Valentine's Day

From First Snowfal...

So, we finally got some winter weather -- on Valentine's Day. The sleet mixture falling out of the sky made me consider keeping the kids home for a snow day -- but they would have nothing of it!!! Ben insisted that he needed to be at school for his party...and Charlotte immediately seconded the motion. It was fun watching them get so excited for their parties. Ben wrote all of his own Valentine's this year -- and was so proud of himself. I wrote Charlotte's Valentines...and was very proud of myself.

A set of twins in Charlotte's class gave out little stuffed animals as Valentine's Day gifts to all of the kids. Charlotte has named hers Love Bug and refuses to part company with him...at all. She sleeps with him, is teaching him how to use the potty, has introduced him to most of her other stuffed animal friends....and howls in the middle of the night when she can't find him in her bed.

From First Snowfal...

After the festivities were over, I picked the kids up early and brought them home to play in the snow. This was Charlotte's first real snow play and it was interesting to see her explore. She was mesmerized with Ben's snow pants and referred to them as Fireman pants...and insisted on putting hers on immediately.

We only got about three inches, but Benjamin was diligently working to find a way to play in the snow. First, he tried his happy snow day gift out - snowball maker. The snow was not perfect for this device. Then we pulled out the tube sled....it didn't like the snow much either.

From First Snowfal...

We also went for the plastic sled -- which worked a bit better - and he decided to try surfing on it. (STAGE TWO SLEDDING)

From First Snowfal...

He then proceeded to dig a luge with a shovel in the driveway. (I don't think he has ever seen the Olympics...but he seemed to know what he was doing.)

Charlotte was trying to play with all of her usual outside toys - balls, bubbles, etc...The fact that they weren't made for play in the snow did not deter her. She found a way to make them work for her. I was worried that she would get cold - but she was the one who was not all that interested in going inside when we finally decided to head in and make dinner.

Lolly's Head Band

Momentous occasion ...no idea what happened - but Charlotte has suddenly decided she likes her headband and wants to wear it and show it off. A true testament to the fact that children are such an amazing demonstration of "things change". (Particularly, since she would scream like we were sticking her with a hot poker if we put it on her head, rip it off and throw it as hard and far as she could.)

From Cuddle Bear

One of the wise people in our life pointed out in reference to the enormous battery of tools we had scattered about our home to help comfort our infant children -- that if we tried something and the baby didn't like it, wait...and try it again in a couple more weeks. For example, Ben's first reaction to the swing was sheer terror. We let it rest and a few weeks later tried it again - a Viola! Completely mesmerized baby boy.

So, here are a few photos of Lolly that are an illustration, to me, of the everchanging nature we all embody.

From Cuddle Bear

Sunday Morning Light

For my birthday, Drew gave me a photography class. I have weekly assignments that are pushing me to look at what my camera can do. Explore the light. Set up the composition. It has been a lot of fun -- and the kids, my primary subject matter, have been incredibly patient and perky models. These photos are from day two trying to get a certain picture. This weeks assignment was aperature - controling the amount of light let into the lense. These are a few of my favorites.

From Sunday Morning

From Sunday Morning

From Sunday Morning

From Sunday Morning

From Sunday Morning

From Superheroes

The kids got a superhero kit for Christmas that is made by Klutz. It's great! They had a selection of masks, arm bands, stickers and a beautiful red cape to craft their super hero identity. Charlotte wore her cape for days. Ben made a complete transformation in personality as soon as his costume was complete. It was amazing! Here are some of the pictures.

From Superheroes

We also watched the movie Sky High -- which was fun. The kids totally loved watching the teenagers explore their superhero powers. Ben immediately related to the young girl who was able to manipulate nature as her power -- and Charlotte liked the brooding, rough teenage boy who was able to throw fire. Predictions for our future son and daughter-in-laws?!?!?!

Christmas 2007

As many of you know, my Christmas present was a new Nikon D80 digital camera. I had so much fun with it over the holidays and captured some great images that I wanted to share with you.

Charlotte now owns...I don't know - 50 horses?!?! She couldn't be happier. She is excited about her large animal vetinary center that we will be opening soon, and is also enjoying her My Pony book and all of her race cars!


Ben has a hard time deciding which dragon he is going to sleep with at night, has constructed several miraculous Kugelbahn creations and has made beautiful forest fairies.

Both of the kids also enjoyed the Superhero kits we gave them -- and immediately created their alter-egos. Ben was Eagle Boy and Charlotte was Rocket Girl. Charlotte continues to wear her red cape around the house often. She insisted on having it on to eat dinner in front of the tv the other night. Too funny!

Thanks to all of you for your remarkably generous gifts. The kids had a wonderful time visiting with everyone and we are already starting to hear the "I miss" mantra that we are so familiar in our home.