Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

Some are happier than others in the snow. Some are better at singing duets than others. You can guess who derailed the toddler duet.

Thanksgiving day started with a 1-mile Children's race for Elisabeth (my warm-up) and a 5-mile race for me. Despite the chilly weather Laurel and Henry came to provide support and cheer us on. WE had plenty of company as about 5000 others participated in that morning's events. Elisabeth completed her first race with a smile and I was pleased to survive my first race in a decade. Family came to our house for Thanksgiving feasting. The kids played, the adults cooked and talked and, as happens every year, dinner was about an hour later than planned. It was wonderful. For the adults the greatest moments of peace came when the kids were sleeping or playing quietly by themselves. For the kids is was the playing together with their cousins that was the best part of the day; Or, maybe the pie for the kids. Credit for the face shots goes to Aunt Sarah - well done! -J

November was a busy arts month for Elisabeth. She participated in her first art show (a homeschooler event), played her first piano solo, and sang a solo in church. Her art show pieces centered on a abstract entitled, "Jazz" where she was trying to, "Paint what jazz music sounds like." Most of the rest of the pieces involved squirrels. Having recently found that she could draw a pretty good squirrel they have been featured in many of her works lately. The piano solo was for a festival. The audience included her teacher (pictured with Elisabeth), the other students performing in her group, and their parents. However, her primary audience was the judges. Laurel and I were impressed with the calibre of judges brought to listen to a group of 5-8 year olds play basic pieces. If I may brag for a moment. Elisabeth did great! She was the only student to have memorized her pieces and she performed them very well. In the end she received a ribbon and a superior rating from th...

After the excitement of a couple of birthday parties (Elisabeth's and Charlotte's) Henry was convinced his turn was coming up soon. At first he would ask, "When is my party." We would say, "in March." Henry didn't really understand - March. So we would explain it was after Thanskgiving and Christmas and President's day and Valentine's day and he still didn't really get it. So finally one evening Henry declared at the dinner table, "I'm having my party today." Laurel jumped into action and thawed two cupcakes from the freezer, melted some chocolate, added some sprinkles and put a puzzle in a gift big. Viola, Henry's B-day party. He sang Happy Birthday to himself and finished before any of the rest of us had time to join in. So, this time around it seemed that appeasement was the best strategy. -J

Getting ready for Halloween the kids painted their pumpkins. I'm fine without a big Halloween celebration. So, little pumpkins were painted. For Halloween we searched the closets, Henry found pirate ware. Elisabeth planned to be some sort of snowflake princess but changed at the last minute to a pirate too. For either costume, the eyepatch was always the problem; neither was able to wear it for very long. The biggest problem with Halloween this year was that Henry was scared of it all. Anything in masks, the decorations in the stores. We couldn't take him anywhere without expecting some fear and crying. This included the mailbox thanks to neighbors that enjoy decorating their yard for Halloween. I am hopeful that Christmas will be more friendly. Henry and Elisabeth's cousins came over to trick-or-treat. So, we had Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and two pirates. A pretty good crew in a Neverland sort of way.

Elisabeth is preparing to release the butterflies that she received for a birthday present. These kits are pretty neat. Five caterpillars came in the mail and they quickly formed crysalids. About five days later the painted butterflies emerged. They were released another three days later. The animals are more active during the now more common cool fall mornings at the zoo. Here Henry is making a bunch of ducks very nervous. Finally long sleeves and pants. We can play outside without frequent water breaks . The mosquito population is also moving a little slower. I've enjoyed coming home from to work to see several neighborhood kids playing in the driveway and the parents trying to keep them out of the street. Henry and Elisabeth love to be part of these events.

We are visiting Michigan over the Christmas Holiday this year which means that we have to get the kids outfitted for winter. Warm jackets, snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, etc. it is all adding up. I think these winter clothes are much cooler than when I was little. Elisbeth's sizing is a little more predictable so those articles were sent directly to the snow belt. However, we thought that we should try Henry's outfit on. Gladly, he was pleased to participate. I was pleased that everything seemed to fit. I sure hope that there is snow in Michigan for the Holidays.