We've been ...

reading :: Namely, our Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books and the Ivy and Bean boxed set Alena received for Christmas. We've read more Flicka, Ricka, Dicka in the last month than most people read in a lifetime; and the Ivy and Bean trilogy was finished tonight with requests for more.

spying :: on the gray squirrel that visits the window box outside the living room to fatten up on corn. The little critter must be either the hungriest or bravest squirrel alive. Surprisingly, he'll stick around for some time while everyone gets a good look. Alivia has charged herself with teaching him manners.

praying :: for all those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. While I'm not sure anyone can grasp the severity and expansiveness of the event, Alena has a keen interest in the tragedy. She's asked many questions and is trying to piece it together (as I too have been).

making :: masterpieces of all varieties. Wood, yarn and fax paper have been the most recent mediums. There's never a lack of imagination among our artists.

racing :: on the Roller Racer (institutional model, nonetheless) Santa stashed under the tree. The kids have been rolling around the basement on it ever since. Oddly enough, the mom of one of Alivia's classmates recently complimented her Roller Racer skills.


wishing :: for warmer days. The kids think they're coming soon. Not as soon as we'd all like, I'm afraid. Alysse has spent the last two days wearing flip flops. So, if you see her, don't judge ... I've given up the fight.

watching :: movies on Friday nights. Finally our weekly movie night has returned for more than a single Friday here and there. Popcorn spiked with M&Ms have made Toy Story (1 and 2) and Alvin and the Chipmunks even better. Amazingly enough, everyone manages to sit still and actually WATCH. This is a new phenomenon in our house.

playing :: the new games that have found a home among us. Trace and Alysse now "get" the concept of memory, and the couple of Blue Orange games new to our shelf have become favorites.

planning :: the big double three birthday that's just around the corner. The guests of honor quickly nixed my Dr. Seuss theme suggestion, so we've been brainstorming.

Bird hair crazy

That's what we are.

We're staring snow day number two in the face. This, after Alivia was asking when she could go back to school before the new year even got here. Her Tuesday/Thursday school schedule's not working in her favor in 2010.

It's been days and days since the kids have been outside for longer than it takes to walk to the driveway. Their pent up energy is outwardly visible.

This morning Alysse decorated the sump pump with fake geraniums for Jason.

This morning Alivia decorated her head with birds.

This afternoon the kids were making "9-1-1" calls saying that their siblings needed to be taken to jail.

This evening Alena and Trace were getting married which required Alivia's pretend sobbing, Alena yelling and other random craziness.

It's getting scary. Although not as scary as the fact that spring is frighteningly far away. Help.

The only thing that might get me through snow day number two is this. Let's hope it works.