2011 Christmas Letter

 That's it! 2011 has come and gone.  You've had a few glimpses into the Weibel life: sometimes crazy, sometimes funny, sometimes too busy to blog about.

"Days spent raising young children are very long, but the years are very short."  2011 was the year I tried my hand at extreme couponing, volunteered in schools, and fell in love with FlyLady's concept "swish-n-swipe."  My favorite icon princess became Snow White (she keeps 7 people in line and the house is still spotless...wow) and my favorite conference quote is "Look up, step up, cheer up!"  I still haven't mastered bedtime without tears and don't get to blog as much as I would like, but I have mastered 25-hour road trips with four kids and figured out how to use the ipod touch.

Doug managed to avoid breaking any bones this year which we are all thrilled about and which made biking to work (and occasionally competing in cyclocross) much more enjoyable.  Doug worked steadfastly at the UW, which is what you do when you're young and innovative, of course.  He says he's planning to  play the drums in 2012 and rediscover chess. 

 Clementine insists that everyone call her "Tiny."  Even with big-girl pants and a big-girl bed, she's still our angel baby and is delightfully well-behaved in restaurants.  Tiny often requests that I take her to Costco.  She lets me know she does not want to go on the bus with the other kids, which is fine for now.  She likes Polly Pockets and coloring.

 Zoe rules her kindergarten class with a sometimes-benevolent hand.  She still loves swimming and her baby doll minions.  She had an opportunity to enthusiastically and briefly sample ballet, gymnastics, and t-ball and is begging to give karate a try next.  This year she lost a tooth without any external intervention, which was great fun.

 Guy is pretty passionate about rollerblading, so we go whenever we can.  He's been in karate for a year and wisely resists using it during school.  Guy enjoyed the Gregor the Overlander books this year and I *think* he likes it when his mom comes to school every Wednesday to teach math.  He plans to finish his Wolf cub scout requirements over the Christmas holiday.

Xander is giving me a great birthday present this week- I requested he learn a challenging piano duet to perform with me at an upcoming holiday party, and he is ready!  This year he's become a helpful babysitter for short durations and is a witty kid to chat with.  He will easily disappear into a good book, but Xander still likes to get video game time whenever I'll allow it.  I'm hoping to teach Xander more recipes in 2012 because I love it when he helps me out in the kitchen.