Saturday, January 28, 2012

Outside again!

It's much colder outside today, but decided to head out and do some skiing in our yard before Eddy had to leave to meet with a baseball recruit.

Isaac is getting the hang of skiing!


Piper does pretty well, but walking with skis on and using poles is a lot to coordinate!


Isaac and I had fun going down "the big hill" in our yard!


Isaac had fun trying to make a snow angel. I asked him to open his eyes, but he said it was too bright out!



Friday, January 27, 2012

It finally snowed!

I think we jinxed the Duluth area into not getting much snow so far this season...Eddy and I bought cross country skis for ourselves and then bought Isaac a used pair (and Piper has the ones that are now too-small for Isaac) AND the kids got their own snowshoes from my parents for Christmas (Eddy and I got them last year). So we've been waiting and waiting to use them...and it finally snowed today! The kids were excited to put their snowshoes on and go around the yard after the snow fall this morning.





After shoveling the driveway, snowshoeing, and taking turns pulling each other in one of the sleds, it was time to head inside for some hot chocolate.


It was a great way to spend the afternoon!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Sleeping Kids

While flipping through the photos in my iPhone this morning, I'm realizing that I take A LOT of pictures of my kids sleeping. Every night before I go to bed, I go into their rooms to check on them. A couple of weeks ago I was so tired that I almost didn't, but HAD to...not doing it would have thrown off my routine. I check on them to make sure they are ok, but also to reflect for a moment on the day we had...and to thank God for them. They are my greatest gifts. Maybe I take their pictures because look so peaceful. Maybe because I don't want to forget how they look. But whatever the reason, I'm going to keep doing it.












Monday, January 9, 2012

Piper's New Bed!

About a week before Thanksgiving, Isaac asked if Piper could sleep in his room. She was still in her crib, but they were so excited, how could we say no?! And then a week goes by and we realize she'd slept in a bed (we had pulled out the trundle from Isaac's day bed) for a week and had done great!


By chance we inherited a twin bed and frame and put it in her room, next to the crib. Well actually it was now a toddler bed, since we took the one side off.


It was neat to see them excited to share a room! I guess it was a good wag to transition Piper into a twin bed. I've been wanting to do her room in pink, black, and white, but told myself I wouldn't re-do her room until the crib was gone (and we were in no hurry to get rid of it!). I found a quilt on-line, and when it was delivered on Friday, it sealed the deal: it was time to take down the crib. Jodi was still at our house, and she offered to help. Having her there was good. It made it fun and not overly emotional. At first Piper was not happy with us. In fact, she brought the crib skirt and mattress pad back in the room with a BIG furrowed brow, I'm sure wondering what we were doing. Jodi was great and made it into a very exciting thing for Piper. She loves her new big girl bed!


I got the headboard at a garage sale this summer for $2! I want to paint it--I was thinking white, but my mom and sister think black. I also want to paint the walls a pale pink. And for those who saw the den at our first house, I want to do another diamond wall! It'll be a two-tone pink. But those projects are just going to have to wait. Our little girl is getting bigger. It's good that each stage is more fun than the last, otherwise I'd be spending a lot more time in tears. She's so excited about her big girl bed, we can't help but be excited too!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Friends

Eddy is away this weekend, fishing on Red Lake with seven other guys. I guess sleeping in an ice house and fishing all day is fun for some people. Not me! One of my best friends, Jodi, came up with her kids on Friday. We were having a gathering for another friend who is pregnant. Jodi used to live in Duluth and we met when Isaac and Myla were about 9 months old through Early Family Child Education. They've since moved to the Cities (tear!), but am grateful that we remain close. Isaac and Piper were so excited to have their friends over for a sleepover! Myla and Isaac put on a puppet show for Piper and Van.
Then it was Jodi's turn...it was so fun to hear 4 kids squeeling with laughter!
We love these kids!