Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are my favorite of all mornings.

Every Sunday Seth wakes up before everyone else, although he is usually accompanied by our early riser, Adalie, and together they make breakfast for everyone. It is always Dutch Babies, a family recipe handed down from Amma. In the summer months we eat it with the fresh fruits of the season. In the winter months when fresh fruit is scarce, they add apples to the recipe. But we always eat it together, enjoying each other, savoring the sweetness!

It is both the perfect end and the perfect beginning to each week. It serves as the signal of the end of a great weekend together having fun at whatever we've done. At the same time, the preparation for the beginning of the routine for the week to come.

I am grateful not only to have a Sunday morning cook, but to have a family tradition that is as simple as breakfast together....

Now and Then

Josiah was studying "Now and Then" in social studies with Mrs. Lemmon. Her assignment was to bring something old to share. So she brought her Gipa and his 1915 Model T Ford. The kids had lots of questions, and lots of fun honking the TIIIOOOOOGGGAAA horn. Even I learned a few things..... Gipa has only had this car about 5 years. He bought it from a friend whose family had owned it since it was brand new. The car sat in a garage for many decades. Since owning the car, Gigi and Gipa have driven it over 2,5oo miles!! What a treat to see the smiles on the kids faces as they asked questions. Their smiles made me realize that perhaps I have taken for granted this old car. I even heard one little boy whisper as Gipa drove around the parking lot with Josiah, Piper and Adalie in the car.... "wow, she is soooo lucky!" And you know what.... we are!!

But my favorite part of the day had to be driving home from the school. I sat in the back seat watching Adalie and Gipa sit side by side. The old car slowly rumbled up the hills. And I remembered fondly the times I had sat in that same spot as a little girl, next to my grandpa in his old car. Who would have thought that my girls would be privileged enough to share in these same memories? Indeed..... we are sooooo lucky!!

Trouble

Yep, I'm in trouble.....

Today, Adalie and I were walking along, hand in hand, headed to the school office to make her appointment for Kindergarten Round Up. When she suddenly stops, squeezes my hand, and looks up at me. Then she says to me, "Mama, even on my first day of school, I'm still going to miss you..."

Bless her little heart!!

Lord knows I will miss my little shadow dearly!!

Blue Bird

There are few things in life that beat a blue bird powder day on the slopes with our girls!!

This has been an incredible year of storm after storm... which means powder days and turkey trails galore!!

WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!

Fun in the Snow

We are having way, way, way, too much fun with these little sleds. The girls are improving their riding skills and confidence each time they ride.

It is fun to watch!!

(Adalie 4yrs, Josiah 6yrs - Baesore Meadows)

100th Day of School

The 100th Day of School!!

It is a very fun day of celebration where each student is challenged to bring in 100 "things." Usually we would be prepared for such events. Planning far in advance. However, after spending a fun weekend in Tahoe skiing with the cousins, it donned on us in a fit of panic that tomorrow... oh no... would be the 100th day of school!

Panic!! Think!! Panic!!

What do we have 100 of that is not boring or boyish or been done before?? Something to please the princess!!

And then it dons on me.... she needs to create with her 100 things!! She is by nature the creative one, spending hours on end on "projects". AH HA!! Candy!! It's colorful, its girlie, we have it in the house...... it could work.

And so we set to work and created this most intriguing masterpiece.

10 tootsies, 10 gums 14 candy corns, and 66 skittles.

And it was a smashing hit!!

Aaaaahhhh, harmony and peace returns....... for the moment!

Just one question.... can I still be considered sane if I am both excited and saddened by the 100th day of school mark? If both excitement and anxiety well up equally?? Hurray that we are half way through this school year, half way closer to summertime, half way to no set schedules..... Meanwhile OH NO, where on earth did this year go??

No worries.... I know I am neurotic!!

Valentines

Who could argue that the gifts our kids make are the most precious of all! What a fun reflection of the things they think and say!

I love my Mom because she
10. reads me books
9. helps me with my homework
8. makes me laugh by tickling me or joking with me
7. taught me how to read
6. sings songs
5. she finds time to play with me.
4. because she loves me everyday
3. my mom is smart because she loves to read
2. she works so hard at home
1. best Mom ever.

I love my Dad because he
10. he reads me stories
9. he helps me work
8. makes me laugh by making goofey faces
7. taught me how to ride my bike and ski
6. to hear my dad sing in his head
5. finds time to play with me
4. shows me he loves me
3. he is smart because he protects our family
2. he works so hard at his job
1. best dad ever.