Michigan March

March 7, daddy took the girls to Ada Christian's playground while I worked

I'm laughing as I look through March pictures. One day we are outside in shortsleeves, and the next we have 3 inches of snow and snowboots back on. I'll blame the weather on my sickness then. I'm home from work sick, sinus infection, fever, achy...you name it. My kids will have lots of treats today--pj day (Lucy was very excited about this--she gave me a "boo-yeah"), and movies. Now why of all days does the cable decide to go out? How long until naptime?

The first night of a fire and smores. March 17

Since it was an unplanned inagural run we had to "make do". You can successfully make smores with mini marshmallows over a fire....thanks to daddy's friend Dave for being a good sport! And for two days later when it snows you can use them for your hot chocolate!

Swimming lessons

Her practice pool

I should have started this story 3 weeks ago. If I had started it then you may have been better able to appreciate where we are at now. Lucy started swimming lessons with "no one in the pool with me but my teacher". Big step, for her and us....since she screamed bloody murder through the entire series of lessons that she took with Jim in the pool with her. If you have ever heard a screaming child in an indoor pool area you know the acoustics in there accentuate every shrill scream and cry, and raise the decibel level as well.

Oddly, the girl still loves to swim like a fish (daddy's genes). She talked about swimming lessons like they were Disney world. She LOVED them (really?!!). So the brave parent that I was (parent is singular because Jim would be having no part of these...he luckily is working on Thursdays at 1035) I signed her up again. The first day went OK--few tears, a potty break to excuse her from most of class, overall I viewed it as a success. Last week I didn't know if I would even make it through it. The poor girl was crying so hard she couldn't even see, the pool was flooded with snot....she screamed and cried up until the last minute, and another mysterious potty break to miss going under water (hey, I guess I didn't raise a dummy). She was able to swim with her noodle to the far side by herself chasing a rubber ducky to finish off class, and I think she almost smiled (maybe it was the Slurpee bribe, I mean incentive, I promised during her bathroom break if she made it till they end of class). Her comment when she got out of the pool "I wuv swimming lessons!"--so confused.

So today was filled with smiles, laughing, and most of all lots of swimming! I am very proud of her. If I can figure out how to download videos from my actual video camera I will show everyone the drastic difference.

See ya winter.....

Our snow family....mommy, daddy, Lucy, and the new baby (sorry Kady....mommy could not stay out there a minute longer!)

"Queen" of the mountain

Jim had been digging holes for the girls in the snow pile at the end of the street. This was the only time I saw them, I know no fun mommy--but really--is this safe?

That's how far in they went...the goal was to connect both the holes. I was really sad the next day when the snow plows came back through, and the holes were gone! :)


Instead of hot chocolate Lucy prefers a giant snowball when she comes in

SO I do really have to say that I enjoyed winter. Don't get me wrong, I will be much happier to get the bikes out, play outside without having to bundle up etc. It was a lot of fun with both girls this year. The bigger they get, the more independent they are. I have almost convinced Kady that it is OK to walk in the snow (I have got to believe that it can't be easy with all those clothes and boots), but I did get plenty of exercise pulling her in a sled wherever we went. So bye bye snow....I'm sure we'll see you again this season, but you have my blessing to start melting quickly!