January & February Highlights

Winter has been brutal to us!  We have had so many COLD COLD days.  Minnesota schools cancelled several days of school because of cold temperatures....in all my childhood years as well as in my years as a teacher, I don't remember a day that school was cancelled because of cold temperatures (we did have a few days off for snow)!  

We've spent more time inside than usual to not get our faces frost bitten.  After Christmas, the kids enjoyed weeks of playing with their new toys from Christmas.  When we had a break from the sub zero days, we got out as much as we could to get fresh air.  

the girls playing together with the Little People castle Clara got for Christmas

Charlie, brushing up on his letters and numbers - Thank you Leap Frog!

Clara, mastering the stairs, getting herself all around the house with ease (although not walking yet)

getting into the pantry

musician Charlie on the xylophone

Thankful for our unfinished basement where the kids can play like crazy, and we can just close the door when we're done playing for the day.

Clara on the recorder practicing "Hot, Cross, Buns"... not really

crayons, play doh...you name it, we've got it in the basement!

Clara "enjoying" the hug from her brother

Charlie decided to give up his pacifier that he was using when he slept.  So he gave the Target cashier his paci, and in return, he "bought" these cars....a great purchase!!  Good job Charlie...what a big boy!

She gets herself around...

The kids' passports arrived....we look forward to our longest distant vacation yet...Asia in March!

Hello Mr. Pizza Man (a game of Adeline's)

braving the cold...

my hired help

one of those cold days....why not clean out the dryer with the lint lizard?

another one of those cold days...why not hang a new light fixture in the study?

and another one of those cold days...why not make a rainbow loom bracelet?!  Patrick is trying to contain his excitement as he and Addie watch "Suzanne from Rainbow Loom" give a tutorial on making a bracelet...  I have yet to find another daddy who does this with his daughter....pretty adorable!

With some of her Christmas $, Addie bought a doll bunkbed.  She is very excited about the new piece of furniture for her dollies!

Addie went to her first movie at a theatre.  It was a daddy/daughter double date with Matt & Riley.  She loved "Frozen" and had a blast with her best friend!

Grandma & Grandpa came over to see the recorded version of Addie's Christmas Program.

pajama day at preschool

sleepover time!

the girls have put their dolls to sleep...

cousins!

Grandma & Grandpa from Chicago came for a visit.

Reading stories with grandma before bedtime.

Charlie moved out of a crib and is sleeping in a big boy bed!!  

We've got him protected on all sides, just in case he falls out!  It has been a great transition...so proud of Charlie!

"Donuts with Daddy" morning at preschool...that sugar reached her brain very quickly, I think.  Adeline has been looking forward to this event all school year!

This is what happens when you have 2 sisters....wearing Strawberry Shortcake aprons and playing kitchen.  He looks quite happy though!

Clara likes to make this "o" face....

Valentine's Day party at preschool - Adeline is passing out her Valentines to her classmates.

The parents were asked to make a Valentine for their child.

Adeline with Connie (who Patrick and I have known since our days in young adults BSF class and is now Adeline's Sunday School teacher at church.  Connie also has twin girls who are in Addie's preschool class.)

Adeline and our neighbor Lars sledding in our front yard.

dance class at the community center

thinking about leavin' those diapers behind...maybe after our big trip to Asia

Astronaut day at preschool...Patrick was super creative in coming up with this.  

Adeline and I had a mommy/daughter date at "Color Me Mine" - a pottery painting place.

Check out all of these beads Addie sorted by colors one afternoon!

Alien day at preschool....