Thankful for...

...these three smiles.  Each one unique, dimply, and beautiful!  

Here are just a few of the things we're thankful for in the Sonnek household:

• Reading.  We have a house full of bookworms. And now that Sophia can read (in both English and Spanish) we'll often find her reading to Claire and Will...especially after one of us has promised to read "in just a minute."  Sophia is ever willing to step in as the attentive big sister.  For bed time stories, Will enthusiastically runs around saying night-night while he gathers his blankie and pile of puppies.  He then climbs up on our bed for stories with his big sisters.

• A fairly smooth transition for Sophia to Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School after having had a full year of English schooling.  It's no surprise to us that she's made new friends easily and learned very quickly how do do everything in Spanish.

• Gymnastics.  They can get their squirmies out anywhere, any time.  All that's needed is a wide open space to do sommersaults (Will does a perfect 10 nearly every time) and handstands (Sophia remains the one to beat in her class as far as handstand competitions go).  On well-rested, well-fed days, Claire is up for trying all the new tricks in gymnastics class as well, and then running back to tell us she did it. 

• William's echo of "I did it!"  The smallest accomplishments and simplest activities, like playing with water, make him so happy these days.  He is currently obsessed with alphabet puzzles and is so sharp!  He hasn't lost his love of basketball or cars, but he's definitely broadened his interests in an effort to keep up with Claire, who is now in preschool.

• A good start to preschool for Claire.  She's excited to be able to do many big girl things this year.  She's excited to go each time and happy to tell us all about her morning when she gets home.

• Three-ring circus Sunday School for the Sonnek Family.  Not sure if more explanation is needed, but basically we're all involved and it's a circus. (Julie teaching, Ryan playing guitar, Sophia and Claire attending, and Will being passed around).  Although it's one of the most exhausting parts of our weekend, it's a blessing that we're "all in it together." This refrain plays over and over in our lives (and on the cd player in our car).

• Silly jokes and goofy kids (Okay, goofy parents too)

Some of our favorite household jokes are:
"Why did the skunk cross the road?
To take a nap!"
"Where do cows go on their first date?
To the Moovies!"
"What's a duck's favorite snack?  Quackers."  "Knock-knock.  Who's there?  Goat.  Goat who?  Goat to the door and find out"

• Fabulous hair and dress-up time!

 

• "Treat treats" as Will calls them.  How quickly the beaming smiles appear when it's time for a snack, or even better, a Halloween treat.

• After-dinner family dance and music time.  Some nights it's piano and ballet.  On other nights this activity involves throwing all of the couch cushions on the floor and bouncing from one to the next, praying they won't run in to each other as they each dance, jump, and tumble to their own beat.

• Friendships, especially our FANA buddies!

• Childcare. Thanks to Grandparents, our nanny, Laura, and Monica, our favorite babysitter.

For all these reasons and so many more, we are thankful!