Look What I Can Do!

Jack has been developing some new talents lately. One of them is pulling his pants up and down. It does help that he is a wee little toothpick, and his pants sometimes literally are falling down. This time, he was very proud of his accomplishment of pulling his pants down, then pulling them up. Oh, and there's something special about the sock too, just can't remember what it is.

Mom, let me tell you about my pet sock. Whoops, my pants just fell down!

Mission accomplished, dignity intact.

Sweetness Personified...(sometimes)

Mia had three Valentine's parties this week...two at school, and one at playgroup. I found a couple of super sweet pink sweaters on sale at Target, along with a $5 LOVE tee, and she was all set.

Storytime at her preschool party. Notice that Mia is the only one laying down, lounging in the circle. Is it just me, or does this girl make a habit of doing it her own way?

Caught in the Act!

We had our little friend Reese over for babysitting co-op today and after swinging outside in the glorious sunshine, watching TV and running around the house, I caught these three quietly reading a book together. Aidan was reading to the girls and they actually sat quietly for about half an hour. Will wonders never cease?

Beautiful Kansas

It was too gorgeous to stay inside today, so we headed out with Grandma to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, just less than 10 minutes south of us. It's free, and even in the dead of winter, a lovely, peaceful place to spend your Saturday. The kids had a blast watching the ice on the pond break up, playing tic-tac-toe, running through the grass maze, and climbing the winding path up the little hill to the tepee on top.

Kings of the mountain!

This tunnel is normally covered in foliage during the summer.
The kids still thought it was pretty cool.

We don't have to worry about rattlesnakes in the grass during the winter...

Grandma and the kids at the top of "Tepee Hill."

This is the standard shot I get of my kids...why are they always running away from me?

Baxter's Visit

This weekend, Aidan got to bring home the class bear, Baxter for a little retreat at the Wallace household. He satisfied my two houseguest requirements: don't stink and don't make a mess. He even was the perfect amount of cuddly.

Aidan 'n' Baxter

Journaling about Baxter's visit.

"We jumped on the bed. We played with a DS. We played the Wii."

Baxter started it Mom!

'Cause bears care so much about oral hygiene.

Reading with Aunt Annie at Grandma's.

Character Club

Aidan was nominated and elected along with another little boy in his class to serve as a class representative in his school's Character Club. Every week during the semester, kids from each class attend and talk about character. He was really excited about attending, and I'm looking forward to hearing what they're up to every week.

It was also "Green Day," to raise awareness about the environment. Aidan wore his green shirt under his "save the humans t-shirt which always cracks me up.

60 degrees in January. These are the days I live for! A couple weeks ago, (22 January) before one of the Winter of Great Illness illnesses struck, we enjoyed a fabulous day outdoors.

Yes. Aidan still has training wheels...we had some drama when we tried to take them off a couple months ago. It is something we're going to work on this spring. Mia is sporting her snazzy boots we inherited from a friend.

The kids love taking "the long way" to our little park.

See Jack climb.

See Jack slide.

Aidan made a new friend with a sweet ride. Within minutes, Aidan was riding by himself. Then Mia hopped on, which resulted in several near accidents. There is no photographic documentation of her joy ride because I was running around freaking out.

There's nothing better than throwing leaves in the air...all the kids at the park joined in. It's all about the simple things, isn't it?

Brycen, our little buddy.

Mia's Pajama Day

Today was Pajama Day at Mia's school...she picked out her favorite pjs (she loves the footed ones), donned her Hello Kitty slippers and headed off for a preschool slumber party complete with pancakes for snack.

Aidan's 100th Day of Kindergarten

Apparently, the 100th Day in Kindergarten is a big deal. Aidan came home with a fruit loop necklace (with yep, you guessed it, 100 fruit loops) and a certificate to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot.

A POX ON YOU VIRUS!

While I start with a disclaimer that I am grateful for our overall health and well being, the following is me being whiny about our family getting sick for the THIRD TIME IN THE LAST 8 WEEKS. Colds, ear infections, (can I add a broken nose in here?), stomach flus, spasmodic backs, ETC. And believe me, not a one of us has been spared. Beginning the first week of December, and continuing through the week of parties (we missed like 3 or 4 holiday functions thanks to what shall be known as the Winter of Great Illness). We had a bit of a break for the holidays, only to get sick right after Christmas. Aidan even missed the first day back to school. It seriously affected my ability to deal with the holidays as well as I would've hoped. Shopping was put off. Christmas goodies took several days to make and delivered way too late. Christmas cards went out on Christmas Eve. That's not even mentioning my freelance work which suffered and had me staying up into the wee hours of the night (and morning).

Over the next few weeks I will focus on putting my house and health back in order. Whole house sanitizing will begin on Monday, and I am seriously considering some immunity boosting supplements. Any suggestions?