Odds & Ends

Does this almost make you want to live here? What if you knew this was after our MARCH 23rd snowstorm? April Fools! You might think this is a hamburger patty with ketchup, peas & carrots, and french fries, but it isn't. It's really a chocolate rice krispie treat with strawberry jelly, cut up tootsie rolls, and baked cinnamon sugar apple sticks. Were you fooled? The kids were!

Uh......how did that cute baby pic get in here?

Here he is again. This time he's showing off his new sitting skills.

Making your own birthday cake is fun at 9yo. It's a little high in sugar content.

Strange Things in Life

Why would anyone consistently wear only one sock? Wouldn't that be completely and utterly annoying?Who is so lucky as to live in the town that logged the most snowfall in the last large snowstorm (as reported by CNN)? WE DO!! 20" in 24 hours

Why would clean laundry jump out of the laundry basket? Was it trying to run away?

Who gave birth to this little thing who thinks a swimming suit is appropriate, pretty attire in the dead of winter? Maybe the Christmas socks were the deciding factor. NOTE: Yes, she did wear this in public. Last week she wore a floor-length white flower girl dress to the doctor's office.

Who buys industrial sized groceries? WE DO!! Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Yesterday was a big day!

One little girl turned a big 9-years-old Opening presents with the family.

And one littler boy wrestled in his first wrestling match. He's the blond one wearing black.

He wrestled in the 50lb weight class, and his official record is now 2-1. He won 6-4, lost 1-6, and won with a pin in the first period. He really, really liked the pin.

His biggest hurdles were having to wear underwear (!!) and the singlet. Here I must agree with him. The singlet isn't the most attractive piece of clothing.

He was fascinated with the scoreboard. He loved watched the points get added up and the timer count down. Only my Jonah.

This was his first and last match of the season. I'm not sure why, but I was surprised that the match looked exactly like a high school wrestling match - just with smaller boys. The first weight class was 45lbs, and they even had a heavy weight class. It was really cute, and yet really intense at the same time. This elementary team is open participation and yet it's kinda an invitation-only thing. I'm not sure how it all works. I just know the coaches think Jonah has talent, and they invited him to join the competitive team. This has been a big blessing for my little guy. He seems perfect for this sport, and he needs it in more ways than one.

Falling in love with

junior versions of games! Our winters seem to be a time for playing games, and I have fallen in love with the junior versions of adult games. Who knew they were worth buying? Sequence Jr is played EVERY day by someone between the ages of 8yo (who is too old for it) and 2yo (who is too young for it).

Following in Grandma Kleckner's footsteps.....

this little girl devours grapefruit. She doesn't limit it to breakfast, though!

I've been pondering lately.....and I'm not sure what to do or what to think.....is it possible to make your kids too nice? Not that mine are too nice (especially to each other), but I worry that they don't have enough spunk or enough of a tough shell. I worry that they can't let down their hair and just laugh, go with the flow. I do know that these concerns point right back to.......me. I don't laugh or let down my hair enough.........I handle my workload well, but that's not enough. Returning to pondering mode.....

At the end of the day when

the day is re-run through my mind and I'm left remembering how often I failed my family, I look at these little sleeping bodies and realize that I did do something right. Not only do all four of them sleep in the same room (by choice), but Anna and Sarah share Sarah's twin bed. They settle in together, Anna covers up Sarah, and then Anna tells Sarah a story. When they are all ready and the lights are off, the four of them play their guessing game before they fall asleep. I smile as I hear them laughing and giggling together. Despite our many daily struggles, my kids are bonded to each other.

Well, I think my baby is cute

so here he is! He did go for a 2 month check-up where he weighed in at 14lbs, 6oz. That put him in the 95th percentile. Why are all our babies at the top of the scale? Just to make you jealous....but realize it took me five tries to hit pay dirt....Simon sleeps through the night and has for over a month. He goes to bed around 8:30 and *usually* doesn't wake up until 5:00. Can you believe it? Here I am doing my happy dance - xxxx!!!!!xxxx.