Monday, January 31, 2011

What a difference an hour makes!

When we went into the Music Room for the recital this afternoon...it was mild and the skies were partly cloudy.  Certainly didn't look like snow.  An hour later, the wind had picked up and the snow was swirling.  We were a little skeptical of the whole "Blizzard Warning" talk filling the airwaves...but maybe...just maybe...there may be something to this...
While the kiddos were with Papa and Grandma, Ted and I went ahead and made our planned stop for a few things that we needed.  The store was packed with people.  I guess we were being too skeptical about the whole threat of "over a foot of snow".  We added a few extra things to the cart. 
We're set...plenty of half and half, milk, baking supplies, toilet paper, laundry soap, and Sprite. 
There is still a lingering fear of sickness striking the last of our team...so we are prepared!
The snow won't affect our school schedule...but our breaks will be longer...so we can play in the snow before the temps bottom out. 
Poor Mr. Groundhog...maybe he will feel like making a snow-angel since he will be up anyway to tell us winter isn't over yet! 

Our first music recital...January 31, 2011

Nervous!

Waiting to play their pieces they have worked on for awhile.  Their practice today was very rough...due to nerves.  We were proud of how they kept it together...even when they stumbled.  It was their first time ever to play in front of an audience!  Next up...church time.

The girls' turns fell midway through the program.  Alisa played a verse of O Come All Ye Faithful, then her teacher played with her.

Our first music recital...2011

Ashlynn played Angels We Have Heard On High on the recorder.  The next step as we continue lessons...finding a flute!
"You girls did a great job!"

A proud Dad and his girls...

the prize for a job well done...cookies!!!  And then time with Papa and Grandma for a special impromptu supper out!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Quote of the day

As the first time-out was called for the teams...we heard from the huddle, "Oooo, my armpit smells!"  It was extremely funny to hear a second grader state this at 9:15am.  Thankfully, we were on the sidelines and all I could smell was my cup of coffee! 

Friday, January 28, 2011

The last individual package of Oreos in the house...

and I didn't share a one!  They were so good!  There is NOTHING like real Oreo Cookies!
As my Dad says, it got me through the afternoon slump!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A timely gift

Ted and I read from Oswald Chamber's book, My Utmost For His Highest, on a regular basis.  On Sunday, a dear man in our church gave us a copy of this one, "I thought it might be something you could use with the children...here or at home."  It has proved to be such a blessing to our family this week.  When things of this life press sore upon you...sometimes you need a simple shot in the arm to start the day!  This week's writings are from Matthew 6...just what we need to hear...and what we want our children to learn...because there will come a day when they need to be reminded of God's provision and faithfulness!
Thank you, dear friend, for sharing God's truth with us...and with children!
The neat thing...later when I spend time in Bible study...I get a bigger blessing as I dig a little deeper as I read the grown-up devotional book.

Snow...

makes a nice backdrop for the trees that are still up in our house!   And, yes, I am procrastinating with the whole take down issue.  "A crazy lady lives on the block...you'll know it by the lights that still twinkle in the windows in February!"  I love the coziness they provide during this time of cabin fever...so they will continue to stay put.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

For my Mom and Sis...again...

some more ideas.  I guess you could say I found my creative spark under and in the mess on my desk!  I love the idea of using the wide ribbon, Mom!  The papers we found are fun too!

I am also bouncing back and forth on the deco ideas for the banquet!  A styrofoam ball from the Dollar Tree and roses for a hanging ball of color.

The finds at the Thrift Store will be put to good use too!  The black lace remnant for a table.  The hearts will be painted red!  I still am not sure if I will include the sparkly beads from Bargain Bills for the banquet or in an arrangement for our table at home.  Hmmm.
As I meandered through Big Lots, as I am want to do when I am alone, I spied the exact patterns I have been looking for...I am hoping it will work for what I envision!

Another day...

another cup of coffee to start the day.  Mmmm, Ted makes good coffee!  But...as I poured the cream in...I noticed a problem...curdling...not a good way to staart the morning!

Ash suffered another round last night.  We were all able to get a good night's rest.  She is so pale...we need to get something more in her besides Sprite.  She "doesn't want to throw up again"!  It has been 12 hours...so we are trying again.  This time toast "cut in squares just like Grammy did for me when I would get sick".  So...far...so good.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A grey day...tired day...

colored with twinkly lights, black and white Lucy comedies, red cup of coffee, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, and basket of folded colorful, clean clothes.  With Ashlynn complaining of not feeling well and sleeping most of yesterday, I was prepared for our round of sickness.  Grateful that we made it through our vacation time with no bouts of unpleasantness!  Ashlynn had two rounds last night and has slept most of today too.  We are fighting the germs as best we can, but we know everyone will have their day.  I am hoping for a restful night...in bed...before the next round.  Ted got a kick out of how quickly I jump and run when I "hear that dreaded sound".  "You can hear that no matter where you are or how tired you are, can't you?!" he marvelled.  It's a gift...but it sure makes me tired!
Thanks, Alisa, for baking such yummy cookies for us today!  They taste best right out of the oven...with a cup of coffee or a cup of milk...while covered up with my green blanket in the chair.

Naughty Dog Strikes Again!

Teddy learned how important it is to put the garbage bag into the can correctly...then adding the lid...today.  Since he is the garbage man here...he also had to clean up the mess...that Chevy (and consequently...he) had made.  Thankfully...we don't have diapers here anymore...so it was wrappers and envelopes...for the most part.

Monday, January 24, 2011

sigh...

Ted is laughing at me...first, the need for chocolate...second, the fact that I don't know what is for supper...I'm thawing hamburger in the microwave. 
 "Are you hoping it will come out as...something for supper?" he asked.  Hey...is that possible? 
 I'm not really hungry now...too much chocolate!?
**After several missing ingredients for chosen supper options, I ended up making chili.  And it tasted pretty good for only cooking for about an hour!  I told Ted what he witnessed today was a normal every day occurrence. "Oh, you mean I usually get home late enough that you have already struggled through all the deciding and preparing?"  Yep!  Exactly!  And most of the whining!  ha ha ha**

This place was unbelievable!

Wall of card ideas!  They were mostly autumn and winter so I didn't go crazy with too many pics.  So many cute stamps too!  I once again exercised great restraint and bought ribbon and a couple other decorative items for creating a centerpiece.  I was overwhelmed to say the least.

Decorations for home and garden...all styles!  I forgot to take a picture where we walked in...paper products, school supplies, frames, sweets and treats, socks, hats, health and beauty products...Bargain Bills in Rice Lake, WI.  If you go...plan to spend hours...and don't take children.  We didn't...and we were glad!

Scrapbooking and wedding supplies galore.  Knitting and beading.  Stamping and quilling.  Painting and more.

Candles and vases of all shapes and sizes.

And lots of ideas sprinkled all around in every section!  This one is for post-it-notes.

For my sis...

Mom took us to the neatest little stamping place.  A house with tons of stuff inside...all stamping, scrapping, and crafting type supplies and accessories.  They had neat ideas all over the walls, on displays, and on boards.  I liked this one in particular.  I showed great restraint and only bought paper and brads.

Back home...in reality...at my desk...

with a grateful heart!  I really have so much to be thankful for today and so I am taking some of my energy and putting it to good use.  What good is gratefulness...if it is never expressed?
After being gone for a week, it is always nice to return home.  We have wonderful memories of our vacation time...but all good things come to an end...and it is time to get back to work.  The kiddos are busily doing their lessons...and I am working at my desk...waiting for Ashlynn to collapse.  She is not feeling well...and I don't think she will make it the whole day.  It was bound to happen!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I don't know what it is about Sunday afternoons...

but I always need another cup of coffee and a little bit of sweet.  Thanks to my Mom and Dad...I have some Dove dark chocolates!  And yes, I just hid the bag now that is has been opened.

And two of the pieces said the same thing!  I told Ted..."I need to sleep late tomorrow!"  He said that his definition of late and my definition of late are two different things.  "Yes, but it was my Dove promise and so it is my definition of late too!"  He looked at me and went to take a nap...Hmmm, was that consent?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

A taste of Wisconsin...to enjoy now that we are home!

Fresh cheese curds

A visit to Country Lane Pantry...located in Barron, WI.  They have all sorts of yummy things to use in cooking and baking!  The mini-marshmallows are a favorite...because hot chocolate can never have too many of those!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Kid approved...at 84 degrees!

Geared up for another day while watching cartoons.

We had no concept of how cold it was for almost 48 hours...except for what we could see swirling outside the windows.  A balmy 84 degrees with constant humidity.

They went on the morning Wolf Walk and made origami wolves.

A forced lunch break!


Ted, Teddy, and I went on the Howlin Tornado slide...once.  We all survived...but we thought we were going to lose Teddy...he had the look of death on his face.  If it wasn't for the 15 story climb, Ted and I may have done it again...but then again...maybe not!  We decided the stair railings are not safety devices...they are there for out of shape parents to grab hold of while they pause to catch their breath as they try to keep up with their small children while carrying the tube...it is dangerous to lose any momentum forward and upward!!! 
"Hey, Mom, come here!"  she giggled.

I climbed up all those nets to reach the slide with my son...not enjoying the strain or the sight of nothing but net under me...only to find out I could have used a stairway.  Oi...my arms and hands hurt from the death grip of each move upward.

But it was worth it...we were able to race down at the same time.  The heavier you are...the faster you go...so yes, I won, thankyouverymuch!

They wouldn't let on how tired they were!  All three kids have dark circles under their eyes.  They moved much slower today, and only put up a small bit of negativity when it was time to leave.  They devoured lunch and then fell asleep as we drove home.

They enjoyed the time and are proud of their souvenier bracelets!  At supper, they each told their favorite spot at the water park...Teddy liked the slide with the blue mats, Alisa liked the bucket room, and Ashlynn liked the lazy river.  Bedtime was early tonight, but Ashlynn came out and said she hurt all over "on the inside".  We are finding out just how hard they pushed themselves...never willing to admit hunger, pain, or exhaustion.  We thought we knew...we could see them weakening...now we hear them admit it out loud.

Let the fun begin!

Between 200-300 gallons of water spill out of the bucket every 3 minutes...and if you are not prepared after the warning bell...then you just may lose your suit or your footing!


The wave pool was a favorite spot...for Dad and Mom!  That is where the lounge chairs were.  The wolf howls every five minutes to signal the start of the wave cycle.  Our first night, Wed., there were maybe 8 people in the wave pool...full capacity is 392.  We cannot fathom that many people in the pool!  Should you consider a trip to a place like this...mid-January mid-week is our recommendation!!!

The kids' favorite spot...lazy river with or without the tubes...after flying down the slide on the tube.
We decided to enjoy the whole Great Wolf experience and went down for the clock show and bedtime story.  It is good for little peewees...but our kids were not overly thrilled by the little bunny story. 

Ok...maybe Alisa was!

They were having difficulty with the animation...so we got to see it twice...once without the characters moving and once with! 



And we got to meet Wiley.  This is the only picture of the adults that was taken.  We made a pact...no swimsuit pictures of the adults...no matter what! 

Bed felt wonderful!

What a beautiful place to spend time together!  We would highly recommend this to other families.  You can do it cheap...with a little planning.  And we even know how we could do it differently next time...for the same amount of time...maybe even cheaper.  Family vacations don't need to cost a fortune and cause you to go into debt!  The very thing you are trying to get when taking a vacation goes out the window when you fail to plan and exercise a little self-control.  We watched several meltdowns in families today.  They spent lots of money to come to a beautiful place to be together as a family...and it wasn't enough...and they had just rolled in late last night or this morning.  We know...we were one of the few families there till yesterday about 2:00pm.  These parents already had clenched jaws and rolled eyes...as they walked over to the bar.  What a fun weekend they will have!  Unclench your jaws and say "NO!" to your children.
Now...the update on parents and children that had been enjoying the water fun.  After 8-12 hours, the expressions on all the parent's faces had changed...bleary eyed and yawning...and always bringing up the rear as the kids scampered about like little squirrels...eyes focused on the next circuit.  We smiled as we passed each other...knowing in about an hour or two...we would meet up again at the towel cart or at the base of one of the slides.