Glad to be together

I made a last-minute trip to Phoenix with one of our staff on Friday because she had a close family friend who died. I was gone just a day, but real thankful to be able to share that time with her, then thankful to once again be with my family. Her friend was like a second mother to her, and she left behind three children -- two in college and one in high school. It's made me glad for life and for this time that I share with my own kids and husband.

Simeon is enjoying increasing independence. We haven't had to change a dirty diaper from him in months because he's going so well on the potty. But we still have to use pull-ups because he forgets and wets through his underwear. He can take off his sleepers, put on his own pants and socks, and get his arms through his shirt by himself. He loves going to the park with daddy and kicking balls.

Lydia is walking so well now. She and Simmy play together by the hour, inventing games that mystify onlookers. One recent game was both falling onto a sleeping bag that was laying in the living room. They would bonk heads as they fell, both laughing, and gingerly rubbing heads as they prepared for their next dive. Another game was Lydia standing behind Simeon and holding his middle. Then he would walk too fast for her to keep up and she would fall face-first onto the carpet. They did it over and over and thought it was hilarious.

Lydia's still eating twice (or three times) as much as Simeon most days.... until those random meals of oatmeal, or tomato soup, where Sims makes up for 3 days-worth of eating in one setting. They're sleeping fairly well in the same room. And we usually get to sleep until 7:30 in the mornings. That's glorious.

We had a workday on Saturday for the students to earn money for spring break and winter conference costs. We hired a few students of our own and finished filling the dirt into the raised flower beds. It looks great!

I've got two crying kids to deal with. More later.

Susan