Winter Post

So, we are surviving winter here. It is cold and we have taken to watching shows and playing indoors for most of our family time. A few trips to COSI sprinkled in and we are almost done with January. Spring is just around the corner and learning to swim, ride bikes, maybe even a t-ball or gymnastics class. Nora still loves her dinosaurs and is appropriately moody for her 3.5 years.
Jack is now 35 pounds and 35 1/2 inches tall at age 2, which predicts his height at 6 feet as an adult, 4 inches shorter than his sister's prediction (twice the height she was at age 2: 38 inches). Nora, at age 3 1/2 is 50 pounds and 43 1/2 inches tall. Since we are now down to annual well child visits with Dr. O'Brien, height and weight updates will slow down. I don't see us measuring the children at home for any particular reason.
Jack adores his new hat. It has two guitars on it criss-crossed. I put absolutely no stalk into predictions, but if I were guessing today what he would be as an adult, I would guess he will be a musician. Only time will tell.
And look at this beautiful child. Ah, I seriously get a glimpse of her at 16 here, don't you? If I were making predictions about Eleanor Kate's future career, it would be paleontologist or author. We'll see. We just discovered the Columbus public elementary school is ranked among the worst in the entire state (thanks to Geoff and his mad data skills) and now am quite obsessed with navigating the lottery system to get her into the school of our choice. Hey, we all need hobbies I guess. Speaking of hobbies, Jack also likes to sing...into paintbrushes!

Christmas (better late than never)

So, it occurred to me today that we had not posted pictures from Christmas. Yes, we did celebrate the holiday and it was fantastic. The kids opened almost every present under the tree together--at Nora's request. Of course, they made out like bandits thanks to Grandma and the whole Grove family here in Ohio. Dinosaurs were everywhere, as were dinosaur puzzles, dinosaur pajamas, dinosaur train talking dinosaurs, and talking baby dinosaurs. Needless to say, it was a very special day for the kids. The picture above is of Nora and her baby dinosaur Chomper, who since has even gone to work with Mama (because he is too little to stay home alone, of course). Below we are opening the many presents from Geoff's family at Pam & Scott's house.
Here is Jackie delivering presents from under the tree at home, where we started our morning with hot cinnamon rolls and presents followed by stockings.
And here Jack waits in anticipation for the word "go!"
And this one shows Nora brandishing her paleontologist tools as the kids get ready to unearth fossilized baby dinosaurs from their eggs.