Snow Day

Just thought I'd add the latest snow picture. By the way, Felix placed the hat on Frosty and then when I put the carrot in the snow for the nose he asked quizically, "Boogie?" as in booger.



If any of you not in the Seattle area watched Monday Night Football, where the Seahawks defeated the Packers in Seattle, you will already know that we had snow last night. Today, the following Tuesday, I just happened to have the day off. Here are a few pictures of the boy enjoying his first romp in the snow.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

I know, you are stunned that I am updating my blog! How did I find the time between my booming bookkeeping business, my volunteer activites, Megan's latest teen crisis and the constant needs of a toddler? I hired a nanny! It was only 2 days and a total of 7 hours but wow, what a difference! I got a little bit caught up with my clients and didn't have to work like a dog on the evenings and weekends! Felix really took to her and the first day he took a walk with her without even checking on me, no mom in tow, no apron strings attached! He is sleeping now, in his bed, after she cleverly got him down for a nap. These are pictures taken with Marlies' cell camera.

There is something to be said for hiring someone truly dedicated to the care of your child, not distracted by a desire to get back to their my space account or to their video game! Nothing against the loving attention he gets from his sisters, but I am so relieved to know that he can and will go to someone other than family! When Dana and Natalie were in Switzerland I got really behind on work and realized that I was always juggling Felix's needs against that of my business and it takes a lot of effort to keep those balls in the air. Now that I am caught up and looking to the holidays, I am aware that I need to let go of more in order to be more focused on the things I am most thankful for: my loved ones! If it weren't for this bookeeping business I wouln't be able to be at home with Felix and there for Megan after school. I've got to find a balance.

Felix and His Second Halloween

In our neighborhood, the city is replacing all the sidewalks and the street. Felix wakes each morning and intently watches the workers demolishing and building. A word he has learned in all this is 'backhoe'. He loves the backhoe, and anytime he sees a vehicle or picture of a vehicle that remotely resembles one, he yells 'backhoe, backhoe, backhoe'. We went to a clothing store the other day where he saw a shirt with a tractor on it, 'backhoe, backhoe, backhoe' he yelled until we acknowledged that he has seen a backhoe. The work crew made the mistake of leaving the backhoe over the weekend, as you can see Felix and Renae took it for a spin.


I know that all the talk right now is on the recent trip Natalie and I took to Switzerland, but this is Felix's blog so we will defer to him. Well, I will say that Natalie and I were met at the airport by Megan, Renae, and Felix, all wearing Switzerland shirts. I was really moved at how excited Felix got when he saw me. As you might remember from a previous post, Felix and I play foosball. Well, as Renae tells me, while I was gone, Felix got up to the foosball table and was calling for me, then began referring to the foosball figures as daddy, and then proceeded to kiss them. I teared up when I heard that.
Also while I was gone, Felix used his potty chair for the first time. Not only that, he stood up to pee. That has been the only time he has used it, though we have not really been trying. We also have a potty seat that fits over the toilet. He has been getting up on it, though he has not "used" it yet. He seems interested, so we will let him explore at his pace.
As you can see, Felix was a pirate this Halloween. When we first introduced the costume to him a few weeks ago, he didn't want anything to do with it. But Renae had the great idea of easing him into it each day. Eventually he loved it, probably from all the attention he got while wearing it.
At one point we had some company over and Renae asked Felix if he wanted to put on his pirate costume, he ran over to get it and couldn't wait to show himself off in it.
Our Halloween was cold but, thankfully, dry. On our block, the city is replacing all the sidewalks and the street. Literally replacing the street. Anyway, I think we didn't get as many trick-or-treaters as we could have. Felix really enjoyed all the decorations on the houses in the neighborhood. He wouldn't say trick-or-treat, but he had no problem reaching into the candy bowl he was offered and taking a treat. Though, sometimes I would have to influence his choice.