December 2012

Dear girls,

Today is the last day of 2012. A year that has seen many accomplishments from both of you. Your mother and I are very proud of the things you've learned and done over the past year, and we look forward to you growing and learning more in 2013. 

This past month has been filled with lots of presents, lots of Nana and Dodd, and lots of fun.

Most of this month has been spend obsessing about Christmas (of course). You both wrote letters to Santa Claus to tell him what you wanted, and when we went to visit him, both of you sat on his lap without incident. For Rachel, this wasn't a big deal. You've been sitting on Santa's lap since you were 6 months old. Emily, though...this was the first time you wanted to have anything to do with it. Every previous year, we've had to hold you while Rachel sat on Santa's lap, so this is a huge step forward for you.

Rachel, you had your first performance ever this month when you sang "Feliz Navidad" for a show your after school program put on. You came home earlier in the month telling Mommy that you were going to sing "Fluffy snuffy da," and it took her a few minutes to figure out what it was that you were saying.

Rachel, your half birthday was also this month, and as usual, we celebrated with your grandpa. I have enough trouble remembering that you're 6, and now you're halfway to 7. It's hard to believe that you're growing up so fast.

 

Emily, you've been making a lot of progress with your speaking. Your words are getting clearer and your sentences are sounding more correct. You also take your time in thinking out what it is that you want to say, and that's wonderful to see because I can tell you really want to get it right when you say something to us or ask us a question.

Of course, in between those times when you're both acting wonderfully, you also get on each other's nerves or just flat out get angry. This has been especially evident since we've been home over the break, and moreso with Emily than with Rachel. Emily, I think you're just out of your routine and it gets you irritated. You asked me today on our way back from the store about the order of things that were going to happen this evening, and I really think you just crave some sort of routine and knowing what is going to happen next. If things get out of order, you get upset.

The funny thing is that we know you two can get along just fine. Sometimes you play with each other for hours on end. There are times when you've been playing with the door closed for so long, and it's quiet, I wonder if one of you has taken the other out. We had to spend a lot of time this past month reminding you that Santa was watching and to make sure that you were being good.

We are really looking forward to this next year. Your mother and I love you very much, and we always will. Happy New Year to both of you.

Love,
Daddy 

Posted via email from Laleblog