First Time Ice Skating

New year's even in Ohio, we all went to downtown Columbus, some of us for ice skating, some of us for a hockey game, and some of us for both. Sophie got her first chance to go ice skating, which she was very excited about until she was actually out on the ice. It was very difficult (and she hadn't had a nap that day, too much fun with grandma and grandpa). She did make it around once with Dad's help and mom managed to get a picture, so it's immortalized. Alex stayed on the outside and gave us high 5's on the glass as we went by. Of course later, he fell and bumped his head so badly they wanted to call a paramedic, but after the golf ball on his forehead went down, he was fine with a nice bruise to prove he'd had fun at the skating rink too.

Christmas

Merry Christmas! We hope all your celebrations are as fun as ours. This year one of the activities was splitting into teams and turning one member into a snowman (no snow outside).

A big THANK YOU to all our great friends and family - we love you all!

First Snow Fall

Sophie has wanted to make snow angels since she saw Caillou do it on PBS (I know, I know). So when we woke up this morning and the snow had made a pictureque layer over the world, what could I say, No, sorry, we have company coming and have to clean. It was the truth, but that's not what winter mornings are about. So we went outside for an hour to make snow angels and snowman, well snowmounds. The snow was very powdery and dry. Not at all good for building. Sophie was a little upset we couldn't make snowballs.

Picnic Time

Sophie has all the sudden started having picnics. Today she had everything spread out and ready before she called me. It was lovely. Except Alex was the only one who got any real food, although Odin thought he might. Sophie took both the pictures of Odin and Alex, by the way. She's getting so mature (LOL). She's also wearing Alex's 12 month black shirt he got for his birthday. I wondered why the sleeves were short and it just reached her waist. I don't know where she got it from (she's been getting dressed herself these days), but Alex didn't mind sharing.

Sofa Pillows Are The Best

Sophie pulled the back sofa cushions onto the floor as a soft landing she could jump onto. Alex thought it was a great idea. They played until there was a collision, laughing, yelling, smiling. It was great - well, until I had to get the boo-boo bunny out for Sophie's nose. Alex didn't quite understand though, since he started smiling and climbing on Sophie and me. Oh, well, he'll learn.
Soon, he started just walking himself around the living room. But he wouldn't open his eyes for a picture. Darn flash.

Diva Girl

Sophie is embracing her inner diva today. What the heck, we're at home. She let me take this photo so Aunt Meredith could see her outfit. Pink bows in the hair, with pink pigtails,
a sparkly pink headband and a pink, tiger striped shirt that to her looks like a dress. Oh, and do you see the bandage like thing on her wrist. That'a watch (basically paper wrapped around it with tape). When asked what time it is, she always answers "8 o'clock!"

Alex's First Tooth

Alex got his first tooth! I was hand feeding him small piece of bread when the sharp little thing got me. It's about time. The little man will be 1 year old on Saturday. We were beginning to worry he'd have a hard time eating his birthday cake. (I'll add a picture when I can.)

Visit with Aunt Meredith

Saturday we traveled to Aunt Meredith's house in Sullivan after my original plan got canceled. We shopped, ate, and played in the park. But there's nothing more fun than a house that isn't baby-proofed. Just ask Alex.

Oh, and Sophie really needs some kid sized boas and scarves. That's a table runner around her neck.

"Hey, check out what Alex is doing over there."

"It's funny, right."

"Mom, why are you coming towards me? It's just a little dirt."

I've got one word my the little man: MONSTER! :)

Play Date

The ladies of the Ragland-Recht family joined us Wednesday evening for a mini play date. Sophie and Lauren tried on the crowns that they made with Tina and used the dress up box (as limited as it may be). The mommies chatted while cooing to the babies. Definitely check out the picture. Alex is almost a year old, and Addison, on the right, is four months. They are almost the same size. Lisa and I aren't sure what that means, but we did get a good laugh about it.

Little Man Walking

Alex is 11 months old and really trying to walk. And like every parent in the history of children, we try to get him to walk back and forth between us. Of course, his older sister makes it a little more...uh, interesting than it was 3 years ago.

Unfortunately it's really hard to catch on video, so this is the best I could do. But he walks along furniture, chairs, you, anything. He's close to standing independently, and he's always got that huge smile on his face. Although it's making me a little nervous, because it's the same smile whether he's climbing into my arms for a hug or pulling all the dishes out of the cabinet and grinding them into the kitchen floor.

Onion Braid

Our garden is growing like wild. Broccoli is done. We didn't have luck with the cauliflower - none yet. Pepper and tomatoes seem slow, and aren't producing much. Anyone else experiencing a bad year for them? But we did get plenty of onions. We planted them in late April and they are ready to pick. I braided them for storage this year....here's how it turned out.

Hair Cut Day!

Saturday was hair cut night. Alex really needed one, but we wanted to get the whole family involved so Sophie got a trim and Joe got a buzz (okay, not completely – just some of the hair).
Alex looks so grown up in his “after” pictures. Sophie wouldn’t pause long enough for good photo, but she looks younger. So does Joe. It was fun, until Sophie wanted to cut Mom's hair. Yeah, no thanks. Just Aunt Meredith has permission to do that.

Sunday evening concert

While Sunday is always bittersweet because of the imminent return to the week day life, there are always highlights. For instance the game Sophie and our neighbor Cassie like played today called "market." It basically involves going into the vegetable garden and picking anything and everything. On the upside, they eat almost everything they pick, heaps of broccoli, orange (not red) cherry tomatoes, snap peas, celery and tiny, undeveloped carrots. After Cassie had to go home, Sophie was still in good spirits, putting on a twirling concert for the camera. You can see she's still eating the feast of fresh veggies from the table. Now we just have to work a little harder on manners. :)

Stuffed Animal Hugs

So it's been a little crazy at the Refermat house. Alex's cold suddenly started coming out his ear (yeah - to gross to go into details). After some doctor issues (his regular doctor didn't have any openings for two weeks, not even another doctor at the clinic apparently. Well, we opted to go to a different one, at least for this issue). Little man has a double ear infection and a perforated ear drum. :( Joe is all about the silver lining and is telling him at least he gets to have that pink medicine Joe remembers fondly from childhood. Personally, I don't remember it so fondly, but that's okay.

Sophie is handling it all in stride. She made muffins with Miss Brittaney yesterday which she shared with us all and today she's thinking about Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Meredith. She said all there names and in memory of them she picked up her stuffed animals from them and is cuddling Clifford (Meredith) and the Serta Sheep (Grandparents). Super funny. She had to have both before I could take her picture today.

Sophie's SLIPPERY Afternoon

Oh, to be a child again and enjoy moments in the summer without thoughts of water prices, endless outdoor chores and being seen in a bathing suit. Hope you are all enjoying summer as much as Sophie is on this Wednesday afternoon with her new slip and slide.

Alex is 11 months and MOBILE!

I know I haven't updated in awhile, and I plan to back track through pictures and events, but that's daunting, so I'm going to start moving forward (and go backwards in the future - it's a heck of a philosophy, huh?!)

Anyway, Alex is 11 months old now - I know, I can't believe it either. He's been crawling for months, first with one leg out, sort of crab like, and now pretty much normal. But he LOVES to walk when someone will hold his hands, he's by the couch or with the push-behind toy on loan from Grandma and Grandpa Burger. Here's the video from a few days ago (before his big sister turned a little green and wanted to share the spotlight).