Looking ahead to a new year...

As many of you know, it's been a wild year for our family. I have avoided the blog for as long as I can, until things settled down. I finally feel like things are settling down and I'm ready to embrace my new normal and get back to sharing our lives and keeping up with the life I had, including this blog.

The children and I enjoyed an early Christmas in Virginia, and then I took them to visit their dad in Colorado. They had a great visit and we enjoyed time in Winter Park with my dad, Kay, Gran, Travis, Heather and their kids. Travis and Heather have a wonderful house in Winter Park and the cousins had a blast playing together. It was COLD, and I decided not to ski on this trip, but we had a blast together. We really appreciate their hospitality and hope we can see them again on our next visit!

I enjoyed some peace and quiet at my friend Michelle's house. She was so nice to let me stay at her house while she and her daughter Dylan were gone. I missed my girl time with her, but got to have lunch with Derek's mom and sister one day, have lunch with my best friend Ally who is expecting her 3rd baby in March, and have coffee with Colleen and Kay and catch up with them. We are back in Virginia and I am working a few days before we ring in 2010 with friends in the neighborhood. It is hard to believe that it is already 2010...weren't we just bracing for the chaos that was supposed to come with y2k?

The kids and I send greetings for a happy and healthy 2010 to you and your family. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

April Flashbacks

Happy Birthday, Tate! With the new Star Wars Legos :)

A trip to the Butterfly Pavillion with Grandma and Auntie Amy

Papa taking Avarie for a ride around the park in the wagon

Avarie's Easter Egg Hunt

I'm struggling with Monday being June 1st already, and can't believe how fast the past two months have gone. So, here's a quick update to get me back to posting in the present or at least near past.

Tate turned 5 on March 27 and we celebrated with pizza and cupcakes with friends at school. He really wanted to have ALL of his preschool friends to celebrate and I knew I wasn't up for a big party by myself this year. It worked great and Tate was happy to finally turn 5...although he now thinks kindergarten starts any day now. Derek narrowly avoided several major accidents and drove all over the front range trying to get to Richmond in time for Tate's birthday. He escaped the day after a big snowstorm and arrived in time to have a late dinner with us on Tate's actual birthday. Tate was happy, especially since Daddy brought Star Wars Legos from the Lego store in Colorado.

That was all she wrote for the big 5th birthday since Derek was here to help me get the final touches on the house and get it on the market. We worked our tails off...Derek in the garage packing and making trips to the dump and me inside organizing and touching up paint, etc. Derek left Sunday afternoon and I was scheduled to leave Monday morning with the kids to go to Colorado for 2 weeks. We got the house done and with a sign in the yard in time for me to leave Monday. Whew!

So, the kids and I headed to Colorado for some much needed family time and fun and a break from the HOUSE! We spent a week with Davin and Kelly and Derek's family in the Denver area. I was able to take a few days looking for houses, visit some possible schools for Tate, visit friends and family, and take a few days to just breathe and relax. We celebrated Tate's birthday again at the legendary Casa Bonita which was lots of fun at the time, but I think we are all just now getting our digestive tracks back in order. Oy vey!

We spent the second week at my Dad and Kay's in Ridgway. The kids had a blast in the "park" in front of my dad's house, hiking, swimming in the hot springs, and enjoying the fresh mountain air. I enjoyed not having to lift a finger - no cooking, cleaning, etc - thanks to Kay! Derek came down on Friday night to spend Easter weekend with us. We woke up Easter Sunday to several inches of snow, but the kids were thrilled that Mr. E.B. had hidden the eggs inside. This is the first year that we have dyed real Easter eggs since Tate outgrew his egg allergy. He even ate one of the eggs after the hunt was over. I don't know that I will ever get used to him eating eggs. Since it was snowing, we thought it would be best to head back to Denver. Tate and I went to church with Nana and Papa while Derek and Avarie packed the car. After a great week in the mountains, I got my first reminder of what spring snow storm can mean for dirving. It took us quite a while to get through the tunnel and down into Denver, but Derek did a great job taking it slow and getting us back safely. It was a great visit to Colorado, difficult to say goodbye and come back to Virginia for a while, but comforting knowing we will all be in Colorado together soon!

Once back in Virginia, it was back to our daily routine of preschool, keeping the house clean and tidy and anxiously awaiting spring. We got back just in time to see the early spring flowers including the wisteria and dogwoods, neither of which we will see in Colorado. I am trying to take in all the things that are unique to living in Virginia until we leave. The flowers and amazingly long growing season are just one of those things.

I put most of April's pictures on our Shutterfly share site http://familymattila.shutterfly.com/ You will need the password - mattila

Toothless Wonder

Well, here we go. As if I didn't feel like Tate was growing up way too fast already, he lost his first tooth on March 10. Yes, that is 17 days before his 5th birthday. He quit sucking his thumb in February and I have found myself to be very observant of his smile and how his teeth are slowly moving back into position after almost 5 years of the thumb. One day I noticed his bottom teeth were looking a bit bonky and asked if I could touch them. One was already noticeably wiggly! I asked if he had been wiggling them and he said no, like he was going to be in trouble or something. Well, about two weeks later the right one was barely hanging on. I tried to get it out but couldn't bear to pull the first one so I left him to work on it. Sure enough, laying in bed he pulled it right out!
Having taught kindergarten and first grade, most of my students were losing many teeth in those years so I thought Tate would probably lose his around the same time. Never did I dream it would be so early. I have friends whose kids are already in kindergarten and first grade and haven't lost a tooth yet. So, I had to ask around. The dentist told me that kids who get their teeth early as an infant often lose them early. Hmmmm....Tate got his first tooth at about 4 1/2 months and had a mouthful, including 2 year molars by about 17 months. He now already has his 6 year molars too.
So, the tooth fairy visited and left him a dollar and now we wait for the next one to wiggle some more.

For Sale

Our house - all spruced up and ready for a new owner

The view from my front porch and dining room - yep, a playground in the cul de sac that I can see Tate playing with his friends

The backyard - LOVE the big trees!

Not even an hour after Derek drove away, I was making a list of everything we had to do to get the house ready to sell. I knew Derek wouldn't be back for a few weeks and I knew that I would have to buck up and do a lot of work to get the house looking great. By that night, I had been to the paint store, been digging in closets, cleaning and purging. I was lonely already and knew that staying busy and doing everything I could to get the house sold would get me back to Colorado sooner.

I had a giant list that I would try to check a few things off every day. After a few days I realized that this giant list was extremely overwhelming so I resorted to a list for each room. That was my little mind game - there was still just as much to do but each room looked manageable. I hired someone to come patch some things, repair my front door, replace a piece of siding - all the things that I didn't quite trust myself to do. The funniest was the first weekend when my friend Amy convinced me to mulch my flower beds. I kept telling her I wanted to do a few other things first and she insisted that I get it done because it would probably rain the rest of the month. So, I went to Lowe's, bought I think 30 bags of mulch and spent Saturday and Sunday afternoon spreading them. I was exhausted to say the least, but it felt so good to see how great it looked and know that I did it. I can't even remember everything I did now... I guess I should have been blogging while I did it. The only thing I do remember is that I was exhausted and my kids watched a lot of TV during those weeks, but it had to get done.

So, I slowly checked things off the lists, and finally met with a few realtors toward the end of March. Of course none of them had great news for us. But, we weren't expecting great news either so it made it a little easier to take.

Derek came home for Tate's birthday on March 27th, after struggling to get out of Denver in a huge snowstorm. He was very impressed with all the work I had done. Yes!!! He spent the WHOLE weekend cleaning out the garage, going to the dump and watching Avarie try to help him. He left to return to Denver and the realtor and I worked feverishly to get the house just right before I left on Monday.

It was a whirlwhind to say the least, but we got it done and the house looks fantastic!!! Now, just need a buyer! Keep your fingers crossed...

Here's a link to the realtor.com listing (just in case any of you know someone looking.)

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/16730-Kipper-Turn_Moseley_VA_23120_1108175254

I love this house and would pick it up and move it to Colorado if I could. I love the floor plan, love the open-ness, love the sitting room in the master bedroom, love the park out front, love the big wooded lot. (I'm not even listing all of this because I am trying to sell it - these are features I genuinely love about this house.) I have loved living in Virginia and will miss many things about it, and I also look forward to so many things about moving back to Colorado.

A New Gig...A Move Home

Obviously I am way behind on posting. Hopefully these next few posts will explain why there hasn't been time to sit and blog, let alone think.


Many of you already know, but for those of you who don't, I am thrilled to say that Derek has accepted a job with Ultimate Electronics in Colorado as the Director of Merchandising for Appliances and Home Recreation. He is so happy to be back at Ultimate (that was Soundtrack before, the company he had worked for in many different capacities since he was in college) and is so excited for a new challenge in a new category. While the end of Circuit City was tough, I know how much he learned working for a national retailer and how much he will offer Ultimate with his experience at Circuit. I don't know much about the electronics industry, but I know enough to know that Derek is great at what he does and people love working with him.


This new job also means that we will be moving back to Colorado this spring! Derek left before the snow melted the week of March 1, and the kids and I will stay in Richmond for a bit - getting the house ready to sell, and trying to sell the house. As with our move to Richmond, I know it will be tough to be away from each other for a while, but we are so excited to be headed home.


Can't wait to get back and see everyone soon!!!

The snow we never thought would come

Well, it's been a little over a week since the snow melted away, but boy was that a doozy! The weather folks had been talking all week about possible winter weather here in the east, but after living here for three years, we have come to realize that winter weather can mean anything from just cold to cold and rainy to wintery mix to actual snow. So, we kind of ignored it and decided we would wait and see. Well, see we did because it started snowing Sunday evening around 5:30 and snowed all night long. The power went out for a few hours around 8:30 and then again for most of the night. We woke up to a winter wonderland! We could not believe our eyes. We had about 10 inches at our house and we were thrilled. We spent the day shoveling the driveway and walk, building snowmen, wrestling in it and sledding. Even Derek and I were out there like a bunch of big kids - throwing snowballs and sledding. I think our family had one of the happiest days we have had in a long time. This was both of our kids' first BIG snow so we literally spent most of the day playing in it. Of course school was cancelled on Monday, then again on Tuesday, then again on Wednesday, and then there was a 2 hour delay on Thursday. So, Tate missed the entire week of preschool and wasn't so sure that snow days were all that great. The snow truly didn't melt until Thursday and Friday when it got into the 60s and 70s. Although it was great when it warmed up, we are so glad that we lived here to experience a big Virginia snow! Funny enough, it got so warm last weekend a that I was able to lay all the mulch on our flower beds in preparation for spring. Single digits and snow on Sunday, March 1 and 80 and sunshine on March 8. Wow!

I posted most of the pics on our Shutterfly site - http://familymattila.shutterfly.com/ The password is mattila.

Avarie Sue turns 2!

Hard to believe that this was already two years ago! This picture of Tate was taken the morning of February 18, 2007 as he was saying goodbye to my belly and hello to his new baby sister. He was so excited! After weeks and weeks of keeping me company on the couch, he was so anxious to finally meet this baby sister we had told him so much about.

Here she is with her daddy at the hospital. Little did he know how a little girl could capture his heart...and she has.

Here is Avarie on her 1st birthday. She had just had her tubes put in and was such a happy girl. She was crawling all over and just beginning to pull up on things but not walking yet.

And, now a year later at 2 with her new dolly. It's fun how girly she has become; a year ago she was pretty happy with Hot Wheels and legos. She still loves to play with her brother with his Batman cave and legos, but she definately has embraced her girly side and plays dolls and kitchen too. She chatters up a storm and has LOTS of words. Just this week she has really started to string a few words together. A favorite topic is the dogs and how they drink water in their room. One of her favorite things to do is go to storytime at Barnes and Noble where we sing songs and hear great stories. She also loves to wrestle with Tate and Derek.

She had a pink cupcake cake and lots of balloons. We took them to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games and we all had a great time. There are more pictures on our shutterfly website http://familymattila.shutterfly.com The password is mattila.

We are so proud of our little girl and so happy she came to live at our house! It's hard to believe that she is growing up so fast, but, as Tate says, she will always be our baby sister! Happy Birthday, Avarie Sue!!!

Family Dinner

Although the past month has been difficult since Circuit City announced their liquidation, we have really enjoyed having our daddy home almost every night for dinner. It's been great to have him at the table with me and the kids most nights since his work day is shorter. He has also been able to witness some of the dinnertime antics that two kids can muster up. I think sometimes he thinks it's a bit crazy as they both come running to the table, but he happily sits down and then cleans up after. Happiness!
Well, the kids have had colds, so time for some good old chicken soup. I made it yesterday afternoon and we were happy to be able to add the yummy wide egg noodles to the soup, instead of the egg free ones we used to have to eat. We often comment on Avarie's strange dislike of certain toddler favorites. For example, melted cheese, and often cheese in general. What toddler doesn't like cheese? So, as the kids were eating their soup, I noticed each of them after particular things in thier soup. Tate slurped up those yummy noodles so fast, and then picked through the carrots and chicken. Avarie ho hummed for a few minutes, slurping broth from the spoon. Tate kept saying, "Avarie, eat the noodles. They're slurpy and yummy." She eventually picked out all the carrots, celery, onions and chicken. Then proceded to pick up her bowl to drink the broth. Seriously?

So, then here's her bowl...she left every single one of those noodles in there. Don't most kids only eat the noodles?

And, here's Tate's bowl...not a noodle in sight, but every onion is in there and a few carrots.

Just had to share, more for my own memory than anything else. Leftovers tonight...wonder if she will try the noodles.

SNOW

Well, it finally snowed in Richmond, enough to be on the ground long enough to play in it. This was last Tuesday morning and we had to hurry out to play in the snow before preschool in case it melted. This was Avarie's first snow and she loved it!

Tate threw a few snowballs,

made a snow angel, but we didn't quite have time for a snowman since it was only 8:45 and we had to head to school at 9:00. Avarie didn't even mind being the target of the snowballs.

But she didn't like it when she fell down and only had one mitten. Well, learn it early, right? Snow is cold on fingers.

It was actually so cold all week that there was still snow in many shaded areas until Saturday when it got to 65.

A whole new world...of food!

We have great news to report - Tate has had two successful weeks at the allergist challenging both egg and peanut. He is now able to eat eggs, peanuts, and anything containing either of those items. We are so proud of him, and so proud of us!!! It has been a long and sometimes difficult road with food allergies. Derek took him last Monday with a hard boiled egg and Tate forced a little bit down every 15 minutes, working up to a full tablespoon. No problems whatsoever! Then they went back this week with an jar of organic peanut butter (the only thing we felt safe enough with) and worked his way up to a tablespoon again. No problems again! He didn't really like either on of them but forced them down anyway. Can you imagine trying something for the first time, that your parents have always taught you is dangerous, and having to eat like 2 tablespoons of it? He was a trooper too because 15 minutes after they fed him each taste, the nurse came in to check his belly, breathing, temperature, etc. and then feed him some more.

We feel so fortunate to have had the food allergy journey we have had. We have never had to carry an epi-pen, but we have been vigilant about what we feed him, ingredients and cross contamination. If you haven't had to deal with a food allergy, or haven't known someone who has, it can be rough and frustrating. When we started 4 years ago, it was hard to read the labels on food and eating out was very difficult. Now, allergens are printed in bold at the bottom of the ingredients and many restaurants have thorough allergen safe lists and have chefs that are trained to accomodate people with allergies.

So, the past two weeks have been exciting for Tate. He didn't have to take a special cupcake to the birthday party yesterday, he ate his first bag of M&M's, and as you can see in the picture a powdered sugar donut. After the egg challenge, he chose Campbell's Alphabet soup (egg noodles) and a donut for his first treat. It's a bummer of a time to outgrow a peanut allergy since they can't guarantee the safety of cookies, candies, etc. So, the peanut buttery treats will have to wait. In addition, the allergist feels comfortable feeding Avarie the same foods Tate is eating, just not a plate of scrambled eggs or a PB&J, not that she would like it anyway.

My friend Sarah said it best, "Celebrate by going out to dinner, and don't even call first to ask if there's anything your kid can eat there!" Think about that for a second? Yahoo!!!

Meanwhile...in Avarie's little world

Eat your heart out, June Cleaver! Avarie is the master multitasker...superhero, chef extraordinaire, and baby whisperer. Ha!

And she has found a better purpose for that doll stroller..."Tate, pease, me go!" He races her around through the playroom and into the family room until they get going too fast and she dumps out. Way to go, Pottery Barn Kids, for making a sturdy stroller that can withstand the demands of a big brother and his hefty little sister!

Could you find a happier face?

Oh, Tater Tot...

I have been having one of those weeks as a mom where you can't believe how fast your little boy is growing up, yet also love how little he still is. Tate will be 5 in March and I am just amazed at how fast his little mind and body are growing. I am so impressed with all the news things he can do every day-new things he learns, new ways he can help, new things he says, new things he's outgrown. I had been thinking a lot about it on Sunday while he was napping (a perfect example of being almost big but still little). We put away all the Christmas stuff on Sunday and this year Tate was actually a REALLY big help. It was Derek's birthday and Tate offered to help so Daddy could get finished and watch football on his birthday. Tate let Avarie take an ornament off the tree then he would take it and put it in the right box. He was so careful carrying the antique glass ornaments of my mom's and putting them away. Then he went outside in the cold (damp cold) and pulled all the stakes out of the grass and took lights off the little shrubs. Derek and I both commented on how great it was to have a helper!

So, I'm thinking of all this while he naps, when he comes in to tell me he's awake and wants to check on the football game. I go in to turn it on in our sitting room and he has this perfect little boy, rosy face fresh up from a nap. You know the one? Eyes bright, cheeks flushed from sleep. With cheeks like those, we have had many days like this with Tate. That's when it struck me that he's not SO big yet. He sat on my lap and we checked on the playoff game and we chatted about getting Derek's presents wrapped and making a cake for after dinner. We talked about his thumb sucking and how he's working so hard to stop and every day he gets a sticker for his Indiana Jones Lego Wii. This is probably the biggest piece of little Tate that's leaving. I know it's time, and I'm the one that promised the new Wii game. But that little thumb in the mouth when they are sleepy is just shmoopy, but the lingering orthodontist bill is not.

Here he is saying, "OK, mom, enough pictures."

Now helping me make the cake. He loves to help me in the kitchen, especially when I'm making something without eggs so he can lick the bowl. So today was Tate-safe chocolate cake. He measures and stirs all the dry ingredients and then waits at the sink for the bowl and beaters.

Here he is writing Derek's birthday card. I was cleaning up from the cake and he brought the supplies in the kitchen to work. I could hear him repeating what he wanted to write over and over and sounding each word out then re-reading what he had already written. I thought he had a pretty good handle on it and was SHOCKED at what he had written when I walked over. I can't believe I have a kid old enough to write this stuff on his own, yet am so proud that he can already write this stuff on his own. As a former (and someday again) teacher, I do wonder what kindergarten will be like for him next year. I am already preparing myself to be MOM and not get too hyped up as TEACHER.

Anyhow, Tate's card says "When the sun is out then we can ride our bike I love you from Tate"

I know my teacher friend Kris reads my blog...so Kris, am I in trouble or what?