Snow Day!

At 4:30 pm yesterday my phone rang, as I reached to answer it, I heard Kevin say, "Hello" from his office.  I thought he was so steeped in concentration with his studies that he didn't realize the phone ringing was mine.  However, the "school reach" called our phones at the same time to let us know school would be canceled the following day.  Being a native Minnesotan (sometimes I am borderline obnoxious in my Minnesota pride), I am familiar with weather and hype, but we both in total amazement had never experienced a school cancellation in anticipation of a storm!  This was too good!  The snow did come - sideways and I realized my plan to make soup on our snow day would be foiled because I had forgotten a key ingredient.  With the hype, I found myself a bit gun-shy of taking an AWD vehicle out in the "blizzard" warning weather, but finally realized it would be better to do it in the early part of the storm than after when the projected 12" was on the ground and drag 2 kids out with me.  Out I went, finding myself purely giddy as I cruised along Stadium, wind blowing snow as I imagined giant drifts.  This is what it took, imagination that this was a blizzard or would turn to one.  This was nothing...I felt like I was in Minnesota again and owned the snowy roads! 

I sauntered about the grocery store, enjoying the fact there were few people who had ventured out...and the quiet (as most mothers I know do when they find themselves w/o kids steering the cart or directing what items should be placed in said cart).  In all, I was perhaps gone 45 minutes and came home all beaming.  Kevin at that point smiled and said, "We are Northern people."  Since it's nearly Valentine's Day, I would gush:  This is one of the reasons (besides his shared love of walks and trees) why I love him!  He gets why snow makes me happy, why driving along snow-covered, drifting roads brought an adrenaline rush and endorphin release!  And to allow him to truly share in our 'northern people' bliss, today I left him half the driveway to shovel.  I couldn't have all the fun to myself!  Sadly, I didn't get any pics - was having too much fun to go back in to get the camera!  So I'll post one of my favorites from earlier in the winter season.

p.s. The blizzard warning was demoted to a winter storm in the middle of the night.  Snowfall total at wake up (after sleeping in, because of the snow day) was 6"; additional snow fell giving us another 1-2".  It's beautiful!  I'm happy. 

A Look Back at Summer 2010

What a great summer break we had- truly, it was a much welcomed break and a summer of making memories.  With the nontraditional lifestyle of being a student in one's thirties, Kevin was given an 8 week summer break between Years 1 & 2 of dental school.  It was an amazing opportunity for the 4 of us to enjoy one another.  When else will we get this gift of time to give to our children while they are still young and willing to go along with whatever crazy plans their parents generate?!  And so we did!  For those of you who know Kevin, the options man, well...you can imagine our planning!


The trip began with a visit to California to spend time with Kevin's brother, Jason and his lovely wife, Danae.  We had a great week soaking in their environs where I fell in love with the Davis Farmer's Market and awaited any and every opportunity to visit their local food co-op!  We planned a short getaway with them and ventured along the northern coast of California in northern Sonoma County.  The views were spectacular and the roads were fun (for those who don't experience motion sickness)...this was the first time Kevin has experienced being car sick WHILE driving!  The stay in a great rental house, the hikes along the beach and seeing tons of jellies washed up on shore, the cooler weather and hot tub time more than made up for it.  

With Uncle J doing the San Fran sites!

Walking the Pier.

Davis Farmer's Market = Love!

  

On our way to Sea Ranch in Gualala, CA!

Peaches from the farmers market- yum!

Walking the trails at Sea Ranch -left 80-90F in Davis to 50's in Gualala!

Sea Ranch Chapel - so beautiful.

Christian admires this work of art.

The School Year Begins!

Another school year is upon us!  In our house now lives a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner!   

We awoke to a beautiful day!  As we stepped out to take the traditional first day of school pics, the morning air was crisp and signaled the start of school.  Evelyn was eager to take photos and Kevin was able to snap a few before he headed off to school himself.  On our drive in, Evelyn mention the butterflies in her tummy- but they were good ones.  Christian had one more day to wait- the Kindergarten began a day after the grades.  It was tough for him and his mantra for the day was, "I love my school!  I can't wait  until tomorrow to start!"  His entrance into Kindergarten was certainly a pleasant experience that barred anxiety.  Two happy kiddos eager for school to begin made for a great start to the school year!

Evelyn - 2nd Grade, Age 8

Christian - Yellowbird (Kindergarten), Age 5

I think she's excited to be back!

The "Birds" gather at their morning meeting place.

Labor Day

There are 26 minutes until Labor Day 2010 is part of history.  This also means in 26 minutes + 6 hours my alarm will be sounding its call to beckon me from my slumber.  The kiddos are all tucked in and sleeping soundly.  Just Ev starts school tomorrow - only a half day with popsicles at the end.  A nice way to ease in.  C starts Wednesday as a Yellowbird (Kindergarten), but since he will do 3 half days, he only has 1 day this week.  So he, too, shall be eased in.  Kevin has been in school and is starting week 3.  So our household is kicking into full blown Year 2 in A2 - Y2A2.  Year 1 went by very fast.  This year will probably zip by faster now that we all are into our grooves.

I always loved heading back to school and I see that in our kiddos, too.  As a mom, I get excited for them, but it is truly bittersweet as my lazy mornings of snuggling before we head down to breakfast are now going to be waking earlier enough to avoid rushing.  It's been a great summer.  Today was a great day as well- lots of playtime with the neighbors, and outdoor haircut for Christian (by me) and enjoying an invitation to a school friend of Evelyn's to celebrate moving into a new home in a very lovely, peaceful setting.  Seeing new as of a year ago, but now familiar faces, makes me ready to take on tomorrow and reconnect.  Many projects lie ahead for me with those few mornings a week where I have 'me time' and I look forward to ringing in the new school year and the smell of autumn days.

Until tomorrow...when I hope to post the first day of school pics!  Good night-  T minus 6 hours 18 minutes.

Groundhog's Day

It's been some time since I've blogged.  We've all been busy and the holidays buzzed by like the speed of light.  (I'm exaggerating a bit, but they went fast!).  Kevin is in what is being told to him as the hardest semester of dental school.  He has tests each Monday in IMS (Integrated Medical Sciences) and other tests during the week.  So far, he's managing well.  I think we're both just so happy to be here and we both attack each day with what we need to do.  We've become very efficient in conversation as our time to do so is minimal.  Looking forward to mid-winter break!

Today is Groundhog's Day.  Apparently we are in for another 6 weeks of winter.  I say, "What winter?" to some extent as this is very mild compared to Minnesota.  I was also imagining a LOT of snow here, but it's been very little.  I believe we had 4" at the most, then it melted.  Just today it finally snowed enough to cover most of the ground.  Huge Charlie Brown flakes drifted down as Christian and I went to pick Evelyn up from school.  The kids played and played outside, even when we got home.  They, like me, were happy with the outcome of GH Day!  Let it snow...we need to get some more sledding in!  I can't complain however, as it's been a very easy winter - kids have been outside tons, very few slippery roads to contend with and not much shoveling. 

Pictures to post soon!  Until then, seriously Michigan...let it snow!!

Halloween

Our first Halloween in A2.  It was awesome to enjoy a slow Saturday with plenty of time to think about the event itself.  We were invited for pizza and some pre-Halloween'ing by a family we know from school who lives just around the corner.  We had enough time to zip back home, light our jackos, dress kids, put out candy on the step and hit the sidewalks.  We'd been given advice on the top 2 streets to hit, one which is known for handing out full-size candy bars to the treaters.  This house also brings in Giant Pumpkins -- perhaps it's the Great Pumpkin! to carve.  This year they had 2 as tall as Christian.  I asked them how they carved them, as their flesh was ~6 inches thick.  "With a jigsaw." was the reply.  They also used industrial lights- they were a sight and offered a great photo opp for us!

Evelyn was a candy corn fairy.  I could have purchased the costume, but told her I thought we could make it ourselves.  It took some time and much thinking, but I think it turned out aok.  Christian was a spider- a much easier costume to make.  The legs moved along with his real arms thanks to monofilament from my tackle box.  :)

Christian told us many times how this was the best Halloween ever.  After about an hour they were both ready to head for home.  Christian's legs were tired-- I imagine so, being a spider!  That's a lot of legs!

Another First Day of School!

Christian's first day of being a Redbird (preschool) was Monday, 14 September. We woke to a brisk fall morning, but no rain! So we were able to get a few good photo opps in! Evelyn was so excited for him to be in the same school and hoping to get glimpses of him from time to time! She was eager to tell him the ways of the school and what to expect. Christian was also excited and tired after the first day. He didn't seem overly enthused about anything, but more matter of fact. His body language read more of "this is what I do now" rather than excitement. As the weeks have gone on and he is familiar with the routine, he is happy. He likes going to school, is comfortable with his teachers and classmates and loves getting to spend time outside (me, too!).

So now every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, I bring 2 kids to school. Evelyn to meet her class by the 'magic tree' for their morning walk; Christian then to his classroom to join the other 6 children and his 2 teachers. The classroom is a very peaceful atmosphere with wooden toys, a small kitchen area for the teachers to prepare snack and tables. Christian helps with snack from time to time, but doesn't eat it all the time. He does enjoy washing his dishes after! He seems to really enjoy the castle and going on their outdoor adventures. The last hour and 15 minutes is spent outdoors. Some days he goes on walks through the woods, plays in their sand area or gets some time on the playground.

So here begins Christian foray into school life. And yes, I can say yet again..."Life is good!"