Week 10: Dr. Seuss and snow

Last week was a half in school/half out of school time around here. By Wednesday all of our previous snow had melted and caused so much flooding that the kids got sent home early. Then we woke up Thursday to at least 6 inches and it just kept snowing all day (and ended up close to a foot). School was cancelled Friday too. I think Charlotte really likes having the boys home with her all day though.

At least school was in session on Monday when Zach wore his Cat in the Hat shirt. He made the cat out of fun foam (modeled after a drawing he did) and I stitched him on. He said everyone in his class "super liked it."

We treated ourselves to a warm and delicious dessert that Zach had been asking for: chocolate fondue. Gabe only ate marshmallows, and Charlotte only ate bananas. More cake for the rest of us!

I first had roasted brussel sprouts over a year ago while visiting Abby and Loic, and they were wonderful. I thought I'd try it myself, and they were good but not as great as I remember. Frank ate them, but I think he may have just been really hungry that night :)

Week 9: I'm getting nothing done

The boys were back to school last week, but it was delayed three of the days for cold temperatures. We finally got out of the house on Sunday to go to Barnes & Noble and Chili's. We hadn't been in a while, and I think this was our first time there since Charlotte started really walking, so she was all over the place (and loving it). The boys aren't really interested in the trains anymore, but they love to read. Zach is obsessed with the Captain Underpants books that are in full color :)

Other than that we didn't really do much. I hardly took any pictures. It felt like I didn't get a whole lot done because Charlotte is requiring more attention and making bigger messes. So I guess I spent my week cleaning. Zach's cub scout den was given a tour of a local TV station, and he loves having meetings or outings every week. And I started going to Zumba classes with a friend down the street, another mom who I met at the bus stop. Yay for exercising!

Now I've gotta get this posted and tend to the little girl who's yelling to get out of the living room!

Weeks 7 and 8: A tale of two climates

The week before Valentine's Day was pretty regular. I was getting ready for my trip to Las Vegas and the boys were making Valentines and boxes (notice R2-D2 drawing a heart on Gabe's). Frank took Zach to see the Spongebob movie. It was cold. That is about all I remember.

They received Ninja Turtle mask Valentines.

Then I flew to Las Vegas. I knew it was going to be warmer, but I forgot how good 75 degrees feels. We walked around in jeans and t-shirts. We stayed at the Mirage and lounged in the pool. Mom, Shaun, Lisa, and I joined Kevin for the weekend to celebrate his 30th birthday. The food was wonderful, the gambling was fun and I think I broke even, the Penn & Teller show was funny, and the Neon Museum was interesting. And then I was flying back home to the cold.

Due to the snow and the cold temps and wind chill, school was cancelled all week. The kids only left the house once in 8 days. We did pretty well, considering. We introduced Charlotte to watercolors, and to drinking out of a cup, which she totally rocks. And then it snowed again, but at 35 degrees it was like a heat wave and the boys had some fun playing outside.

Week 6: Finally February

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Last week seemed long but relatively happy. Most of us are still battling colds, either the same one or new ones, I can't tell. My office is coming along. The desks are set up (with Charlotte's help), but I have shelves to put up and a bulletin board to move, etc. And the floor lamps look kinda funny...the lighting is actually really good but I need to find desk lamps.

The other excitement last week was Zach's first Pinewood Derby. He loves his car, but we didn't have any idea if it would race well. Turns out it was good enough for 3rd place in his Tiger den and he got a trophy. He was absolutely thrilled.

Zach's snaggletooth, which he lost later that day.

Week 5: The firsts this week

When I looked through the photos I realized that each of the kids did something for the first time last week.

Zach's cub scout den visited the newspaper, and they had their photo in the paper the next day (Frank too!). Here they are being shown the comics layout.

Gabe lost his first tooth; unfortunately it was swallowed. He wrote the tooth fairy a note.

I put Charlotte's hair up for the first time, mainly to keep it out of her face while she ate yogurt. She tolerated it only while she was distracted by food.