Because I want to do what I want to do

We've been experiencing the trials and tribulations of a pre-schooler with an increasingly stubborn and determined personality. While I love that Claire has a fire to her personality and a fearless approach to life, I also want her to learn obedience and respect. We are trying to work on some specific behaviors: listening the first time, not responding to a "No" with pout and anger (you should see how far she can get her upper lip to jut out), speaking politely, and cooperating with others. Some days she earns all the stickers on her chart, and others, like yesterday, are a string of big X's (STRIKE OUT!). **Yes, that was my child in Time-Out on the steps during Swim Lessons. I am happy that I can provide the instructive service to other parents for their children about "What Not to Do." You're welcome.***

In one of our many conversations about her behavior, I asked Claire why she wasn't listening to me. She responded simply with, "Because I want to do what I want to do." Actually,her response seems quite profound to me. Isn't that what we all struggle with on some level: the desire for self-gratification over the obligations to our families, jobs, health, and Maker? How do we instill in our children a desire for what "I want to do" that isn't destructive to themselves or others in the long run, that might actually be a desire to love others, bring peace, do the right thing? Beyond the day to day tedium of reminding Claire to say "Thank You," to clean up her toys, to play nicely with other kids, this is the larger goal, and, at the moment, a daunting one.

Between spring storms we fit in a picnic alongside the Missouri River. Claire loves to cast her Diego rod and hunt the shore for interesting rocks, feathers, and even little shells.
Hot dog roast over the fire while Dad fishes the Missouri River. (I got a chance to fish too.)
We attended the American Indian Council Pow Wow at Montana State. The cultures of all the various tribes in Montana are vibrant and beautiful. We had shown Claire some pictures ahead of time from the computer and had her listen to some drumming so she would know what to expect; unfortunately, what this led to was her commenting as loudly as she could while we walked in, "Look, Dad, there's a REAL Indian." Then a few seconds later, "Dad, there's another REAL Indian." At that point, we just picked her up and hustled ourselves into some seats : )

An Almost Four Year Old

In a short month, Claire will celebrate her 4th birthday, a fact she reminds us of almost daily now. The transformation to a pre-schooler and a little girl continues to amaze us. Some of her development as of late includes:

• Drawing pictures with stories behind them and discernible objects like rainbows, people, sun, ladders, and so forth.
• Listening to chapter books--we are working through an abridged version of the Little House series right now.
• Learning her letters and their sounds. This one requires much patience from me because I want her to get it down and start reading. : )
• Marking daily progress on a calendar and behavior chart.

I took some pictures the other day trying to capture her long wavy hair...didn't really get it.
Some of the winter snow is melting away and we were able to enjoy a picnic as a family at Buffalo Jump State Park. Spring means wind in this part of the state, so we had to find a protected hollow for shelter.

Get Aways

Surviving a long winter in the northern climates is made much easier by some kind of get away to a warm locale. Both Nate and I had the opportunity to escape the snow in the months of February and March. While he headed far south to the Bahamas to meet his old friends, Dick and Linda Colville in late February, I was able to get a weekend with my college friends in Phoenix the first weekend of March.

Getting away is necessary...without trips like these, one actually might do something crazy like attempt the elaborate hairstyle a princess-obsessed daughter demands. See below:

Of course, Hemmie wasn't included. When the weather turns really cold, he is forced to stay inside more than he'd like. Can you see the "stir crazy" on his face?
I'm sure the fact that he was a member of an entire collection of stuffed animal tea party doesn't have anything to do with it either. (see picture below) Nate's mom came to keep me company while he was gone--so nice for both Claire and I. We had some mini crises to work through--a house showing, -25 degree weather, and a furnace that stopped working one night--but overall a great visit.

Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, Nate and the Colvilles were fishing for bonefish off Stanley Cay. The weather and water were beautiful!

Off the beach of one cay there are swimming pigs who come beg for food scraps from the visitors in boats. Very strange sight.
They enjoyed gorgeous sunsets on the veranda overlooking the water.
Nate's always happy to have a successful fishing day!
Of course, I didn't take many pictures on our trip (and Sara actually took this one). After coming from all over the country--Jane from Denver, Elisabeth from Arkansas, Sara from Chicago, and me from Montana--we were too busy enjoying the time relaxing by the pool, talking, drinking a few margaritas, and being concerned only about our own needs and desires for a weekend. Since we had lots of photos sent by the dads and grandmas to let us know the kids were just fine without us, we could lounge enjoying the warm desert sun! It's hard to believe we all met freshman year in the Rooks Dormitory at Calvin College. How many years ago was that?? We look the same right?

Back to routine now...another possible two months of winterish weather for us here...though there will be a few warm days thrown into the mix now and again to keep us happy. At least I hope.

Long Overdue

January and February just don't seem to hold much for blog-worthy moments. January is mostly consumed with finals and starting a new semester at school, so an intense work month. Nate ended up working a few weekends in January too. Also, we are in the dead of winter here, which means holing up at times during -20 temps or cold, blustery days. We hold steady to the routine of school/daycare, swim lessons, a few playdates and get togethers with friends, and find little things to breathe a little fresh air: homemade salsa and fish tacos for the Super Bowl, a happy hour with rum and tonics, attending a few Three Forks basketball games, and, for the last few weekends, ski trips around Southwest Montana.

We are lucky to live in a central location that allows us to ski a variety of mountain ranges all within an hour to an hour and a half. In the photo below, we were trying out a new set of trails in the Big Belt Mountains to the northeast of our house. Claire received some handmedown skis and is starting to get coordinated enough to move along without holding our hands. After skiing this trail, we stopped at the hot springs in White Sulpher Springs for a soak where Claire showed off some of her progress from swim lessons.

The next weekend we headed to one of our favorite spots, Mount Haggin; these trails are southwest of our house, outside the mining town of Anaconda. Since Claire fell asleep in the backpack, we were able to complete the 10 K loop. The Soup Shack, located across the road from the trail head, helps one recover after a long ski with amazing homemade soup, bread, and desserts.

Yesterday we heading southeast into the Gallatin Canyon to ski just outside Yellowstone National Park up a trail called Teepee Creek. The weather was actually quite Spring-like, but there's lots of snow and great open views on this trail.

Christmas in MA and NH

We had a wonderful week-long trip to the East to spend Christmas with Nate's family. Unfortunately, I got these pictures all in order backwards! So starting with the end...

The big storm on the day after Christmas allowed us to enjoy great snow for snowshoeing and skiing each day we were in NH through the beautiful woods.

Breakfasts and many wonderful dinners were shared at the big table.

After leaving New Hampshire, back at Nema's, everyone zoning out in front of a movie.

Part II

Christmas morning at Nema's; we enjoyed opening stockings in front of the fire.

Grandpa Charlie came by for dinner later Christmas day.

On the day after Christmas, we all headed to New Hampshire. Claire and Julia showing off their new outfits from Grandpa Charlie.

They also received matching PJs for themselves and their dolls from Tia.

Part III

On Christmas Eve, we went to a Santa's village in Northampton. It was beautiful and a great way to get back into the Christmas spirit after traveling the day before.

Group photo op with Santa.

Nate and Claire made sure to get a note, cookies, and a snack for the reindeer out on Christmas Eve.

Just what Claire asked Santa for: a little white dog that barks and has a leash!