Fantastical!

We've been watching the trailer for Coraline all week, then finally visited the awesome website where we made these wonderful and kinda eery images. Can't wait for the movie to come out next weekend.

Delightful

You had the best sleep last night, asleep just before nine and despite a two-minute tantrum at 5:30 a.m. to watch t.v., you slept until 7:45. And I had to wake you. I waited until Dad got out of the shower with the intention of taking you to Nana's in your pajamas. I even got your toque on but you yanked it off and said, "But I have to eat first!"Ah, routine is a funny thing.

So, you were very happy today. Most days we are faced with some wild mood swings, mostly violent and angry. Today was nice.

Today would have been my Dad's 60th birthday. It's been almost seven years since he died, which is how I remember how long your dad and I have been married. We celebrated our anniversary on Sunday by going out for supper, drinks and dessert while Nana babysat you and put you to bed. All a great treat!

***

Last weekend, you and I were basking in my room. I don't remember what we were talking about, but I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up. You thought a sec and said, "I want to be a graphic designer - just like Mommy!" I didn't even know you knew I was a graphic designer.

But you know - and want to know - so much. One night in bed you just asked, "Can we talk in French?" We proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes or so learning the French word for objects...and a few phrases.

And finally, you are getting very good at reading bedtime stories. You run your finger under the words and "read" because you know the lines. If you're not sure which word is which, you ask and you remember for next time. And the cutest is when you get to the end of a book and read those two little words - the end!

Back to it

Happy new year. It's funny to look back upon the previous year, but every January it's time to do just that and then rate it. Kinda. And overall I'd rate it as one I hope we never have again. You, my sweet, were wonderful and grew and matured and learned and delighted, but of all the major events, most were stressful and sad. If we could just go a year - or more realistically - even six months without stepping foot in the hospital, especially the ER, I would be thrilled. I know we can't control Nana's health, I just long for a little stability in that department...

But it's also time to start anew. To work on our shortfalls - like extending patience and controlling tempers. To relax, focus on the positive and all the wonderful things we do have. And to just enjoy it all despite the pressure to go, go, go. And with that, I'll likely not be posting as often as evidenced in the last couple months. I've got an incessant nagging to make, make, make. I want to sew, I want to do some printmaking, I want to doodle, draw, cover a couple canvases that are sitting nearby, maybe even some papercutting. But all in my spare time, after you've gone to bed. And when I'm done, I'll scoop you out of your bed and take you into mine. Squished in between you and Dad, a nice way to spend the winter.