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.