Busy hands

When I have time to watch TV (besides at 2 in the morning when i'm falling asleep waiting for Arlie to come to bed), I like to keep my hands busy. I enjoy feeling like I'm doing something and not just wasting time. Since I spend most of my time on the computer lately, I haven't had much time for crafts or creative things like that. I've always loved the idea of crocheting, but pretty much stink at it. I've tried my hand at it in the past. I got myself a book on how to learn the basic stitch and tried to learn. I made a scarf. I was amazed at how well I could add and take away stitches and make it look very zig zagged without even trying...sometime while counting my stitches to make sure i did the same amount every line. So...instead of practicing more (so that I can really learn how to do it and be good at it) I put it away and every now and then think about doing it. Well...I LOVE the olympics! I love to watch them every minute I can and decided that if I was going to spend that much time watching the Olympics, that I wanted to be doing something...so I picked up my hook. Funny thing is...I haven't improved much (weird isn't it? ;)), but this time I've been looking at it as I'm practicing and not like I'm trying to "make" something that turns out really cute!!! I made a "scarf"...but it wasn't long enough, so i crochets the ends together and made a neck warmer for skiing instead. One end is only about an inch and a half longer than the other. Not terrible for my first time back "practicing". Then I tried my hand at a gray scarf this time not as wide and longer so that you could actually wear it. I think the ends were less then 1/2 inch difference....getting better ;). My very favorite thing that I've seen crocheted is hats. I love knit hats. So, me being the "experienced" crocheter (after all I've done 3 whole things now...none of which have lined up...but it's ok...i'm practicing ;) ) I decided I'd make up a way to crochet a hat. I have to say, it was a lot of fun. I had a design in my head, had no idea how to do it...just tried something and for being as inexperienced as I am...it didn't turn out so bad!!! I could really enjoy doing hats! I have to say, I am enjoying it so much more now that I took the pressure off of me and no longer have to have a perfect piece!

Sushi Date

Arlie and I are starting to enjoy Sushi (not that we hadn't before, we just hadn't tried it). My parents were down this weekend and watched the kids, so we took advantage and went out to Sushi. We tried some called the Black Dragon. It had Eel and Caviar and one other fish in it. Some bites were awesome and others a little fishy with the eel. Our favorite was called TNT. I don't even know what all is in it, but it sure is scrumptious. Sometimes it's probably better to NOT know what's in them :) If there are any sushi people out there and have any advice on what's good...let us know :)

Yeah me!

I've been skiing with the kids for the last 4 years. That way I can show them things and help them better. All the while, wishing I was snowboarding. Wishing for the day when I could strap on my board and watch them ski while doing what I love. My wish finally came true! On Monday (President's day) we went with some friends to Wild Mountain....AND I GOT TO SNOWBOARD! Can you tell I am/was excited? I brought my skis just in case it wouldn't work and I had to help the kids, but they did great and I got to snowboard the whole day! The weather was GREAT...although the wind a bit cold. Sydney made her very first attempt at a black diamond and just cruised down the hill! Jordan made his first attempt at a double black diamond. It was pretty much straight down (granted it was short because it's Minnesota). We were so proud!



We went in to warm up TWICE! (not every other run with sydney like we had all the other times). In fact, when she woke up and got all excited and said, "Yeah, I get to wear my new boots so I don't have to go in so much to warm up". She is a fan of ski boots that fit and so are we. We got to ski so much more!

Valentine's day

This year for Valentine's day we went to Chanhassen Dinner Theater and watched a friend of mine, Brendan Bujold, perform in Footloose. The food was amazing as always. The pot of coffee or more that i drank, made me have to use the restroom a ton...like always ;) The show was wonderful...like normal! Neither Arlie or I knew anything about it, so we didn't know what to expect...but it was another great production by CDT! And of course the best part, was the company! I sure love our date nights! Arlie is definately the world's funnest, sweetest and most wonderful person to be with! :)

Our cards...addressed so similar!

Bad Mommy Moment

At the beginning of the ski season we had the kids try on their ski boots. Jordan's fit just fine, perfect size, didn't hurt his feet at all. Sydney said hers felt a little bit tight. So we pulled out the lining and felt and her toes went right to the end. Well, being we didn't think to do this until the week before we were going for the first time, we asked her if she thought her feet would be ok in them. She said yes and so we went skiing. Her feet got pretty cold while skiing and we went in quite a bit, but she didn't complain that they hurt. We went skiing again on Saturday. Friday night I asked her if she wanted to go and get new boots. We were in the middle of something and she said she'd be fine. Saturday the weather was beautiful. The trees were frosted and gorgeous. We met our friends and skied all day long. It was a lot of fun. The kids did great as always, but Sydney still needed to go in quite a bit. On the way home we decided to stop at the ski shop. We went in and they measured her feet. We had her in boots that were 16.0. She needed 18.5 boots. Hmmm...that could explain why her poor feet were so cold. They must have been squished in their so tight that I'm surprised she could stand. The poor girl and she rarely complained except to say they were cold. When she put on the boots that fit her, her whole entire face lit up. She was so excited that she could actually move her toes. Yep...bad mommy moment when you realize you were making your kid wear boots 2 and half sizes too small for her.

Jordan

We were sitting at the table for supper and Jordan pipes up. "You know what I think the best thing in the entire world is?" We asked what? "Dad." And then he threw in..."I just made that up." "It's true, but I made it up." Pretty sweet! :)

We were driving in the van and Sydney said something funny. Jordan started laughing and then said, "Sydney is "braking me up". I'm just braking up." (Instead of cracking me up). I'm hoping he doesn't get that trait from me...where he messes up words. I don't think he'd handle it as well as I do :)

Robot

In kindergarten they send home "Family" projects that you can all do together. One of them is design a robot. Arlie is so great with the kids and doing stuff like this. He had her draw up the design she wanted to do. Then they went to the dollar store and picked up items that they could use. She had Kleenex boxes for the body and head, ribbons for the hair, button and dice, toilet paper rolls for the three legs. It turned out very cute!

Eyes

It was time for bed. Sydney was doing something and I caught her even though I was looking away. "Mom, do you have eyes in the back of your head?" I've told her frequently enough that I do, that I thought maybe I should be honest and let her know it's just something I say. "No, I don't" I said. She looked shocked and said, "Really, you must not be old enough then. My teacher has eyes in the back of her head, but she must be older than you." I laughed and said, "That's probably what it is." She thought for a minute and then said, "So they must be growing right now then." Then she proceeded to put her hand behind my head. I, of course, pretended that I could see it and she laughed and laughed and then I had to start lying again. I told her that I guess I do have eyes in the back of my head. So much for being honest!

Diplomatic child...or not....

Sydney was always my diplomatic child. When asked what football team she liked best, she would say I like BOTH the Packers and the Vikings. Jordan would always answer, flat out, that he liked the Vikings. No if, ands or buts! I was so happy that I had at least someone partly on my side (which is the right side...by the way :)). We were watching the championship game and Sydney asked me if the Vikings and Packers were playing (she believes football consists of the Vikings and Packers and that's all). I told her that two other teams were playing, but the Vikings would be on later and they were playing the Saints. She thought really hard and said, "So do the different teams come from different countries?" I told her no, they represented different states. She seemed ok with that answer and asked, "So where are the Vikings from?" I smiled and said "Minnesota." She loved that answer. Then she looked a bit confused and said, "Where are the Packers from?" "Wisconsin," I answered. She gave me the most appalled look anyone could muster and said in her most grown up disgusted voice...."MOM, You mean to tell me that you cheer for a team that isn't even in Minnesota? We live in Minnesota, BLAINE Minnesota? MOM, I can't believe you would do that. Mom...MINNESOTA? Why in the world would you cheer for the Packers if they aren't even from here? I'm only going for the Vikings now. Mom, i can't believe you don't go for Minnesota." And thus...my daughter has chosen sides and again I'm all by myself cheer for those amazing Packers! ;)

The Wedding Fair

My view from my hotel room in the morning...thank you Jesus for beautiful mornings!


Our booth at the Wedding Fair in Duluth....small, but does the job :)

Family Ski Day...WOOHOO

We brought the kids skiing for the first time this year! It was SOOO much fun. Sydney was doing alright by the end of last year, but I didn't know how she would do this year. I showed her a little different way of doing things and she did AMAZING!!! She was flying down the hills doing turns like crazy. By the end of the day I was going down the hill almost at a normal speed.
Jordan did great again this year. He loves to fly down the hill. There was one hill that had a bunch of jumps on it, one of which was a picnic table you go up and jump off and then there were some smaller jumps after that. I wanted to take a picture of him going off the jumps (both Sydney and Jordan love to jump). I went down the hill first. Jordan made sure to tell me to go to the very end (the small jumps). I waited down there and pretty soon Jordan comes flying down the hill. I'm sitting by the small jumps ready to take his picture and look back to see where he's at and there is Jordan, flying off the picnic table jump (at least 3 feet up). I about died. He landed and then fell...but didn't get hurt and thought he was super cool. I was bummed I was at the wrong jump and missed the picture but couldn't believe he'd be gutsy enough to take that jump.
I told Arlie that skiing this year is finally going to be a ton of fun. My back won't be incredibly sore from bending over to help the kids. We'll actually get to have FUN family ski days! I can't wait for more!

Breezy Point

We got to spend a week up in Pequot Lakes at Breezy Point. My parents got a 3 bedroom, so we got to stay with them. We enjoyed sledding, skating, and swimming. We had friends over and played games. We did crafts and crafts and crafts and did i mention...crafts? ;) The kids had fun doing crafts and they have a craft room where the offer specific crafts, so i don't have to bring all the crafts!!! (Did i say "crafts" enough? :) )Allison, Ellie, Amelie, Isaac, Linda and Bob were also up at Breezy Point the same week. The kids played with Ellie quite a bit and LOVED that. We had them over for supper and played some great games. Elephant ready was really fun and the kids could play too. Later we played Would you Rather and Linda beat us all ;) We played BINGO with the resort and everyone won, it was the highlight of their day. When asked, the kids said their favorites was playing with Ellie, making crafts, swimming and winning in BINGO. I see on their list was missing..hanging out with my cool mom and dad ;) It was a great week!

Amelie's fun toys!

The kids doing a performance for us!

The kids winnings

Sydney learned to swim all by herself...without a life jacket, with flippers and a snorkle

Amelie loved the water slide