Baby Garrett

A friend of mine had a baby about three months ago and he is not sleeping well. And as all mom's do, she has been needing a break. So Charis and I have started taking them dinner on Wednesdays and then taking Baby Garrett out of the house so that Mom can get some rest.Charis LOVES babies! So today we took baby Garrett on a walk and then to the park for a couple of hours. Garrett did really well and Charis played on the playground. And then we played soccer. When Garrett had enough of me holding him and trying to play soccer at the same time, we went back to the playground. And Charis found some other kids to play with.She had lots of fun and is begging to do it again very soon.

1st Salad

Charis ate her first salad today!Yes I know that is a very silly thing to post about but we were very excited. She doesn't really like lettuce or tomatoes, but we are trying to try new things or try things again. It was a taco salad and she really liked it at first, but toward the end she was getting tired of eating it. I think I gave her to much lettuce for her first salad.

Cooking pancakes

Charis loves to help cook! I know I keep posting this kind of thing, but I love it. She gets so excited to make anything. Today, we decided on pancakes.

Marbles and Painting

Winning over the crowd

Charis is definitely her daddy's girl. She was in church childcare with ages from 2 to 10, while I attended an event. And when I went to pick her up this is what I found. Everyone was very focused and listening carefully to a story that she was telling. They were laughing at funny parts and begged me to let her stay to finish. When I asked the teachers how long she had been doing this they replied with an amazing 20 minutes. Wow - she did not get that from me but I love her stories. We love you Charis!

Sick on Jan 3rd

It's a tradition. One I don't like and would love to break, but oh well. Charis has gotten sick every year on my birthday. Last year, she was in the hospital and every other year she has thrown up on me. This year was better than most, no hospital and no throwing up. I did get to celebrate a little, two friends took me to lunch and then we played games with a few friends that evening.

New Year's Day Ride & giveaway

We got home from Kansas in the very early hours of New Year's day. Kris had his annual New Year's Day ride but took Charis along with him.

They had a fun time riding around and then had lunch outside at a restaurant with people from the ride. Charis was cold but like always enjoys a crowd.
I woke up in project mode at 7:00am and could not stop organizing, cleaning and finding a place for all of Charis' new toys in her room. Usually before her birthday we go through her room together and pull out all the toys and clothes and decide which ones we should donate to needy children or a charitable organization. But this year it was New Year's Day instead. I did a little with Charis and a lot without her.
She got really excited when I asked her if we should give Liam her hand piano for his birthday. I love that she is learning to give.