It just got brighter

Dottie just handed me a note. I asked if I could share it. It goes like this:

Dear mom.
I love you so much. I alwas love you
I love you in my heart
you are my frend
you are my sun shine
you make me happy when skys are blue.

Oh, I'm supposed to let you know, the y's were made fancy. Unfortunately, you can't see them, but I'm sure you are picturing how fancy they are. And, of course, Anna informed her that the correct line is 'when skies are gray', but Caroline likes blue better.

On the bright side...

Anna has to puke only 3 more times to make her record.

Sick kids

I have two sick kids home from school today. Caroline and Anna. They both have fevers. I fear this is the beginning of a long run. Granted, it's probably our turn. We've managed to avoid illness most of this school year. But, I still don't like it. I am anticipating endless days in the house, compounding my stress levels, due to the cabin-fever I'm already experiencing this winter.
We got more snow this morning. My father-in-law told my mother-in-law that the snow would be really beautiful if it was 60 degrees outside. I agree. Although, it would be even more beautiful at 80 degrees.

Twinkle ABC's: VIDEO

This girl has talent. Listen to what she has created. It's a masterpiece really...

CRH

Adorable-ness-ness!!!

Polka Dots

It was dreary and snowing this morning when I headed to the gym, but now the sun is a-shinin'. When the sun comes out and I start to dream of spring, my mind starts thinking of the different home projects I should begin. I'm thinking of painting big polka dots in our half bath, like my friend, Annie, has at her house. I often wonder, "How do you decorate a half bath to make it cute?" It's a tiny bathroom with a sink and a toilet. Nothing inspiring has come to me. But, I'm telling you, polka dots. It was adorable.

Monsieur Vonsek: VIDEO

Winter Break at the Cottage: VIDEO

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO GO WITH AN OLDER POST, BUT I ONLY RECENTLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO PULL UP VIDEO.

And the Oscar goes to...

We dig out the rabbit ears for two things every year. The Superbowl (I confess I'm only in it for the half-time show) and the Oscars. I try to see all the films up for Best Picture, but only saw one of the contenders this year: JUNO. I didn't agree with the masses that this was a great flick. The acting was good and I did enjoy the side story of the Garner and Bateman characters, but I thought it was a little too "comedy" for such a serious subject. Also, the humor was too sarcastic for my taste. I still plan to see ATONEMENT in the theater, but will probably only watch NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN if Rob brings it home from blockbuster. Rob and I loved the movie ONCE and were so happy to see this little film get some publicity. The music was great. I've been meaning to get the soundtrack. I can't get away from talking about the Oscars without mentioning the outfits. I was impressed by the gowns this year. Granted, I didn't get tuned in early enough to catch the red carpet, but from the people who came on stage, their dresses were tasteful and gorgeous.

Izzy's last soccer class: VIDEO

Christopher and I went to Izzy's last soccer class. It is an instructional class with a mini game at the end of each session. She has improved so much. I wish I had taken video of her first class. She started out very nervous and is very non -competitive by nature, so it was a struggle for her to go after the ball and try to get it from someone. But, we are so proud of her. She wants to take soccer again.

Sleep-over

Eden was very helpful. Although, when I asked her to help hand out prizes she responded, "I'm only 5 so I'm a little bit shy."

Our sleepover party is officially over. Our own kids are now nestled, snug in their beds, reading books. I hope Christopher, Lydia, and Eden are doing the same.

Rob is getting us a movie and some Chinese take-out, so I am enjoying a moment of solitude.

Our little friends came with us to Family Fun night at school last night, so there were 7 kids. We were clearly outnumbered. Lucky for us, they were all very well behaved. Rob and I were in charge of the bingo room. The littles stayed in the room with us while the older kids wandered around enjoying a cakewalk and other carnival games. We got home late-ish and very tired. We got Christopher and Izzy set with their sleeping bags in the drum room, Reeny in her crib, and the other 4 girls lined up in the four beds in the dorm. I tucked the girls in, read them a bible story, and kissed them all good night. As I was about to leave the room, Lydia said, "Thank you, Sara. This is the best sleep-over I've ever had."

Little Girls: VIDEO

I hope this works. Uncle Eric sent this video to Izzy. I don't see an image, but it played when I hit the play button

Snow plow guy

Occasionally I hand the camera to the girls and let them take pictures. I love being surprised. I discovered this picture they took of the snow plow guy. We have seen this image out of our window many tiimes this winter. I'm so glad the girls thought to capture it. Our snow plow guy is very timely. He always shows up just before we need to get out of the driveway. He clears the way and then gives a friendly wave as we nearly run into him in our eagerness to escape. I don't think you can spot it in the picture, but he usually smokes his pipe while plowing.
This is in honor of you, Pop, our snow plow guy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Life is Relentless

Life is Relentless. My friend, Josie, said her parents have this written on a wooden sign hanging over their kitchen sink.

A spider vein has sneaked past my knee. I noticed it in the shower. I tried to find it again after I got out, but I think it retreated, scared of what I might do to it. Should I spot the intruder again, I may consider elimination by way of sandpaper. Question: If the sun ever gets here, will my legs ever see it? Or will they only hide, shirking under long skirts and the like, ashamed of their inability to hold defense against aging, gravity, and genetics?

Snow day #5

I found out it was another snow day around 6 am, just before I rolled over and went back to sleep.  Soon thereafter, I got a call from my friend, Dawn.  I had just woken up.   I was still in bed.  It was 9ish. 

Dawn:  Do you want to go skiing?

Me:  Today?

Dawn:    Yes, today.   

Me:  I'm still in bed.  I need to wake up.  Skiing? Really?

Dawn:  It's the perfect day...

 

As we battled the weather and nasty roads, Dawn explained that when she lived in Colorado this is what everyone did when college was cancelled for bad weather. There were no questions about the safety or practicality of it all.   You hop in your car and head for the slopes.  

Winter break at the Cottage

We just got back from a long weekend at the cottage with our family and Matt & Lisa and their family.  The kids all played great together, which means the parents also had a good time.  We spent Saturday sledding and skating.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  Yesterday,  it rained all day, so we kept busy with indoor activities:  books, games, movies, etc.  Coming home today was a bit slower with the snow coming down.  We are in another lake effect snow storm until tomorrow afternoon.  Maybe another snow day tomorrow?  

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend:

Reeny after her wipe-out on the hill.

 

  A 3 on 3 hockey game.  Anna, Trenner, and Uncle Matt's team won.  

Dot and Lu with their fashion creations.  It is quite clear who is more diva and who is more tomboy of these two littles.

Brew Pub

Some family and friends gathered to support Lisa and her winning beer. It was a yummy, full-bodied hoppy little pale ale.
Matt and Lisa
Our dear Aunt Fran. She doesn't like beer, so this was very big of her.

Friday

It's been a good day. It started out snowing, but now the sun is peeking in and out of the clouds. I'm tempted to get on my hat and coat and sit in my beach chair in the snow. It is 3:30 and Irene is napping. I just finished my tea. It is pretty quiet, except for NPR. They're talking about the contamination of the oceans, but I am not really listening closely. Ahhhh. Relaxed.
Tonight Rob, myself, and Rob's parents are heading to the local brew pub, where my sister-in-law, Lisa, will be debuting her winning beer on tap. And it's Friday. I love Fridays.

This morning some friends of ours left for Chicago, so I watched their daughter, Lauren, for a few hours before she headed to grandma's house. We loved having her.

This is Reeny after she got into Lauren's vasoline. She got into it in the 3 minutes I was gone to lay Lauren down for her nap. She proceeded to put it in her own hair and on the hair of her doll. Now, having been through this before with Caroline, I know that in girls of the Dutch or other fair-skinned decent, it will take approximately 8-10 hair washings to eliminate the lovely, greasy look.

Lost tooth

Izzy lost her first top tooth last night. We have been offering to pull it out for a couple of weeks, but she wouldn't let us go near it. Miss Byrne told her if she came to school today with it gone, she would give her a dollar.

Tubby

Gabby

Izzy and Theo engaged in some night time reading.
Anna and Emma
Iz and Theo
William and Caroline or I prefer, Willy and Dot

Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day to my dear Seattle friend, Gabby. I don't know how I've managed to not have any pictures with you in them. Anyway, enjoy the pictures of the kiddies and maybe these will remind us that summer is coming!

GG

Hi GG. This one is for you. I heard you are reading my blog, so I thought I'd post this picture of you and Reeny. Reeny says, "hi". Happy Valentines Day. WE LOVE YOU!

Reeny Roo/Oven

This was a follow-up to the oven episode.   A much needed follow-up.  Rob decided to take frozen pizzas and the girls to his parents house to bake them.   They planned to walk.  Irene came out dressed like this, ready to go.  She is wearing Caroline's 100's day hat; they  had a party celebrating the 100th day of school yesterday.  And her underwear is on backwards.  And then the rubber boots.  I could eat her up.  

I found out the oven wasn't working when I went to put my appetizer in the oven for a valentine party I had with my girlfriends last night.  This group of girlfriends is officially called 'The Quilt Group',  'Quilters', 'Stitch Group', or some other variation.  We don't actually do these things. We used to, but now we just meet and talk, look through magazines, and drink wine.  Anyway, we had a great time.   I ended up whipping up some guacamole and it all turned out okay. Except the oven still isn't working.

Psalm 13

How Long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Let mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But, I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

I read this yesterday and realized how much I can relate to David, especially during this winter season. I don't know what his troubles were when he wrote this, but my oven just broke and it drove me to tears.

Recycle Regan

This is Anna's valentine box.  She took it to school today.  The class was encouraged to be creative.  This project turned out to need lots of parental involvement, but we had fun working together.   She named her robot, Recycle Regan, after a girl in daddy's class.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Recycle Regan has a fashion purse hanging off her tin arm.  It's made of the finest silk, a vintage jewel closure and for a modern look, finished off with staples.

More snow day activities

Brunch has now become a snow day tradition.
The girls finished valentines for their classmates.
Petunia caught in a death grip.
Minny granny, this is for you. Here are the new shirts you sent to the girls for Valentine's Day...

and here is the jacket you sent for Reeny.

Snow Day #4

Anna and Caroline are making fairy muffins. It is a recipe they got in a book from Minnesota granny. Everything was measured in grams and ounces. We had to do a lot of converting. That should have been a clue. It seems to me that 1/4 c. of flour in a batch of muffins is not quite enough, so we looked through other recipes that looked equivalent in amounts and added about 1 cup more flour. They looked like rocks before Anna put them in the oven. In any case, they could taste more like fairy scones. Anna is so proud of her work. I'm proud of her too. Do you want us to send some to Minnesota?

Love notes

We find love notes like this quite regularly from the girls. I decided it needs to be recorded so we can look back from time to time. It may come in handy in 10 years when the girls are 19, 18, 16, and 12. Rob and I told them recently that there may be a time when they don't like us so much and they may even think we are very uncool, perhaps even wish they had a different set of parents. They shook their heads in amazement. They can never envision such a day. God bless them. We love you, too, girls.

Lulu

Ava (Lulu). The birthday girl. We are at Mema and Papa's celebrating our niece Ava's birthday. She turns 5 this week. As you can see from this picture, this girl is full of spunk.
The 3 littles. Issac, Caroline, and Ava.
The 3 bigs. Trenner, Anna, and Izzy.

The Mansion

The upper ballroom

Rob accidentally left part of his costume at home yesterday, so I brought it to him and got a chance to see where the murder/mystery was being hosted. It was in an old mansion that was built at the turn of the century. It is beautiful inside and the perfect backdrop for this kind of theatre. They held most of the performance in the upper ballroom.

Soccer

We all went to Izzy's soccer class this morning. I tried to get some pictures for Minnesota granny and gramps, but unfortunately didn't get good action shots. This is an instructional class so there is less action on the field than there would be in an actual game. We still all love to go and cheer for our Izzy.

McDonald's

What a day. I am wiped out. I am tired of my job. I think I want a vacation... from my kids. Well, I'll admit, today it was one kid in particular. I won't name names. But, I will tell you that she cried, "I want to go to McDonald's" all the way home from town. 20 minutes. The ENTIRE way. I was tempted to drive her to McDonald's, get her a happy meal and then make a quick getaway. She could join up with some other lucky family. I know it doesn't sound like much, but listening to whiny, crabby, crying kids is very hard to do. It really is. Like I said, I need a vacation.

Home Exchange Photos-Kitchen

Main floor hallway and mudroom to the left.