I Will Have a Great Day

Snuggles

Today E and I spent a few hours running around, bank, post office, gas station, grocery store, home for lunch then crash on the couch to watch the news. Exhausted. While the forecasters warned of an impending storm, E started drooling on me, fast asleep. Oh how I wish I could stay with him, snuggle on the couch all warm and cozy. Ignore the snow, the waiting work, laundry, dishes... Sigh. I slipped away, wishing I could stay. Sleep tight, little E!

Now!

Eli’s first 3 word sentence. A real developmental milestone.

"Stop it now!" Said emphatically to his brother a few days ago. And now over the weekend, to all of us. He's clearly working hard to influence those around him, his tactics are often crying and yelling. Well we're working on it.

How silly of me to hope for "I love you." They don't get around to that till much later.

Shelly's Character

Shelly's Character
  by Archer

Forgiving
gentle
kind
friendly
a loveing sister
helpful
shy
pretty
generous
happy
nice
funny
cheerful
caring
a six year old sister

(Nice work Arch, all so true of our beloved Shelly!)

Passing Time

We recently had a "delayed start" day at school due to bad weather. The kids decided to draw some of their favorite cartoon characters to pass the time.

Shelly opted for tracing what I had printed out for them.

Archer carefully eyed up the drawings and then struck out on his own to draw beloved Phineas, Ferb, and Perry the platypus.

Chores

Never are my kids so excited by the idea of chores as when we visit the farm. "Chores" on the farm to them means "adventure, things we don't do at home, stories to tell for weeks to come." And so when Travis asked the kids if they wanted to come help feed calves, the kids (not just mine, Leah's too) came running to their moms to find out if permission would be granted. We, the moms, held in our hands our children's dreams, will their hopes be dashed or allowed to soar into a great adventure? "Yes" we said, and then the scramble. Boots? Where are my boots! Snow pants, gloves, hats, my coat won't zip help me!! And they were off, disappearing from Grandpa's house before we could say "Goodbye, be good blah blah blah..." And then, instant quiet. I put E down for a nap and for the first time in a long time, sat down next to David on the couch. Wasn't crowded away by kids climbing and snuggling between us.

For two hours Travis had five young farmers who helped feed the calves, and whatever other chores were on the list. And somehow, after that eternity, he was still smiling when he brought them back, they all crowded in the back door of Grandpa's house still full of energy.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

How many times in my life have I traveled from home, along Hwy 43 and then Hwy 81, Beloit always marking the halfway point. Taco Johns is halfway. Dad always said no stopping, Mom sometimes talked him into stopping for some junk food along the way. Now its our turn, and we travel at a different pace, never leaving early in the morning, opting to travel late at night and make it to a hotel so we can move more slowly the next morning. This time around we didn't make it to Monroe until 11:30 at night. Straight to bed. Saturday we made it to Grandpa's just in time for lunch. And that's where I saw it all playing out. My childhood memories being reenacted right in front of me.

My mom and aunts would all be in the kitchen preparing a meal, or cleaning up afterwords, laughing and talking all the time. I stepped into the kitchen with my part to prepare and my kids ran off to play with my cousins' kids. They played on the steps (no major injures!). They played upstairs (pounded away on that old organ), just like we had. The cousins, now moms, joined our mothers and aunts in that same kitchen.

Somehow, no matter how many small children are running around, there are always enough arms to hold someone who is tired or bumped her head. There's always enough room for all of us, the uncles who tease and tickle, the aunts who snuggle and catch a running toddler on the way by to steal a hug. There's always enough room.

When the day was over and we were getting ready to leave, Leah and I went upstairs to survey the mess. I said to Leah, it never changes. The house looks the same as I remember from so long ago. The same rooms, pictures on the walls, kitchen that's not quite big enough but somehow we all still fit. And Great Grandpa in the middle of it all, always drawing us back to time together.

Car Update

Drilling holes to add weights, some with the kids' help, some after they were in bed. Those not occupied by drilling holes were roaming the basement in search of new toys. Elijah was the best at discovering the "new" stuff, that had been hidden in corners for years.

Fantastic Grandma

We took this picture around the time of E's birthday, that little puppy was a gift from Grandma.
Sometimes he takes it to bed with him and talks to it until he falls asleep.
A little friend (almost as big as he is, actually) to keep him company.
Thanks Grandma!

Happy Valentine's Day!