Holiday Memories
I suppose it is the natural way of things, but I am still amazed and somewhat chagrined that it has been over a year since I last posted an update! I will try to rectify that to the best of my ability. Our girls are growing up fast (of course!) and we had the opportunity to make some wonderful memories this holiday season.
Rosalie is 20 months going on 3 years old. Her vocabulary is just amazing. Several months ago, Wade & I decided to start writing down some of the words she said to figure out just how big her vocabulary was getting – we gave up when the list went over 50, and it has been increasing ever since. I call her my little scientist, since she is very careful and methodical when she is trying to figure something out. I have often heard her practice a new word over and over, getting the pronunciation a little better each time she says it. She is also our little ham: she loves to laugh and to make others laugh, and is always looking around to make sure she has an audience for her antics. Rosalie loves music, and will dance around to any tune that presents itself. The two girls often have a great time together, since Addy loves to direct the fun, and Rosalie is often willing to play along – I treasure every moment of their mutual giggles! Rosalie loves to copy what her older sister does, but also has quite the stubborn streak and certainly holds her own in that relationship!
Addy is nearly four and is growing by leaps and bounds. She loves coloring and painting, and has a wonderful little style that is all her own. This year she got to participate in two Christmas programs – at preschool and at church – and I was amazed at the difference from last year. Addy seemed to know every word and sang with great seriousness and intensity – determined to get it right. In the church program, she diligently copied the hand motions of the director – even when she was just conducting!! Those were not sentimental tears in my eyes during the program, but rather the result of desperately trying to suppress my giggles! We were so proud of both of her performances.
One holiday memory that I will treasure my whole life was the evening that we went out to get our Christmas tree. We had had a wonderful day with Grandma Darlene and Auntie Kristi, decorating for Christmas and just enjoying each others’ company. Both of the girls got a big kick out of piling into the car after dinner to go get the tree. As we were driving, Addy (who had been happily chattering non-stop since we pulled out of the driveway) suddenly said, “Mom, from now on when you tell me to do something, I’m going to do it right away without being asked again! And when you give me something I’m always going to say “Thank you.”’ It was as though she was feeling so joyous that she just had to share it with the world! Just a little while later, I realized that Rosalie was quietly whispering something to herself. I listened a little closer and heard: “happy, happy, happy, happy,” and then a loud, “HAPPY!” I think that pretty much summed it all up.
I hope that your holiday season has been filled with a lot of “Happy” and I pray that the coming year will bring you blessings as well! Happy New Year from the Kragtorps!
