Caroling

My sweet sparkle princess is still in bed this Sunday morning. But she has been up for quite awhile. Singing. She has been singing every Christmas song she knows this morning in her sweet little voice and is trying to teach Annika all of them. It is one of the happiest ways to wake up ever. Their excitement for Christmas is so fun this year. I love that they love all of the processes and fun extras.
They have been waking up on weekends before me consistently this fall. They like to make me cereal and pour me juice and bring it to me to wake me up. They get very excited about this as well. And are quite proud of themselves, and for good reason. They hardly ever have any messes. Now we are trying to work on that they make breakfast for themselves and THEN me. :)

disappearing acts

See I already forgot. I had a better title. I had more interesting stuff. It's gone-O. Along with all of my chocolate, my book of phone numbers, the list I made of all the stuff I have to get done this week, my new black cardigan, my fave sunglasses, my fave screwdriver, the cord to the computer so I can upload photos, and my hopes of ever being on top of it all again. If only I had the chocolate.

Does this have anything to do with the fact that I am working more, planning more, and trying to do more every day? Does it mean I am trying to do too much? Maybe. But I don't know what I could cut out, because the reality is that I actually want to add more. As each one of us adds more activities, they all seem to drain on me. But time itself is pulling a disappearing act on me.

As are my babies. Where have they gone? I have these KIDS now. It hit me the other morning as they all put on their own shoes (even the Tan man!) and walked their little selves out to the van ahead of me to take Phebes to school. As I followed them, I truly saw them. Not a baby in the bunch. And yet they are. They always will be.

Tanner said, "Das mah mom," pointing at me the other day. First sentence. Made my heart melt. Phoebe cried that I went to work and she went to dance tonight. Annika has crawled in bed with me the last two nights. Yes, they are my babies. I guess as long as I can find that, who cares where my lists are.

But I still need to find the chocolate.

I can't remember my title

I thought of a really cool title today and a whole post. Then I forgot it. Hence why I don't blog as much anymore. My brain is slowly but surely disappearing. Oh well. Maybe someday I will find it.
RUCK!!!!! (truck in Tanner speak). He is obsessed. Really really really crazed. Anything with wheels or that is transportation really. He now also knows his body parts. And in true male fashion is fascinated with his own parts. He is also learning all of his animal sounds. But Daddy is still Mom (sometimes he is DAAAH, but for the most part it is mom).
Annika is an informer for the preschool. I know exactly who has been acting up. Hopefully this is not a tactic to gloss over her own behavior.
Phoebe was sick this weekend, but seems better. She didn't want to miss anymore of the exciting first grade world.
Jeff put out this weekend. 29 bottles of cherry wine, pear and shiraz in the carboys (so the house smells like a winery), and an amazing closet organizer for the girls. So I let him watch as much football as he wanted.
I have actually been scrapping. If I can ever find the hookup to the computer I will put photos of the fam and maybe even some of my fave pages of recent times.
Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather!

I've missed so much

I was just looking back through my blog entries and realized how fun it is to read them myself. I am not good at journaling in a notebook, but when I am on here, it seems more interesting. More worthwhile. I don't know why. So now I am totally upset with myself that I lapsed this summer. Maybe I will try to post a ton of photos about our crazy summer. But then again, I tended to take photos of silly things at home, but not one of big momentous occasions. As usual. Like what, well...
1. Yesterday we took the kids to downtown Chicago for the very first time. We went to the beach (which is the reason for no camera, I have ruined too many with sand). We took the train, the subway, and walked and walked. We all had a great time.
2. Ross' wedding. Good time. Not a pic.
3. All three visits to Iowa. Camera along. Almost no pics.
4. The Beach visit to Lockport. Some of our best friends made the trip from Cleveland. Forgot to take a pic.
Grrrr. Makes me mad at myself.
I can't remember others right now. I will later.
What else did we do...

• Tee ball--Phoebe did not like the bugs or heat. Annika loved it all. I did not like coaching.
• Swim lessons--the girls have turned into little fish. Go figure.
• many many trips to the Plymesser bed and breakfast, one for the girls only for a week
• lots of playdates for kids and parents
• four trips to the zoo
• one trip to Shedd Aquarium
• Jeff and I went to two Cubs/Twins games
• Jeff and I went to the Naperville rib fest
• drawing lessons every Thursday
• Jeff built a fence around the yard
• slip and slide, bike rides, walks, playgrounds, a splash park
• Mommy helped and girls attended VBS (somehow I got roped into being assistant director next year)

I know there is more. Man, no wonder we were tired.

Phoebe started first grade. She was more mad at me for forgetting to put a drink in her lunch than anything her first day.

Jeff is looking for a new job. We are praying for an interview and offer for a permanent job that is with a company he likes and for a slight raise in pay that is not 100% commission. He's had interviews, but none of the jobs have had all of the requirements.

Annika starts preschool this week. She is super excited.

Tanner is turning into a little brother in every sense. He is getting quite sneaky and silly. But still very very cute. Not a baby anymore.

the funnies

All three have been up to high jinx lately. They are definitely keeping me on my toes this summer!
Tan the Man now regularly climbs onto tables. Unfortunately our kitchen light hangs quite low and is in an odd position. So literally I came back from the bathroom this morning to find him swinging happily from the chandelier.
He also says hot, brrr (for cold), and sounds for dog and cat. Anything he wants is yelled MOM/MON.
Peanut is taking advantage of her grandmother. My mom started paying her a penny for every maple tree sapling she pulled from their yard last fall. In the past few weeks Annika has pulled almost 300.
Papa was also quite impressed with Peanut's joke telling abilities. Daddy told her a joke a week ago and she practices on us a lot. Thank goodness she remembers all the parts and even gets the punch line correct.
Princess Sparkle was so pleased to be in the pool yesterday that she declared, "I am just going to float in here like a dead bug forever." Nice. She was way excited to discover that the fireflies are starting to appear. Very into the insect world obviously.
But she also has informed us, "I do not like the hot and I do not like to sweat." Could make finding bugs harder.
I was in on the biggest garage sale I have ever seen this weekend. We cleared $1000 between the four of us; the main seller collected 60% of that, myself 25%, and the other two split the remaining 15%. I was pleased with my haul. But more importantly between stuff that I gave away in the last month, sold, or ended up donating I emptied my house of a ton of stuff. I thought about listing my accomplishment, but I got tired of typing. Suffice it to say Roseanne the truck now fits in the garage and the entire laundry/storage room floors are clear! Phebes had a hard time watching stuff go. That girl does not handle any change well anymore poor thing. But she seems to have forgotten it all today.

Ufda!

Man am I behind on posting! We have been seriously crazy though. So here is very quick rundown on the Nelson daily rat race the past two weeks...
1. Phoebe turned 6!!!! It was a fabulous day of grandparents and partying. She is one fabulous little girl. GMAC contingent stayed until 11 that night playing Guitar Hero rock band which is entirely too much fun.
2. Granny came to visit for the weekend.
3. Nicole got to scrapbook for an entire day.
4. Tanner started saying no, but he sometimes he yells, "NEIN!" when he is really mad.
5. The swingset is officially finished. Tanner can climb the ladder by himself and slides down on his tummy to go faster.
6. School is out. Phoebe and Mrs. Preboy both cried.
7. T-ball started. Annika hit a boy in the "wiener" and Phoebe beaned a boy in the face. They can out throw most of the kids. Daddy is quite proud.
8. Drawing lessons started. I have 8 kids. It is going fabulous.
9. Ann Taylor Loft is proving to be the most money I have ever been paid to fold shirts.
10. Got to see Cliff and Naomi, Sarah and kids in the last two weeks which was way fun.
11. Jeff and I went to see the Twins play the Cubs today. We got spontaneous and scalped tickets for the game tomorrow.
12. We went to Touch a Truck day and the girls loved sitting in the semi, garbage truck and bus.
13. Grilled out with GMAC friends and played Wii dance party.
14. Phoebe now has two fillings, and one more to go this week. She is a super trooper and did a great job. Mommy was way impressed!
15. Went for Thai with my mom, kids, and Naomi. Loved it.
16. Jeff finished unpacking the garage. AND he put the license plates on the Saab.
17. Tanner is trying to be a big boy eater complete with booster chair, fork, spoon, and dishes. Mommy couldn't take him standing up in the high chair anymore.
18. Tanner now has four molars.
19. Phoebe has grown 3 inches since February! That is crazy. She is NOT supposed to grow that much that fast. She is my baby.
20. I am now realizing what a little trooper Annika has been dealing with the rest of us!
21. Phoebe had field day, grandparents day, and parents day at school.
22. Tanner likes to turn off the computer.
23. Annika has been learning to do cartwheels, backbends, and headstands in gymnastics.
24. I had three doctor appointments. Two out of three weren't bad.
25. Jeff has been swamped at work with the Chrysler takeover and GM bankruptcy. The silver lining for him is that his job is very very safe. He has been in charge of calling Chrysler dealerships to break the news they are being closed. It has been emotionally draining.

So those are the highlights among the regular stuff like playdates, laundry, grocery shopping, and all the other basics. No wonder I haven't checked email, facebook, or blogs for two weeks! So this week so far we are going to the Twins/Cubs again, Joliet Jackhammers baseball game(Phoebe earned free tickets for all of us through her school library reading program), either Shedd Aquarium or the zoo, have two playdates at our house, have last gymnastics class, t-ball, drawing, I work two nights, get ready for a garage sale, another dentist appointment and go to Iowa for next weekend. Who said summer was lazy and boring??????

Week in Pictures

The big highlight of our week was Phoebe's dance recital Thursday night. She was absolutely fabulous! We were so proud of her. She remembered all of her steps and was so graceful. She sparkled with a ton of cuteness in her costume. They wore the tutu for ballet and then it came off and bustled in back for the tap routine. She loved being on stage, the makeup, the body glitter...she loved it all. She already told me that she will miss dance this summer and can't wait for next fall. My little ballerina! Aunt Sarah and kids, Grandma and Papa, and our little family were all in attendance for the recital. So to celebrate afterwards we went to Sonic and enjoyed some ice cream treats that were delicious. Sarah and cousins stayed the night. The kids were WIRED after all that fun, especially Phoebe. I don't remember the last time she squealed that much until that late in the night.
Phoebe did not have school on Wednesday. It was a gorgeous, perfect day for the zoo. Maybe a little hot, but that was okay. They were the best kids ever. No whining, no arguing, no pushing. Just enjoyed the animals, walking, talking, and being together. Tanner loves the birds. He points and dances. He was pretty fascinated by all the animals though. We went to see a life size robotic dinosaur exhibit. The girls were pretty impressed at how big they used to be. It was a fabulous day.

Last Friday night was the PTO Family Fun Night. They had an 80's dance and I helped chaperone, so I also agreed to dress up a little. Of course only two other moms actually followed through. But it was still fun. Once I got my hair dryer and hairspray warmed up it all came flooding back. I knew just how to get my hair to stand up. Although texturized/layered bangs don't work nearly as well. I even tight rolled my jeans, again not an easy feat in boot cut. All 5 of us hit the dance to do the limbo, freeze dance, and some line dancing. Good times.

I actually paid to have someone come paint our house. Jeff was appalled that I would do such a thing, until it took ONE day to paint the whole room two coats with no messes. Totally worth it. Mario did a great job. We love the golden straw color. It is just soft and cozy. It makes our wood furniture look awesome.

And then Jeff bought the coolest paintings from Overstock.com. They are humongous and super colorful. They are perfect for us and this wall. So I am completely in love with our living/dining area now.

I also started my new job this week at Ann Taylor Loft. I already miss the women I worked with at Archiver's. There were four of them especially that I had gotten fairly close with. But I do NOT miss the frustration and drama of working there. I worked two evenings at Loft, they didn't really train me much yet, so I just folded things and straightened stuff on hangers. But I also think that might be the extent of it. It is a little relaxing actually, because I have to worry about one thing at a time. No one complains. The managers are always asking if we are all okay and telling us what a great job we are doing. Not Utopia, but will be a good part time gig for now I think.

Now what I am excited about is the fact that I have 7 paid students coming to take drawing lessons with me in June. I put the word out with 2 moms and it has spread from there. So now I need to get in gear and put something together to advertise lessons next fall. I talked to the art teacher at Phoebe's school and it sounds like there would be a fair amount of interest. Can't wait to see where this leads me.
Jeff has been working on the swingset and it is coming right along. My dad came to help him last weekend and then this weekend will be devoted to its completion. The girls liked playing on its parts though. It was gorgeous weather all week, so we were outside 90% of the time. My farmer tan is in full swing. A fave pastime is "painting" everything with water. They have been digging in the sand. Annika and I are getting VERY good at playing catch. She says that my practice is starting to show and that I am finally getting better. We eat outside for most of our meals. The girls are addicted to eating on the patio, just like the past two summers. Phoebe can ride her bike, but is refusing to do so. TAnner plays in his Little Tikes car all the time and then uses a play golf club to hit balls, and anything else. His new thing is mimicing inflections and sounds. He doesn't use words, but you can figure out what he is implying quite clearly.

And that is all I want to type today. There will probably be another huge post next weekend as the next week promises to hold much excitedment...Phoebe's birthday!

He loves me, he loves me not

Oh Tan the man. Little wigglebuns. He is slowly, but quite surely, killing me. I am sure of it if he is not. He loves me dearly, bless his little heart. He does not want anyone else but me. I have to hold him almost all night long for him to sleep at all. He is a super light sleeper, so anything wakes him up. He loves to snuggle and be kissed and loved on.

But he also bites, hits, pinches, pulls and abuses me in other ways. I have yet to hurt him back, but I am losing my patience. He is starting to leave marks. NO means nothing to him. I have tried smacking his hand. I set him away from me. Nothing really seems to work.

All I can do right now it seems is set him away from me while we both cry. And hope that he grows out of it.

On a lighter note I love these photos...found my two men crashed on the floor one night when I got home from work. And then Tanner playing peekaboo. He loves to play, at least once an hour. Too cute. This is why I still love him. And always will.

I love being a mommy

There are days that I want to eat my young. But most of the time I could not live without them. Yesterday was one of those days. I love that they love me so much. It was exactly what I needed for Mother's Day.
Peanut woke up by herself and started making me cereal and OJ. Phoebe woke up and helped her. They did not make a mess and put everything away (such good children). Then they came upstairs woke me up and served me. They brought me at least 50 pictures/cards/projects they had made in my honor. For real. The love was oozing from their pores. And I lapped up every bit of it. They are so darn cute!
Tan the man gave me snuggles and proved his devotion to me alone. We spent the morning at the urgent care clinic and CVS for a double ear infection.
Jeff impressed me with the purchase (ahead of time this year even!) of two very carefully chosen lovely cards. And I got a new camera!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Then I had to work. But it was my second to last day at Archiver's and then I am moving on to Ann Taylor Loft for a change of scenery, pay, and wardrobe. :)

Then my mom and dad came to our house with dinner and a delish pineapple pie. It was great to see them and share more good times. And they gave me an adorable Willow Tree Mommy and chocolate. Even more yays!
I promise Mom to finish your painting. It is now in writing, in public.

All in all a fab day! HOpe the day was equally fab for all the other mommies out there!

Home at Home

I knew I had one more thing to post! Jeff got this little playhouse built for the girls. They are in it constantly if it is not raining. There is a counter and big window in back so that is the drive thru when they play Dunkin' Donuts. They only serve decaf coffee. Dolls and some furniture were moved in, so the imaginings have become more diverse, but school is another fave. Even Tanner loves to go in and out, in and out, and likes to sit on the chairs inside. Mommy is loving that I can sit, supervise, and enjoy a book and coffee or just listen in on all the fun. Can't wait for the swingset to join it!!!

Multiples

I have multiple posts to make in one sitting. I am doing many topics in this one, but don't miss the movie on the post I just did.

Tanner had surgery this week to repair his circumcision and other issues that arose from that problem and that were exasperated by his chubbiness. He is doing very well--running and climbing all over even that afternoon. He does get quite cranky at night (he is a tummy sleeper and that bugs it) or when his diaper is super wet (another night issue). But otherwise he is fabulous and hopefully everything heals right this time.

I have been applying for new jobs. I am ready for a change of scenery. And now that Archiver's cut the hostess for crops and the bonus money that went with that, I need to find something to make up the difference. So we will see.

Jeff went fishing with a high school buddy in Decorah. Wish I could have been along, I haven't been back to my college alma mater in 10 years. Fishing was good and he really enjoyed himself. He took my camera along, but didn't take a picture.

Speaking of my camera, now that I have it back after the week of hiding in Jeff's car. It is on the fritz, so that is another reason I haven't posted pics as much.

But I do have just a couple photos of recent activity... The girls enjoyed their first Chuck E Cheese experience. It was a little wild, but worth the fun.

Phoebe adopted a worm, Wormy by name, and he lived in our kitchen for a few days. She was so excited that she had a pet again. And then promptly forgot about him.

Here's all three of them at Easter. I have maybe 4 or 5 decent pictures... the slow camera and the quick kids were not cooperating. But this did look cute, didn't they? They had fun looking for eggs (they tend to not look more so it took awhile). The Easter Bunny brought a Webkinz for each girl. They love the website. Annika spends her money as fast as she can for her polar bear John. Phoebe is a little more judicious. She likes to get the best for the her money and is decorating Daisy the bunny's home quite nicely. Tanner got a super bubble maker, which he loves to try to eat as many bubbles as he can.

They love love love to dig in the dirt. This is where we found wormy. Is it a good thing or bad thing that this is as much dirt as we have?

Phoebe: Future Biker

She is getting the hang of it. But is cautious as usual. She doesn't like to turn or stop. But she can do it!

Not a lot

No real news. Nothing super funny. Just feel like I should be posting more.

Jeff borrowed some movies from a guy at work and we have watched two. I am now hooked on the Bourne series and James Bond (we watched one of each). I even checked what was available at the library today. Quite intriguing they are. I have also decided that I really really really want to go to Europe. Really bad.

We have started a new scheduled book reading time. Bedtime was not working out due to Tan the Man, so we have moved it to mid-afternoon. Everyone gets around the table eating snack, Tan in his high chair--contained and away from the pages of the book. And then I read as many books as we can fit in. The girls are really liking this.

Speaking of Tan, he has another ear infection. Hopefully the $81 worth of antibiotics will actually get it this time.
Princess Sparkle was purplicious for school today. EVERYTHING was purple, even underneath.
Peanut had library today. She spent 20 minutes gluing small foam shapes to a paper bag hat.
We baked snickerdoodles. Yummy yummy yummy. We loooooove sugar.
Raining here, snow is gone. I want sunny spring. Even though I know it takes the rain and the wind to bring real spring. I want it now.
Happy April to everyone tomorrow.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Yesterday was fairly nice and there was just enough wind. The girls found their kites in the garage. They have been begging for a full year. Last spring was not good--newborns and wind are not usually a good mix. Plus, Fairview was somewhat tree lined,which was beautiful but not kite friendly. Yesterday, conditions were perfect, just not in our yard. So we walked to the high school a few blocks away. School is on break and the parking lot was empty and the winds were just right. Peanut's kite used all the string and she ran and ran with it. She really loved handling the kite. I loved this picture of her. You can kind of see Sparkle's success in this photo. She enjoyed the experience, but was slightly apprehensive and got cold.

Tan Man on the other hand LOVED the wide open expanse of the parking lot and went crazy! He was running and running and running as fast as those little legs could carry him.

So that was to some degree the culmination of our spring break. We stayed home. Sparkle just wanted to play with her toys and go for walks. We baked some. We watched some movies. I got down toys they had not played with for awhile. We had playdates. It was a good time. It was cheap. We were happy.

Now. Here is a little game...can you spot what is different about this picture???

madness i say

A few fave photos from the March and February archives. Tank shows off his new Hawkeye hat and guitar hero toy at his party.

And how much blue cake he can eat. Too bad Mommy wasn't thinking about his sensitivity to blue dye. Sure enough he had a reaction, but it was small and cleared quickly.

Sparkle Princess really really likes stickers. She had dance pictures today. She is adorable in her costume. I can't wait for the recital!

The GMAC wives club at St. Patrick's Day in downtown Chicago for the dyeing of the river.

Jeff and I had a fabulous stupendous time together this weekend. I could go on and on and get mushy, but I'll stop here.

The Tan man has an ear infection for sure. And then the doctor looked in his other ear and throat and said, "Yes, he definitely needs antibiotics." My poor little one refuses to walk. He just wants snuggled.

The girls have a crush on the boy next door. He is a freshman and babysits for an hour or so every so often. "He's cute," gushed both of them.

Word of Jeff's tiling skills is spreading. He is in the bathroom of a co-worker tonight. Hopefully doing a good job and earning himself some beer money.

Spring break is next week. I am trying to decide how brave I am . How many fun things should I plan and how far should I go from home? The train and downtown might be fun. Might. The zoo? Hmmm. A Jumpy place? Too many possibilities. Maybe just play with the tons of toys they own.

Is

Tanner is ...
1. ONE! We had a huge, successful birthday party and baptism with all of Jeff's and my immediate family. Lovely fun weekend.
2. Walking EVERYWHERE, scooting down the stairs facing forward, still cutting the top two teeth he's been working on for 2 weeks now and crying constantly, not sleeping, climbing and standing on things, turning off the computer and anything else that he can reach the buttons. You know your basic one year old.
Annika is...
1. In a new gymnastics class that is a little harder, but that she thinks is still easy and fun.
2. Getting over a cold.
Phoebe is...
1. Done with said cold that she is passing to the rest of us, so off to yet another birthday party.
2. Reading like a mad woman. So fun to hear her read to us.
Nicole is...
1. Scrapbooking instead of blogging, getting on facebook, or cleaning.
2. Excited to go on an all day date with my husband tomorrow.
Jeff is...
1. Watching all of the college basketball games and world classic baseball games.
2. Planning said date to downtown Chicago to watch them dye the river green, watch the St. P parade, enjoy green libations and good food, and enjoy the day with Nicole.
Photos of all coming soon.

Feeling Artsty Is Easy

It's pretty easy to be inspired lately. I want to do nothing else but create...paint, scrapbook, sew. Anything. And a major part of that is my new room!!!! The pics are below. Jeff did an AMAZING job building the desk and shelves. The girls adore it too. We are in there constantly.

These are 3 little paintings I did for my nephew Joseph in watercolor. Pretty pleased. Anyone know anyone else interested in watercolor artwork like this, especially for children?

OOOOOoooooo. Shelves, Ikea boxes, countertop (that cleans easy), filing cabinets, photos of family and friends, books. Love it love it love it.

This is the opposite wall where my scrapbooking lives.

And this is my accent/gallery wall.

true story explains all

As usual my children are ignoring their toys.

Phoebe and Annika found my hammer that has four different screw drivers hidden inside (they screw apart like those Russian dolls). They are on the floor playing this evening and we over hear this...
P: Where are the twins, dear? (Being the hammer "mommy".)
A: You can't play like that. You gotta be a screwdriver to be in this family!

Ahh yes. Those are our kids. I don't know, I laughed pretty hard. Maybe I'm just slap happy.

Random lists

So I did mine on facebook. I decided to do a short list for each of my little blessings.

Sparkle
1. She loves any kind of bean. Limas are her favorite. Maybe even her favorite food.
2. She is a night person big time and will eat 90% of her calories for the day after 5 pm.
3. She giggles a lot and has a tendency to wet her pants.
4. #3 is probably because she only goes to the bathroom 2 times a day. I have to remind her in the morning or she will wait until lunchtime.
5. I believe her favorite animal is the crocodile. We used to have hundreds of pretend crocodiles in the van that we had to throw out the window at stop signs.
6. She is a backseat driver.
7. She picks up the lyrics to songs very quickly and sings constantly.
8. She would let me do everything for her. Everything.
9. She hates to leave the house.

Peanut
1. Eats an apple every day. She would eat more if I would let her. Same with candy.
2. She is definitely a morning person and eats nonstop all morning, but never finishes dinner.
3. She is a fairly deep thinker (for 4) and asks amazing questions.
4. She prefers to be dressed "rainbow"--the more colors she has on the happier she is.
5. Her favorite animal is the polar bear--this obsession has been strong for 2 years now.
6. She could care less where we are going, as long as she is going.
7. She LOVES to help with anything I will let her.
8. She has no fear of anything physical and is a total daredevil. But she hates the dark.
9. Her goal in life is to do everything first, especially ahead of Phebes.

Tan the Man
1. Likes wooden spoons, toothbrushes, and pots and pans. Forget the toys.
2. Likes to rip paper.
3. Prefers meat and potatoes.
4. Will hum and hit me until I sing to him.
5. Is insanely inquisitive.
6. Grins right before he does something he knows he shouldn't.
7. Loves water and will do anything to get to it.
8. Hates his carseat and driving anywhere. But actually seems to enjoy shopping.
9. Loves pillows. He lays on them on the floor, has one in his bed, and is always trying to get to one.

da earth

Peanut asked me this morning, "Is da earf losing it's color?" Sure looks like it right now. This time of year is so hard. We had a nice warm weekend that melted off all the snow. It was lovely outside and we went for walks and tried to enjoy it. But today the cold is coming back. It is ALL gray outside. Everything. But I have hope for spring.

The girls are very interested in the whole concept of earth lately. That it is big, round, blue and green, floating in the sky, all kinds of things. Pretty interesting stuff when it is through the eyes and mind of a child.

Peanut had a good weekend--it was her turn to spend the night ALONE at Grandma and Papa's house and go out for lunch at a fancy restaurant. OOOOO. She had a blast. She woke up (dressed the night before) bright and early Saturday and sat with her coat on at the door waiting for me. She didn't miss us at all according to her. Although our house was incedibly quiet without her constant stream of chatter. The big discussion of the weekend seemed to be who would win a fight, a polar bear or a crocodile?

Before we left her we all (mom, kids, and grandparents) went swimming at the amazing Elgin zero depth pool. We had so much fun and needed that warm water and chlorine.

Sparkle also enjoyed her night with no Peanut, although she did miss her. We watched Wall-E and had her favorite--air popped popcorn with lots of butter. She went to a pirate birthday party yesterday and came home quite excited. Kids really do love just the simple home parties.

Tank. He knows how to screw the lid off detergent bottles. And then half of it spilled on the carpet. I guess the house smells really good. He is walking more and more and more. And starting to climb. He also discovered his belly and loves to rub it.

Jeff was busy building for me this weekend. He is such an awesome husband. He built this cool desk with a huge countertop and put in some shelves for me. I love shelves. I am going to paint and hang pictures this week and then I will post pictures of my super fabulous art office. I am beyond excited. Jeff is so funny. The man has to build everything as sturdy as he can. Not that that is bad. It's more how he delights in it. He doesn't want to admit it, but he had a lot of fun playing with his tools. And he got the new tool that is required for every project. I don't complain if it means I get stuff built. But it's fun to tease him about what new tool is he going to "need."

Basics of Busy-ness

Tanner is walking---or at least going four or five steps at a time. That in and of itself is enough right there. But this has also given him the confidence to play in toilets, eat the dirt out of our plants, empty drawers comepletely, dump any trash, throw the girls' toys, and not sleep. I thought he was supposed to wear himself out and nap more.? Not him. Little bugger is going strong.

Annika has been sick. Poor peanut. We know something is wrong when she doesn't eat a bowl of cereal, a granola bar, an apple, some yogurt, topped off with candy before 10.

Phoebe is very prepared for Valentine's Day. She has been making all sorts of projects. She's been partying with friends quite a bit as well.

Same for me. I spent Saturday downtown with a couple GMAC wives/friends doing the gallery/shopping/dining thing. We managed to stay quite warm and had a great time.

Jeff continues to rock out...he bought his own Guitar Hero. He is getting quite good. He should be for as much as he is practicing. :)

Oh SNAP!

All of the following situations have either good or bad (sometimes both) SNAP connotations.
***Sorry about the layout. I remember now why I just stick to centered photos.


1. We lost the cell phone. But found it. Jeff put it in a bag with Girl Scout cookies. I attempted to hide all of the cookies from myself, and therefore also hid the phone. You decide who is actually at fault. I say Jeff because he has two strikes against him. He brought the cookies home in the first place, and then he left the phone in the bag.
SNAP!




2. Phoebe got her certificate for good citizenship. SNAP!













3. The girls conducted a photo shoot of their own. SNAP!

















4. Tanner learned to climb the stairs, and then slides down on his belly like a penguin.SNAP!










5. So that he can get to one of his new obsessions...the phone. He holds it behind his head to talk. SNAP!

6. We got the playroom all cleaned up. So Phoebe spilled out all of her Pretty Ponies for a beauty retreat. SNAP!

7. Annika learned how to snap first. Phoebe is close. SNAP!

8. I was called on for my true calling...brushing the Ponies' hair. I am told this is how I play best. SNAP!

9. Tomorrow I turn 34. I am actually totally okay with it. I decided this is definitely one of the best sections of my life thus far. Good times. SNAP!

10. I worked a TON the past week, so now I am not working most of this week or the next. SNAP!

11. Jeff and Phoebe had five days in a row of vacation (with the weekend). They played lots and lots of Wii. SNAP!

12. Jeff sold me Stan the D*** Tan Minivan so I could make it legal with Illinois plates and we wouldn't have to pay tax or past registrations. Now that sucker is all MINE! SNAP! And it is legal. Double SNAP!

13. Jeff put up lots of shelves and hooks this weekend for me, so I am starting to get organized. SNAP!

14. Jeff purchased an elliptical machine off Ebay for $250. The seller buys the stuff in storage units that people abandon and then turns it over super cheap. SNAP!
There you go. That was a lot of snapping. My fingers are sore.

We never rest

I got home from work tonight at 10. Everyone was awake, which is the usual. Does anyone sleep in this family???? I know I wish I did. Sparkle Princess headed up the sugar cookie decorating last Friday. She'll never pass up a good sparkly sugar. She loves all of the snow we have been getting and is hoping for no school tomorrow. She left one spot in the yard with no snow angel and she really wants to cover it.

Tank has been busy. He shoved a wiffle ball down our drain in the laundry room. So of course everything backed up. He figured out how to open the pressure gate so he can go down the stairs. And of course, true to his bottomfeeder nature, is eating as much off the floor as he can. I can't sweep unless he is in his high chair or napping because he comes to check out the pile for a little snack. YUCK! He is also grinding all four teeth. And biting.

Peanut has turned into Elmo officially. She wears her costume every night for bed. And its even better with the matching slippers. I told her I don't know which face to kiss, there are too many to choose from. And her fascination with potty humor has escalated. She now, "Takes a squirt." Which she announces loudly with a giggle. She is just so ladylike.

Jeff was beside himself with joy tonight. The MLB channel went 24/7/365. The rest of the family groaned. But then he got out Guitar Hero and everyone was happy again. The kids love rockin' out. Even Tank.

Cheers for Phebes

Phebes is on a roll lately. I haven't done as many posts about her I noticed, and was planning to do something special about her. Well, she has presented me with a wealth of material the last week.
We are now among the Wii. Jeff taught them to bowl, golf and Mario Cart so far. Phebes has the cutest bowling strategy--she kicks her left leg up in back, does a little hop, and swings her arm with a giggle. But the best part is that it works. Really well. She beat me. Here's her score (#1)...

And if you look closely at her scorecard you'll notice she had THREE strikes. Hilarious.

She is quite proud.

We are also quite proud. She was chosen as one of the kindergarteners to be honored at the school board meeting next week for her good character and for doing well in her studies. Phebes of course is slightly embarassed. She doesn't want us to know that she is good at school, what she is learning, or anything. We are to be kept in the dark. So she is slightly peeved with her teacher for letting us in on this secret.

She is also taking on the role of "brains of the operation." The girls played their first prank on Jeff last night...and it was all her idea. She had Ahnka put on her coat, hat, boots, etc. Then had her tell Jeff she was going outside to play. Jeff thinking they were just pretending (it was close to 8 o' clock) said, "Okay, have fun." Just as Phebes knew he would. So then they went to the back door, opened it, and then slammed it and waited inside. With the desired result, Jeff came running and yelling only to find two little girls in fits of giggles. Oh! I wish I had been home and not working! She was only too happy to tell me all about it today at breakfast.

And last, but not least, especially to her. Her hair has grown. Now that humidity is not curling it up it reaches all the way to the middle of her back. She stares at it in the mirror and strokes it. This may not seem like a big thing, but for those of you who knew her in the skirt on her head days (nine months actually), this is HUGE. She has been waiting for this for three years.

So, kudos to my oldest.