Birthday Kids

In December, Alma turned 7 while James became 5.

These two are the best of friends and it is awesome to watch them grow together.  Alma will say things like, "Oh, I'm so in love with James" and completely out of nowhere tell him that he is the best brother in the entire world.  She adores him with her whole soul and expresses it often.  James, while not very verbally appreciative of Alma's doting, loves to make her laugh and always makes choices for her.  For example, he had a little spending money set aside and he used all of it purchase a toy he knew she would like (that certainly wouldn't have been his choice).

Joshua and I are lucky to see their love and joy at life's adventures every day.

Winter Concert

Work lunch

 

Getting into the Spirit of the Season

Our family enjoyed our first Carol Night at Immaculata University on Friday night.  What a wonderful celebration.

Then we spent Saturday afternoon at the Bradywine Ballet's production of the Nutcracker at West Chester University, which was terrific.

Uncle Scott and the Awesome Birthday Party

Alma had her first birthday party with friends -- Valentina and Fernanda and their families -- at a local ice skating rink.  Uncle Scott was able to join the fun, which was such a treat for all of us.

Work event

Sarah, me, Diane, Martha, Marianne, Betty and Debbie

Co-Workers on "The Beach"

Home

While we were so sure that we would only be renting for a year, after a year here we are finding that we are content in this home -- the children love it because with the small space we are always close together -- and are putting plans to purchase a house on hold for (at least) another year.

Update: Alma brought home this story she wrote in class, completely confirming her love of our current rental.

My mom went on a web site and we fawnd a house.  I helpt my mom find one.  I slept in my new bed.  It was soft.  Then we loct for a school.  We fawd a school that had Val and Fernanda and Ana Maria.  I liked that school so muth because there were so many friends there.  And my dad was dawn stairs.  I love my new home.

Happy Halloween

Crazy Hat Day

Happy Birthday, Joshua!

Marsh Creek Sailing Club Regatta

Fall Activities

Longwood Gardens

Picture day

First Professional Baseball Game

Go Phillies!

Apple Picking at Solebury Farm

We enjoyed a hot morning of apple picking at Solebury Farm near Doylestown with Cousin Tara, Brian, Eleanor and Baby Patrick.  So fun ... and so hot.  Thank goodness for the apple cider slushies!

Nursery Rhymes

Carlisle Reunion

It was so great to have Kate (+Timothy and Neal) and Erica (+Sierra) visit us in Malvern.  I'm so blessed to have two awesome best friends and so grateful they took the time to come visit with us.  Plus, they each have the cutest 2-year olds: Timothy with his perfectly charming smile and Sierra is a little sprite.  Love!

First Day of School 2016

 

last year of pre-school; 1st grader

Happy 9th Birthday, Simon!

Simon enjoyed his second "dog birthday cake" in the nice china gravy bowl, which was made with love by his biggest fans and consisted of peanut butter, bones, cheese and topped with a shortbread cookie in the shape of a dog.  The following day was Shanti's 10th birthday celebration which consisted of the children sharing a can of tuna with her ... of course, her's was served in the fine china gravy bowl.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

There is no way to fully convey how grateful I am for Joshua in my life.   It makes me weepy with awe to think of how true the following sentiments are:

• He is the absolute anchor for our family with an unending supply of love and support.  Knowing that he will love me on my best and my worst days with an equal passion and fortitude allows for a genuine life which is free from the fear of rejection.  This kind of compassion and liberty is unheard of in today's society of quick reactions and absolutes.  I strive every day to see the world through a similar lens of understanding and dedication, which is not an easy task.

• He is always my teammate, rooting for me even when he isn't even sure of why and how I need support.  People who know me without knowing Joshua often marvel at all that I have on my plate.  The truth behind having all of those interests and the freedom to pursue them is my supporting husband.  He is the first cheerleader for any of my goals and, even when I accidentally take on too much, he is the one to support the goals through until the end, often silently taking on more than his fair share of household and childcare tasks to empower me.

• He is the hardest worker I have ever met.  If you give him a task, get ready to be blown away by the speed, intensity and dedication to the task.  From Super Gluing tiny toys to removing wallpaper to taking on all tasks related to the kitchen (shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.) to teaching Alma how to ride a bike, he is the best.   No one can clean a kid, a bathroom or a car as well as Joshua.  It is pure drive that creates this superhuman skill.

• If our children grew up to be half the citizen and humanitarian that Joshua is, what a blessing they would be to the world.  They are learning so many key lessons from him (honesty, integrity, kindness) and he is creating so many life-affirming and community-promoting traditions in our family (eating dinner together every night, being inclusive of friends at school, being kind to neighbors).  I'm beyond delighted that they have such a wonderful father as a role model.  Moreover, his unending love for my family and me is the biggest blessing in my life.

Here's to a wonderful first 10 years together.  Thank you for everything, Joshua!

I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years of fantastic with Joshua have to offer!