Gotcha Again!

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Emmett!!! 

We are so happy to have had two loud, energetic, goofy, cuddly, and exciting years with Emmett!  Looking back it seems like we were just in China yesterday, but at the same time it feels like he has been with us forever.  It's hard to remember our family without Emmett chit-chatting nonstop from morning to night. 

Or making impromptu guns (even after repeated sanctioning from his parents) out of paper, sticks, tinker toys, Legos, play dough, or whatever else he is currently playing with.  What would sacrament meeting be with out having to whisper repeatedly that we don't shoot people at church - especially the Bishopric who make lovely targets behind the pulpit, or without having to go yow-yow approximately every ten minutes? 

How boring car rides would be without a little voice CONSTANTLY yapping in the back seat (I've discovered that he can hold a whole conversation with himself if I just occasionally grunt acknowledgment).

Wouldn't our house be too quiet without the pitter-patter of his tiny feet as they race through the kitchen or around the living room, stopping only to do a somersault across the couch or bum-scoot as fast as lightening down the stairs?

And who wants a perfectly clean house anyway when you can have walls and furniture decorated with artwork? (Don't ask about the coloring on the OUTSIDE of our house or the red dye marks on his bedroom furniture.) 

Shopping, dining out, going to a museum, or any other public arena would be so drab without the the constant oohing and aahing over Emmett as he charms his way through life.  Preschool would be a bore if he didn't show up to get the party started.  We wouldn't even know the definition of "charisma" if we didn't live with it everyday and see the huge effect such a tiny person can have on the world at large. 

Yep, we are so fortunate to have this huge personality in that little body as part of our family. 

We are so fortunate to have a little boy we can call our very own son.     

I Did It!

Now, those who know me know that I am a self professed sewing dummy.  I try to avoid the whole ordeal.  But when I saw this project I just had to try it.  I thought to myself that it looks easy enough for even me to do. 

I was right.

 

My first applique.  I am quite proud of it.  It only took me an hour - not quite the 20 minutes it was supposed to take, but not too bad for a non-sewer.  I gave it away as a gift at a party that Lilly went to on Saturday.  What little girl wouldn't want this rainbow T?  And the best part is that I was able to maintain my Scrooge like status and boycott the buying of any more toys - even for other people's children! 

Now I have a million ideas: birthday shirts, Easter outfits, gifts, etc.  I am on a roll!

Snow Ball

This year's Governor School's Snowball dance was another fun success for Hannah and her pals.  Check out how lovely they are!

Anna, Hannah, and Abby

The Sophomore Year Crew at the pre-dance dinner

Valentine's Fun

Lilly and I decided it would be super fun to have a  crafting Valentine's Day Soiree. 

We invited eight of her creative buddies and got the party started.

  We made valentine's from craft foam,

a garland from wrapping paper,

friendship pins,

and gluten-free peanut butter balls!

So messy and fun!

Robots and Hearts

Here are some hand made Valentine decorations the Kiddos and I made to decorate our lovely home.  Enjoy!

I actually roped Hannah and her friends (who were over for a movie night) into making hearts for this lovely garland

Tissue paper sun catchers were a blast to make

Look how lovely the light is through the paper

Love-Bots!

Our Family of Love-Bots!

Solitude

After a very busy weekend and a "snow day" home from school, I am happy to say that I have a quiet house to myself for a few hours.

I know what you are thinking: LUCKY!

In case you may think I will be running around the house in my underwear and sunglasses while singing classic rock songs into my hairbrush, I will share with you how I plan to spend those few quiet hours in gruelling, agonizing hardship.

I have a book on tape to finish.

I need to finish invitations for Lilly's Valentine's Day party.

I need to make valentine's for both Lilly and Emmett's classes.

I need to find out if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. (Happy Ground Hog Day!)

AND, if I have enough time left, I need to make some plans for our Chinese New Year dinner tomorrow night.

Whew!  How do I ever find the time?

Again? The Mystery of the Lost Snow Storm

I woke up this morning at 5:20am like usual.  Since there had been a threat of freezing rain during the night, I asked Hannah to check to make sure school had not been delayed.  She grumpily assured me that everything was normal so we both got ready for Seminary.

At around 6:02 Hannah and I were the only ones sitting in my basement.  Feeling slightly suspicious of the fact there were not 13 other sleepy teenagers sharing the lovely church issued table, I asked Hannah to check once again about school.  And lo and behold, school had been closed for the day!  

With wide grins and a few grumbles that we were both awake when we could have been sleeping, Hannah and I made our way upstairs.  We waited a few minutes to make sure no one came.  Four students showed up (late I might add) and were shewed away amongst joyous calls.

But the thing that really bothers me is where did the bad weather go?  Sure it rained during the night, but there was no ice I could detect.  And what about the call for snow?

I find it quite hilarious that our district cancels school at the THREAT of snow.  No snow present needed to win.

I guess this former Ohioan just doesn't get it.