We clean up well

Last night I had the pleasure of accompanying Justin to our local chamber of commerce's annual dinner. Justin is chairman of the board this year. He's kind of a big deal. There were about 450 people there, a silent auction, dinner, live auction and dancing. Justin gave a speech that quieted the crowd and produced many "I'd vote for you!" comments. It's only a matter of time, my friends. We enjoyed a wonderful evening away. Tonight, everyone in our house will have early bedtimes!

Mom, this one is so you can see the back of the dress.

Tooth

Last week Will had his regular check up at the dentist. The dentist told us if his bottom two teeth weren't out in the next 3 weeks to bring him back and they would "help them along". As someone who does not particularly enjoy the dentist, this thought is petrifying to me. But, his permanent teeth are already coming in behind the baby teeth. (Think sharks with 2 rows of teeth - freaky!)

Thankfully, Will lost his first tooth on his own yesterday. It happened at school, right after lunch. Just came out on its own - no blood, pain, or drama. He was soooo excited! He got to wear his tooth inside a plastic tooth necklace around his neck all day. And the tooth fairy visited last night so he was thrilled. Now, we start working on the next one.

On the move

I feel like Patrick is a whole different child since Christmas! He used to just pull up in his bed.

Now, he's standing on everything.

And he's climbing - on furniture, toys, boxes, and the stairs. Just had to take a break from typing this to follow him up our entire flight of stairs. Our life has gotten even busier!

Eleanor's 2013 interview

Ellie was a little more engaged in the interview this year. As you'll notice, Tinkerbell is still quite popular with Miss Elle.

Favorite color: green (for Tinkerbell)
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite food: soup (I have no idea if this is really true)
Favorite vegetable: red peppers (this is definitely true!)
Favorite drink: juice
Favorite toy: all of the girl ones (I have no idea what this means)
Favorite game: Candyland
Favorite book: Fancy Nancy and Tinkerbell
Favorite restaurant: McDonalds
Favorite animal: Big Bird (Will and I both giggled at this answer)
Favorite movie: Tinkerbell with Periwinkle (did you know Tink had a sister?)
Favorite song: Frosty
Favorite sport: t-ball
What would you choose for your name if we didn't call you Ellie Kate? Tinkerbell!
Who are some of your favorite buddies? Gracie and Claire (the 5-yr-old girls at her school)
Where should we go on vacation this year? Hawaii (but she thinks we should all go)
What do you want to do when you grow up? Teach
What is your favorite thing about William? Playing with him
What is your favorite thing about Daddy? Snuggling with him
What is your favorite thing about Mommy? Doing whatever you tell me to do (if only!!)
What is your favorite thing about Patrick? Playing with him and getting in his crib (she does love this. And she can climb in by herself now.)

Ellie Kate rang in the new year with the stomach virus, so she is probably the healthiest right now. Keeping that girl confined and away from her brothers for a day was no small task! Here's to better health for the rest of 2013!

Will's 2013 interview

Sickness has invaded our home his new year. Luckily, I interviewed W&E a little early. Here are Will's responses in our annual tradition.

Favorite color: green
Favorite TV show: football
Favorite holiday: Halloween
Favorite food: green apples and stewed tomatoes
Favorite vegetable: stewed tomatoes
Favorite drink: Capri Sun (I'm surprised he didn't say soda - he got his first tastes this year. Thanks, Grampy!)
Favorite toy: NFL table football (this was his big Santa gift this year)
Favorite game: Monopoly (and he's good at it!)
Favorite book: Polar Express
Favorite restaurant: Sonic
Favorite animal: baboon
Favorite movie: anything with Kansas (he has been watching lots of highlight films from KU football and basketball seasons)
Favorite song: Silent Night
Favorite sport: football
What name would you choose if you weren't named William? Baboon Lover - BL.
Who are some of your favorite buddies? Robbie (this is his assigned 4th grade buddy at school) and Jake
Where should we go on vacation this year? Hawaii (and he's ok with just mommy and daddy going again because that means Miss Kristin will come back)
What do you want to do for work when you grow up? Work at KU with you. (99% of the time he answers this by saying he wants to be a football player)
What is your favorite thing about Ellie Kate? She likes all her presents.
What is your favorite thing about Daddy? He gives the greatest hugs ever.
What is your favorite thing about Mommy? You give awesome kisses.
What is your favorite thing about Patrick? How soft his hair is. (I love this.)

Will was supposed to do his All About Me presentation at school today. Unfortunately, he was throwing up. He was sooooo disappointed. Poor kiddo! He is feeling better. We'll just take it a little slow this weekend.

2012 - a year in review

2012 seems to have been more monumental than most years. I'd be ok with 2013 being a little low-key. Nonetheless, we had a blessed 2012 and take a moment to reflect.

January - bed rest. Lots of time to prepare for the arrival of our sweet baby boy.

February - welcome, Patrick Marshall! I can't believe you arrived less than a year ago. It seems like so long ago - I can't imagine our life without you.

March - Ellie Kate turned 3! And what a sassy, loving, sneaky big girl you are! She is the highlight of Patrick's life. I can always count on Ellie Kate to make him smile.

April - We welcomed our niece, Kalliope! And watched the Jayhawks play in the national title game -- all in the same day! :) I also got an impromptu visit with my dear friend, Annie. It had been way too long and it was truly a highlight to catch up.

May - Adjusting to life with three kids and two parents working full-time outside of the home.

June - Will plays t-ball. Ellie Kate takes tumbling lessons. Summer-time fun.

July - Justin is working hard as treasurer for 2 local campaigns. We celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed my extended family Christmas as everyone came to us in Shawnee this year.

August - I started a new job (I'd been in the same office the last 6 years, so this was a big change). Elections did not go the way Justin had hoped. Will started kindergarten. This was a pretty eventful month for us!

September - Justin attended his firm retreat in Scottsdale. Will settled into school and I settled into my new position.

October - Will turned 6! He's loving school and doing well. He's definitely a rule-follower :) I had a wonderful time catching up with Kalle while she was in town. There is truly nothing like old friends.We met in kindergarten and I've wondered more than once if William is making any lifelong friends. Crazy to think about, really.

November - Justin learned he made partner at work. We enjoyed a trip to Hawaii to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with family and friends.

December - Holiday craziness as usual. But we enjoyed our time with family, friends, and each other.

As usual, I don't do new year's resolutions. Instead, I commit to striving for balance -- a constant journey. Cheers!

A Beary Merry Christmas

Will's Christmas musical was last weekend. God bless his music teacher! What dedication!
Will was a polar bear :)

And the following picture just cracked me up. So indicative of their relationships - EK with Patrick in a headlock. Thankfully you can't see his bruised nose too much in this one. EK tripped over him, fell onto him, and smashed his face into the hardwood floor the day before this pic was taken. He was a bleeding mess. Not fun. He's a tough kid, though.