A review of November: basketball, ballet, beds, and babies....

Well I was very neglectful in updating the blog throughout November and lots has been going on around here.

Its been a busy month at work for Tory and since they had a change of command in his squadron we have had non-stop social functions and obligations all month long. Its been fun and exhausting. I think we have paid for our babysitter's college education this month.

Andrew finished soccer and has started basketball. His friend Makena is on his team and her dad is the coach. So far he likes it and its been nice to get him doing something a little different. Emily has been taking a 2-year-old dance class at the gym. Its pretty funny to watch since they mostly run around and do their own thing and twirl their ribbons. I can not imagine being the teacher in this class.

Emily moved out of her crib and into a toddler bed. We found a bed but it was in sad condition and in need of some attention. Tory took it apart and fixed it up and painted it for Emily. It is very cute and so far she is doing pretty well staying in it. She occasionally wanders around her room at nap time but she seems to be getting used to it.


Our little tank of 3 fish and a snail is now filled with about 15 little baby fish too. One of the Mollies had babies last week. We tried separating them at first but it was basically impossible without getting a bigger tank so we figured we'd see what happens and maybe one or two would survive. Well so far they are all still there. Anyone need a fish? Once they are a little bigger we are going to have to pass them on friends since our tank can not support this many fish.

Ants.... no we are not having an ant problem. Andrew got an ant farm for his birthday (thanks aunt Christine and uncle Aaron). I was a little skeptical at first but it is so cool. The ants have made tunnels all through the blue gel in the little tank. We watch them tunnel away, eat, sleep. Its amazing to watch them. Definitely a great 5 year old gift idea. (sorry, the ants don't photograph very well so they are a little neglected in this post)

Thanksgiving was great. We spent the morning on a field outside the Cardinal's stadium watching Tory and some friends play a flag football game and then we had dinner at another friend's house. It was a pretty relaxing day and weekend. I was (and am) thankful that Tory was home for the holidays. We know lots of people are deployed right now and we are all glad he is home for a while now.

Andrew's class had a thanksgiving party and the kids made all the decorations.

We did lots of other fun things - took the kids to a beach boys concert; Tory got to fly in the F-16 fly-over for the car races at Phoenix International Raceway; we went to Andrew' school carnival...its been a busy month!

So now its the countdown to Christmas. The kids started their advent calendar today (the whining to open it started a few days ago when I unpacked the Christmas decorations). The tree is up and most of the lights and decorations are done. Andrew decorated his own little Christmas tree. He is so proud of it! And he helped Tory get the lights and inflatable lawn decor out. I am sure the rest of December will be just as fun and full.