Friday, December 28, 2012

Best of 2012

There is never a dull moment in the Beeston household, thanks to my 3 busy and active children. Here is what happened in 2012 (the big stuff):

January 2012:
Playing in the snow

February 2012:
Bonne-maman's visit (she was supposed to help us with potty training but all the kids got sick - still it was great to have her here to help us all feel better - and the boys learned to use to potty only a couple of months later anyway).

Billy's birthday

April 2012:
Easter

This picture

Kendall getting her ears pierced
May 2012:
My birthday +

Our family vacation to Disney World

Kendall's First Birthday
Our soccer team

Kendall's photo shoot (thanks, V)
June 2012:
Jenni's visit before her move to AZ
July 2012:
Our visit to Cinncinnati

4th of July with great friends

Logan and Taylor's 3rd birthday

Marine's visit

August 2012:
Potty training Logan and Taylor in 3 days! +

Kendall learning how to walk
 
September 2012:
Football season, dressed up for OSU and everything

Megan and Erin's visit

October 2012:
Halloween festivities and traditions

Grandpa and Grandma's visit

The coolest pumpkin patch, ever!

Dressing up for Halloween - 6 times!
November 2012:
Sheryl's visit

Kendall going to nursery

Celebrating Luc's First Birthday

Visiting Bon-Papa and Bonne-Maman in Maryland for Thanksgiving

December 2012:
Christmas festivities and traditions

 And some more:

Watching Kendall grow

Watching the boys play with each other
 
These looks and smiles

Girls' nights (love these girls!)

Our numerous trips to the splash pads
Our numerous trips to the metro parks in Columbus

Our numerous trips to the playground!
 
Our numerous trips to the zoo

Our numerous trips to COSI

Pool days


2-on-1 dates with these cute boys

Dates with this hot guy!
   
 I hope 2013 will be as much fun as 2012 was!!!

Kendall is 20 months

What happened to my little angel? This month, we've had to start putting Kendall in time-out, although right now it's basically just me sitting in the hallway with her on my lap for a minute. She's really sweet, but she definitely has some spice in her, too. I'm sure that'll be a great thing when she's a little older.
I like that she has a personality of her own. I like that she doesn't take crap from anyone. I like that she is a leader and not a follower. I like that she knows exactly what she wants and doesn't give up until she gets it. I see these things as qualities that will one day make a beautiful young woman with values and character.

This month, Kendall:
- started picking fights with her brothers
- hits whoever is responsible for her not getting what she wants
- pinches and scratches (mommy, especially)
- has had separation anxiety and screams bloody murder in nursery and at the gum day care

But Kendall also:
- gives her babies lots of hugs and kisses
- kisses Logan and Taylor every time we ask
- says No to giving kisses to mommy or daddy, then cracks up when we keep asking
- says a lot of single words
- says a lot of nonsense sentences
- says Amen at the end of each prayer
- loves to dance
- loves to read books
- loves to sing The Itsy Bitsy Spider (in her own way)
- enjoys watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- tells us when she's all done eating but then stuffs her mouth with food when we pick her up from her chair
- is learning colors (although they're all blue right now)
- is learning to count to 3

Random Acts of Kindness

My goal this year was to do 25 random acts of kindness - one for each day in December until Christmas. Sadly, I didn't reach my goal, because we got stuck at home after our house got broken into. I tried to play catch-up, but then the kids got sick, so we were stuck at home again. I tried to take as many pictures as I could, and here they are.

1. We went to the store and left candy canes in random places.

2. We left a couple of dollars on some toys at the store.

3-4. We dropped off some treats at a few friends' homes. (We did this twice)

5. We donated a few bags of clothes.

6. We brought dinner over to someone who had just had a baby.

7.We fed a few meters downtown.

8. Each child donated 2 toys.

9. We left candy canes at gas stations around our neighborhood.

10. We left a gift to our waitress (a lotion and hand sanatizer).

11. The kids drew a picture and we mailed them to family members.

12. We left a dollar at a couple of vending machines.

13. We left 3 diapers and a bag of wipes at a changing table in Walmart.
14. Billy brought muffins to work.

15. We left muffins in our mailbox for a mail carrier.

16. We babysat for someone who needed help.

17. We donated money to every homeless person that we saw that day (3)

18. I signed up to help with everything I could at the ward Christmas Party.

19. I made special treats for the girls I visit teach.

20. We collected carts at the store.

21. We taped quarters to the shopping carts at Aldi.

It was a lot of fun, although it was sometimes a little awkward to do certain things without being seen. I hope to do this every year, and have the kids be involved more and more each year. I want them to know that Christmas is not about receiving but about giving. Merry Christmas!