Happy Valentine's Day

We love you!

This has been such a great Valentine's day.
This morning each of the kids got a new Webkinz to love.
(Jane-snake, Bruce- dragon, Kate-Cardinal)

Daddy got chocolates for us to eat while we read our 1001 Love poems to each other.

We cleaned the church, took rests, tonight we'll eat Italian and go to Cold Stone (our 8th year tradition.)

Yesterday was Jane's 100th day of school. So fun!
When she came home she immediately dumped out her bag to show us all her valentines.

*Oh, one more thing, our friend Zilly did it again with her cupcakes, this time at the Smithsonian:
For those of you who missed out, Zilly Rosen and her team assemble a 5,900 cupcake mosaic of Presidents Obama and Lincoln at the Smithsonian in DC.

Thank you Amy! & Valentine Playgroup

These are SO beautiful!
I found them in my room- placed there by my sneaky friend that I LOVE!
That was too kind.

Today we had our 2nd Annual Valentine/Cafe Rio lunch playgroup and it was so much fun.
(I thought of 17 moms and 32 kids who came)

There was lots of delicious food. (sorry-blurry picture)
(I forgot to take a picture of Gantrie's strawberries- beautiful!)
Cute kids and valentines- plus decorated sugar cookies
and the weather was in the 60's.
Here's my proof for mom that we don't have any snow.
But don't worry we're supposed to get 3-6 inches tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone who brought things for lunch, cleaned up, and even came back later to help clean up!

He's no Caldecott

The other day at preschool Bruce colored a pillowcase.

This morning when Jane saw it on his pillow she said, "He's no Caldecott."
It made me laugh.

For a list of Caldecott winners click here
I'm not that impressed with this years but I have liked them in years past.

On Saturday we went to a party at the local rec. center.
We made some fun crafts
and ate lots of sweet things.

We also recently attended the KidFest where we got to meet
Super Why!
and Martha Speaks
and we watched a bird show, made snow, "were on TV," played toys and got little dragon tattoos.
So romantic- Last week when I came home from yoga I saw this on the hood of our car. B had made is really dusty from working in his shop, then left me a little love note.

Sleep Better

I think sleep is great.

(This is really how we found baby cakes last night)
With 3 young children I am not a good example of one who sleeps well, but I though I'd share something I found. (It's from my challenge- this is the 5th & last week)
Better Sleep
Make sure your bedroom is dark enough for good sleep. Darkness prompts the pineal gland to produce melatonin, which increases sleepiness. Likewise, when you wake, get some daylight. It will help suppress the production of melatonin, so you'll feel less tired.

The fact that many Americans don't get enough sleep and rest spells bad news for our immune systems, too, says Motivala, increasing the risk of conditions ranging from frequent colds to diabetes. "A normal sleep cycle is vitally important for immune function," he explains, since immune cells circulate throughout the body according to cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Their levels in the blood peak around midnight, then gradually return to lymph nodes as we sleep. A lack of sleep interrupts this process, lowering levels of "natural killer" cells, important first-line defenders against infections.

For pre-sleep exercises click here

Pictures of beautiful bedrooms click here

I think maybe I should give hibernation a try.

Frustrating

(not happy)
After a frustrating yesterday and morning today without phone or Internet, we're back.

I've realized how wonderful communication is.

Yesterday around noon I picked up our phone and there wasn't a dial tone. Luckily I was online with B so he contacted the phone company and they said they'd send someone out. Then at noon today he came, did something outside, and it works!
SO SORRY
to all of you who have been trying to call us.

Happy Birthday Uncle Andy!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

~Love your favorites!

Super Steelers and More Super Fun!

We have been having such a great time these past few days
with Grandma in town.

Last night we watched the Super Bowl and we asked Jane who she wanted to win and she said the Cardinals because she likes birds. But after watching it for a little while and when the Steelers made their first touchdown she said, "Alright I'll switch to the Steelers." Yeah!

We've also been having a "Heat Wave!"

Well not really but we like to pretend. We went to the botanical gardens on Saturday and saw such beautiful flowers. Oh and that night we painted the kitchen- pics to come.
On Friday we went to story time and played at home since it snowed all day. Today we're going to see the Frozen Falls, quilt shops, and then watch Jane do ballet.

*Oh and so you know- the Groundhog did see his shadow and we'll have 6 more weeks- fun fun!