Making Valentines

Valentines Day Breakfast

Sisterly Love

Today at preschool Ella and Lars were excited about the upcoming valentine's day party. Lars told me as I picked him up that he was sad today. I asked if he cried and he told me that he did. He was sad when they watched a movie and he could not have popcorn. I guess you have to be 3 to have popcorn and he about 2 weeks from three years old. So they told him that he could not have any popcorn. I really wonder how badly he handled this news since popcorn night is one of his favorites her in our house. (Bad parents!) So the best part of the story was when Ella revealed that she decided to secretly sneak him some popcorn. Lars was happy about his triumphant ruse on the preschool teachers and most of all happy that his sissy decided to include him in her evil plans. Let's hope they continue to develop this ability to work together in other ways than to get things they aren't supposed to have. But I guess it has to start somewhere, right?

Resolution Updates

So far I am trying to make due on my 3 areas of focus for 2009. Let me remind myself:

1. Exercise
   
2. Financial Reform
3. Fun!

I think so far I have been very successful with #1, exercise, but I am still wondering when I will see an impact on the scale. I am being very impatient- I know. I can actually make it through a cardio class now and breathe. I definitely felt like I was dying 3 weeks ago. I met with e personal yoga trainer, James, adn he set me up with my own Sun Salutation. I will blog about that another time. He determined I was strong, especially in my upper body but I lacked flexibility especially in my lower body. Not a huge surprise! He made my own little routine for me to improve the areas that need it most. I really enjoyed the personalized approach.

Financial reform...argh. I just don't see anyway to do better that we are. This is the most frustrating and yet I seem almost powerless in this realm of my life. I need to think more and talk more in this area. I have been keeping track of spending and I am spending less. The bills just never seem to end. Is it just me?

Finally #3, FUN! The superbowl party was fun- thanks Nora & Jeff! Walking around the block was more fun than I counted on! I think the little fun things I do with the kids like that are waht really matter. Ella had a girl in her preschool who was having a party today which I decided was not something she needed to do. Instead she spent time with daddy cooking and making puzzles while I worked out. She was so excited! So I am really learning that fun does not need to be a party - just an interesting activity for those involved. However, next week we shall have a "Super Duper Valentine Birthday Party" for Lars, Alice & Greta. Fun all around! It has been a pretty stressful week at work with conferences, meetings and paperwork galore. I need more fun! Watch out.

Jumping

We have spent the past 2 days jumping. Hopping like frogs, bunnies and elephants in puddles around the neighborhood. The arrival of the melting of the snow is a welcome sight. Yesterday we embarked on a short walk and neighbors Natalie and Max joined us. I forgot to watch ahead for puddles and their feet were drenched as they has tennies on , not boots. I truly apologize to Ellen for the dampened feet. It was something we tried to prevent but just came to the realization that it would be easier not to fight it. I will say Ella may have the cutest rainboots ever! She loves them and splashed her little heart out today. I will need to get pics for later. They were so cold when we got home they wanted to come in and take off their wet clothes. Their pants were pretty soaked but they did not care. Here is to jumping in puddles!

Listening

I am really wondering if selective hearing is a serious problem? All jokes aside it is frustrating to parents but I am really concerned that Lars could really get hurt because he chooses what to listen to and might ignore the really important dangerous stuff.

That said, he has improved as this week has gone along. Many many time outs later. He went to bed about 1 hour early the other night since he was having trouble at dinner. Today was a great day at school and he was joking with Angie.

Angie also decided to share a funny (HA) story with me. She told me that she was standing by the door the other day and water was sprinkling on her. I was a little worried about where she was going. She then told me that the water was from the water fountain- which I would add is about 7-8 feet away from the door. Lars had learned how to turn it on and stick his little finger in the spigot to make the water shoot a stream across the room. I used this as an example of innovation in my class on Design and Innovative Thinking. Lars took an ordinary object and turned it into something fun. That is my boy.

For all the troubles he makes he can still be as sweet as can be. He snuggled with me for sometime this morning as he was tired. I love the snuggles and will take them when I can get them. Love you little boy!

My Twinn Doll

So I know many people are American Girl fanatics and I really do not understand the obsession. I think they are nice, but way overpriced. I received this catalog in the mail for company called My Twinn Doll. I particularly like the options they offer that American Girl does not. They will make the doll really look like your child ! You send in a photo and choose other options like hair color, style and eye color. The hair options are the best - their curly is really curly! They eye colors have lots of shades. I do think they look much like AG and I am sure the clothing and accessories would work with both. Ella has all ready asked me how many she can get. I think she thinks I just call and it comes to our house!