autumn & winter

• Snow!!!!  George and Lila, you were snuggling in bed with me, and Katie burst in and told us there was snow.  We all jumped up and ran to the living room to take a look.  George, you shouted, "IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!"  
• You got bundled up in your snowsuits and we headed outside before 7:00.  I'm fully committed to getting you guys out to play in the snow whenever it happens because it's such a rare event and I want you to have fun memories in the snow.  You guys didn't even realize how pathetic the snow was today.  Anyone living outside of Vancouver would laugh at the amount that fell, but you thought it was completely magical.
• Lila, as you were eating snow off the railing, your tooth fell out!  You were so pleased.  It's so tiny. We carefully put in into a container so we don't lose it.   You FaceTimed Auntie Kim and Auntie Jenny to tell them the good news.  
• Lila, as we drove you to school, you asked why God made the snow.  I asked what you thought.  You said, "I think God made the snow to delight the children."  Oh my girl, you are a delight.  
• George, we dropped all the girls off at school then went grocery shopping.  As we drove home, you kept commenting that the snow was soooooooooo pwetty, so I asked if you wanted to stop and go for a walk.  You said yes!!!  I was thrilled.  I pulled into Mundy Park.  It was pure magic.  The snow was lining each tiny branch, the lake was calm, the sky was clearing, PLUS, all the autumn leaves were on the ground.  It was jaw droppingly gorgeous.
• Jane, you and I went to see Dr. Chang after school.  I'm grateful we have such a caring doctor who knows our family well and takes the time to listen and understand and support us.  He's been our doctor for a really long time and has seen us through a lot of weird stuff.  He's always been kind and compassionate.  I'm thankful to see you start to trust him with your medical issues.  
• Katie, you asked me to teach you how to curl your hair today.  I curled it for Halloween and you really liked it and want to be able to do it again.  I love love love seeing you guys grow up and do things like this.  I like that you have a desire to care for yourself and look nice. 
• George and Lila, you were kind of wild tonight.  Running around in your undies and terrorizing the rest of us.  It was good when it was your bedtime.  Really good.
• Jane and Katie, we had a good long talk about sex tonight.  I told you that you could either have a conversation with me or I could blog it to you.  Ahahaha.  You chose the conversation.   Jane, you were practical and interested.  Katie, you were completely mortified, but you listened and I know you took it to heart even though you were squirming the entire time.   I've always had open honest conversations about sex.  Daddy wants to, but it's really hard for him.  He popped in and out of the room and said a couple things here and there.  His family didn't ever talk about it, so this is brand new territory for him.  I view it as my duty as your mom to teach you about something that will, at some point, be a big part of your life.  I just don't understand why any parent wouldn't teach and discuss sex with their kids.  I was partially spurred on by some podcasts I listened to this week and a photo I saw on Facebook of one of your friends.  You are taught the mechanics of sex and the dangers of STD's at school...but sex is so much more than that.  I want you to know that I'm an open book.  I'll talk to you about anything you want to talk about.  I'll even talk to you about things you don't want to talk about.  Lol.