I'm almost 2... what's your excuse?

Tenzin has realized that he's almost 2, and he should start acting like it!
The tantrums, the hitting.... let the wild rumpus start!
It seems to have been set off by having other 2 year olds to play with, and although I don't want to blame that, it just kind of gave him a jump start into the wonderful world of 2... whew.
He is more social again and that is the good side of having children around.
He is talking quite a lot and now uses "Thank you" "excuse me" and "sorry" without prompting, and at appropriate times which is quite amazing to me. Today after lunch he said
"Thank you food"
I had to laugh when he said sorry to the broom after I knocked it down.
He is realizing him self, making decisions and having to meet the world. He even fights with himself sometimes.....
Oh the joys!
He is VERY much in to trains right now, and has the sound effects down perfectly. Today we had the mission of going to the library in search of more Choo-Choo books, our selection was getting old.
Our school is coming along fast now, and it seems that I am constantly answering calls and planning to meet people. Seems as though we will be full before long! Yay!
We are open 3 days a week now, and soon to be 4. Suddenly word of mouth has taken off, and it seems that it has been the most effective advertising so far. Our days have been going very smoothly. I sewed aprons for the children and we did our first bread baking day. We have been having a lot of fun, and it's so great for Tenzin to have the children, and the rhythm of the preschool- circle time, activities and story. He happily joins in with everything we do. I will try to take more pictures, Tai and I are both so involved with the children that it's hard.
Here is a picture of Tenzin with some friends on the train that they made!

27

Today I am 27. I always thought I would start having children at 27. Well, since we've already taken care of that... Now what? I guess Tenzin is definitely ready for a sibling.
My birthday was wonderful. Mark and Leslie came down last weekend with a cheesecake and we had a little celebration. We just putzed about on Vashon, and Tenzin had a great time with them. He was really sad to see them go. He said
"Uncle, Auntie, Bye-Bye?" The weather has been so beautiful! It seems like spring here. Today we took the passenger ferry to downtown Seattle, had all you can eat sushi, got some sweaters for teaching and walked though the new sculpture park. I WISH I had my camera! Standing in one place we could see Mt. Rainier, the cascades, the moon, the sun, the space needle, the ocean and all of these huge modern sculptures. It was just amazing.
Our little school is coming along, besides the impetigo exposure.... THINGS ARE GOING GREAT! If there is another big storm coming in February, please don't tell me about it.
I am doing drop in right now and have a lot of interest from parents of 2 year olds. I am being flexible, and it would be great to move along with Tenzin's age. I will be accepting 2.5 yr olds for our summer program, and 3 or almost 3's in the fall, so the children that join us now can just keep going.
Generally life is good, I have had a great 27 years. I feel that I have created a good life, and feel like I'm following my dreams. What more can you ask for?
27 sounds good as well.
Goodnight.

Tenzin drawing an egg. We have been chicken sitting, and everything is about the chickens and the eggs. Ok, and there are trucks of course.

Tenzin stole these glasses from me when he was just a baby. He thinks they look better on him.

Tenzin on the ferry, in the snow by our pond (we have lots of snow now!) and taking care of a baby. He just said his name this morning. "Ten-Ten"

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to everyone for making our Christmas so wonderful this year! It may take me a little while to get thank you cards out this year....
Tenzin had such a good time in California and loved spending time with his grandparents. As expected he was spoiled sweetly!

We love you all very much!
Tenzin Kai, Keri and Tai

No Man

Happy 2007!

Tenzin had his first flu for new years....
Being the little trouper that he is he got up for a cheers with ginger ale and watched the fireworks from our bedroom. He hasn't missed a new years yet!
The big celebration here is that he got his last tooth!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!
Teething is over!!!
He won't get any more teeth until he's 6. He has been teething hard core since he was 3 months old, so this is means for a party!!
2007 already? This means that soon I will be 27 and Tenzin will be 2!!!! I can't believe it!
We will be having another open house this weekend for our school, and will start doing drop in until we get more enrollment (which may not be until this fall) Without the open house it's hard to say what will happen. Everyone seems really excited about it though, which is great.
I will let you know how it goes.

Wishing you all happiness in 2007.

Lots of Love,

Keri*

Christmas Eve Dinner with Uncle Sam, Auntie Susan, Uncle Gabe, Grandpa Richard, Gramy Bee, Great Grammy, Tai and Tenzin

Tenzin opening gifts with Uncle Alec, Grandma Debra, and Auntie Deena

My Sweet Boy

Whew

We were suppose to have our first open house yesterday... Everything was looking great and ready to go. Then our power went out... I had just put olive oil in my hair, and had just jumped in the shower. This is pretty much a nightmare situation for me now.
Our house was so cold we didn't know what to do with ourselves. We decided to put up a sign and go for breakfast. (with a hat on) Then we decided to go to the city because we had nothing to do, and no where to go. We just went to warm places walked aimlessly in malls and had sushi. I kept calling to find out if our power was back. When we couldn't get a hold of anyone to stay with in Seattle, and after we were absolutely exhausted we decided we better just head home. When we got home at 9:55 our power had just come back on. It was good timing, but the rest of the day.. hum....
the day after I talked to a few of the people that I thought might come, and one of my friends told me that she came and thinks a lot of people showed up. (probably because they had nothing to do either) Hopefully they come back on Saturday. I just couldn't bare the thought of trying to welcome people into my frozen house with my oily hair. yikes.
The real reason I am writing my blog right now is because tonight is suppose to go hurricane style, and gusts of wind could be up to 75 mph..... the worst in a long time.
There are trees all over this island, so the chances of the power going out again are good. We are filling our bathtubs, finding our candles and lights and most importantly taking showers.
Not looking forward to it, since all we have for heat is a little fire place, that is really for looks, and doesn't put out much heat. I guess we could all huddle around it...
It's raining pretty hard now, but the high wind warnings are suppose to start this afternoon, and continue until tomorrow afternoon. I really hope we have power for our next open house.

I'll put up some pictures of Tenzin to cheer me up.

Lots of love to you all,
Talk to you soon.

Cousin Koral & The Kissing Shark

Tenzin was a little kissing shark for Halloween. He was a little unsure about people wearing masks (see the last picture) We went to town, which is what everyone here does. It was the coldest day we have had here, so we couldn't walk around much. We ended up going out for pizza and watching all the children in costume walk by. Tenzin was much happier seeing them from a distance.
Things are going well for us here, and we continue to meet all kinds of wonderful people. There is a lot of support here, which is really good! We will be having a meditation group in our house every Monday now. The house is perfect for it. Now all we have to do is teach Tenzin to sit quietly for an hour and a half! : )
Tenzin understands so much now, and is communicating quite well. He has learned to nod his head for yes, and answers questions with a nod or a shake.
He is also starting to use his imagination. This morning he lined up 6 blocks in a row and said "BUS!" It's so amazing to watch.
We're closing in on 20 months now, is it possible?! Tenzin's cousin Koral is 6 months already, and is eating now. It happens too fast! Here is a picture of Koral- The sweetest little girl we know! We are so happy we got to see her, even though it wasn't long enough... We are hoping that they will move to the Vancouver area and then we'll get to see them more often.