2010 Newsletter
Jeffry, Cara, Leesha, Jack and Maggie Mae
473 Granada Ave. N. Oakdale, MN 55128
651-484-0592
jeffrywith1e@gmail.com, carawillis@gmail.com, leeshamoreno@gmail.com
Check out our online photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/carawillis
and blog at: http://williseast.blogspot.com
Some highlights of our year:
Notable movies at least one of us saw: Avatar, The Book of Eli, Ponyo, Prince Caspian, Monster’s Inc., Iron Man 2, The Proposal.
Cara worked a full week, as well as summer school and the babies survived a myraid of sitters.
We sold the Jeep, bought a 4 Runner, and sold that too. Selling the 4 Runner left Jack dejected.
Spent time with Cara’s brother and his family before their return to Kenya.
Enjoyed time with nearby and extended family, friends and neighbors.
Valentine’s Day party hosted by Monarch (Jeffry’s employer).
Meatless March! Which led to another blog …. http://whatisthewillishouseholdeatingnow.blogspot.com/
Bathroom modifications (still in progress....)
Trip to St. Louis, and visits from St. Louis family.
Leesha’s 12th, Maggie’s 1st, Jack’s 3rd and Cara and Jeffry’s 30+ birthdays.
Family photo shoot.
BIG snowstorm and spontaneous weekend with Jeffry’s whole family.
Cara’s parents spend a couple of days a week watching Jack and Maggie. We love having them close enough to get together with ease. They’ve
done some short term mission trips.
Craig and his family moved their entire ministry to a new location in Kenya and are pleased with how things are going.
Caryn and family still live in Thailand. They stay busy travelling when they’re not teaching or doing extra-curricular activities.
Jeffry’s Grandma lives on her own with Steve and Holly nearby. How blessed we are to spend as much time with them as we do.
Greg and family are enjoying their new house and jobs.
We stay busy as any family of 5 cannot help doing. Jeffry continues to get more responsibilities at Monarch. We’re thankful he’s overemployed, not underemployed. Cara works just as much, but doesn’t get paid for all her hours. Leesha made the B honor roll 1st Trimester and enjoys school. She still does stuff with her siblings too. Jack keeps us on our toes. He’s trying to read everything. Maggie is a little doll, bringing smiles everywhere she goes. Our lives are full. We are blessed - and part of that is because we know you.
Have a terrific year!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Animated Aardvark
Jack: "Mom, I'm reading a story about Superman and the four bears. Two good bears and two bad bears. Superman's gonna put the bad bears in the super trash."
Maggie says "buh" (button), "be-aw" (bear), Abby, "outer" (Arthur - from PBS), toot (sarcastic hooray with that one), "tup" (cup), "mow" (milk), "tsu" (juice), and I think I heard "mon-ey" (monkey).
Just about every weekday afternoon at 4:30, Leesha takes both kids downstairs to watch Arthur on PBS. She'll ask what time it is, and both babies run for the stairs, excitedly stating "Arthur!" Although Maggie's comes out more like "Outer" with a very quiet "r".
Maggie has had a harder time falling asleep without her pacifier or thumb, so will often cry and call out for us. After repeated attempts for "Mommeee", "Mom", "Daddy" and "Eesha", she opted for the animated aardvark from TV and started calling for "Outer".
Jack and I had a conversation the other day that went something like this:
Jack, meet me in the bathroom so I can wash your hands.
Why?
Because there's a sink in there.
Why?
It's a good place for a sink.
But there's a sink in the kitchen.
I want to use the sink in the bathroom
Why?
Because it's shorter.
Why?
Because it's not as tall.
Why?
Because it's shorter.
Okay.
"Mom, what does 'it's not fair' mean? Should I have taken the opportunity to lie outright to him?
Maggie says "buh" (button), "be-aw" (bear), Abby, "outer" (Arthur - from PBS), toot (sarcastic hooray with that one), "tup" (cup), "mow" (milk), "tsu" (juice), and I think I heard "mon-ey" (monkey).
Just about every weekday afternoon at 4:30, Leesha takes both kids downstairs to watch Arthur on PBS. She'll ask what time it is, and both babies run for the stairs, excitedly stating "Arthur!" Although Maggie's comes out more like "Outer" with a very quiet "r".
Maggie has had a harder time falling asleep without her pacifier or thumb, so will often cry and call out for us. After repeated attempts for "Mommeee", "Mom", "Daddy" and "Eesha", she opted for the animated aardvark from TV and started calling for "Outer".
Jack and I had a conversation the other day that went something like this:
Jack, meet me in the bathroom so I can wash your hands.
Why?
Because there's a sink in there.
Why?
It's a good place for a sink.
But there's a sink in the kitchen.
I want to use the sink in the bathroom
Why?
Because it's shorter.
Why?
Because it's not as tall.
Why?
Because it's shorter.
Okay.
"Mom, what does 'it's not fair' mean? Should I have taken the opportunity to lie outright to him?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Can't slip much by him
We've enjoyed this catchy youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIs7OY4anao&feature=related
This evening, Leesha was singing part of it, substituting "Oh my goodnes" for the "Oh my god". Jack recognized what she was singing, and said; "No, it's not 'oh my goodness', 'it's oh my god'."
Can't slip much by him, even if it's meant to protect him ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIs7OY4anao&feature=related
This evening, Leesha was singing part of it, substituting "Oh my goodnes" for the "Oh my god". Jack recognized what she was singing, and said; "No, it's not 'oh my goodness', 'it's oh my god'."
Can't slip much by him, even if it's meant to protect him ....
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Maggie
I did some flashcards with Jack - addition facts for "0" and "1". He prefers I tell a "story" with them. Later, when putting socks on Maggie, Jack informs us; "Socks are for warm feet." Moments after that, he says; "Mom, if I have zero socks, and you give me one, I'll have a cold foot!"
Maggie has started saying; "Me, me." Which I think translates into "Look at me!" I just heard her say; "Watch." as she dropped a block. Hmmm....
She's learned "boot" and "mi'en" (mitten), "b'ankie" (blankie), "moomie" (movie), "batee" (broccoli), "Daa" (Jack), "Ee-ah" (Leesha), "buh-ee" (birdie), home, and shoe.
Jack is just getting the hang of accents. He was singing a song he made up the other day; "I love Clifford, yes I do."
Preparing to leave the mall and go out in the cold, we stopped in the bathroom. I told him to pull up his pants, he asked; "Why?" I replied; "Because it's cold, cold, cold outside." "Why is it cold, cold, cold outside?" "I don't know, you'll have to ask Jesus." (to Jesus) "Jesus, why is it cold, cold, cold?"
"Mom, I have to admit something." "What do you have to admit?" "This can't get to this part." (playing with the rings we use to keep the cupboards closed)
"Mom, at Eric's house, I was cutting the floor!" "Did Eric say you were 'cutting a rug' when you were dancing?" "Yeah!" (then he went on to explain that if they cut through the floor, they'd go down in the basement)
Maggie has started saying; "Me, me." Which I think translates into "Look at me!" I just heard her say; "Watch." as she dropped a block. Hmmm....
She's learned "boot" and "mi'en" (mitten), "b'ankie" (blankie), "moomie" (movie), "batee" (broccoli), "Daa" (Jack), "Ee-ah" (Leesha), "buh-ee" (birdie), home, and shoe.
Jack is just getting the hang of accents. He was singing a song he made up the other day; "I love Clifford, yes I do."
Preparing to leave the mall and go out in the cold, we stopped in the bathroom. I told him to pull up his pants, he asked; "Why?" I replied; "Because it's cold, cold, cold outside." "Why is it cold, cold, cold outside?" "I don't know, you'll have to ask Jesus." (to Jesus) "Jesus, why is it cold, cold, cold?"
"Mom, I have to admit something." "What do you have to admit?" "This can't get to this part." (playing with the rings we use to keep the cupboards closed)
"Mom, at Eric's house, I was cutting the floor!" "Did Eric say you were 'cutting a rug' when you were dancing?" "Yeah!" (then he went on to explain that if they cut through the floor, they'd go down in the basement)
This one is for Daddy
Friday night, I sewed up the sleeve of Maggie's sleep sack so she can't suck her thumb. During the day, she wears her "thumb things" which cover her left thumb. She also lost her suckers. Poor kiddo. Friday night, she cried 30-45 minutes. Saturday, she only cried about 15, but hadn't napped, so was likely VERY tired. The last couple of nights have been mostly uneventful. I haven't even tried putting her down for a nap, but she has fallen asleep in the car. Yesterday, she fell asleep in the car with some tears which seemed to be partially due to her frustration that she can't access her beloved thumb.
I figured I'd try to get her to nap today. Since I put her down for her nap in our room, I often give her Jeffry's blanket as a comfort item (because it smells like him).
So, I just put her down for a nap. She said; "Nigh'." then stood up and pointed to our bed. I asked her if she wanted Daddy's blanket. "Da-ee ba-e". I grabbed the blanket and when she saw it, she dove for the mattress, and started to get all nestled in, just waiting for the blanket.
I figured I'd try to get her to nap today. Since I put her down for her nap in our room, I often give her Jeffry's blanket as a comfort item (because it smells like him).
So, I just put her down for a nap. She said; "Nigh'." then stood up and pointed to our bed. I asked her if she wanted Daddy's blanket. "Da-ee ba-e". I grabbed the blanket and when she saw it, she dove for the mattress, and started to get all nestled in, just waiting for the blanket.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Preschool
I subbed at the High School down the street a couple of weeks ago and learned that the FACS department was hosting a preschool. I was able to get Jack signed up for it. $35 for 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Not a bad deal.
Picking him up the first morning, I noticed he was the only boy. The next time he went, I think there was another boy. Today, I asked him about it on our way in. He told me that the boy was Grant. He went on to explain; "There's two Grants. One Bible Study Grant and the High School Grant."
Leesha was asking him about Preschool at dinner. He said; "There are a lot of girls and a Grant and a me. Grant who lives at the high school."
Jack sometimes gets to play games on the computer. When anyone is on the computer, others want to watch. Jack was playing a game. Maggie came over to "us grown ups" at the table trying to communicate something. Leesha asked her; "Maggie, do you want to see what Jack is doing?" Maggie grinned, nodded vigorously and said; "Seee!"
After dinner, she got a couple of M&M's. Not too much later, she was playing with Jack's little cars, which he wasn't happy about. I suggested to her that we go find some other cars and started walking through the kitchen with her. She stopped at the cupboard with the M&M's and pointed to it. I asked; "Do you want another M&M?" Grin, nod, and then, a little jig when I started getting them out. I keep asking myself what I'm going to do when I don't have such a little one around.
Regarding stealing a chunk of kielbasa waiting for the grill before dinner; "I couldn't get your permission because you were outside."
Picking him up the first morning, I noticed he was the only boy. The next time he went, I think there was another boy. Today, I asked him about it on our way in. He told me that the boy was Grant. He went on to explain; "There's two Grants. One Bible Study Grant and the High School Grant."
Leesha was asking him about Preschool at dinner. He said; "There are a lot of girls and a Grant and a me. Grant who lives at the high school."
Jack sometimes gets to play games on the computer. When anyone is on the computer, others want to watch. Jack was playing a game. Maggie came over to "us grown ups" at the table trying to communicate something. Leesha asked her; "Maggie, do you want to see what Jack is doing?" Maggie grinned, nodded vigorously and said; "Seee!"
After dinner, she got a couple of M&M's. Not too much later, she was playing with Jack's little cars, which he wasn't happy about. I suggested to her that we go find some other cars and started walking through the kitchen with her. She stopped at the cupboard with the M&M's and pointed to it. I asked; "Do you want another M&M?" Grin, nod, and then, a little jig when I started getting them out. I keep asking myself what I'm going to do when I don't have such a little one around.
Regarding stealing a chunk of kielbasa waiting for the grill before dinner; "I couldn't get your permission because you were outside."
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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