Date with Mom

We are making a conscience effort to spend quality time with the kids.  

Edwin took the girls to see Star Wars one night (on a school night even) and I took 

James, Anne and Grace ice skating. Needless to say, watching a movie doesn't warrant a good photo shoot.  The other people in the theater don't like it.  So Ice Skating is the event we captured on film.

James uses his ski band as a neck and face warmer every day.  I think he's adorable chewing on the tag to help him concentrate while skating for the first time. He had little fear and was running across the ice by the end our date. I think we found a good place to channel his energy in winter. 

Anne is learning to skate backwards and  is pretty stable on her feet.  Still slow, but gaining confidence.  She asked a quality skater to teach her a few things and the mom was happy to lend a hand and give a few pointers on how to do some "real figure skating."

Grace loves skating.  I love that she thinks she's totally awesome and would give me perplexed look whenever she fell. I could hear her thinking, "How did I ever end up on this cold, hard ice?  What a mystery.  I guess I'll get up and be amazing and pretend this didn't happen." 

My Painting Paradigm Shift

As a kid,  we moved quite regularly from rental to rental.  Now, my father was the all-around handyman.  He fixed cars, remodeled homes. did the yard work, shoveled the snow. One of our traditions before moving from house to house was the all-night painting session.  Now I was quite young in these days, but I remember crawling along the floor cutting-in around the trim, outlets and light fixtures.  It was my job for the night throughout the house.  My dad took great pride in his painting skills and he was good, very good.  In fact, before he died he painted my parents' entire house (minus his office and the random collections room).  The ceilings, walls, trim and doors all had to have fresh paint before his body and soul could rest.  So I grew up with the idea that painting is what dads do.  

Anne using the sink counter to reach the top of the wall. 

However, this male pride building idea of painting the house was completely turned Topsy-turvey Christmas day.  Edwin was discussing with his family my stack of paint chips labeled with each room that was to be painted.  Edwin doesn't like to paint and was expressing this dreaded wife project when I overheard the  Skype conversation, "Doesn't she know painting is woman's work?  Your mom did all the painting in our house."  

John stands on the toilet to paint around the light switches.

 Edwin had a weekend on call feeling trapped in the house without a wood project in the basement.  He went so far as to take over my prepping job, purchased a few quarts of paint, and began painting.  He did not finish the job and was happy to say, "You'll have to finish that up while I'm at work these next few weeks."  So, there you have it....One half bathroom is painted.  Edwin helped, and I finished it with the kids.  We all love the two-toned bathroom and I'm excited to finish the art project that is planned especially for this little room.

James applies a second coat.  Grace helped, but I failed to capture that eventful activity!

And now I know,  the house will be painted when I get the job done.  I'm pretty sure once I have the paint is in the house and the tools are out to remove certain fixtures, Edwin will "oversee" the project while I tend to the next child in need. 

But my "dad's the painter" world will never be the same.  I know now I will be the one wielding the roller and splattered clothing while the children all clamor to assist. Because I learned, this isn't just for dads anymore!

Ways to spend the winter

Who said you need a snow covered hill for sledding?  We joined our neighbors for a bit of sledding  and the barren hillside didn't slow us down!

The snow has fallen plenty lately so this weekend may yield a bit more speed on the hills.

John discovered the grass was a resting place not a sledding place.

Anne manged a good jump.

To my surprise I found John, James and the neighbor boy snuggled in my bed watching a movie!  

The kids enjoying making their Valentine Cards for their classmates.  

I love our craft room.  Ample space for everyone's creativity all day long. 

I found that cleaning this room is simply an invitation for everyone to start creating again, so yes, this room generally looks something like this.  It's our happy space.

Christmas Delayed

We had some great visitors the week of Christmas and we didn't load these pictures until now. Aunt Becca, Uncle Daniel and Gordon all came for a visit. We had a lot of fun. Daniel and Becca got to go on a couple of dates while they were here and so did Jen and I. Grace and Anne's highlight of the week was playing with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Becca at the ice skating rink.

Daniel helped me finish part of their Christmas present. A coffee table to match the toy chest that I built for them. OK, so I mostly supervised and made him do most of the work. Back to work Daniel.

Robert liked climbing in the chest and so did Gordon. I hear that Gordon still likes climbing in the toy chest, after he pulls all the toys out that is.

Grandma Peggy sent us some awesome Grammy jammies again. We found out later that the boys pajamas glow in the dark.

Aunt Becca and Uncle Daniel brought some Christmas crackers. We all got to wear crowns for the day.

I think Aunt Becca's mustache was the best trinket from the crackers. But she thought her cozy blanket was the best present ever.

Our Family Circus

As a kid, the Sunday comics were fought over to see who got to read what first.  Family Circus was always a favorite.  I like following the trails of the little boy's adventures.  Last week we had three inches of snow. It happened to fall while my neighbor and Edwin were still working, which left me shoveling and shoveling and shoveling.  Before I could make to the garage in the back where the shovels are kept,  I found foot prints all over both driveways and yards.  John was blazing the trail!  Family Circus tracks were all over the place and I could only imagine what was running through his head.

John outside blazing the trails.

Robert is learning to enjoy the outdoors. 

 Little kids all wrapped up from head to toe in winter garb are so adorable!

How Robert helps me shovel when the weather is warm (yep, anything above 10 degrees F is warm these days). 

It only took me 4 hours to clear the drive way, and then I took a nap too!