pinkalicious

We made zero fat, zero sugar, zero calorie cupcakes, that Emily and I.

Only because we had many hours together and didn't want to lay idly by.

It's been decided a pinkalicious and golidalicious party with buddy Anna B.

So, we spent our time wisely making thank-you cards in advance for friends, you see.

The time was ours because it's been said 

by Dr. Glover "you must stay home in bed."

Streptococcus (Greek meaning: twisted little berries), she's not fakin'.

This pink bottle isn't so delicious....but, must be taken!

Jacob has read 6 different Dr. Suess books this week and it's getting to me....just a little!

Tara's new outfits

Mom, this is for you. Tara sent a thank-you note via email and it "exceeded the limit" .  So, here are the photos of the new outfits she bought at Justice yesterday.

The revised thank-you note will be along shortly.  She loved the shopping trip.  Thanks! 

#11 b-day for Tara

Tara's birthday was a roaring success.  She was happy and finally had all the playdates she's been waiting for all rolled into one.

We had quite the crowd...14 girls and Jacob.  Needless to say he felt outnumbered....especially when they stopped playing hide-and-seek when he was still hiding (and they didn't notice he was missing)

We made every thing into daisys...even the cheese and pickles.

All the girls signed Tara's groovy sign and made flower beaded necklaces/bracelets.

They played the limbo....alot.

Here are all the crazy daisys..emphasis on crazy.

I'm so glad Tara has made such good friends that are great examples and sweet girls.

Here's to another year of happiness and growth!  We love our Tara.

What to do

3 days of school were cancelled this week due to snow and icy conditions.  I got stuck at the end of my driveway (because most of it gets no sun exposure)...so, I was glad we weren't expected to be out and about all week in the early hours.  This is a schedule I could easily get used to....the kids too.
But, what to do, you ask when the holidays are over and you are still stuck at home?
Lots of fun.  I didn't take any pictures of the kids out in the snow.  First of all, I don't like the cold and didn't want to go out with them....and I guess mainly because i was lazy.  They did build a few little snowmen.

First, come up with a theme:  Groovy Crazy Daisy Party

Then make everything into groovy daisys.

Be happy and keep smiling

And before you  know it,   it's party time in Tennessee.

Tara  has already painted her own birthday sign, blown up all the balloons (which I am very thankful for), prepared gift bags/party favors and baked her own cupcakes.  Now, all we have to do is sit back and wait for tomorrow to happen.  .....and then cross my fingers that it will snow Monday night so I don't have to go back to work Tues.  Ok, ok!  I'll enjoy now and look forward to tomorrow AND the next day.

Let it snow

 We've had so much fun with snow this winter...and it's only just begun.  While cleaning out our house last week I came across alot of art work that I ended up taking a photo of....and tossing the actual piece.  My children some day will be upset when they realize that I got rid of so much...but, the photos are kept safe...and it will be ok........At least that's what I keep telling myself.  This is Jacob's family portrait of us as snowmen...and snow-ladies.

Emily

Weds. at dinner, Jacob was very quiet....then we looked over and realized he was creating again.  He does this often, but this time I had my camera nearby....good thing he doesn't put spagetti sauce on his noodles this face could have been really messy. 

more photographic experimenting

Look what Tara found....Gene's OLD camera. 

We made it through 2 days of school this week.  We are pretty sure that we enjoy time at home alot when it's cold outside.  We have been watching Tara and Jacob cruise through the Lego Harry Potter wii game..when they complete each level, we watch the movie that goes along with it.  ....of course, now that we've finished 3....we may have to edit the viewing of the movie since the wii game is not scary...and the movies sometimes are. 

new

My closets are breathing a sigh of relief (there is now room in them for us to go in and look to see what lives there.)  My trash cans are filled-to-overflowing.  We have decided if 1.) It is beautiful or 2.) It is functional and/or 3.) We have used it in the last year......it may stay.  If it is not any of the above, it is now a resident of the trash heap.  Let me tell you......it is a great feeling to have so much gone.  When you live in the same house year after year, things just accumulate.  This is the best way to start out a new year. 
We've been mostly home-bodies with a couple of playdates,playing the new wii games,  a couple of movies (Tangled, by the way,  was the best movie I've seen in a long time.), plenty of time together.  I can see doing this on a regular basis.  I think it's a good thing holidays are only once in a while.
In the meantime, I've tried a few different things with my camera.  There is so much to learn.  But, here are a few pretty decent shots before we took the tree down today.

Gene found sparing equiptment from is taekwondo days....jacob thought it was a "kick" to try it on.
We are looking forward to most of a week of vacation still....but, are glad it has started out so well.  Happy wishes to all of you for a very Happy New Year too!