February 2

We finished painting the girls’ new bedrooms and yesterday began moving them into their rooms. There is still a ton to do before our house is back to some semblance of order, but we made excellent progress. Amy was ecstatic as she went to bed in her own room. Sarah was having none of it and desperately wanted to sleep in our bed, as she had been for the past week. It took many tears and conversations before she stayed in her room. 

Sarah turned 13! She has her party today. One of her favorite moments in her life so far was when we were in Disney a couple of years ago and went to a German restaurant that had a fake sky and polka music and room for dancing. So… for her party we are renting a party room in a German restaurant. We are bringing a keyboard so Grandma can play music and we are bringing the star projector Carl got Sarah for Christmas. There is a dance floor. Sarah has also been asking all year for a Clifford’s Peek-a-Boo cake, because one of her favorite books has that title. Thanks to the internet, I found edible cake and cupcake toppers with a picture of Clifford and “Clifford” and “Peek-a-Boo” printed on them.  So I think we are all set for a wonderful party.

In past years Sarah never really cared much about receiving birthday cards. This year she has been excited to open and read each card. She has also enjoyed talking with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop and with Grammy and Granddad. She began each call by telling them “Happy Birthday!” She also has spoken often about how her teacher wrote, “Happy Birthday Sarah” on the board. Sarah went to our blackboard and wrote "Happy Birthday Sarah."

Amy created a bug costume for herself out of tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and a headband. Her creativity is amazing.

Carl has been training for a bike race and his training involves a stand that converts his bike into a stationary bike. It then connects online so he pedals through a virtual course with other people. Sarah has been fascinated. Carl got the girls a Zwift set up of their own and a new bike, since they have outgrown theirs. They pedal through various courses while watching a virtual self on the tv screen. This has taken over our living room and is well worth it. Sarah probably spent multiple hours biking yesterday. Amy did a lot too. I will even do some if we switch it to my bike. Of all the various things we have tried to get Sarah to be more active, this is the most successful so far.