The Riley Family

We had a very Merry Christmas! Paul took the whole week off, so it has been a very relaxing family time. Chris and Jason came over, but Grandpa Bill wasn't able to make it with all the weird weather - snow, ice, thunderstorms - you name it, we have had it. Thanks so much to everyone who sent presents, K, J, and W are very lucky! Here are some pictures .

Congratulations to the Martin family! Mason was born 12/24/2008 at 7:42pm weighing in at 8 lbs 4 oz. We can't wait to meet him.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Will is 11 months old today! Just one more month to the big 1!

Amy's due date was yesterday, so everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby boy Martin. News soon - Although Noah was 12 days late.

I originally checked out The Film Club by David Gilmour from the library a couple of months ago. I really enjoyed it, but was having a hard time getting in much reading. Right now my reading time is usually limited to dual naptime for the boys in the car after dropping off Kate at school, or a few minutes at night after kids are asleep and before I fall asleep myself (W has been getting up in th 4 hour lately.) So even though the library loans books for 2-3 weeks, I wasn't getting through it quickly enough, and since had been enjoying it and the film references, decided to buy it. The book follows David and his son Jesse after Jesse drops out of school. David makes a deal with him - he could quit school as long as he spent time with his dad (a film critic/writer/etc) watching movies. I have a strong interest in movies too, took some film classes at Loyola, and this book is a wealth of knowledge. I am glad to have bought the book just for the filmography at the end. Although t...

We did end up with a snow day yesterday. We probably only got 4-5 inches, but the thick layer of ice on the top made the plowing snow. Kate was kind of bummed, she missed her Christmas party at school. They had been practicing songs for the parent sing-a-long, and they were to have a book exchange. The worst has to be for those Neuqua HS students who missed finals yesterday - those tests have been rescheduled for Jan. 9!

Here are a bunch of pictures including our Christmas tree, Will playing peek a boo, snow, and Gallette realizing that we have a fish.  

Getting ready for Christmas!! Will - has been napping better during the day, taking 1 1/2 - 2 hour naps, which has been awesome. It really gives us a break. Still getting up WAY too early, but I guess that is what coffee is for. He loves playing peek a boo! Will's favorite thing to do right now is to feed the dog. That is tons of entertainment for him during meal time. He laughs and laughs! Jack - In a stage where he doesn't want his picture taken. Also completely obsessed with Star Wars. He is always talking about things from the movies, like "They say 'Roger Roger' in Star Wars" or "Anakin doesn't have any hair when they take off his mask." Kate is also interested, but focuses more on the lava in episode III. She doesn't like lava (it is also a central figure in the Land Before Time movies.) Jack is also getting better at Wii boxing! Kate - Enjoying school and gymnastics. Kindergarten sign up starts in a few weeks. We are s...

Well I have to have dreams to get through all this bad winter weather - so have planned out the garden!  My seeds shipped today :).  I'll post seed list and layout later.

I am dreadfully behind on pics. We have taken quite a few, and will post soon.

Will has been walking a lot this week. It has become his 'first' choice at movement, but still not his main. If he is standing, he will walk to his next goal, but usually teeter half way and crawl the remaining distance. He seems to love being able to walk.

It is raining snow, or ice, or something. This weather has been crazy so far, we have had 5 major storms already this year! Today's storm is not looking good for school - and K has her Christmas sing-a-long today.

Here are a few from Thanksgiving - (I missed lots of people!) And some from putting up the Christmas tree (not sure where Will was in these pics, but probably in his jumpy to keep him from eating everything!)

Kate will take one more session of Mites 2, Jan - March, and then should be ready for Mites 3. There are a couple of skills she can do sometimes, but not consistently, that she needs to have down before she can safely advance to the next level (bar -swinging regrip, floor - backbend w/ kickover). Yesterday she had a private lesson with coach Rena since the other 2 girls in her class weren't there. She is really learning a lot and enjoying gymnastics a ton in this new class.

Will's 7th tooth came in last week, his lower right lateral incisor. Looks like the match on the left is on it's way.

We went to a friend's birthday party this weekend and they had entertainment from Mr. Singer ! When we lived in Lincoln Park we used to take Kate to see him at the LP Zoo for story time. The kids all had a great time playing instruments, singing and catching bubbles. Pics soon.

We watched the 6 Star Wars movies with the kids over the past couple of weeks, and they are now huge fans! Kate loves to talk about Anakin starting out good and then going to the dark side. I think Jack just likes the light sabers! (we also watched the new Clone Wars, but weren't as excited about it.)