A Decade Already

This is an entry I never posted, written November 18th.

Man. Lots of stuff goin’ down today.

First, the fun Melin Girls Update—Heidi was weighed and measured today, and boy is she huge: 28” long and 20 lbs! There was a one-year-old boy right behind her who only weighed 2 ounces more and was ½ inch longer! Pobrecita is only 7 months old. We are amazons. Addie will be three on Sunday and she’s having a princess party on Saturday. She helped me make the goody bags last night, decorating brown lunch bags with glitter-glue crowns. Today she informed me that she named her favorite baby dolls Erika and Hattie. Actually, Erika was first called “Eris.” Her imagination is really developing, which provides us endless entertainment.

My little brother and his wife celebrate their 10th anniversary today. WOW. That makes us feel old. I am really grateful for my sister in law—the way she loves my brother and keeps his antics in check, and the way she is such a good mother. Willy really got lucky (especially considering his previous track record--ugh!), though he's a pretty great person, too. They have a beautiful family and I am so happy for them.

I am really busy today with visit teaching, WIC, playgroup, party prep, and of course, the house (actually, the houses --the old and the new). Ad’s birthday and the holidays always seem to sneak up on me and pounce! So more later.

Addie & Heidi had a great time playing on and around Grampa's coffee table on Thanksgiving night while we watched Seinfeld--here they are peeking out from underneath. Earlier we had taken a nap (after the tryptophan) and gone to see "Spongebob" at the movies.

We spent Thanksgiving with my "real dad" Dad Layton in Pocatello, Idaho this year. My step sister, Kaycee, has a daughter (Becca) who is 6 weeks older than Heidi. Here they are playing on Dad's floor. Becca was trying to show Heidi how to get around--Becca's almost walking, while Heidi has yet to crawl. Heidi DID cut her first tooth on Thanksgiving night, though. Addie's response: "Yay, baby! Now you can eat things!"

Addie turns three today! She had a Princess Party Saturday morning...

Before the party Daddy took Addie outside to see the first snow fall of the winter! She was shouting, "Snow for my birthday!" 

Heidi could hardly wait for the party to start! 

Daddy and Princess Heidi welcomed all the guests. 

First thing we did was make crowns for all the princes and princesses. Here are Sean, Gracie, Kelli, Ivy, and Addie gluing jewels to paper crowns (while munching on grapes and cheese and pretzels).

There's Addie making her own crown with George in the background

Then it was time for ice cream cake--look at Ad's pretty cake! 

...then Addie blew out the candle and made a wish!