5 Years today and right about now!

The universe continues to expand with Rhodri creating his own friendships, choosing his own activities (welcome Kung Fu and skateboarding, but NO napping - no change there :), his own foods (meat, with some meat on the side, and ketchup). He still loves to be sung to. Fortunately he still loves Mommy's made up stories. "Tell me the one about the hippo and the monkey and they become friends." "Okay, Rhodri. Just give me a moment here to think it up." His favourite toys are the eternal Thomas, anything new, and Hotwheels. He also genuinely enjoys dressing sharp. He just started Kindergarten and adores his teacher who adores him right back. Yesterday he sang a song about "CCC, Curly-headed Colin says cuh cuh cuh" tapping his throat all the while. He seems to have lots of kids to play with. Ever the observer, he still hangs back and watches, takes it all in before plunging into the fray. He really likes to draw his emotions on a piece of paper. 

Digby likes that too. He is really into impressionism, or, rather, expressionism. When he's upset, nothing other than a hug will help him calm down like drawing with felts. He's going to his own "school" and is quite the man about town there. All the kids are his friends. He loves being somewhere he gets to nap at a regular time. He is a chatty monkey. He loves to tell himself jokes and then giggle like a lune. His favourites are also Thomas, anything new and Hotwheels. He also really enjoys imagination games like "Hello neighbour." He made this one up himself. So, if you're ever lucky enough to be addressed like this "Hello neighbour.", be sure you respond correctly with your own "Hello neighbour." Nothing else will do. 

Clayton and I are both working at the same jobs. Our schedules have changed again to suit the children's school schedules which suits us just fine as well. Getting up at 6:30 isn't so bad at all when one does it every day. Clayton's been invited by the club to play more badminton, a treat. I am writing again - blogs, short stories, long and even longer stories. It gives me energy and feels about as difficult as slipping down a waterslide. Right now, everyone in the family, including our extended family, is healthy. Clayton and I may even get back to our ballroom and Latin dancing. We've taken a little break over August and September to get into our new routines, but we're itching to tango.

Here are the stats:

Rhodri: 5 years old today! As I recall, he was born right around 1:36 pm. It was fall. When we went into the hospital, it was warm fall. When we came out, it was 20 below. He was born at the Royal University Hospital on the University of Saskatchewan campus. I could look out our room window and see my fellow students trecking to class as I held my new baby and new life in my arms. I'm still holding on tight. Rhodri weighs about 45 lbs. He's a size 5 in clothing.

Digby: 2 2/3 years or 32 months. He weighs about 33 lbs. When last we measured height, he was 2 inches taller at this age than Rhodri was at the same age, and Rhodri's right off the charts anyways. I'd better be careful when they read this. He wears a size 3 or so. He's got nice long legs now, and he's broken the gravity barrier. He can JUMP! So he does all day.

We just have so much love it's incredible.

A, C, R & D