Let's see what has changed over the past year...
Eli definitely wins the award for the most changed in our family!! He began the year in diapers and now wears underwear. Potty training was a bumpy road for him but we are doing well now. He is also a lot more verbal now than at the beginning of 2010. He got a big boy haircut and he had his 3rd birthday in 2010.
Ethan has had a good year too. He was five in May so his big event in 2010 was starting kindergarten. He has begun to read a little. He has made new friends at school. This was also his first year to try his hand at athletics. He played T-ball (the Braves) and football (the Steelers) this year.
Ellie began 4th grade this year. She turned 9 years old and suddenly became too old for pink pretty princess things. Her main hobby this year was reading and she got her first library card. She got her first experience with babysitting the boys while I went for a walk on a road back behind the house. It was only about 20 or 30 minutes but it's good training. She has begun to cook a little (muffins, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, canned soups, etc.) and she also has began to do some chores around the house. I'm most excited about her unloading the dishwasher.
Events that might sound trivial in the grand scheme of things are actually huge to us as a family or at least to mommy. I had the revelation in 2010 that I don't have any babies anymore just big kids. No more bottles, no more diapers, no more rocking just watching my kids grow up and experiencing life for themselves. Letting go of them one finger at a time so they can learn and be independent. I'm so glad we have a God whose name is Immanuel (God is with us). I know I have to let go one day but I take comfort in knowing that God never lets go!!! Happy New Year to everyone and I pray that 2011 is blessed.
