Goodbye 2009!

We were fortunate around here yet again. Another year has passed with no major health problems or injuries (though there were some). We are all together still and mostly healthy. We are blessed.

Here's the recap of 2009 for the Zebra household:

January brought stomach and throat pain for Miss M, finally resulting in scheduling a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Ms. D teased us by looking like she'd be walking very early. K Man tried to split his head open. I started noticing the small things in life that bring me pleasure with Simply Joy Sundays.

February found me deep in the midst of my first Aweigh challenge. I was exercising almost daily and looking fine. M made me laugh heartily by calling a cutout of Frankenstein, Alfrankenstein. Don't ever think the kids aren't watching those political ads!

March was the month that M had her tonsillectomy. It was a hard 2 weeks and I didn't enjoy seeing my child in pain. She has been much healthier since, however, and she sleeps much better. I slipped on the stairs and broke my finger. The K-Man learned to ride his bike without training wheels! K-Man also had a terrible eye infection. March was not so great as far as health goes, but it could have been worse! I cut my hair and donated it to Locks of Love.

April saw the plans for an addition to our house. My mom and I took the kids to the Twin Cities to pick up some tickets for a Thomas the Train show and to visit IKEA. We got lost. As usual. The footings for the addition were dug and poured. I fretted about my baby coming up on her first birthday.

In May I got a new lens for my camera that made me happy. D moved out of the infant car seat into her cushy new $200 car seat. We went to the Thomas the Train show. Baby D said her first word and had her first birthday. We had a fantastic get-together with friends from Rochester, MN and Rochester, NY (who lived in Rochester, MN briefly). K-Man graduated from preschool. (I may or may not have had a birthday in there somewhere. Why, yes, I am only 29.)

In June, I started to realize that I'd miss hearing K's questions and chatter throughout the day when he would start Kindergarten at the end of July. Miss M finished first grade. Ms. D started walking. We went on vacation and had a fantastic time.

July saw the rest of our family vacation and a visit to the in-laws. I took my kids on the great Rochester Goose Hunt. D had her first playdate with a friend from "school." My two big kids had birthdays and their joint birthday party. It was cold the day of the party but most of the kids played in the pools anyway. We visited the in-laws again and tried to do an agate hunt which left me with a bad taste in my mouth about how badly adults behave. M and K started school- 2nd grade and Kindergarten.

In August, we visited the county fair. Miss M used her saved up money to buy Emma (Emily? Her name may have changed.) at the American Girl store. K Man used his saved money to buy a Lego Coast Guard boat. Ms. D scared us by developing croup and struggling to breathe. We got cable TV. My mom, D and I went to see the Titanic exhibit at the MN Science Museum. We may or may not have gotten lost again. I got to volunteer for my kids' classes when they went to Quarry Hill and went into the caves there for the first time in many years. Miss M got her ears pierced.

We spent September chasing toads and cooking out. Craig and I shared our 9th anniversary. He seems to want to try to make it another year at least.

In October, Midwest Parents relaunched, stronger, better and phenomenal. (If you haven't been there, please visit!) I had my fist bout with strep throat. M fed a giraffe. K encountered a dolphin. We had an adventure in Amish country with Amma. The baby blue bathtub left the building. We endured yet another cold Halloween.

November, it seems, was rather cranky. I had a second bout with strep. I decorated two trees (along with friends and the kids) for the Festival of Trees again. I got really fat again. November was not so nice I guess. AND I posted every day even though I sort of "forgot" to officially sign up for NABLOPOMO. You are so welcome for being subjected to that for 30 days straight.

And in December I have slacked in the blog posting. Lots of photos. Lots of whining. I am hopeful for next month and next year. This year ended with my negativity seeping through my pores. May 2010 end with gratitude and not attitude.

May 2010 be wonderful to you as well. Be safe tonight.