What to give......

Traditionally, Christians choose one thing to "give up" for Lent. Lent is 40 days marked by fasting and other forms of penance. Today many people give up their "vice" in exchange for doing something that brings them closer to God. In the Middle Ages, meat, eggs and dairy were forbidden during Lent and fasting was more severe. So, I am not going to be as severe about it BUT I am going to give up snacking, eating things that are bad for my body and try and focus on things that will make my mind clearer and my life richer. Easter is on April 4th and I hope to feel "lighter" physically and mentally!

Now let me get back to this cup of lemon tea while I avoid the basket of mini-snickers in the breakroom!

So Big So Soon?

Cooper and Samantha, why do you have to get SO big, SO soon?????

The Crystal Garden

My parents are member of the Tellus Museum (HIGHLY recommend it to anyone in the Atlanta area). They have taken the kids a few times and I have heard nothing but amazing reports back. Yesterday my mom gave us their guest passes so we could spend the day there. I think we will end up with a membership too because it was SO COOL! Anyway, we went to the planetarium, walked around the hands-on children's area, mined for jewels, dug for fossils and so much more!!!!! After our fun adventure, we went to the museum shop for some astronaut ice cream. Every time I go to a museum I always have to get astronaut ice cream!!!! I stumbled upon this box and immediately remembered doing this SAME experiement as a kid.

So, naturally, I had to talk the kids into getting it as our suprise because it did not require batteries, the box was small and they just did not quite "get" how cool this experiement would be. Once we got home and took out all the pieces, they were sold due to the four bags of liquid included....which Cooper thought was so cool!


Building the structure was NOT easy. I had told the kids how I did this as a kid and Cooper asked "maybe we should call Papa, was he better at building yours than you?". After Phil and I got out the glue gun, the structure fit securely in the too small plastic tray. We emptied the liquid into the tray and told the kids about the "10-hour promise of crystals" before putting them in bed. I was bit nervous when we woke up this morning because it could have gone either way for $4.95.....worked or NOT worked, especially with the addition of some hot glue. BUT.....

We have a beautiful crystal garden this morning to enjoy. I love it!

When the cat is away....

When the cat is away, the mice will play!

Phil was out of town with work last Thursday/Friday and so the kids and I decided to redecorate the den to incorporate a "castle". We left the fort for over 24 hours so when we broke it down on Saturday I think the kids were a bit disappointed thinking it was a permanent thing!

I want to remember this....

I wrote a post a LONG time ago called "4 in the bed..." but wanted to revisit the topic because I want to remember these moments forever.

Every night Phil and I go bed alone in our room and every morning wake up with two precious angels in our bed.....and we LOVE it. Usually it is Cooper who comes in about 3 am. But here recently, Samantha has been taking her turn a few times a week for that mid-sleep cuddle. The funny thing is, it is hardly EVER that both kids come in. Usually one about 3 am and one about 6 am. Thank God I married a man that loves this special time as much as I do!

I would not brag in public about our parenting skills in the sleeping department. When the kids were little, we woke up with them EVERY time they made a peep (taking 14 months for a full night sleep for Cooper). Now that they are older, we let them sleep with us at times. But it works for us and we enjoy it. So fooey on the Baby Whisperer, Parenting magazine, Dr. Sear's, etc. My parenting advice to anyone trying to get a good night's sleep, put down the book and do it the way YOU want. I will tell you that I have enjoyed many, many, many restful nights in the past 5 years....nights I would not trade for anything because they allowed me special time with my babies and I knew in my heart my children were happy.

My Funny Valentine!

Phil,

Thank you for being my Valentine for the last 10 years! There are so many things about you that I still TOTALLY love after all this time. You still make me laugh every day. You are an amazing father but at the same time make me feel special too. You work so hard to give me everything I need....and more. You let me be right most of the time. :) I could go on and on.... Thank you for loving me and sharing the last 10 Valentine's Day as my valentine. I love you.

Katie

Hey weatherman....this is more than 1 inch!

We are SUPER excited that the weathermen were WRONG. We look forward to playing in the 3 plus inches of snow which has landed in the past 2 hours.

Valentine's Day

Every year the kids and I have fun with Valentine's art. We usually give our picture Valentine's but this year decided to make some homemade ones. First we did marble painting on pink, red and white paper.

Then we cut the paper into quarters, glued heart doilies on and glittered!!!!

Lastly, we wrote out names and attached them to boxes of candy for our school friends. The kids really felt proud passing out homemade Valentines this year!

Dede got the kids some new Valentine's Day attire so of course, we had to pose for some pictures!!! Growing up my mom usually bought Ken and I a new outfit in red or pink for school on Valentine's Day. I used to look forward to the treat and enjoy that she carried on the tradition with my children. Oh and also enjoyed my 2010 outfit upgrade this year: a coach purse in pink!!!!

So, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY friends. Take some time to remember those you love, appreciate those you have around you and celebrate the happiness that love brings. I know I feel loved and am thankful every day for my blessings.