fidean.net

It’s probably going to be a short night for us - no big night out celebrating, for parents of a toddler.

We’re very thankful of a wonderful year - we have been blessed with an amazing daughter who seems to get exponentially smarter every day. There were visits to and from the family, and lots of pictures (and now movies) to keep people up to date on her.

We also had lots of fun camping over the summer, and still put in a nice garden, made some progress on home fixups, and got a garage built.

For next year, i can only hope for more of the same - more fun with Ella, more time for Autumn to tend garden and more time for me building some furniture. More good health (and much less viral meningitis), and more bike riding. Less time worrying about money and daily chores, more time having fun and hanging out with friends.

tonight’s transcript:
“mammy.. mammy… mama

hiiii mammy
hiiii mammy
hiiii papa

no!”

Ella often talks while she’s drifting off to sleep at night - sometimes replaying parts of her day, sometimes just reviewing words. Most of the time it’s “mama papa ella” repeated.

Tonight’s transcript:
“mama… papa… mama… papa… mama… elmocize.”

She’s been watching a video of Elmo (from Sesame Street) called Elmocise, and she’s been constantly asking for elmo or elmocize during the day.

link to the BBC story

Really sad - they were the first punk band i really listened to in high school, and the best of the literate, political rock bands around. When i was playing in a rock band, we covered the Clash covering Eddie Grant’s song Police on my Back.

Very busy, compact christmas this year - we had family from California, then Illinois, then Duluth come in over 3 days, a real houseful on christmas day.

Autumn (as usual) planned an amazing menu of food that everyone pitched in on, though she was in charge. The ham turned out, the green beans were delicious, and we had plenty enough garlic mashed potatoes this time (6 lbs worth).

Ella had a fun time too, got to see multiple aunts and gunkles and grandparents. We were all a little sad that there wasn’t more time to just hang out and visit, it seemed like a whirlwind week. It’s really no fun to be at work now, very quiet, and i’d much rather be home relaxing with the girls.