Our family had quite a few noteworthy events during the year. Well, I guess everyone has noteworthy events each year, but importance is in the eye of the beholder.
Here, in the proverbial nutshell, is our 2008 Year in Review:
We added a new furry friend to the mix. His name is Patrick and he is a red golden retriever. He is an eager companion to all family members but especially likes early morning walks.
We also purchased a new home. In April we closed on a one level 40 year old ranch house on 2 acres.
The house wasn't as big as we wanted, so we have contracted to make renovations.
Construction has been lengthy and full of typical snags, but it is getting closer to completion and hopefully we will be able to move in early 2009. Since the new home has a pool, we spent last summer teaching Joey and the Aud how to swim. Since Joey was afraid of the water, we had several major accomplishments: He is no longer afraid of stepping into or jumping into water that isn't over his head. He will go under water to retrieve "buried treasure" as long as he has goggles. He will use a kick board to kick to the deep end. And, last but not least, he was able to swim about 5 feet in the deep end unassisted. I'm sure we'll start with new fears come spring, but we've accomplished so much already. Audrey is a little less fearful and takes more naturally to water. I anticipate her being able to swim unassisted (but not unsupervised) by early summer.
Since we closed our gym in late 2007, we've still remained busy in teaching kickboxing around the Tennessee valley. Currently our jobs include several classes at the local hospital wellness center, a corporate fitness center and a 2-credit course at University of Alabama in Huntsville. It is refreshing to get paid to teach the classes without having to worry about operating expenses. We now actually make money to teach!
Audrey is in her second year at Little Madison Academy pre-school. She adores her teacher, Mrs. Ruthie, and has started to learn to spell names of family members and words like STOP and STAR. She is in gymnastics weekly, but is becoming more interested in karate. Perhaps the movie Kung Fu Panda had an influence. . . ? She was very happy to receive a Pixos craft set and easy bake oven, and more socks that she could imagine. She plays make believe with all her stuffed friends and little pony statues, and also enjoys helping in the daily chores.
Joseph loves going to school each day. He is 1st grade at St. John’s Catholic school. He takes piano lessons at a great music school, called New Song School of Music. He has played in three recitals this year. You can see him play his song from his Christmas recital on the Merry Christmas blog entry. Here is his piano performance at the Madison Street Festival:
Joey completed his third year of AYSO soccer and makes improvements each season. He started Cub Scouts this year and is working towards his Tiger badge.
In mid-December we received a certificate of Achievement for an art project that was displayed at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Apparently they had an art contest at school, and one person from each class was chosen to have their art displayed. Naturally, we went to the museum to view our famous artist's work.
The trip was complete with a detour afterward to feed bread to the ducks and geese.
He lost his first tooth on December 11, and his second followed a few days shy of Christmas. Although he doesn't fully appreciate the silver half-dollar he has received from he Tooth Fairy, suffice it to say that he's getting a good deal. I remember receiving a dime for each tooth.
Joey was extremely pleased to get the gift "I've always dreamed of", that being a K'Nex Motorized Madness Ball Machine. Let's see, he opened it on December 25th, and he will likely finish it January 1st or 2nd. We'll post pics when it is done.
Well, that is our Year in Review. We hope that 2009 works out well for everyone.
