Better late than never!

Last year I had a few problems creating a new post on this blog, and after several failed attempts, I finally gave up. I'm hoping this post makes it to the page and I can pick up where I left off.

It's hard to fathom how much a child can change in the span of a year. Looking at the pictures from last fall is like looking at a different Cece. And we thought she looked so grown up back then! Well, look at her now!

Cece started attending a new Montessori preschool last March and is totally loving it. She has dozens of new friends, wonderful teachers, and a peaceful, supportive, enthusiastic environment in which to learn and discover. I was nearly moved to tears when Cece's teacher, Ms. Karen, told us during our parent/teacher conference that Cece is so enthusiastic and "excited about life." It's wonderful to watch her learn and grow.

We continue to enjoy our lives on the east coast. We are lucky enough to count many of our neighbors as dear friends, and our children are all close, too. I've never experienced the kind of bonded community that we have here. Marino and I continue to feel awed by our luck in choosing the perfect house for our family -- complete with the absolute best neighbors.

Winter doesn't officially start for another couple of weeks, but we've already had three snows, the most recent coming last night. It's definitely shaping up to be a colder winter than last year -- but what wouldn't be? We barbecued on New Year's Day this year, and even washed our cars in the driveway. I don't think we'll be having a 70-degree New Year's for 2006!

We were excited to have my mom visit us last month. Grandma Pam (aka Grandma Pan or Grandma Peter Pan, as Cece calls her) braved her fear of flying and made the trip out from California. We gave her a whirlwind tour of D.C. and spent 5 days visiting and hanging out & giving Mom a make-over. :) We're hoping she'll make good on her promise to come visit again in the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

We're going to have more visitors soon: Katie, Eden, and Zac are flying out from Sacramento on December 26th for a 10-day stay. Cece is so excited! She's always complaining to us that "I don't have any friends at my house." When we tell her that she has us to play with, she says, "Yeah, but you guys are my parents." Ouch. So having Eden & Zac (and Aunt Katie) here will be wonderful for her. I promised Zac I would put in an order for some snow while they're here. He's never seen snow before, and is anxious to go sledding. Judging from the amount we've had so far, I'm guessing he'll get his wish!

Christmas is just two weeks away, and I haven't finished shopping. Ugh. Cece's presents are all done, but I have to figure out a few more people's gifts. I guess I'll be doing a lot of shopping online this weekend. Cece's Christmas list is, and I quote, "A piano, cookies, and candy." When she asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said, "Hmmmm ... how about a baby brother or sister for you?" She shook her head and said, very seriously, "Nope, Santa doesn't have those at the store; what else do you want?" :)

I'm going to wrap this up, just in case it gets sucked into the great Internet vacuum. If it works, I'll post more soon, along with recent pictures.

Ho-ho-ho,
Jen