I am truly surprised that we are at the end of another year. As the kids get older, the time seems to go by faster and faster. Each month comes and goes with a blink of an eye and before you know it, we are ready to ring in 2012.
TRAVEL IN 2011
Hershey, PA (with mom, sister and both kids) - February
Great Wolf Lodge (with Jeff and kids) - March
Las Vegas (with Jeff) - June
Orlando (with kids) - July
Philadelphia (with Jeff) - November
Orlando (on my own) - December
Philadelphia (with Jeff and kids) - December
So one of my resolutions during 2011, was to travel more with the kids as a family. I had wanted to do at least 3 trips with them. That didn't go as planned. But we really had a great time at Great Wolf Lodge and I am super glad we did that trip. I could see us going back there in a few years. We also just came back from Philadelphia as a family and overall, was a great experience and lots of fun.
This year was a challenge for me. I came to the realization that I can't have all these balls in the air and juggle everything. Taking on training for a marathon was the thing that did me in. It ended up consuming me, day and night. While I only had to do 3 training runs each week, it was all I could think of and I became too consumed by it. I don't have any regrets deciding to do it, but I realize now that it was a huge undertaking. Running the marathon was everything I wanted the experience to be and I am very happy, content and fulfilled that I can check this off the list.
Ian has continued to amaze me in school this year. We are spending loads of time working on his reading and I think (hope) it is paying off. We may have found the perfect activity for Ian; gymnastics. It's great for his upper-body strength, building confidence and letting him progress at his own pace. We may finally be saying good-bye to soccer. We'll know for sure in the Spring when I ask him if he wants to continue. Ian has shown amazing restraint and patience for his little sister. He loves her greatly, despite how much she can annoy him.
Sam is a force to be reckon with. All I can say is, we try do as little as possible to piss her off. Her vocabulary is crazy-impressive, as is her memory. We've been impressed with Ian's intelligence for a long time, but Sam is showing signs of being even smarter at a younger age. Jeff and I shudder to think, what if she turns out to be the smart one? One of Sam's favorite activities is to get under Ian's skin and do whatever she can to illicit a reaction from him. I found the key to dealing with all of Sam's excess energy is lots of structured activities. She is currently enrolled in gymnastics, dance, and music classes throughout the week. Throw in our new, indoor trampoline and we seem to be doing better than we were at the start of the year. Sam absolutely loves her dance class and I could see her continuing this activity for many years to come. She twirls around and around practicing her moves all week long.
Jeff is still enjoying his job and we are very happy he continues to be employed with a great company that values their employees. The gag order on talking/writing about him is still in effect, so that is all I have to say about that or him. The good news is that I still love him more than I thought ever possible to love someone you didn't give birth to. No matter how much he drives me crazy, I am still coming back for more.
LOOKING FORWARD IN 2012
I hope to obtain better balance and not let the small, stupid things become more important than it should. I'd like to set up a good schedule for working out and if I don't make it to the gym one day, know that it isn't the end of the world.
When it comes to my weight, I really need to get refocused and start making healthy choices. It's always going to be an uphill battle and I need to get serious about doing a better job.
Also, I am making a commitment to the kids to step away from the computer more (email, FB, blog) and spend more time with them - reading, playing games, and having fun.
I want to take each of the kids on their own to Orlando during the 2012-2013 school year, when they have 2 days off and we can make it a 4 day trip. I think it would be very special and a nice opportunity for the Florida crew to have some one-on-one time with their grandkids.
Also, Jeff's 40th is coming up in November. I hope we can do something fun to celebrate. I had a great time in Vegas, and it would be awesome to go some place he hasn't been and would like to go.
To all those reading, I hope you have a wonderful New Year and a 2012 filled with so many good times and laughter that your sides hurt from giggling so hard. It's been a fantastic journey for this mom from the suburbs raising 2 kids with her partner-in-crime. I eagerly await the adventures that are in store for us in 2012.
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