it started sleeting on her little face. 

We made it home--with just enough stamina for one more smile. 

The ranger on the bus told us that the Campbell Creek Science Center was hosting a special exhibit to learn more about the Iditarod. As soon as he heard "Science Center" David wanted to get off at that stop. But we convinced him to go home first, get dry shoes, and right after a bite to eat, Daddy and David went back out for another adventure. David was proud to answer a question about the Iditarod, so he was given a wooden plaque. 

Sister Hunt, Piano Teacher

It's official. David has begun piano lessons.

He is as excited as I expected for them. He has some learning to do as far as letting the teacher do most of the talking. As for his interest in piano, he is ready to go. He'll mature in the other ways as he needs to--such as in discipline to play his assignment among the dozens of minutes (sometimes hours!) he spends at the piano each day. Right now, his motivation to learn is key to getting him to understand the other pieces to this puzzle. "If you want lessons, you have to practice your assignment." He'll do anything to keep Sister Hunt coming back for more lessons, so he's learning to comply with the discipline. I think this could be very good for our music loving boy! 

At the end of his lesson, he has asked for a classical piece from Sister Hunt. She has happily performed, but she told me she'll run out of classical era pieces soon, and she'll have to move on to Jazz. I think David will be thrilled to hear those jazzy tunes!

We have a little 1-year old friend that comes over every now and then. Right after his lesson, David pulled Paxtynn up to the piano and gave her a lesson about the piano.

Paxtynn loved the attention and David loved sharing what he learned with a willing audience.

Binky

 Neither of my babies have taken to a pacifier. It was hard for them to hold them in as newborns, and I probably didn't offer them much after they knew how to self soothe. I'm happy to not have to break a pacifier habit, so they've been kind of a non-issue.

Then Alina found this one tucked away in a baby drawer. She puts it in for something to do while we are on the changing table, and she is so amused with the feel of it, she'll giggle behind the binky. I think it's funny, so if she's ever grumpy about getting her diaper changed, I offer the pacifier to her, and compliance ensues.

Often it goes in upside down or sideways. She doesn't seem to mind--she just likes to suck on it. After we change her clothes or diaper, I ask her to put it back in the basket, and she willingly does so with an "ah un" (which is Alina speak for "all done.") Easy come, easy go. That's just the kind of binky use I can smile at.

Carpet

 We finally had carpet installed in our big family room downstairs!

While we still have a number of things to do to really enjoy the room (finish painting, put in better lighting, change out the blinds, etc.), we really enjoyed the first evening with carpet together.

I think that this swing will become a favorite toy all over again. The room is really dark, but just look at the glee on Alina's face. She was so cute with her squealing and excitement while she got a ride on the swing.

Hoping to get another turn soon.

Big brother came to the rescue. 

Then it was David's turn for the spotlight.

He's learned a thing or two about the swing in the last year, since we hung it up. (Including not to try and cut through the rope. Looks like we need to replace the rope and the bar again.)

We will be so glad when this room is ready for our use. I am definitely ready to reorganize our house to utilize this room. We expected carpet to come in 5 months ago, so I packed up all the toys and games that were down there. After five months, they have slowly been unpacked and now they are scattered into every room of our house, tucked away in corners and such. I will be very happy to have a functioning play room to keep the toys and books contained.

Dance Parties

Alina has rhythm and music in her bones like David does.

We've started having dance parties. One night for FHE, Daddy pulled out his old drum pads and gave the kids a beat to boogie.

But really, anything works. To keep Alina from crying at the sound of the blender, I've taught her to dance to the rhythm of the whir. So now she covers her ears and starts to dance whenever the blender turns on. Usually with an excited squeal as well, and it's an all-out party.

I'm so happy that my kids connect in their love for music. I think we'll have some pretty amazing dance parties in our future family fun!

Comb Over

 Even before she made it to her chair for breakfast, David lent some brotherly help to Alina in getting a "pretty" into her hair. I couldn't get her to look a the camera (she wanted breakfast more than a photo shoot!) but it was super funny. David pulled the hair over from her left ear to pin it on the right side.

It's amazing how gorgeous this girl is . . . even with a bonafide comb over, she still looks darling! And what a proud brother, to help her out on their way to the breakfast table!

Blanket Time

 Blanet time is a concept I am trying with Alina, and I am really happy with her success!

I began with 2 minutes of putting her on the blanket, and telling her it was blanket time. I gave her a few quiet books and toys to entertain herself. If she got off the blanket, I picked her up and simply put her back on, gently reminding her that this is blanket time. Within 2 weeks, she was happily sitting and quietly entertaining herself for as many as 18 minutes. It is something we practice every day, and the time is supposed to grow to be as many as 2 hours at a time for a small toddler to learn to sit quietly and entertain themselves.

Once we were done with the stretch of time for the day (it varies depending on her mood, but it lasts anywhere for 10 to 20 minutes right now), I give her a hug, and with a lot of animation in my voice, I tell her how happy I am that she did Blanket Time! Then I offer her a marshmallow. I then give her another marshmallow, and ask her to go share one with David.

A couple times she's made it all the way over to her brother and shared without any help. But often, she'll get close to him then stuff the marshmallow in her own mouth. I will then help her share a marshmallow with David, and give her one more for doing it.

I was noticing in church this week that Alina knows how to sit still a lot better on my lap since we began blanket time together. She still babbles and is very busy with her hands, but it's a lot less trying to climb around on the bench, turn around, or get off. I really like this blanket training.