Newly Coined

Reading books before bed with Ani the other night she started telling me the story of one of them. Whenever she turned the page she'd begin, "Nexterday..."

Christmas 2007

Anneke loved Christmas this year. It was the first year she actually understood what she was in for and was looking forward to it. Her biggest hit presents were the tea set from Grandma and Grandpa Spoelma (at the behest of Mom) and the doll house from Nana and Pop (ditto).

It was sad with Anneke how we seemingly had to force her to keep coming back for more presents when she was trying to go off and play with what she'd already opened. It was as if to say: "Stop gratefully enjoying what you already have and come back for more STUFF!"

One of the most hilarious anecdotes was how Anneke ran into Claire's room to wake her. She jumped on her bed, pointed at Claire, and matter of factly stated: "Christmas. Get up. Christmas. Get up. Come with me."

Jonah just mostly got clothes and a couple chew toys but he also got a very cool train from G&G Spoelma he'll be enjoying a bit later.

Decorating the Tree

Ani was so excited to decorate the tree on Sunday. We had snacks and put all of our ornaments on the tree. Dad told her that we needed to give the tree a drink of water. So she ran and got a cup of water -- and carefully poured it on the branches of the tree! Then Ruth handed her a box of candy canes and told her that she could hang them on the tree. Ani took the whole box and tried to balance it on a branch of the tree. "Oh no!" she said, "they won't stay on!" She reminds me of Amelia Bedelia.

Jonah just rolled over for the first time last Saturday. He was happy when he was rolling, but not very happy to find himself on his belly.

Cutting down the Tree

Yesterday I was talking to Ani about getting the Christmas tree. She was very excited about it. She said "I'm going to bring my new scissors!" I'm sure what she has in mind, exactly. . .

Bad Santa

We have been reading Christmas books lately. Yesterday, I read Anneke "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." She said "Hey, another book about Santa!" I said, "Yes! Do you like Santa?" She said, sadly, "No." When I asked her why she didn't lik him, she said "He so baaaaaad."

She is wildly excited about Christmas, though. She's very into the stockings and lights and candles. We haven't gotten our tree yet, but she is already gathering stuff to put on it.

Bookstore Afternoon

The other day, Anneke and I took a few hours to get out of the house and hang out at my old stomping grounds and former employer Schuler Books. We browsed, we read books, we played with toys, we got a big brownie to eat with our hot chocolate and coffee, we had a generally pretty good time.

Then, when we were getting back in the car to leave, Ani asked "Can we go to another bookstore?" I almost cried tears of joy. This daughter of mine. "No" I said, "It's late, we've gotta get home." Then I almost cried again, this time tears of sadness. I wanted to go to another bookstore too.