Kids had a two hour delay from school this morning so we had fun in the snow. Well, fun after I snowblowed the driveway since Dave's not home. A little more activity than I preferred this morning for sure!

My snow angels plus Buca, who was stealing Ava's hat!


Snow is fun! (Yeah keep telling yourself that!)


Nolan touching the tree top. It's a small tree, but still...


If it's here, might as well enjoy!

We've taken spa day to a whole new level. Usually it's foot and back massages. This time... Make up! Look out... Max was do diligent at it. He wanted to know what to do with each thing and gently applied it.


He even curled my eyelashes and tried to floss my teeth (ewwww). When I told him he would make some girl so lucky some day, he told me he would always love me best. Then he told me he was marrying Rayva. Yup. That's been the deal for three years now probably!

On the opposite side was Ava. Not so gentle and I knew there was trouble when she declared "there's no blue eye shadow left!"


Here is the final product!


Beautiful, isn't it??

Location:Spa day

Little Max at the Big Mall

Max participated today in a Board Break A Thon to support the MACC Fund (childhood cancer research). It was a pretty cool thing, and Max was really excited to break 5 boards. On top of that, it was at center court at the mall. As we parked an walked in, I looked at Max looking around and realized (this is sad) he probably has no idea what a mall is! So we walked in and he was drawn to every display, kiosk and store you could imagine. We finally made it to center court where he promptly got his boards and broke all 5, and had his picture taken with his teacher and Grandmaster Lee. When I asked if he wanted to walk through the mall, he just looked at me wide eyes and grinned. We made our way up the escalator and too the Lego store where he was immediately awed. He was dying to get some, so I let him pick a few things out and use his Christmas money (thank you Grandma and Grandpa!). We grabbed a bite to eat at the food court (so many choices!) and then went out. He got stuck in front of Spencer's gifts (oh my!) and then proclaimed he wanted the red shoes at the sports store. Nope, sorry bud!

I think he enjoyed his outing... And I think I realized why I don't go to the mall!

Powder monkeys

The kids had the day off school about a month ago, so I took them to Milwaukee Public Museum to the Pirate exhibit. Ava and Abby were so excited, and everyone except too cool for school Nolan wore their best pirate gear.

Cutest pirate ever!

Before hitting up the pirate exhibit, we walked through the streets of yesteryear. Abby and Nolan found the saloon. They are their father's children!

We went to the butterfly exhibit, where they each held a butterfly... even Abby, which is saying something! Check out the look on Max's face...

Then the bug room. Walking stick anyone? They also had the biggest cockroaches ever. Ugh!

We also went to the IMAX show and saw the planetarium constellations. We were the only ones there, so got our own personal show. The guy came right up to us, and let the kids touch the buttons to make the stars and planets brighter and dimmer. Max wanted to see Mars, we saw Mars. Then they wanted to see constellations, so we saw constellations. Very cool! Then we headed to the pirate exhibit. Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures. But, there were some pirates wandering around, and started talking to Max and Ava. She/He (it was a girl dressed up like a 14-year-old boy pirate) told them he was a pirate monkey. Because he was little, he would run below the ship and get the gun powder to bring back up to supply the cannons. They were always looking for more, so asked Ava and Max if they'd like to join them when they sailed out the next day, and of course they said yes. When Max woke up the next morning, he asked if he had to go to school. When I said of course, he asked when the ship set sail. He was worried he would miss it! So cute... he'd make a great powder monkey, but I would miss him!

Introducing... Abby (Part 2)

The last time I introduced Abby, she got 10" cut off her hair. This time, on the Monday i REturned from the Bahamas, she started the day looking perfectly normal.

 Then went through some bizzare experiments.

 And ended up with braces!

She will have them between 20-24 months. 7th Grade when she gets them off!! She looks a little older, and they hurt for a few days, but mostly she's been a trooper about it. Crazy!

Bahama Mama

I know that nobody feels bad for me, but it's HARD coming back from a week of vacation. I'm catching up I think, but nothing slows down for sure!

Here's the night before I left. I had a really early flight on Saturday, and Dave was getting in late on Friday, so he suggested I bring the kids down, go swimming at the Hyatt until he gets in, then he'd take them home and I could stay there. Perfect! It was nice having just some time with the kids before I left for the week.

 After a long day of travel, Sarah (my coworker) and I made it! It was chilly and overcast the first day... about 69 degrees. On Sunday of course was the Super Bowl, and what better way to watch it than on the balcony with a big screen TV??

 Beer of the Bahamas. I like it!

 On the first day before the Super Bowl we walked into town, just over 5 miles. It was a nice walk and we got to see more than on the bus. One of the things we saw... this doctor's office. It just cracked me up!

Atlantis! It was really beautiful and had really high end shopping (think Rolex and Cartier). But, I heard it was really expensive and it was quite busy. It was nice to see but we preferred our little corner of the world.

Our beautiful beach...

On our third day there, we had a delivery. It was from one of our COOs from work. Two bottles of champagne, crackers, cheese fruit. It was perfect breakfast the entire time! And we were truly humbled to be so appreciated. Thanks, Kevin!!

My view for 7 days. Except the little coconut drink was usually in my hand.

I thought about the kids just enough to write their names in sand and buy the souveniers!

Sarah and me. Not an extremely flattering picture, but whatever. We went out on a paddle boat, and one day we went parasailing. The view from parasailing was like no other, but it did make me a little sick to my stomach.

The daquiri shack... or better know as the Daq Shack. Daquiris with fresh fruit... can't be beat!!

One of our pools. They were cold but beautiful.

Beautiful Sarah!

The view from our room... Loved waking up to this!

It was a week of rest and relaxation. I want to go back!!

Compliments

I am taking this moment to be thankful for compliments that come in the most unexpected places.

As I was packing for the Bahamas on Thursday, I was staring at myself a little too long in the mirror, debating if the sun dress I was wearing was flattering or not. At that moment, Ava came into my room and, in her most awe-filled voice, declared, "Wow, Mama! You look bootiful!" I love that girl.

On the first flight out this morning I sat next to a man an began chatting. He is 65 and a salesman for Matrix hair care products. He's travelled quite a bit and conversation just flowed. He mentioned that he was once in psychology, which was interesting to me, but before that in the seminary for five years. He no longer goes to church and we got into a discussion about religion vs. spirituality and what it all means. When we landed he said that his conference he was going to was good, even though he hadn't even been there yet, because he got the opportunity to talk to me, which was a blessing. What a nice compliment from a total stranger!

I love compliments from unexpected places... Such great confidence boosters!

Ships in the night

Dave was gone Monday through Friday, with the kids and me picking him up at the airport at 8:15 tonight. Then my flight leaves at 6:00 tomorrow morning. Instead of me driving down, getting him, driving back, then him driving me down, dropping me off and driving back, Dave suggested I stay at the Hyatt by the airport. Great idea! Then he thought the kids could come swimming. Even better! It was great to hang out with them not at home before I leave for the week. Dave was a little late flying in so we got great pool time and some relaxing time in the hotel room. Other than seeing Dave for only 5 minutes, it was perfect!