Friday's Fam: February 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Wisconsinite

After school, I was chatting with Ephraim, and I thought he looked like a true Wisconsinite. He has hat hair (very common in climates like ours, where you must wear stocking hats outside). He also has a Bucky Badger tattoo on his cheek. Add the blonde hair, and Ephraim could be named Jens or Hans. (we actually considered those names....)

Ephraim wants to tell you some things:

Ephraim: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Hey little ladies. Wanna come see me?"

"Yo, I'm a rock star! I have a guitar. I have drums. And I have a microphone. And a raincoat."

Captions by Ephraim.

Ephraim CREATED a MONK-E-MAIL for you. You can click here to view it. It's funny. For us at least!
http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/?mId=34922254.3

PostEdit: Silas made a Monk-E-Mail for you too:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/?mId=34922631.3

And Azael's:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/?mId=34922762.3

Azael's Question of the Day

Azael came up with this blog post all on his own. First, he asked me to take this picture, then he wanted me to ask you some questions. Please answer in the comments section. Azael says it's VERY important!

1. Do you like video games or outside games?

2. When is your bedtime?

3. Do you speak another language?

4. Are you allergic to peanut butter?

5. Would you rather have a dog or a cat?

6. Would you rather use a pen or a pencil?
7. What books do you like?

8. Do you like Doritoes?

9. Are you a girl or a boy?

"Just type your answer on the blog," Azael requests.
Thanks!

I Will Miss This Yard!

OK, I can't be this sappy already.

But, seriously!

I am going to miss this house,

this neighborhood,

and this yard!

This is just one of hundreds of fun days the kids

have had in this great backyard.

Sniff, Sniff!

Azael sleds down the hill with Lorelai

Silas speeds down, too.

Oops: Lorelai is a bit snow-covered.

Silas falls off as Azael keeps going down.

Lorelai takes a moment.

Oh, the gorgeous view! This park is what helped me stay sane living in town. I'll always be a farmgirl at heart, or at least somebody who loves nature! I will miss this!

Heartstrings

This photo tugs at my heartstrings:

(how often do all 5 kids calmly listen to the SAME book, anyway?)

I love all these people, by the way.

See Jane Grow

This photo makes me smile:

Baby Cameron (left) and Baby Jane (right).

Baby Buddies. And getting so big!

Below: see Jane's left wrist? That's a baby bracelet that says "Jane" on it. Incidentally, it's a gift from my friend Amber, so it's even more meaningful. I decided to have Jane wear it often so we'll get lots of use out of it before she outgrows it. Girls are so fun!

Talking, Tickling Tracy

Lorelai will be 3 soon, and thanks to Tracy, her speech therapist, we understand most of what she says. Tracy comes every 2 weeks and plays with Lorelai and gives MM and I some strategies to help Lorelai speak more clearly.

Lorelai LOVES Tracy. They are buddies.

Yesterday Lorelai was playing dolls and she named her doll Tracy and proceeded to dress her in a wide array of cute outfits.

Tracy has taught Lorelai (and Silas) some great games, such as "Give it Up!" (shouted with a sock puppet on your hand... don't ask.)

She taught Lorelai how to describe her emotions, too. Today, in the van I became frustrated with Lorelai for not putting on her seatbelt. Lorelai looked at me, stuck out her bottom lip, and with great dramatic effect said, "I am feeling sad." I couldn't help but laugh. She's one smart cookie!

And Lorelai loves having her feet tickled, started by - who else - Tracy!

Sadly, when Lorelai turns 3, Tracy will no longer be Lorelai's speech therapist. Lorelai will be sad... and I will too!

We'll miss you, Tracy! Thanks for Everything!

Photo: Lorelai and Tracy

And a half.

Azael wants his own blog.

"Not until you're 12," I say.

Azael wants an email account.

"Not until you're 12," I said.

He complained and talked about "all the other kids."

"Not until you're 10 1/2," I said. He nodded in agreement.

10 1/2 is an important age, you know?

But for now, Azael is still 8. And I like it that way.

And he still has the most beautiful lips...

Watch out girls. But you'll have to wait until he's 16. And a half.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Celebration!

To celebrate the sale of our home, we decided to use our kitchen again.

Afterall, it didn't need to be pristine anymore.

So Mystery Man made waffles. Using all 4 waffle irons.

Then, MM & I went Contra Dancing!

No, I'm not joking.

Mystery Man is the guy in the green shirt to the right.

Circle left... Dosey Do... Promenade...

Faster and faster...

You know why I wasn't dancing at this point?

By the 4th song I became dizzy from all the twirling.

But that's OK.

I need to get used to it.

Because I suspect life will continue to be a whirlwind for a while.

I can live with that.

What's New?

Some updates:

Jane: 3 1/2 months old. Times flies!

Lorelai: a perpetual bubbly ball of energy. She kind of flits around the house like a hummingbird. here. there. chatter. sing. dance. play with water. play in toilets. You know the drill.

Silas: loves preschool. He is very kind big brother to Lorelai and Jane.

Ephraim has had some issues at school. The most recent: swinging like Tarzan from the metal bar above the door of the bathroom stalls at school.

Azael: Last night, while Mystery Man and I were out on a date, Azael snuck to the computer without the babysitter knowing and played until 10:30 p.m. (when she finally caught him in the act). Oops. And to think he wants a Wii for his birthday!

Jen & MM: We bought a new house!
January 22nd - we made an offer.
January 28th - we listed this home for sale. (don't ask me how awful the 5 days prior to this were... little sleep and lots of work!)
February 10th - the 4th showing on this house.
February 16th - the 4th showing person returns for her second look.
Feburary 17th - the 4th showing person sends us an offer to purchase.
February 19th - after countering back and forth, we accept the offer to purchase.

What does the future bring?

We're moving! Yikes. Excitement! Fear & Trepidation. Sadness, too.

I gave birth to 2 kids here.
We'll be leaving behind the basement we remodelled ourselves.
And the tile shower that tooks hours and hours to finish.
And the cute little fort under the stairs, painted with glow-in-the dark astronauts, aliens, planets, and stars.

But, we'll be gaining space.
Glorious space.
Space for a lego room (Ephraim's request).
For a laboratory (Azael's request).
For Jen's business.
For enjoying nature.
For entertaining (who wants to come over first?)

One thing was clear to us when we toured the house we're purchasing:
It felt right.
It felt good.
It felt like home.

As MM put it, "This is a house I could live in." And I completely agree.

So, we go forward.
To create new memories and experiences.
To watch our children grow. And to grow right alongside them.

-----

P.S. We feel very blessed.

Friday, February 12, 2010

My Dog Skip

My aunt, lovingly known as "Hello Joni" by our kids,

suggested Silas looks like the main character in the movie "My Dog Skip."

What do you think?

Monday, February 8, 2010

Skiing

Mystery Man took Azael & Ephraim skiing Saturday.

They had a great time! Next year Silas gets to go, too.

Ephraim was happy to report, "I am the best skiier of our family."

MM reported later (privately), "The ski instructor said Ephraim needs to learn how to stop. He was a bit out of control. I saw him ski into a hole at one point and the ski lift operator had to come out and remind him to stay on the groomed path..." At least he's confident. :)

Azael graduated to the bigger hill. He even rode the "scary" ski lift and had a mild panic attack the first time. But by the 3rd ride, it was old hat. Now he wants an annual pass...

Next year: the Double Dimond.