Christmas is coming

The end of the year is always a busy time, and this year is no exception. Today we went to a holiday housewarming at the Tunnings'. Charlie got to play with Connor and meet Connor's cousin Jack as well. Charlie was very well behaved. John watched the first half of the snowy Browns game with Sean and others in the "man room" in the basement. We got home in time to see the end of the Browns victory. Later, we went to broomball and played our last game on the Blender league, where we actually played on the same team for once.

Last night the band cancelled their gig over in Newport because of the threatening weather. Earlier in the day Saturday we'd had snow, then rain, which created quite a slush. The continuing rain, and the fact that the temps did not drop as much as predicted, meant the snow and slush was mostly gone by morning. Somehow we've managed to escape the nasty weather that they've had both to the east and the west of us these past couple of weeks.

On Friday night, the CBA had another exhibition during intermission at a Cyclones game. John stayed up in the stands while I went down to play with the others. Charlie got fussy soon after that (it was past his bedtime), and the music was really loud, so we took him home during the second intermission.

We had some unfortunate news this past week, when we learned that they will be closing Charlie's daycare within the next two years. This means lots of changes, even in the near term, as many of the staff will be let go soon. We are terribly disappointed, because we like the place so well, it's so convenient, Charlie does so well there, and we know so many other parents in the center (and even in his particular room). I have tried to put it out of my mind for now, so we can focus on the holidays, but once the new year hits, I'm sure I'll realize how traumatic this will be on us. Not only will we have to find other arrangements, but it will be a change to Charlie's (and our) routine.

Charlie is doing well, however, almost crawling about. He scoots a lot, and manages to roll back and forth to get where he wants to go most of the time. He still has only two teeth, but he seems to be teething more off and on, by the significant quantity of drool that comes out of his mouth. Lucy and he continue to be great pals. Lucy has even rolled on her back to let Charlie pet or rub her belly a couple of times.

We have been using the blanket that Charlie's Aunt Taylor made for him on the floor as his play area in the family room. We often fold it over in half when he's not using it, to make way for us to walk around and so Lucy doesn't walk across it and muddy it up. Lucy has taken to curling up on the folded over blanket when Charlie's not using it, instead of laying in her bed (which is right next to the blanket). I wonder if she knows it smells like Charlie, and thinks of it like she does when she lays on our bed upstairs.

Charlie also has been really enjoying standing while holding on to our fingers. He likes to bounce and also pretend that he's dancing. His favorite book is still the one with the strings and fabric to pull on. He's very fond of different textures.

I guess that's all for now. We'll be off for the holidays soon. Keep watching our flickr sites for photos.

--Michelle