xmas 2009

Visions of Sugar Plum Fairies

Merry Christmas to all!

We look forward to seeing many of the Glistas and Boyans on the Farm this weekend and send well wishes to all the Carrolls, Zubkos, and other friends and family afar. Like her Folky Polish Mrs. Santa dress? I've had that red holly fabric for years - and finally put it to use. Not like I was ever going to make a Christmas quilt.

Maya has been all about Ballerinas this season. I let her happen across the Nutcracker theme and she's run with it. She has the story memorized, has her own Nutcracker doll and a fancy tutu (courtesy of mama's leftover wedding fabric). We put together a full length feature film My First Nutcracker (featuring Lyla & Mino). Here is a link to an excerpt of it at YouTube.

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bcarroll9494 @ YouTube

The full length film is available from Carroll Productions

for $19.95 + S&H.

Just Kidding! As if this wasn't long enough for you! (There actually is a grandparent-length version with extra behind the scenes footage)

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Christmas Morning Update: Too Many Presents!

Maya got tired after opening less than half of them. Maybe we can save some for her birthday next month. But there were some great scores so far.... Thomas & some friends, train table, real wooden kiddie piano, paints, and big girl underwear! Thanks to all the Grandparents for the tremendous Christmas Morning.

Why does Papa need an update anyway?

Jeff recently complained that the Blog has not been updated. Well, I did not see HIM taking any photos at Thanksgiving - or logging into Blogger.

No major updates... here is some minutia (to appease the impatient).

Apparently Maya is becoming quite the swimmer. She has been going to the YMCA with Jeff, and he reports that she can swim solo with only a noodle! I can't wait to see this myself. (Leave it to a dad to not consider that a baby can at any moment easily let go of a lifeline noodle and sink to the bottom - in comparison to a strapped-on floaty.) Last weekend he brought her back kind of bruised up from a jumping incident. But boy does she have fun.

So - while we were at the Dr. to check on that injury, I discovered that she is 34lbs! A little more than I expected.... and well over my recommended lifting maximum. Is it at all reasonable to suggest that a pregnant mom will not pick up her toddler?

Maya is crazy about ballerinas right now. I will post some of her "performances" closer to Christmas. The Nutcracker is playing at a bad time for us (in Kalamazoo) this year - but next year I hope she'll love to go. When she turns 2 in January, she'll finally be old enough to get into some toddler dance classes.

She is beginning to recognize that baby sister is growing in mommy's tummy and pets, talks to and kisses her. She has a 7 month old baby-friend whom she adores and always wants to hold and feed.

OOh... Markers!

We've been waiting out bad weather with lots of coloring, play cooking, and sewing in the basement. Maya is back in cloth diapers and Mama has been experimenting with some homemade contraptions. TONS of thanks to Joy, who lent us plenty of C.D. supplies to get going.