"Balentines Day"

Good thing our Valentines prep started a full week early this year. Abby was very busy shoving things into bags for her friends at school while I tied on the ribbon. This getting older thing comes in really handy when these tasks need to get done!

A few days later, she fell asleep before dinner... and what I've been calling the plague hit our house. For a solid week, someone in our home was in bed. The kids bounced back fairly fast with mild fevers and such but Grant and I both were in bed for over 2 days. Each. It was rough. I'm so very happy and so thankful to be healthy again.

The kids did a lot of this while we were sick.... more and more and more shows to watch. I think even they got sick of TV.

They even snacked all together without fussing.... miraculous!

And a few days later, they were happily splashing about in the pool. Ah, winter in Pasadena. Watching me blow that thing up with a raging sinus infection was another sight to behold.

By the time February 14th arrived, our newly-healthy girl got a sweet friend to bring to school for "balentines" day...Snow White!

Preschool hats and heart-shaped suckers. That's all they need for the dimples to show up...

And although the parents were still sick, the kids were sucking down Swedish Fish faster that I could say, "eat your vegetables!"  We tried to instill the idea that Valentines Day is a great day to show God's love to others. But let's be honest -- they were all about the candy.

Thank the Lord the candy stash is almost gone. Almost.

836. feeling well enough to get out of bed
837. Grant being able to take over, and do it so well
838. not having been that sick in 8 years
839. Abby getting dressed without tears

Summer Preview

Just days after a frigid cold (okay, not frigid, you east coasters) we were out swinging and wearing this:

And painting (Fordy's first time!)...

And Snow White came up with some pretty cool stuff...

On a sad note, our four chickens are now three. A bizarre pecking order situation.

Not to worry. They're still as exciting as ever. And yes, this is swimwear she's wearing...

And art followed the chicken feeding. A beautiful, artsy, warm day was had! Come on, summer!

832. eggs for free
833. getting along
834. hot showers in a bigger shower
835. the night routine, nailed

Warm Feet, Warm Hearts

Plague break! Sorry.... we've been down for the past week. Radio silence. Completely. We're feeling better now but before we went down, we had some fun.

The weather was chilly and the kids keep loving their afternoon walks with Red (as long as there are snacks!).

And I just want you to see something miraculous here. Footed pajamas. She spotted them at Costco and I begrudgingly bought them and low and behold, the girl who hates socks and has refused to wear footed pjs for the past year, finally has warm feet.

Will miracles never cease? Cookie Monster socks that were bought for brother are her new fav. And here is an example of her winter pjs. Yes, winter pjs. Sleeveless Cinderella nightgown. And it's like pulling teeth to get those socks on her, usually. Who knew Cookie would do the trick?

And for the record books, a scarf, a jacket and long pants with socks. This is rare, folks. I almost gave her a piece of candy for this one. A piece of candy. What is wrong with me? I was so proud of our little frigid girl for embracing the warmth without an hour of drama to get there. I do not exaggerate. There have been many lost hours in the past 6 months due to Abby fighting the winter necessities.

827. accepting the warmth
828. smelling, breathing, tasting again
829. the same page
830. doing bible study together
831. a rainy day inside

Super Heros

Since Christmas, there's been some super-heroing going on around these parts.  Don't mess, people...

And since the girl loves to dress as a princess, she pretty much insists that brother joins her. And of course, she turns into a mother and must help him. With all of it.

"Here! Stop! Wait! Don't forget the cape!"

And just maybe he'll hold still for a picture.

But usually he's faster than the speed of light.

He's really becoming a chatterbox this week, saying all kinds of new things. My favorite was him saying "O-kay!" just like I do. (Funny how you never realize how you sound, huh?). And colors are his new favorite -- Per-ple! Wed! Geen! And his favorite, Peeenk!


822. finding my phone inside trader joes
823. realizing i lost it before i got home
824. realizing i lost it before the kids were re-buckled in the car
825. a mild fever for abby instead of an intense one
826. spotify

Bock!

We are so happy to announce the arrival of the four newest beings to share our property.... please meet Jamasa (don't ask), Sarah, Lucy and Olive.

With the cutest little nesting box you ever did see...

We look forward to sending the kids up to get the eggs in a few years. That's after we all have officially mandated "chicken shoes" of course (I am married to an animal loving germophobe!). No chicken poop comes over this threshold!

Since the weather has been nice, we've got a new schedule going on around here now. Up and out by 9am for school, bible study (or whatever) and back in time for lunch and Fordy's nap at 12:30. Our girl has given her nap up now -- and it's actually a lovely thing. I used to look so forward to my "break" in the afternoon but now it's our time together when Ford sleeps and once he's up, we're all ready to play, swing, or run errands. (Sidenote: for those of you that I used to call during "nap time" - you'll now notice that that space of quietness is now gone and I'll give you a call in a year or so when Ford is in school. Kim and Kate - I'm talking to you!) Now that the chickens are here, our afternoon has us letting the chickens out to range for a few hours. We hang, check for eggs, give them scraps and then we play on the play structure for awhile. By the time we're back from giving Red a walk, it's getting dark and it's time for them to be put away. The dinner, bath, bedtime melee starts and voila - our day is over (or for Grant and I, the evening is just beginning!).

So far we've lost two different chickens for a period of time. One flew into a tree and couldn't get down. One was left out all night (after Grant searched the yard 12 times for her). We were sure a bobcat or coyote got her but there she was in the morning -- good as new outside the coup.

It's an adventure to be sure. This summer when they're supposedly really laying, drop on by for a few fresh eggs! Omelette, anyone?

814. a husband who takes risks
815. not being afraid of new things
816. knowing we can do anything together
817. the kids happy spirits
818. dimples
819. a weekend away
820. not worrying for one moment while gone
821. seeing God's big picture through friendship

Christmas in January

Okay, I vow to get the blog back on track. Honestly! Over a month late. Whew.

Okay - let's start with a speed look at Christmas. Our little drummer boy got us all ready for Christmas eve...

Not only did we go to church, followed by racing around in the grass afterwards to let off steam...

But Papa showed up with a box of goodies that was too good to be true.  A little something for everyone. It was almost better than Christmas. Almost.

And the now-famous cinnamon rolls were prepped for the next morning...

We put together our first train to go around the tree (thanks, Grandmama and Pop Pop!) with Fordy saying "All Aboard!"

There was Grinch watching (Mom! I'm not scared this year!) with Papa after dinner...with at least one of them in Christmas jammies...

And of course, tracking Santa. What did we do before computers? Oh yeah. We sent letters.

And Grant was more excited about this than Fordy.

His very own Ford.

And soon they were off to bed with visions of sugar plums and these two little elves (and Grant, too) were wrapping and putting together very complicated thing with Christmas Vacation play in the background. Gotta have a little Chevy Chase when nuts and bolts and involved, right? (Thanks mom and dad!)

And here we are Christmas morning with Grandma holding them back....

And this, my friends, is the look of getting exactly what you asked for from Santa. Screaming. Yelling. Happiness.

Is it tears? Or is it joy? Periwinkle and Tinkerbell!!!!!

Look Papa!!!!!!!

And then there's Fordy, sleepily taking in the dump truck. He think's it's pretty cool (as long as he has two pacis at once -- this should answer the question as to whether I've weaned him of this habit yet!)

The trampoline was a big success....

And Ford is already driving dangerously in his very own Ford...

We thought the kitchen would be a big hit for sissy but it's quickly becoming brothers favorite thing. Cookies, anyone?

And later that day, sis donned her ridiculously cute "roller skating jacket" with her name on the front and Cinderella on the back. Are you kidding me, Aunt Christi? A winner. And Tink and Peri have not left her side...

This guy was having fun with Grandmama on the "wiiiiiing!"

And these frozen toes were pretty cute (still, socks are an issue, people!)

And the whole grandparent gang. What a group. What a blessing.

810. cinnamon rolls that turned out delish

811. family that graciously comes to us

812. band aids still being a big hit

813. actually remembering Jesus on Christmas amid the chaos