SofiandNatalie.com

I’ll have some photos coming up to the site sometime really soon, but I wanted to share with everyone that we have actually completed the unwrapping (not too out of control this year) and right now Mama, Sofi and Natalie are all playing with the new Cinderella game (complete with battery powered musical, lighted shoe) trying to understand that not everyone can win every time.

In the meantime and especially for those waiting for pictures, I’m attaching another short video clip to share some of the unwrapping.

Papa

Christmas is off to a rip-roaring start this year and the girls are as excited as can be.  So far they have found the bicycles that Santa left and cleaned out their stockings.  The first gift, from Grammy and Grampy has caused quite a stir.  They each got a barbie doll that includes a golden retriever.  The excitement from this comes from the fact that you can actually feed the dog.  Parent’s will get a chuckle from the fact that this dog also “poops” the biscuits and barbie comes with all the appropriate attachments for cleaning up the poopie.  Brief video attached for those that really must know.

Papa

Lisa C Being a Great Sport with PJ's on Her Head!

It’s been a long time since Mama and I have had a party that didn’t include a princess related theme, more children than adults or a jumper, and I realized this morning (after yesterday’s party) that’s it been way too long.  Needless to say, we did a friendly potluck yesterday (with more adults than children) and it was awesome.  Thank you so much for everyone that joined in.  The food was fantastic, the weather was amazing (especially for November), the wine was divine, and the company cannot be matched.  Thank you to everyone that joined in, we appreciate it more than you know.

Of course, no good party would be great without some stories, a few pictures and maybe a video or two.  Fortunately for all, we got a few of each.  Don’t worry, nothing too embarrassing for anyone.

Many of our friends that came to this party were co-workers of Gina and their spouses and children.  It’s nice to see that most of the teachers have geeky husbands, and that similarity seemed to give everyone something to talk about.  John Ironmonger was in town for his daughter’s basketball game (University of Oregon vs. San Jose State) and was able to make it by for a snack and catch-up.  I’ve missed seeing John every day, and am very happy to know that he’s doing well, enjoying life and very, very happily married to his sweetie.  Carolyn and Carl are (finally) engaged, which added some additional celebration, and there was plenty of good food - for the meaties and the vegies - to go around.  Everyone brought along a bottle or two of wine and I think we consumed all but one.  That made for a very light afternoon, and at 6:00PM we were still sitting outside enjoy a 71 degree evening in November!

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A couple of weekends ago the girls and I took the time to finish what Troy so graciously helped start - the treehouse stairs.  We didn’t finish the railing, but the steps, landing and everything in between has been installed and is usable now.  Of course, while I finished the girls had to get their cars washed in the back yard.  I only add that in because I think everyone needs a half-naked, in the backyard, in a pair of rain-boots picture in their life.

Papa

Natalie: “I’ll open the garage and get our bikes out.”
Mama: “No, you need to wait until I’m done doing the dishes.”
Natalie: “Oh, yeah, I thought I was a grownup.”

Yes, honestly, it does feel like it’s been forever since we started working on our tree-house, but now that we’re getting close I realize that two things have happened.  First, the closer we get the more motivated to finish I get.  Second, and more importantly, the girls are getting closer to the age where they can appreciate having their own play-room and space to have their things.  We’ve cleaned out the inside and they have actually spent some time in the house getting their table and chairs situated.  Of course, now that I’ve painted the exterior (using the sprayer generously donated by Troy) we’re going to have to clean the interior from top to bottom before they can get back in.  For those that have never used a sprayer (like me) you can’t even begin to imagine how much overspray mess they make.

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Even though everyone has been sick for what feels like forever, there have been some well days and a lot going on in between. It’s actually kind of amazing at how much happens in our lives without really appreciating it. Sure, many of these events are very tiny in my eyes, but when I am able to step back and see them through my daughter’s eyes I can be truly amazed by their wonderment.

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Most parents will tell you to enjoy your children as they grow up - and they’ll tell you that it all goes too quickly. Unless you’re living it, though, you really can’t understand how true those words are. This past weekend we celebrated Sofi’s fourth birthday (June 30) and Natalie’s third birthday (July 10), and looking back all I can think about is how quickly it’s passed and how my little girls are growing up. They’re people on their own now, and it tears at my heart just having them as a part of my life.
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It’s been so long since I last contributed anything to the blog, I’ve almost forgotten how, but after a very, very long break I’m back to contribute on a much more regular basis. For those that don’t know, we’ve been out ill for pretty much the whole of two months – mama and the girls both had the stomach flu, followed by colds, and then Sofi and Natalie both contracted pneumonia. So basically we’ve had two months of battling fevers, enjoying the Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room and everything that goes along with being sick. At the same time, I scratched my cornea to the point where I was only able to see out of one eye – we were just loads of fun.

But, I’m knocking on wood now – we’re all well and definitely ready for summer. Mama is off this year and the girls have been enjoying every day. I’m very happy that they get to play and have fun all summer – even though I’m also a little jealous. But that’s okay – knowing they’re happy will be enough for me. So let the posting begin…

Papa

It’s been almost a month since my last post and I feel terrible that I’ve kept you all waiting.  I’ve been under the weather for the last few weeks and just recently it seems as though Sofi got a sinus infection/fever that has been keeping us up and stressed beyond what I can put words to.  (More on that later.)  Keep checking back, though, as I will be posting and updating the site more soon.

Thanks for your patience.

Papa