February 29

T-R-O-U-B-L-E
This guy's has learned to get around
and he keeps us hopping!
He's made it up a stair or two...then fallen down...
regularly turns the computer off...
pulls himself up on things...
and crawls around on his hands and knees.

When he gets stranded somewhere,
Reuben goes and finds him, grabs his ankles
and drags him back to where we are.

February 28

Yes, the playroom windows are dirty (again, thanks wind storm),
but are they really this bad that you can't see out?
I took a double-look after I took this picture.
It must be a really sensitive camera to
focus on the dirt that IS there.

February 27

It just struck me how appropriate that picture on the wall is.
"To every thing there is a season,
and a purpose under heaven."

We take being healthy for granted,
but what a privilege it is.

February 26

Quick!  I'll post some pictures before the Tylenol wears off!
Sure hope you are all staying healthy.  This is one nasty bug!

Above picture...
Four crabby kids piled on a sick and tired Papa.

February 25

Posting a picture from last May because, to be honest,
a snapshot from today would NOT be pretty.
4 kids getting over the flu...
0% energy and appetite...
100% crabbiness and irritability...
Bonking heads and bloody noses...
Not enough sleep...
Snotty faces and hacking coughs...
Whiny voices full of  'Quit looking at me'...
'His foot touched my pillow'...
'I wanna lay here'...
'Get away from me'...
'He's coming to knock my train track over'...
'It's my turn'...
'But I was here first'...
'Can you come and help me NOW?'...

Get the picture?  Hopefully this is a sign that they are
on the mend because after 8 days of sickies...
I'VE HAD IT!!!

February 24

This is what we see when we look out the window today.  Yes, snow.
I am looking forward to Spring...but this is a reminder that it's only February.

Inside, the temperatures are still soaring...and the Advil bottle is getting emptier every 8 hours.  Last night before I went to bed I went to check on Reuben because he was talking to himself.  He was so hot that he was just laying there all limp.  As I sat with him, waiting for the Advil to start working I said to him "It makes me so sad to see you so sick."  He slowly opens one soupy eye to look at me and thoughtfully says, "Should I start laughing?  Will that make you feel better?"
Oh, this boy is always thinking of others before himself.  It hurts him to see others unhappy and will try his best to make things better.

But on a happier note, we wish tante Ada
a very Happy 60th Birthday!
Wishing we could be there to celebrate with you!

February 23

Just before, the school called...it didn't surprise me to see the
phone number on the call display, thinking Dustin is going to be sick next...
but they had the wrong number!  Off the hook for now!
It seems everyone has someone sick at home these days,
nighttime sleep is hard to come by
and every Mom's energy and patience are stretched to the limit.

So instead of posting pictures of Advil bottles, thermometers,
cough candies, and sick kids hanging out on couches...
I thought I'd send you all a bunch of flowers to brighten your day.

February 22

Favorite photo of the day.
All clean and ready for bed last night!
I can't believe how grown up he looks on this picture.
But not too big for snuggles.
Oh so lovable!!

February 21

Lest you think that 'younger girl cousin' from yesterday's post
is a meanie...here's proof she's exactly the opposite!
Ain't she a sweetie?
Josie is totally in love with her...and for good reason!
Blake just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time!

February 20

Blake being 'beat' by his younger girl cousin!
He wasn't very happy with her for a while after this!

February 19

Happy Weekend!

February 18

Happy Birthday Oma!
We are so thankful to have you as our special Oma.  We were so happy to come and celebrate your special day with you today.  Spending time with you and Opa is always a highlight.  We think of the times we get to come and play.  The time we spend at your place is never long enough.  We love it when you babysit us.  And if we can squeak a 'quick' walk down the path...that is the BEST!
We hope that we can celebrate many more years with you and Opa.

February 17

I looked out the window this morning to see this!
WHAT??!?  I don't think so.
You won't be seeing this coming down the road anytime soon.
***
Edited to add this...seen 10 minutes after I posted the above picture...

A little safer variation.
***
Edited again...Okay, this keeps getting better.

Yes, Tyler's IN the box!  But Dustin's making sure he won't starve.

"Don't worry Mom, I just checked on him.

He likes the cookie I gave him, so I gave him another one!"

February 16

I'm sure we are a sight to behold when we go for a walk.
On Tuesday, with an extra kid to 'transport' we had to be a little creative.
Josie on bike...
Dustin on Skelter...
pulling a 'dolly cart' complete with two large boxes...
one with Blake (can you see him?)...
and the other with Reuben...
...being trailed by me pushing a stroller.

Here is another view ;)

February 15

     

Pussy Willows...a sure sign that Spring is coming!

February 14

Happy Hearts Day!

February 13

     
Rich made this for the annual school auction this weekend.
It's just over 5 1/2 feet tall and it rotates.
- one side is a full length mirror
- one side is a cork board
- one side has 5 open shelves
- one side has three knobs for hanging things on

So if you are looking for something like this,
make sure have your bidding card ready on Friday!

February 12

Helping Papa make supper on Sunday night.

February 11

Before...


and after!!

This closet has been bugging me for a LONG time.
It's quite an embarrassment actually.
But I finally tackled it...and I'm so glad I did!

Anyone interested in a box of Today's Parent magazines?
They are yours if you want them!!  Just let me know.

February 10

It's Clash Day at school today
for Dustin and Josie.
No further explanation needed!

February 9

Cooper the Hawk has been keeping a close eye
on my bird feeders lately for a tasty morsel.
Watch out, little birdies!!