More Winter Fun

The weekend after our blizzard the snow was perfect for sledding (we actually went sledding during the blizzard too but only lasted about 20 minutes because of snow hitting everyone in the face) and we had fun going down the hill and having snowball fights with all of our family from Minnesota.  Today it's 0 outside so we haven't ventured out, but we do have ice skating and hockey later on tonight (indoors) and tomorrow it's supposed to hit 20 so we might take the girls to the zoo after school (that's not a joke).  Leah has now lost two of her bottom teeth, and Hannah's second one is wiggly and waiting to fall out next.  Yesterday we took everyone out to breakfast on Valentine's day, and the kids called it "best breakfast ever!".  If only I could remember all the funny things they said while we were coloring and eating at the table, but it was a pretty good time.  Jay spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, making lasagna noodles, sugar cookies, and halibut.  (we still have loads of halibut from our trip to Alaska)  In fact, he made a halibut lasagna for dinner!  It turned out quite delicious (surprisingly), as did the homemade spaghetti with halibut that the kids ate (no one complained, which is quite a rarity in our house).  Today of course someone did complain about the halibut taco I made them for lunch.  And that someone is now taking a nap!

Leah Loses her First Tooth!

Leah has had a wiggly tooth since sometime in December, and yesterday morning after all three kids had a sleepover on Joseph's bunk bed she decided it was too wiggly and pulled out her first tooth!  Leah is very matter of fact and full of manners lately, with many pleases and wanting to help.  Both girls have wanted to do more cooking (which was jump started by all of us watching master chef junior together a few times), so Jay and the girls made pizzas last night and the ladies also tossed together a salad.  Even Joseph tried the salad at dinner (which is unheard of) and I quite enjoyed a slice of the artichoke, mushroom, tomato and olive pizza. (the girls get their pizza taste from me, and their love for making it from Jay).  After dinner and a night of playing Leah tucked her tooth under her pillow and was pleased to find $2 in it's place this morning.  Hannah noticed how fair the tooth fairy is by giving Leah the same amount that she got for her first tooth a few weeks ago.  That tooth fairy sure is smart!

The Story of How Bear Bear lost his Arm

Bear has been with Leah since she was born....I'm not sure how he was selected from the many other stuffed animals but Bear (or more affectionately referred to by Leah at times as Bear Bear) has been Leah's sleep pal and comfort toy and Bunny has been Hannah's.  As you can see, Bear is in pretty rough shape after 5 years of cuddling and traveling, and last fall Leah asked (in tears) if I could fix Bears arm.  Previously I had already repaired a broken leg and a broken arm, but this time all Leah had was a paw so we decided it didn't make sense to sew the paw onto Bear's side.  I didn't think to ask how his arm had fallen off because it had been barely hanging on for the past few months, but over Christmas Leah told the story of how Bear lost his arm in a freak accident at the Barbie mansion with the elevator.  Makes perfect sense, and this picture seemed fitting for the story.

Hannah looses her first tooth!

Hannah lost her first tooth the day after we returned from spending Christmas in Ohio, she says when biting into candy but the way I recall she was eating a pear and then said "look, my tooth came out".  She had been saying it was wiggly for about a week, and she was very happy that it was finally out and she could put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy.  In the morning, she awoke to $2!  We thought the tooth fairy was very generous, though Joseph informed us he has friends who have received $5, so really that's no big deal. :)

Hannah and Leah Scenes

In the cheer leading video Hannah is in the front row on the right in a white skirt bouncing all around, and Leah is center left in the second row.  For the holiday performances at school, Hannah is in a black dress in the back row on the right singing very loudly, and Leah is in a green dress in the back row on the left also singing quite enthusiastically.

Merry Christmas!

We went skating at red arrow downtown for the first time this season....we wondered if it would be too warm but there was still ice and it was perfect!  And as part of decorating for the holidays this year Jay set up some of our lionel trains and tracks, and Joseph built several houses and cars to go around it (I used to do that when I was a kid!).  The kids were also surprised to see Santa all over town this year, first at the school pancake breakfast (which we planned) and then also at Discovery World and our favorite bakery and pizzeria, Cranky Al's!  (p.s. they have a red velvet donut that is to die for.  Hannah agrees with me on this. ) We are still eagerly awaiting some snow....but enjoying what winter activity we can for now.  Will it be a white Christmas?????  We shall see!

Happy Chanukah!

The kids are enjoying Chanukah celebrations and the non stop giftapalooza that occurs for them this time of year.  Dreidel games have been quite popular at our house, though interestingly Joseph did not think it would be fair if everyone got to keep the money (quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies) they won at the end (not because for example it was my money, but because one kid might win more money than another kid!)  It seems Joseph will never be a gambler, or would just never want anyone else to win more than him. :)