Go Dog, Go!

Wylie's current favorite for books time. 

Tower challenge

Day 2 of no school and trying to keep the boys and myself entertained. We built towers out of various building materials, but the paper towel tower was the tallest by far. 

The Goofiness Continues

I love that the boys will sometimes hang out while Jason is making dinner and snack on raw vegetables.  Wylie was eating the grape tomatoes and then moved on to a large Roma tomato, eating it like an apple.

My Gym

Really what is more joyful than a birthday party at My Gym?!  Happy 4 Gabe!

These moments

These are the moments I want to remember from today.  (Not the hours spent at the hospital with Jason, although those weren't so bad.  Certainly not the moment when Wylie passed out on Jason's shoulder and we called 911.)

Always the Goof

Wylie just makes me smile.

The elliptical and The Good Wife

I am oh so very grateful to Amazon Prime for giving me The Good Wife to watch while I work out.

Shutterfly

Finishing up my 2013 photo album.  Thank you Shutterfly for never having to scrapbook.

Creative and patient Finn

I love that Finn is so into his Rainbow Loom bracelets and that he was highly-motivated to organize the rubber bands by color!

Homeless Care Kits

Inspired by Pennies of Time, Finn and I made 12 Homeless Care Kits today, MLK Day.  I'll stash them in the car and look forward to chances to give them away.

Bribery

Just getting Finn to wear this collared shirt (for Joey's birthday dinner) makes me happy.

Sick of snow

Those first few snow storms all the neighbors were out shoveling dutifully.  Today, the boys and I were the only ones out to shovel.  Finn broke out his scooter, apparently sick of snow, too.

Sick Boy, Day 2

Master manipulator, Wylie finagled a treat after today's doctor appointment.  Once he got his hands on his pink donut he asked, "Is this the lick kind?" and proceeded to lick all the frosting off before taking a bite.

Sick boy

"Crackers will make me feel better!" Wylie declared with the enthusiasm a perfectly healthy kiddo.

The Moon

The boys and I saw the most amazing moon on the way home from Concordia today.

Little Man

In the cutest voice Wylie says, "May I excused, please?"  Then clears his plate, like a big boy.

"The Streak"

As much as I was dragging this Monday morning, I found joy in sharing a "The Streak" with the sixth graders today. 

FLW

It was a delight to introduce Finn to the architecture of Frank Llyod Wright today, and the joys of icy sidewalks. 

MSI

Hard to pick one moment from today's trip to MSI. I loved seeing the boys so fully engaged and curious.

Completion

The feeling of finishing a round of grading papers. Ahhh. No work this weekend.

Warm enough

It was finally "warm" enough today to enjoy the snow a bit. 

Puzzle focus

"We need a blue part...we need a gray car..."

Puzzle focus

"We need a blue part...we need a gray car..."

CorePower Yoga

I am oh so very grateful to be able to retreat to CorePower Yoga, even on a freezing cold, stay-at-home day.

Bundled in a hurry

These two got bundled more quickly and cooperatively than ever before, highly motivated to escape cabin fever with a play date at the Johnson's.

Silly

So, so stir crazy!

Spontaneous family cleaning project

Wylie used a crane to open one of our heater grates this morning and it turned into a spontaneous family cleaning project.  Melted my heart!

Christmas Lights with Finn

Today I enjoyed the sweetest few moments with Finn.  We cuddled in my bed, staring out the window at the snow and the neighbor's Christmas tree lights, discussing in great detail the pros and cons of the various blinking patterns.

Neighbor Girls

I am grateful for the girls across the street--Paige and Samantha (not pictured) and Zoe--who were willing to entertain Finn and Wylie for a few hours today.

New Year's Day

Not feeling so hot, I walk into the kitchen and find this:  Jason, the best partner in the universe, setting up and figuring out my new Keurig coffee machine.  Ahhhh.  Let the new year begin.