Back in Atlanta

It took me some time to adjust to being back at work after being away in NYC for the week. We had a great time and I miss my family a lot. It was so nice seeing all of them.

All week, Sidney has intermittently insisted on being called either Christian or Percy (as in Thomas the Train's pal). Christian is Cybele's fiance's name and he appears to have left an impression on Sidney. Christian was wrestling a little with Sidney on the day we left or the day before we left and Sidney really enjoyed it. I asked Sidney today if he wanted to call Christian. He said, "no, Gabriel." Then he added that he also wanted to call Christian. Then he started saying something about Uncle Howard, my uncle. Sidney is funny.

Cleo and Sidney had a good week at school. We learned that Cleo is delivering the welcome at their daycare's annual holiday program on Dec. 9 at 6pm. That is Roger's birthday so we are celebrating his birthday on Saturday, Dec. 10. Cleo also has a starring role as the mother in her class' contribution to the program. Sidney's class is singing "Away in a Manger."

Yesterday we went to my work friend Cindy's daughter Madison's 2nd birthday party. Cindy has 4 nieces who live next door and Cleo enjoyed playing with them - their ages ranged from 8-15. Sidney enjoyed playing with all of Madison's toys. He's an old 2 year-old since he turns 3 in 2 months so he seemed a lot older than Madison who turns 2 on Dec. 8.

We have completed most of the kids' xmas gifts shopping and must now start gathering gifts for Kaelin, our niece. We head to Jacksonville, FL on Dec. 23, I have off from work that day, and likely return on Dec. 29. We are taking the kids to the movies on Dec. 30. The options thus far are Happy Feet 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks Part 3 or Arthur (he's the nephew or son of Santa). Cleo wants to see the latter but we think the Alvin movie will be the only one that keeps Sidney's attention. It will be Sidney's first theater movie. The Princess and the Frog was Cleo's first theater movie. She doesn't remember seeing it in the theater - she was only 2-3/4 years-old but she does recall seeing Tangled last December.

Both Cleo and Sidney are acting so old these days. It breaks my heart but also makes me happy that they are becoming a little more independent.

The kids are napping. When they wake up, we are dropping off some gifts at Nicholas House, which is a transitional home for homeless families. It is in the same area of Atlanta in which Roger and I lived before we moved to Southwest Atlanta.

Have a good week!