teamwork--part 2

In action! And used for good, not evil!

chatter and teamwork

Sylvia and Rafa are now having full on conversations with each other. We love listening to the fun things they say to each other. We also love how much they are starting to help each other and sometimes learn to share.

We often tell the one who wants what the other has to ask nicely an wait until the possessor is finished. Sometimes that works. And the possessor is now learning that that means that they need to give up the prize possession. Of course it's good to see them do that under our instruction and watchful eye, but it's even better to see them share of their own accord. It doesn't happen often, but it's pretty magical when it does.

The increase in speech and interaction also means that they are starting to discover teamwork. Rafa really wanted a ball that was begun his crib. So, Sylvia went to help him by moving is crib. Until the leg hit the edge of the carpet. So, she asked Rafa to help and they tried together. While I love seeing the teamwork and cooperation form, I know I will pay for it later!...

Christmas card

One day we'll send out an actual, live, in your hands Christmas card. Maybe. Until that possibly fictional day, we'll hopefully manage to at least send an email card. I console myself a little by thinking that it's a green alternative. No trees wasted for the paper, no emissions for the delivery... Not to mention not having to lick envelopes! Ok, so maybe the real card won't happen. Ecards are the way of the future and we're just trendsetters, right? Ok, enough rationalizing. It took a whole day to get an email list together, since I didn't get the right contact list from my office and generally am terrible about keeping a current address book. Who has time for that?!

In any case, here is the photo that went out on our card.

Merry Christmas to all those whose emails I failed to gather for our card! And again to those I miraculously did include.

Christmas

I really enjoyed our Christmas this year. SylRafa aren't quite old enough to totally get it--my secret Santa recipient was Gong-Gong, so when it arrived at the house, I told them it was a gift for Gong-Gong. When we left for Oma and Gong-Gong's house, we told SylRafa that we were going to open gifts and they responded with "for Gong-Gong!" But, they definitely enjoyed the celebration. In part because they got to spend it with us and family. Christmas Eve is the day my family gets together. We had Christmas lunch and our gift exchange and went to church. We went to the service geared towards kids in which they tell us to expect lots of noise and not to worry about the squirming and the squealing. Which was perfect for SylRafa's first worship service. They did pretty well, but wanted to stand on our laps to see, didn't sit still for more than about 5 minutes, and generally were just 2-year olds. They didn't make much noise, though, as if they knew they shouldn't. They enjoyed the video about baby Jesus' birth and watched the band during the music.



Oma and Gong-Gong babysat the kiddos while D and I went back to church to sing in one of the candlelight services. We really enjoyed that and are grateful that they gave us the opportunity to sing again.

Christmas morning was very relaxed with Oma and Gong-Gong and because of their help, D and I got to get some extra Zs. That was probably the best Christmas gift we could have asked for! As we opened a few more gifts, Sylvia asked me where her cousins were, since they had been at Oma and Gong-Gong's house for the Christmas Eve gift opening. I'm grateful that we get to spend so much time with family to create these memories and bonds.

I asked Oma what they would traditionally do on Christmas Day and she said that they would generally go for a walk in the country. So, another tradition has begun (except that since SylRafa napped late, we just walked from the house to the neighborhood park).

We topped off the day with Christmas cookies with sprinkles.










As much as the kids loved them, they wanted to be sure that Mami y Papi also each got one complete with 'colors'. I will hold that sweetness in my heart that on Christmas they are embracing generosity and giving. Like the wise men.

Soon, we'll get to do Christmas all over again with D's family to create more Christmas memories and traditions and sweet little moments.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas party

The twins' mother's day out class had a little Christmas party! Nothing fancy, just a couple crafts and food. And of course food coloring.

escape artist p.s.

After D proudly encouraged Rafa to show me his new skillz, horrified, I let D know that he's in charge whenever the kiddos decide to let themselves out.