Where does the time go?

I can't believe that so much time has passed since I last wrote. It has been really cold here. I'm talking -20 with the windshield. Yikes! Needless to say we have been shut up in the house trying to stay warm. We are reading this really great book that a friend got us for Christmas. It's called The Mysterious Benedict Society. We enjoyed it so much, and when I say we I mean the whole family. Even Jacob is sitting for hours some night listening to the story. We are currently on the sequel, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey. I love that they want to read it together every night.

Speaking of reading, Jacob is starting to read. There is something so wonderful about the first time your child tries reading and is successful. I am soooooooooooo proud of him. He is also very excited about it. I love to see that smile of pride on his face when he sounds out that word and gets it correct.

Bella and Eli are both doing well too. Eli has started a new season of basketball. While he is not the strongest of players, he really enjoys playing. It's so rare to see a kid like him. I'm not sure if I can explain it well, but he plays more for the exercise and fun of the game than winning. Unusual I know but that is my Eli.

I really need to get better at posting as things happen because as time goes by I get forgetful. I know we've done tons but nothing that stands out right now. I'll keep you posted.

Fitness Guru

So it's about 1:30 and Jacob is exercising on the Wii fit that Grandma and Grandpa bought us for Christmas. He really enjoys the running exercises. (What???) Anyway, he is in the middle of doing lunges when I glance over to see that he is completely doing this exercise wrong. So I walk over to try to show him that he should not be completely down on the floor on both knees. We all know how a correct lunge goes, right? Anyway, he says I am wrong and that he is doing it right. In the meantime, the exercise is over and the Wii is rating him, as I am trying to explain proper form. He says "MOM!" gently turns my face toward the TV screen and it says "Well Done Score 93 Calorie Incinerator" I guess I don't know as much as I think I do!

Merry Christmas, What time is it?????

12:00am We arrive home from going to Christmas Eve at Jerry's family in Darien.

1:00am Bella arrived in our room asking us to help her fill her insulin reservoir, she need to change her pump sight. Jerry says through our sleepy haze, "Bella, didn't you just change that yesterday? (It has to be changed every third day) Bella answers, " Um, let me check. Yep. I did." Jerry says, "Bella, go back to bed, are you not confused or are you just waiting for Santa?" Bella giggles, "Both I guess."

3:00am Dasher is whining to leave our room and go outside. Are you kidding me? Do you know how tired I am!!! O.K. Let's go.

6:30am Kids are apparently up and playing with toys from the night before, but alas they are not waking us up. Thank God for small miracles.

7:15am I awake to hear children running down the stairs and around the house. I am forced to investigate the commotion. It's my in-laws here to open gifts. (They were expected early) Merry Christmas! The gift opening is about to begin. Let me get breakfast in the oven quick.

8:30am The first round of gift opening is complete. For those of you who were curious, Papa Joe made us all some homemade salsa. The kids got some smores. Let the games begin. Jacob made it to the Wii first, so the other two are on the Nintendo DS.

9:15am Grandma and Grandpa arrive. Gift opening Round two. We eat and play Wii.

11:00am Church, It's Jesus' Birthday kids, we will attend church today, sorry.

12:15pm We graze and play games all night long. Thank goodness for kids. What would we play with if we didn't have them. No one would buy us the amount of toys I have piled in the living room right now.

What time is it anyway? 8:10pm and Bella and Jacob are still playing Wii. Eli and Jerry are putting together a robot. I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open. I hope everyone else has had as much fun as we have. I wanted to take the fam to see a movie today. Where did the day go?

Snowy Night

It's 9:15 and we are coming in from making our snow creation. Nothing like going out at 8:00pm to make a snowman with your family. It has been snowing all day and into the night and it was time to have some fun outside. We get outside and Bella and Eli begin rolling snowballs to make the snowman. Jerry is already out there snowblowing the sidewalk. Jacob is sitting under a tree crying because his snowball is not working. We explain the snowman making process and he agrees to help building. Well, I think that after all is said and done the snowman looks great, the kids are tired, and the mission was a success. And to all a good snowy night.

And So It Begins

O.K. So Uncle Max and Amy have inspired me to give this a try. I'm sure that my family can give you a good chuckle on a daily basis. But more importantly, the family will get to know us better by reading our stories. I am glad to have such a large family but sad that we are unable to see and hear from each other more regularly. Maybe this will be a good vehicle to help make that possible.

On that note, we had our yearly family get-together on Sat. night. The attendees were: the Bliujus family, Tina, our parents, Ron, Sandy, and Jessica, Gloria and Alex with Alex and Daniel. I think it is safe to say that we all had a good time. We were worried that we were going to have all kinds of food and no one show up with the weather being so cold and windy but they were real troopers. There was food eaten by all, music played on the piano, (Jerry bribes the kids to play Christmas carols on the piano), we all played Wii, the kids played together, we had a adult falling down the stairs incident ( we won't mention any names but those of you who attended are laughing really hard right now) and the gift exchange. (Poor Alex almost went home with Mamma Mia). Anyway, thank you to everyone who was able to come out and spend some time with us. We really enjoyed the time together. I wish we could do it more often.

I am presently trying to figure out how this blog thing works, so be patient and I will attempt to add photos. I am presently typing while Tina is entertaining the children with the Wii. Thank goodness for sisters. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. I have not done Christmas cards but maybe I'll get some New Year's Cards out. Talk to you again soon.