It's funny, we took this picture last year and said we'd use it for our Chirstmas card and include some sort of joke. Well, that never happened! So the joke is on us, that's what happens when you consider making a joke about spanking Santa I guess. To all of you who sent us cards, thank you! No offense intended but I just plain ran out of time this year. So, here's our holiday update, a tad late but that just sums up this whole year.2011 was good to us, no major upsets. Just lots of change that has taken some time to get used to. Z started kindergarten this year and while it was a rocky start, he's enjoying it now. Very difficult to go from a tiny preschool to a school of 600 kids. He amazes me with how quickly he learns things. I can see that my life will change significantly when I have a kid who can read and can count money! His art is amazing in all honesty. He lately is into paper art and painting and it's quite impressive.
M started full time daycare and is very ready for preschool in the fall. If she would stay potty trained. This is the child who was potty trained at 18 months and then decided not to be anymore. Add that to her ever expanding vocabulary and sassy attitude and you see what we've been dealing with! She is very much a girly girl and loves pink, dolls, makeup and more pink.
Teddy misses having the kids home with him all day.
Mark transferred to a new job (same company) and new headquarters in Pontiac. He enjoys the job a lot more but has had to put in many hours of overtime on government projects. In a bad economy, the money is nice but when you work overtime, there's no time to enjoy it. It should end in late spring so he's looking forward to getting back to working on the house.
My job, if you've read anything about Michigan teachers, was turned upside down this year and I once again feel like a first year teacher working hours every night. There has been so much change that it feels like it's been daily there's something new. Some good, most not so good. It's hard when you do a good job and like your job (as most teachers do) but the media and politicians make you feel like public enemy number one. It's most difficult to see school kids the real victims in all this "reform". So far I've tried to roll with the punches for the sake of the 200 kids I see every day.
We took several trips this year. Mackinac Island and Chicago were awesome. The kids haven't stopped asking to go back to both places since. With being so busy, we made sure to take time out to travel or camp to unwind.
Christmas was restful and busy all at the same time. We hope yours was awesome and wish you all the best for 2012! My next post will be a picture filled one I promise! I have a backlog to deal with!
Merry Belated Christmas and a Happy New Year!
