Daily Life with Kemper: December 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Hodge Podge post

Our time in Richmond is coming to an end - I know Kemper doesn't realize what is going on (although I'm sure he'll know something weird is going on) but even though we've only been here 6 months, I'm sad to be leaving all of the wonderful people we've met and befriended! We have such a great little playgroup and a great weekly routine going for us here. I'm sure once we get settled in Tennessee we'll find plenty to do and even more great friends (yay for Ali & Michael who will be in Tennessee with us!) but for now, just another example of how the military moving you around so often really stinks.

One think Kemper enjoys doing is walking between James and I (well, between any 2 people who will hold his hand) and having us swing him as we walk. For the past week or so, we've been counting to 3 before swinging him and on a whim, I told him he needed to count for us. He mumbled something, we swung him, and we all laughed. Well, today on our way into Target, we said, "Kemper, can you count" and he said "one.....(long pause) two" and we were shocked! We gave him a haircut tonight before his bath, so I pulled out the video camera and tried to capture him counting (and also capture his newfound cooperation while cutting his hair).

Haircut & Counting

For some reason, Blogger won't let me add video but that link will take you directly to the YouTube page where I added the video.

Kemper eating breakfast one morning - successfully feeding himself applesauce with a spoon and no assistance.

Out to dinner - about to demolish the lemon.

Our little Picasso. He loves to color, but sometimes gets excited and colors on walls or other things around the house. Apparently, he has a secret stash of crayons because as soon as I'd take one away and turn my back, he would have another one and color on something else. He decided his phone needed a little color.

Snack break with friends. Kemper, Chloe, Michael, Clayton and TJ

Starbucks Storytime

Today marked our very last storytime at the local Starbucks. I'm not sure who is more sad about this - me or Kemper?! We both enjoy this for so many reasons. In addition to a story, Mrs. Taryn always has a fun activity planned for the kids. Over the last few months, some of the activities she has planned for the kids include: coloring, playing with Play-Doh, decorating cookies or cupcakes, planting flowers & watering them weekly (when it was warmer), painting pumpkins, making Christmas hats, Christmas reindeer crafts and making homemade whipped cream and then finger painting with it. What an awesome weekly activity for us to look forward to. Us moms also enjoyed the time together as well.

We made wonderful friends over the past few months, our kids became fast friends and we welcomed a new baby into the group (and who are we kidding, us moms enjoyed the cuddle time with snuggly Eleanor more than anything else probably!) but what I think I'll miss most of all is knowing that on Thursday mornings, no matter how trying of a week we've had has been thus far, there are 3 other people waiting at Starbucks who understand, are going through the same thing, and are willing to lend a sympathetic ear and offer advice. Luckily, one of these amazing women will be at Fort Campbell with me and I'm sure we'll meet others and find new playgroups, but like I experienced when we left Germany, the "normal" Army routine can be a cruel one when it comes to moving and leaving behind friends. The silver lining is that no matter where you move to, you can pretty much guarantee that you'll always have a friend somewhere in the country (or out of the country - hi Angie!) that will make for an excellent trip for a visit and sight seeing!

So, here are some pictures from our last two storytimes at Starbucks.