Undetterred

I woke up disgruntled that the snow had ruined my plans for running much needed errands...no way can I drag all the kids out in the weather, and with Brian's truck out of commission, I can't just ask "on your way home from work, would you mind picking up...."

The kids, however, were none the worse!

I think this weather is fun like...the day before Christmas, but I'm ready for SPRING! I guess I'm not the only one. At breakfast Zoey was saying the prayer and she paused waiting for help, so I prompted "we're thankful for the snow..." she stopped and said, "no...we're thankful for the summer!"

A midwinter's nap

One way Zoey is like her dad is that she enjoys the warm sun on a cold winter's day!

 Zoey stopped taking naps about a year ago, to my dismay. Every once in a blue moon, however, I'll find her sacked-out somewhere. On this day she decided to get cozy in the warm sun shining through the window on a snowy day. She wrapped the curtains around her play area creating a canopy that collected all that warm bright sun. 

I'm not sure she intended to fall asleep, maybe the bean bag started to get too comfy to resist sinking all the way into a really comfortable position. Whatever the reason, I thought she looked so cute and peaceful enjoying a nap that was much needed! 

A crowd

My wonderful, hardworking husband spoke to a crowd of over 1,200 people yesterday in Orlando, Florida. This is the picture he sent me of that crowd.....He's amazing. I often think of what he does for work and glad that it's him and not me! I could never do what he does, but I'm glad that he does it! 

Today he is spending over 14 hours on a plane (don't cry too hard for him, he's going to Hawaii). He has been traveling this week and next from Denver to Florida to Hawaii, spending  a week away from home and more hours than he cares to spend in airplanes, airports, hotels and taxis.

As much as we hate having him gone, I'm glad that He works so hard for us so that I can enjoy talking to my crowd of one:

Jackson and Zoey spent the night and Grandma and Grandpa Gray's house, so Eli and I had time for a little date...with Calvin of course, but Eli wad OK with that. He was so much fun to be with! We rode a carousel, had a small scoop of ice cream, and went to dinner at the Pizza Factory. Eli couldn't be talked into anything other than Pizza...so since it was his date, we had pizza!

He loved the carousel so much we did it twice! We were the only riders, so he had his choice of animals. He picked the biggest horse with a blue saddle. He picked the same one both times.

I'm just saying...sometimes the job of a mom has great rewards and is really fun! I'm lucky to get to do it.  

Calvin is 8 months!

It happened just a few days ago, when I walked into his room after nap time, expecting Calvin to be on his tummy, knees, or back...and was shocked to see his little face peering over the crib as he was STANDING and waiting for me to come through the door. He was so excited! 

Our little baby is growing up!

He has two teeth on the bottom and two that just barely broke through on the top. He loves to chew his fingers... and anything else he can get in his mouth. Our house is on "choking-hazard-alert" these days. Our kids will spot things and say "choking hazard!" I've taught them well to pick up these things....

He has a great laugh and is getting to that fun stage of playing, tickling, and laughing with him. His burn (on the forehead) from last month is getting better and healing. I'm hoping no long-term scarring (cross my fingers). He still has a little ring of deep blue on the outer edges of his eyes... the last of his newborn baby eye-color left, but it's pretty and I hope it stays a while longer. I love his chubby hands and the padded fatty areas of his body. He's a lovable boy!