Being the younger child

I sometimes lament the fact that Zanna doesn't get the experiences and time that Will got when he was little.  Of course, Will was an only child for years and it was just different. Will and I did library time, playgroups, cooking classes, swimming, etc. Today the boys have gone skiing so it's been me and her this afternoon and it's been fun. We hadn't been out all day and I wanted to take advantage of our time so I thought we'd check out the local indoor play area and see what we've been missing. The place has this giant pirate ship and castle to run around, slide down, climb, you get the picture. She so fearless - she raced right in before I could even pay and disappeared in the structure but then came back for me. From then on I had to follow her through the structure and do what she did. I am exhausted. Oh, how I missed Will and having him shadow her so I could sit and "keep an eye" on things! Maybe we're not missing out on much! Although she had a fun time and it was great to be able to play with just her and enjoy her. 

She and I do go to the weekly library time and this has been so much fun to do together. She loves the songs and rhymes and books read by the librarian. Occasionally, I'll be unable to leave Will home with Wayne so I give a list of assignments to do and get him set up at a table while Zanna and I join the group. When she turns 3 we'll be able to start the Mom and tot cooking class at the grocery store. Will and I had such fun at those! And learned a valuable lesson - cooking! Even now he goes monthly for a 2hour drop off class in the evening and makes up quite the menus! I'll also start bringing her with us to swimming - she'll be old enough to participate in their preschool program if she's willing. And I know she'll love going to gymnastics with us and being in the preschool program that goes on at the same time as Will's with our homeschool group. Come to think of it, I guess she's not missing out on too much!

Picture from Christmas

My sister Bekah and husband Tom with their sock monkey.

The 2nd picture is our family and the 3rd is for Bekah since she was sick - here's Tom getting ready to ride!

Bringing in the New Year!

We had a great Christmas! The children did a wonderful job at the Christmas Eve service and said their parts perfectly!  Christmas morning was a treat - Wayne didn't need to preach because our vicar did so we had a really nice laid back morning opening up presents and having a nice breakfast together as a family. We went to church, came home and packed up. Actually, Wayne took a nap. Then we packed up and drove all night to Wisconsin to visit my family. This picture is of my sister-in-law Brenda married to my brother Reid. The sweater she's wearing is one that my brother tweaked. You can't tell in the picture but he attached lights to it so she's flashing. Too funny!
This Christmas the presents for Zanna were all about the doll. We got her an American girl doll and my parents and grandparents got the doll presents. Ha! By the end of the evening she was recognizing the American girl box! 
We were very busy in Wisconsin - here we are snowmobiling! Dad rented some for the weekend and we had a blast. We also went swimming, the guys went skiing and Mom and Dad hosted the Hanson family Christmas with most of the Aunts and Uncles and cousins. It was a treat to be able to be a part of that. 

We stayed until New Years and then drove back all day. 

My sister and her husband had also come to Mom and Dad's for Christmas all the way from the UK and it was so great to see them. Unfortunately, Bekah got sick and was holed up in her hotel room for a day and a half!