Adventures in picture-taking...Foiled!

Sitting still for the camera is not Marielle's forte. The following is my attempt at capturing the girls' delightfulness and photogeny for a Christmas photo...Hopefully I succeeded at least in the former, but certainly not in the latter....See for yourself.

"Okay, girls, lets get on the couch for a sisterly picture!"" Hmmm...Bad idea"

"Okay, Marielle, let's just start with you. Can you give me a smile?.....Okay, that's pretty good. How about another one?

"Hmm, that may be a little much. Could you tone it down a little?"

"Marielle, darling, please sit still. . . . . Okay, youre getting a little too excited now. Let's try something different"

"There, that's better. Is that a good book/prop?"

"Can you say cheese?"

"Wow! That's quite some 'cheese' there girlie."

"I guess the alternative is putting a book on your head"...Sigh.

Someday I'll get a good picture of her, I'm sure of it! And when I do, you'll be the first to know.

Genevieve's adventures on the slide

Genevieve doing her new-walker waddle...

Though Genevieve has been walking for over a month now, she is just now getting steady (and confident) enough to walk outside. So, a week or so back, I finally brought her out to play on the outside deck with Marielle. Now, Marielle, as you may know, takes her play-time on the slide and on Blaze (the rocking horse) very seriously. I was glad she graciously allowed Genevieve to play alongside her on these most sacred of grounds. And she had a great time!

She (cautiously) went down the slide a few times. And she heartily enjoyed my rendition of the William Tell Overture while atop Blaze. And best of all, she could walk on deck! No more being carried all the time, lady! Both she and my arms were thankful.

Snow-day!

Genevieve's first walk in the snow!

Preparing a snow-ball

Wishing her mommy would hurry up and take her back inside.....

Saying a big "CHEEESE!"

Today was our first (and probably only) snow of the year! It was such a sure thing that we told Marielle yesterday evening that when she woke up in the morning there would be snow. We also read books throughout the day involving all things snow; which of course led to her rehearsing all the exciting things we would do in the snow the next day..."put on my snowsuit, put on my boots, make snow angels, throw snowballs...".... the list goes on. As you might have guessed, Marielle woke up at the crack of dawn ready to play. As soon as it was light outside, she and Philip embarked.

Later in the day, Marielle and Genevieve and I went out again and had an even more fun time. I pushed them around on our make-shift sled (a large tupperware container lid), and we threw snowballs for Buck to catch. Even after a gloriously long time, Marielle still had to be convinced that it was time to come inside. All I have to say is that she has more endurance for the cold than me!

Tricycle riding

For many months now, Marielle has enjoyed sitting on her tricycle and pretending to move. But today I realized that her legs were (finally) long enough to push the pedals! So, while Genevieve was napping, we made a trek out to the cul-de-sac to practice riding. As I was pushing Marielle down the hill of our driveway, Marielle in her usual very expressive and outlandish ways said, "Whoah, Mom! This is very CWAZY , and a wittle bit SCA-WY!" (Dont worry, she was having the time of her life.)

Ahh, its amazing how much a little lisping can make a mommy laugh.

a COLD winter's day

It is below freezing here as it has been all weekend, and Marielle is insistent on playing outside. After a bit of cajoling on my part to get her to wear a winter coat, instead of her "cape", she hustles out the door, to be greeted promptly by Buck, our big yellow dog. Meanwhile, Im helping Genevieve finish up her lunch inside, but watching from our big windows in the sunroom into the (fenced-in)backyard. When Marielle vanishes from my sight, I go out to check on her. I find her with her back toward me standing right up next to the fence. Though unable to hear her, I can tell that she is talking to herself, with her hands covering her eyes. Suddenly, she turns around and bolts across the yard, until she finds Buck at his frozen water bowl. After a few minutes of trying to help obtain some water, she returns to her post and begins this canine hide-and-seek game all over again. If only Buck knew how much this girl loves him. If only Marielle knew that playing with a dog all day long wasnt what all her friends were doing. Oh well, at least they are happy together.

Marielle (2 years, 8 months)

Dear Marielle,

In the words of your dear cousin Ryan, you are now a "little girl, not a toddler". But it wasn't very long ago, though, that you were just my baby. And we often still refer to you and Genevieve as "the babies". (You know you'll always be my baby.) But alas, you remind me many times a day that you like to do things the "big girl" way. You sleep in a "big-girl bed", drink from a "big-girl cup", and sit on a "big-girl potty"now. And though I think that you relish your self-proclaimed big-girl status, you still very much enjoy being cuddled, sung to, and rocked. And, your unbridled affection for your mom brings me unparalled joy. I often feel unworthy of such passionate loyalty and single minded devotion, but you bestow it upon me freely all throughout the day. Thank you for loving your mom so much.

So how do you pass your days now? Well, in your opinion, it definitely needs to begin with a good breakfast....In fact, all your meals bring you much happiness and pleasure! When I come into your room to get you up in the morning, often the first thing out of your mouth is that you would like "oatmeal with applesauce and blueberries"; or if Daddy is home you know that a request for pancakes in in order. (Because no father can deny his daughter anything on a Saturday morning.)

After a hearty breakfast, you usually enjoy chasing Buck around the backyard for a good bit, hiding with him behind bushes, picking flowers, and finding rocks and sticks to give to him, and just some good-quality sky-gazing. You also enjoy throwing tea parties for your dolls, kittens, or really anyone who will participate. You love love, love helping Mom make "bread-dough", though you havent quite gotten it down yet that we cant eat it until its cooked.

I'm realizing lately just what a hard-worker you are. When you are put to a task, Marielle, you do it, and you do it well. Just last week you spilled a good bit of flour on the kitchen floor, and insisted upon cleaning it up yourself. Unfortunately, the rag you chose to use was dry, and so you cleaned and cleaned and cleaned up that flour for a good 10 minutes, but to no avail. When I suggested that we wet the rag, you would have none of that, but continued working happily and diligently (until I finally intervened with a wet rag).

You are a driven and passionate little girly, Marielle, and we wouldnt want you any other way. You bring life and excitement (and just a little drama) to our house, and we are amazed to see how God is at work already in your life, especially how you love to pray and read your Bible!

You are our heart!

Much love,

Mommy and Daddy

Dear Genevieve, (10 months old)

Dear Genevieve,

What a joyful, curious, and bright little girl you are! Your smiles light up the room, and you freely give them to anyone that you meet. In fact, you are even known to "make rounds" to all the other mom's laps during our weekly music class. Your laid-back and happy spirit endear you to all who you know.

You absolutely adore your big sister, Marielle, and will do just about anything to be near her. Following your big sis around is your activity of choice. Often times, you get dress-up hats put on you, puzzle-pieces handed to you, or pretend-food to eat. You enjoy all this immensely, and bring much joy to your sister who is beginning to learn that you are a fabulous play-mate.

Though you are a content little girl by nature, you are certainly also a mover-and-a-shaker right now. You are crawling, climbing, and cruising all day long, and getting closer and closer to walking each day. We often marvel that you are way too small to be walking anytime soon. So please slow down, Genevieve; humor us, and let us enjoy your sweet babyhood just a little longer.

You are also quite a communicative little girl for your age. Your favorite things to say are "bye-bye" and "Buck"(or as it is more accurately pronounced "Buckkkkkk"), and you are quite proficient at signing "All done" and "More" during meal-times. You also love showing us that you are "SO BIG" by throwing your arms up way high with a huge grin on your face.

It is a delight to be around you, baby Genevieve, and you have won our hearts, and continue to melt us with your smile and gentle spirit day after day.

With all our love,

Mom, Dad and Marielle