Flat Tires

Why must flat tires always occur when it is dark, 35 degrees F and raining? Situation I found myself in Friday night at 5 PM. I got home around 8 PM very, very wet.

My last 2 flat tires were in those conditions.

Top Ten Books

Sophie and Jacqueline love to read. I mean REALLY love to read. Right now, reading is probably there #1 playtime activitiy. Sophie prefers to read to herself. Jacqueline will read to herself, but she also enjoys Mom or Dad to tell her a story.

They have been good readers for almost a year now. I thought their favorites would shift over time. Nope. We try tohide their favorites on the bookshelves to encourage them to read other books. Nope; they find them.

Mom and Dad have their favorites too. Overall, though, we are happy to read any of the top 10 or any of the other books in the house at any time.

1. Animal Action (gift from Aunt Kathy....we need to find another copy.....this one is almost dead)

2. Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin (gift from Aunt Kathy, always have to point out the cats. Shannon's personal favorite)

3. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Sophie's first favorite book....both love it now)

4. Goodnight Gorilla (although we seem to have lost it....maybe cousin Alina "stole" it.)

5. Freight Train (have to make "chugging" noises and bounce your knees)

6. Goodnight Moon (They have learned the most word-object associations with this book. Dad's favorite of the top 10. )

7. Brown Bear, Brown Bear

8. Where the Wild Things Are

9. Best Friends (No picture on the internet....bummer. One of Jacqueline's favorites)

10. Any book with Biscuit the dog (Sophie particularly likes these)

Here is Dad's personal favorite. I love reading this bedtime story. Sweet and sentimental.

It's funny that two kid's books from Aunt Kathy that I've never heard of are their 2 favorites.

Christmas Photos

It is a month late, but slideshow has been updated with Christmas photos. Better late than never!

Snow Photos

Some photos from Saturday after the big snow of 2010.

Jacqueline starting to realize
riding the scooter in the snow is not easy.

Requisite photo of our house blanketed in 8 inches of snow

Jacqueline training for her hike across Antartica. She walked all the way

to the end of the driveway

Family (minus Mom, the photographer) ast the meltdowns began. Realization hit that snow is cold and not fun if you don't wear gloves. Sophie, in particular, did not like the snow.

Sophie Moment

Sophie was opening/closing kitchen cabinet doors repetitively, as toddlers are apt to do, the other night. One time, she accidentally bopped herself in the head with the door. Her subsequent reaction surprised me and provided further evidence the kids are growing up.

Instead of crying, she kept silent. She stopped and rubbed her head. A moment later, she let out a loud "AARRGGHH" in a very frustrated tone. I could just see her little mind saying: "How could I be so stupid to bang myself in the head? I know better than that. I really need to be more careful."

Some Things I've Learned about Parenthood

If your child is going to vomit in bed, it is easier to handle if it happens at 8:30 PM instead of 3:00 AM.



At 19 months old, the girls always look to Mom (the primary caregiver) for comfort when something really bad happens (see above).



Mom earns bonus points for staying awake most the night comforting their child and then still doing all the laundry the next day!



You can't rationalize a toddler's behavior, especially when it comes to food.



Toddlers love to share, especially really nasty stomach viruses!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friend and family!

It was a busy holiday for the Thornburgs. We hope to update everyone soon!