concert

As Brian and I pull up to the school I realized I didn't have my big camera. Oh well. I'm grateful for my phone everyday.

The 5th graders joined the 6th graders tonight for a welcome into middle school concert. It's always surprising to me how much better the next grade up sounds. I hope he keeps playing all through high school. I'm loving listening to him practice. I especially enjoy the month of February. They have a daily challenge for the kids to practice daily. CJ plays daily and I love it!

It's fun to watch him play. If the song has a catchy tune CJ will tap his feet. Not one foot, not the same foot, but both! Sometimes together, sometimes they take turns. It's cute! He's cute!

Spring?

Today has been a beautiful day. When Carson left for school he didn't want to wear his big coat. He said it was nice and no wind. He only wore a jacket. I listened to his advice and ran outside this morning instead of on the treadmill. It was so nice. It was 35 during my run and my face was still cold but the rest of me was loving it! I ran 4 miles at my fastest pace yet. My average pace was 8:46! It felt like I was pushing myself but I had to because of the big hill I had to climb. My plan was to run a 9 minute mile. I did better! 

During recess, at work, it was nice enough I didn't wear gloves, scarf, or earmuffs. Such a good feeling. I had the boys pick up branches after school today. They probably weren't as thrilled with the nice weather as I was.

This has been my favorite Chicago winter yet! It's been so mild. Come Wednesday it's back to temps in the teens. That's ok though. I'll take as many spring like days I can.

blessings

A friend of ours, Janene D, moved to Utah not too long ago. After Geoff's accident Janene mentioned what happened to a friend and that friend, Cindy, wanted to make quilts for the kids. Cindy asked us to trace Geoff's hands for these quilts. I'm so glad she thought of that.

The quilts were delivered to McKinzie today. They are amazing!! Each one is different but they are things that Geoff liked.

I can't believe how tiny Dex's hands are!

Before Cindy started with Adam's quilt she asked if Adam called him Dad or Daddy. I'm so glad she did! Adam has called him Crae since he was 2 years old. 

Geoff and Retta ate popsicles together often. :)

We had no idea Cindy was going to make these bears out of Geoff's shirts too. They are perfect!!

I love how Retta is comparing her hands on the blanket.

The end of a great day! 

old and young

100 days of school for Adam today! He's such a cute old man. Zoom in and check out his eyebrows and mustache. They're awesome!

A before and after of our grooming session today. Our first. The whole process took an hour. I think we'll need to try a professional groomer occasionally. Tonight after dinner Mason held Murray still while I trimmed up a couple spots. I'm thinking it was a success. He's a cutie. 

I've decided to run another half marathon. It's in mid April. Since everyone joined me in September I asked the boys if they wanted to join me again. They all agreed. I asked Brian if he wanted to run a 10K. He said OK. Wow! He's come along way to be willing to run/walk a 10K. I checked out the registration and there's only a 5K or half. All the boys will run a 5K. I'm just thrilled they're all willing, especially Brian.

Church is hard...not!

Wednesday night the Teachers and a few Priests had the job of trying new dessert options, not on the menu yet, and rating them. Such a chore!! Mason had the Chocolate Fudge Fusion, oh my! They did discuss the high adventure for the summer while they enjoyed their treats. 

Mason wishes they did this at least once a month! Who wouldn't, right?

kids say the darnedest things

Don't you just love those little teeth?! McKinzie thinks he looks like a hippo. OK, with those teeth maybe a little. He started crawling last Tuesday. She sent us a video of him crawling for his bottle. He would get close and she would move it farther away. He got so discouraged. Finally he reached it and declared victory as he rolled over and started sucking. He's almost 10 months old and he's growing way too fast for me. 

On the same day, Tuesday, Adam got a loose tooth!! His first! He's super excited. He's probably the only one in his 1st grade class that hasn't lost a tooth. 

I've got a funny to share about Adam. When he got home from school he asked Kinzie if they had any clown poop. Clown poop?! What the heck is that?! McKinzie thought for a minute then it clicked! Cloud poop!! Geoff called divinity cloud poop! So we declared that clown poop was the new name for divinity.

When McKinzie was little she couldn't say mostaccioli. She called it monster chilli. Forever more we've called it monster chili. McKinzie things monster chilli and clown poop would be great to eat on Halloween. She's right!

busy sewing

This past week I've been busy with a new table runner. If you look closely you will see there are hearts and snowflakes on the greenish fabric. This is for Valentiens Day. FYI - this cutting table is new to me. McKinzie picked it up from a mutual friend that was giving it away, FREE. I love it!

In the middle of the two blocks I decided to embroider. I found this pattern online and I absolute love how it turned out!! It's a snowflake with little hearts. Soo cute.

I haven't made sugar cookies for awhile so I made some for my boys. Mason thought it was too early for heart cookies but I made them anyways. The other shape is a hand/glove/high five. You have to use your imagination. 

You know I rarely/never start a new project and have it finished before the holiday I'm making it for. It's a nice change. It's now on my kitchen table. I might need to find a valentine centerpiece for it though.

I made this blanket and burb cloth for Bailee's friend, Brooke. (Her baby was born in November. I'm slow getting it to her.) I've always used rickrack to go around the blanket. These little pom poms from Hobby Lobby turned out great. I might use them again.