2014: Here We Go!

How is it possible that the holidays already feel like a far off memory?  Because New Years fell mid-week, we had a few bonus days in January to chill, but by the 6th it was back to work and school for the lot of us.  Thankfully things haven't been super busy, so we've been able to have some fun
while getting back in the groove.  Notably, Lily and I *finally* made it up to the mountains mid-month.  I say finally because this was supposed to be THE year for us and skiing.  Chris, Lily and I took indoor lessons throughout November and December, I used my Microsoft StayFit allowance on a season rental, pass and helmet, Chris and Lily got rentals as well and.....no snow.  It wasn't until the middle of January that Snoqualmie actually opened, at which point Chris had lost interest and I worried I'd forgotten my lessons.  Luckily the Seahawks were in the playoffs the weekend Lily and I went so we enjoyed super short lines and a fairly quiet mountain.  As expected, Lily was fantastic.  Despite some chairlift qualms (they terrify me - took all I had to play the no-big-deal-I-gotcha-brave-mama card), she handled the runs like the wee daredevil she is.  By the second go she asked if it was ok to "just meet you at the bottom" and took off without a backward glance.  Her athletic prowess never ceases to amaze me.  I, on the other hand, snow plowed the whole way down, managed 2 runs without falling, got overly confident and totally wiped out on run #5.  Weeks later and my knee is still bothering me a bit.  Aging blows and safe to say the season is a bust.

While we were in the mountains, Chris was engaging in an experiment of a different kind.  To our

Example of a "no nap day" meltdown

chagrin, Matteo has already hit the nap vs no nap phase.  Not familiar?  It's the phase when if your child naps, they are then up until 10 at night, raring to go.  But if they skip nap, they are a hot mess from 6pm till they fall asleep (aka pass out from exhaustion) at 8pm.  Either way, they are up promptly at dawn and either way you, the parent, are somewhat hosed.  It's a delightful phase and one that is only tempered by his unwavering sweetness.  Honestly, he is a walking endorphin rush and the absolute best therapy in the world, bar none.  He's always so generous with his hugs and I continue to melt when he rests his soft head on my shoulder, his wee body relaxed against mine.  I wouldn't trade those cuddles for anything...but I really wouldn't mind a little more sleep.

In addition to working on her skiing, Lily has also taken her comedy routine to a new level.  The latest obsessions: observational humor and armpit farts.  Yeah, you read that last one correctly.  I don't need to elaborate any more other than to say I will NOT be thanking the parent of whatever kid taught her that charming move.  The observational jokes are way better.  Example: while driving down the street, Lily pointed at Pagliacci's and said "Hey Mama - that pizza restaurant is cheesy!"  While not all of the jokes work ("this pogo stick is bouncy" wasn't a knee-slapper), I love and admire the effort and creativity going into them.

Both kiddos are also showing more and more of their independence.  For Lily this means she no longer hugs me at drop off and rarely at pick up (I still hug her - she can't get away that easily!) and if there is anyone she knows nearby, she doesn't hold my hand.   I knew this time would come, but I wasn't expecting it so soon.  At least at home she is still a lovey - something I need to appreciate extra as who knows how long I will get to enjoy it.  For Matteo it means he is using his voice more and more.  "Lily did it!" from him is now as common as "Matteo, NO!" from Lily.  He's no longer the admiring little brother who will take anything and is instead asserting himself, making it VERY clear when he doesn't like his sister's antics ("Go away, Lily!") and using his little voice and growing vocabulary to the fullest.  It's leveling the playing field and that can only be a good thing, right?

Sadly for me, Lily is not the only one Matteo is imposing his increasingly indomitable will on.  Lately I, too, have been the recipient of his newfound strength.  Literally.  His new shtick when he wants something is to push/pull me into submission.  Example: I am working on dinner and he wants to look at tractors on YouTube.  He will begin bellowing "TRACTOOOOOORS!" to which I respond "I'm making dinner, if you need something, come to kitchen and use your words nicely" which he will....if taking my hand, forcibly pulling me partway into the living room, then going around and pushing me from behind the rest of the way to the iPad and then signing "please" by rubbing his belly is asking nicely.  The sign for please IS pretty darn cute...but still, I think we need to work on perhaps refining the whole routine.

Why yes, that is a helmet in her bunk

And then there are the quirks.  Both kids have been displaying them in spades.  Matteo's latest was stripping off everything and presenting himself at 10:30 at night, huge mischievous smile in place when he should have been asleep (see nap issue above).  Lily's is her newfound germophobia that rivals my own.  You've never seen a kid so diligent about washing her hands before eating EVER.  Seriously, I wish I owned Purell stock.  She's also now utterly obsessed with the Seahawks despite our having never once watched a football game in her presence.  I'm sure it's a peer pressure thing with the team headed for the Super Bowl and all the kids at school talking about it...but the kid wants to wear her full Hawks jersey/knickers/helmet combo (Chris took her to the team store, bless him) EVERY DAY.  We have to do mid week laundry to keep up.  I even agreed to let her host a kid's Super Bowl party next week.  I think there is a high likelihood I will regret this.

And of course the quirkiness continued in quote form....

Chris and I, giggling like 12-year-old boys while reading the line in Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site about "dumping his dirt load"
Lily, looking at us then explaining to Matteo: "That means his poop!"
And here we thought we were clever...

Me, commenting on being old
Lily, responds: "You don't look nearly as old as you are"
Thanks?
While watching the Simpsons:
Bart: "When did everything turn to crap?"
Marge: "Don't use language like that!"
Lily: "Hmmmm...Marge has a good point"

Me, rolling the Beemo at the park: "Did you notice it always curves to that side?"
Lily, very matter-of-fact: "It's because of the wind."
Me - Both impressed and feeling silly

Matteo, walking up and grabbing chips from Chris' bowl:
Chris: "Hey!"
Matteo: "It's for Lily!" and brings her one
Me: *swoon*

And next month is February - feeling good more swoon-worthy moments to come....