What to say?

What to say after being absent for so long and not recording so many things?  The last I wrote was about how much Rhett was loving kindergarten.  Sigh.  Blogging has been on my mind a lot in the last couple of months....it just always seems to get put at the bottom of the to-dos.  So, I'll do a quick re-cap of everyone over the last couple of months.

Brock: growing and changing every day.   He is the source of much laughter for his grandparents, (especially Grandpa Dooley) and much frustration for his mother.  He is busy embodied.  Always testing limits, always figuring out something new, and very rarely still.  I love this boy, who is definitely ALL boy.  He has recently begun talking a lot more.  I knew he would, but it has still been a relief and joy to hear him actually use the words he knows.  One of his recent favorites are Zane and Rhett's names - he calls to them in his very loudest, longest voice possible when they are not in his sight.  He's discovered a love for coloring....and has been known to use crayons/markers on my walls a few times.  Grrr.  He has no interest in potty training, is definitely my smallest at this age out of the three, and is rapidly leaving two and toddler hood behind as three is looming.  Part of me is jumping up and down to be leaving the baby stage behind, and part of me mourns a little.  I'm trying to enjoy and love the "baby" things he still does now because I know my days are limited!  He is still not a stellar sleeper but I think we're getting closer to that being resolved as well. 

Rhett: Is still loving kindergarten.  He has taken to school like a fish to water and continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  Including growing like a weed physically!  He refuses to wear jeans or pants that have snaps, zippers and buttons.  Only pants that he can pull on.  And with the wonderful sizing these days, I'm constantly searching for pants that are just the right length.  I'm often struggling with too short or too long.  I don't care so much on home days, but on days he goes to school it drives me nuts to have his pants inches above his ankles.  Small issue, I know, but it bugs me. But I digress.  He has made lots of friends at school and always has kids saying "hi Rhett" when we're leaving school or out running errands.  He and Zane took a basketball course this fall and it was great for him.  They were in different age groups so Rhett finally got a chance to learn a new skill with kids his own age and it was awesome.  They're both looking forward to the second session this new year.  Building, video games, coloring, and anything with friends and his brothers is still high on his list and he has found he likes being boss on non-school days.  He wasn't thrilled about singing in the Primary presentation or his Christmas concert but he did both bravely, and lived to tell the tale.  I'm so proud of my Rhett man!

Zane: Is growing up before our eyes.  I'm starting to fear for my height...my days are numbered that's for sure.  Zane is still excelling at school and is very social.  He's been great at walking home with Rhett after school and that saves me a ton of time in my day.  He always has some kind of ball or sport something in his hands or going on.  And he loved the basket ball course they took.  His coaches were very impressed with his skill level and are looking forward to him coming back.  Maybe by the time his age group reaches high school we'll be able to compete with the southern Alberta teams.  Ha ha ha.  Zane also loves to sing and is old enough now to sing in the school choir, the youth choir at church and participated in the Christmas choir for his grade.  At one point between all the performances he said "I just have so many Christmas songs stuck in my head!"  He loves to perform and takes it very seriously.  He also loves being old enough for cubs and can't wait for Tuesday night to roll around. 

Cliff: Is busy with work, playing volleyball and floor hockey and was recently called to be the Elders Quorum secretary.  And of course helping me with the general chaos that ensues around here on a daily basis. 

Family:
Thanksgiving was great- we managed to come home and see both of families.  The small amount of time we get with you is never enough and we always end up missing someone, but we love the time we're able to spend with those we saw.
We did the Halloween thing - LOTS of candy between the trunk or treat and then actual trick or treating.  I actually dressed up but have no picture proof because we were running late and the RS was in charge of cookie decorating at the trunk or treat.  I made a pretty good last minute witch if I do say so myself. 
I held off decorating for Christmas until November 20th....gasp I know.  I was later this year and again have no pictures to prove it but I LOVE my tree this year.  And besides a few touches Brock has left it alone.  (The enraged phone call to grandma and papa demanding they come get him may have deterred him a little.  I came out of the shower one day and he had undecorated a significant portion of the tree.  Brock = busy remember?) 


And just so you know, the next post is going to be my "official" family Christmas letter.  I'm cheating and doing it that way because it just didn't happen.  I hope to make blogging more of a priority in the new year...but don't hold me to it!