Leap Day Snowman Family

It was a laid back morning getting the kids out the door to preschool. Campbell even 'bungled' herself up with 3 scarves since we had gotten some snow. We get to the preschool....hhhhhmmmm....no cars there. Call the number, yuppers, school was cancelled.

So, we took advantage of the perfect snow man building snow & made a whole family. Campbell learned how to roll a good snow ball and had fun helping decorate. Blake wasn't too interested & kept getting upset when he fell and had trouble getting upright again. To be fair, I think his ear is probably still bugging him.

Sickness side note: Found out on Monday morning that Blake had such a bad ear infection that there was a big BLISTER on his ear drum.....ouch! So 'interesting' the doctor called in a student to take a look. No wonder he was up every single hour all evening/night long screaming 'owie' - even when he was sleeping upright with me in a chair. He would sleep about 45 minutes each hour and then up again screaming for the rest of each hour. He did finally get a stretch of sleep from 4 until I had to wake him up at 8 to take him to the doctor. Unfortunately for my hope of some sleep, Campbell had a nightmare at 5 and then she was up for good at 7. Hadn't had one of those nights for a LONG time - if ever? Especially with Blake, my super sleeper.

Checking out the pile up outside the garage door on the way to preschool.

Snowman Family

The football was Blake's idea....kind of....he brought it out of the garage and was trying to push the snowman over with it.

Sibling Love

Blake was teasing & holding Campbell's leg. He said: I'm going to take your leg and keep it forever! Campbell swats at him and moves to another chair. Blake follows her, and says: Campbell don't leave! Blake goes and sits on the chair with Campbell and hugs her and says: Don't leave Campbell, I love you so much. I just love you so much! Love you!

Back to the Cabin

Since we had such a fun time during our first winter cabin trip and the ice conditions were really good, we decided to go again for the 3 day President's Day weekend. The weather was mild again (in the 30's) and we had a nice, relaxing weekend. Gabe even got a few projects done and we hauled back a ton of returns for Menards and Home Depot. Wiring stuff, plumbing parts and a ton of other random things we won't need. Must mean we're getting close to completion if we get to start returning! Woohoo!

Headlamp fun!

Warming up by the fireplace in a cozy new scarf knit by Grammy

Papa John & Uncle Garet made a really nice sled for towing behind the snowmobiles.

We'll be back in the Spring!

Gymnastics Finale

At the last gymnastics session, parents (cameras in tow, of course) got to come into the gym so the kids could show us all they had learned.

Ta-da! Everyone received a ribbon & got to go on the 'podium'. Campbell volunteered to be the first one to go up & it took a while to get her down.

Uber enthusiastic & positive teachers made for a fun experience.

Campbell would like to try swimming or dance next, so I'll see what I can find.

Happy Happy Heart Day

Papa Stan had a fainting episode was brought to the Duluth hospital where it was determined he needed a pace maker. My parents and aunt/uncle were all out of town on vacation, so Mariah and I were able to take shifts and be with Papa Stan (and Ginia-mom) in the hospital. I drove up very early Valentine's Day morning to give Papa Stan a hug and wish him well as he went into surgery and spent the day at the hospital for the surgery and recovery. Thankfully, the surgery went great and Papa Stan already looked better right after the surgery. I got back late at night, so I missed Valentine's Day with Gabe and the kids, but I was very thankful that Gabe was able to take a day off of work so that I could be with my grandparents.

Couldn't ask for a better Valentine's Day than to have a successful heart surgery!

Daddy made the kids heart pancakes.

Blake's Valentine to me.

Campbell's Valentine....a cut out heart, and I think the letters are there to say "I love Mama".

A day late, but attempted a Valentine's Day heart hair style I found on a blog.

Field Trip

The kids' preschool went on a field trip to Chuck E Cheese this morning. It was Blake's first field trip ever and the first one that I got to chaperone. The kids were so excited & it was a fun adventure.

Blake could barely contain himself on the bus. The bus ride alone would have been enough excitement for him. He was so looking forward to riding a bus - that was yellow!

Had a hard time getting Blake out of the first thing he picked to do. He kept plopping in coins and didn't even wait for the ride to be over.

All smiles.

Of course he wanted a ride in the Monster Truck.

Look at that follow through!

Toward the end, Blake found this game and was enthralled.

Also found this water gun. He didn't have any tokens left and was pitching a fit when a sweet little school mate shared a coin with him.

Look! I got blue candy with my tickets I won!

Having fun with another boy in the back of the bus. I kept telling him to sit down....then the bus jerked & he fell and hit his head against the back door.

 

Rough end to a fun trip.

Weird Weather

What is going on? Not only can you see all the grass in our yard, but my thermometer said 45.5 degrees this afternoon. The kids and I took advantage and went to play at the park and went for a walk to see the cows.

Peeking over a way too high for my comfort retaining wall.

Running though the tall grass in February.