Olympic Fever!

WE have Olympic Fever in our house!

Actually, for years I have wanted the boys to learn how to ski downhill. So, during our recent 5 day school holiday, we headed to a local ski hill to do just that.

Rob and I took bets about how the boys would feel about skiing after their first lesson. We both guessed they would NEVER want to go again. And, since the "ski walk" over to the kids' lesson area was comical (for me, not so much the boys) and nearly impossible, I wasn't even sure they would show up for the first lesson. Let's just say we should have carried the skis to the lesson area, but I have some stubborn, determined kids!

Sammy looking not so sure about this...



Joey feeling the same...



Lily waiting for her brothers on the sled...



An awful, over-exposed photo, but so cute to watch all the little kids learning to put their skis on!



Sammy learning to balance while going down a hill



Joey progressed quickly and advanced to the "bigger" hill.



By the end of the lesson, Joey was using the tow rope to get up the hill and his teacher told us if he had had a few more minutes with Joey, he would have advanced him to the big hill and the chair lift. He might have advanced him, but we were just fine with the tow rope!



At the end of 3 hours outside in the cold, both boys were unequivocally hooked on skiing and have since begged to return. We hope to get them there

Chinese New Year

Two weeks ago, we went to a Chinese New Year celebration at Navy Pier in Chicago.

There was a Kung Fu demonstration (the boys LOVED that!)

but Lily--not so much...

There was a lion dance (which we actually missed, but got to see the lion head close-up anyway)

And of course, there were New Year crafts like mask-making and lantern making...

Best of all, there was glitter--lots and lots and LOTS of glitter. Glitter on our lanterns, glitter on our masks, glitter in our car and on our floor...the glitter will never go away...

Photo Friday

What do six-year-olds worry about?

Just a little something I want to remember...

Tonight, Sam was fixated on what he should be when he grows up. We threw out a few of the usual subjects...truck driver, doctor, construction worker, teacher. He got a far away look in his eyes as if he were actually looking toward the future. Finally, he turned, looked at me with a sideways glance and said:

"I think I just want to be a father." (Of course he doesn't know how difficult it is to be "just a father!")

A few minutes later, he added,

"I know, I can be a caretaker."

I asked him to explain and he said, "you know, I can take care of children. But I can't take care of too many children at one time. I don't want a whole bunch of mommies leaving their babies with me! I wouldn't be able to handle that."

Oh my Sammy.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!



We are going to celebrate at Navy Pier today. They have a cultural presentation with music, dancing, Kung Fu and more.

May your new year be very, very lucky!

Project 2010--New York Photos

This project schedule seems to be working for me! I finished editing my photos from New York and I used "MY Publisher" to make a memory book. I received the books today (buy one get one free!) and am really happy with the quality. I think I will make the switch from Shutterfly to My Publisher for books from now on. Can't wait to share the book with our friends.



Next up...I'm choosing an easy project. I have cross stitched a Christmas stocking for all of my kids. Somehow, Sam's stocking never got stiched up quite right. Santa's treats fall somewhere in between the batting and the felt backing. It's an easy project I've put off for way too long (two years to be exact).

Photo soon...

Ring them bells!

Five weeks ago, we started training Izzy to ring bells by the door when she needs to go out.

Her last accident was last week.

One year ago this month, I started potty training Lily.

Her last accident was a few hours ago.

Now I know what you're thinking, because I've been thinking the same thing.