New Business!

In the middle of a snowstorm, Declan hand delivered flyers to all our neighbors, advertising his new business "Walkway Shoveling". Any size walkway, any size snowfall for a mere $6. He made nearly $30 in two days! How awesome is that?!?

Hearts Aplenty

Valentine's day is approaching. Angus and I made stain-glass hearts that hang in the windows, filtering light.

We took crayon shavings (red, blue, purple, green, yellow, pink) and sandwiched them between two pieces of wax paper. A quick application of iron melted the wax, creating a stain-glass effect. Quick cut outs gave us these pretty hearts that wave when the heat comes on.

Declan and I made heart-shaped cookies tonight. Yummmmm.

Mushrooms Anyone?

Wowza. The mushroom kit that Gramma gave Angus for Christmas is producing like crazy. I got to tell you, I was a little concerned about keeping a box of manure and spores nice and cozy in the house. But now it looks like we'll be eating them every day for quite some time!

Busy Busy Busy

These are hectic times and I haven't feel very inspired to write. The news of McKinley's suicide rocked me in a way I don't like. Death ... most deaths ... is a natural thing. It is part of the process of life. People die in all sorts of ways and there is a natural mourning process we go through when we lose someone close.

But suicide... that is a different monster. I was not prepared to deal with these waves of anger, guilt, relief (and then guilt for feeling relief), an improper sense of responsibility, all the while sadness rolled through constantly. I feel a tremendous sense of loss and a lack of closure. I suppose that is natural when we lose someone unexpectedly. I'll keep working through it.

The rest of Life, however, is busy as all get out.

The 7th grade play is in full swing with practices

after school (for Declan) and I am busy with the ticket and publicity committees, trying to settle on a logo and means for getting the word out.

So mark your calendars now:

March 11th 3:30 pm

March 12th: 7:00 pm

March 13th: 7:00 pm

Declan will be a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, and a

member of the Emerald City Ensemble. :)

Both boys are involved in the Chinese New Year festival this year. Declan will be performing on stage while Angus works the lighting system.

Basketball season for Declan is winding down. As point guard he has improved tremendously this season and I think he might just continue playing even after the season ends.

The Library's Pot Luck supper is this weekend and we are starting to think ahead to the used book sale which will be the last Saturday in June again this year (I believe).

I put this on FaceBook but for you, mom, here is your youngest grandson playing with Miss Maggie this morning.

Cute Baby Moment #763

Isaiah loves snowmen. Don't know how to say it more clearly. The kid goes nuts for them. If he sees a picture of one in a magazine, he smiles, says, "mmmmm", and kisses it. If he sees one in real life, he runs up to it, hugs it and kisses it. Then declares, "Co Co Co" (that would be "cold" for all you non-Isaiah speaking people). We have several snowman ornaments on the tree which are hugged, kissed, and admired daily.

Steve thoughtfully built a small snowman on the deck, right outside the french doors off the family room, so Isaiah could admire it throughout the day; wave 'night-night' in the evening; and probably dream about it in between. A warm, rainy spell killed the snowman one day. Poor Isaiah stood at the window, pointing and wailing at his loss. Steve finally went out and removed the two stick arms, the only remaining parts, to help alleviate his painful reminder...

Thankfully, cooler weather returned and a new snowbaby has taken up residence on the deck. Topped with a red hat and pinecone nose, he is stylin' in his new digs.

to the Pedi

I confess, we haven't been to the pediatrician since Isaiah was 9 months old. The boy has been healthy and strong and we haven't had any concerns ... however, every now and then it is just nice to get another opinion (and a skilled one at that).

Just gotta say, I totally Dr. Cooper. He is so calm and soothing, spending plenty of time observing Isaiah and asking questions about his development. Both Steve and I wonder just what would it take to rile the man. Any way... if you are keeping stats, the boy at 16 months old is a mere 22.5 pounds and is 33 inches long/high. Kinda tall and skinny. We are still holding off on the vaccinations for now.

We had been a little concerned because a couple of weeks ago Isaiah had started substituting his words (verbal and signing) for grunts and points. Pedi says no worries ... he is making development gains in other areas and the language will return (it already has). He has been sleeping at night much much better ~ often spending nearly the entire night in his crib (still side-carred to our bed) with just a couple of quick nursings. I'm feeling renewed energy with all the sleep I have been granted and am taking advantage. Too bad you can't store extra sleep for later on...

Merry Christmas!!!

I admit it, I had a hard time getting into the swing of things for Christmas this year. Seems like I say that every year when I'm scrambling at the last minute and swearing that next year will be different...

next year will be different! Right????

I was even out on Christmas eve shopping. Thats how bad it was. No matter. It all got done one way or another and whatever didn't get done... oh well. It was a success and when I hear one of my children say, as they head to bed that night, "That was the best Christmas ever", it makes my heart warm all over.

As I prepared dinner on Christmas eve, Angus and Declan asked if they could string popcorn to put on the

tree. Not something I had to think about for long. I was a little worried Isaiah would choke on the popcorn but he handled it quite well.

You can see him in this picture, behind Angus, eating 'Floor Pie' of popcorn.

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional tea ring. The last couple of years, Angus has been happy to help make it and, quite frankly, I'm happy to have his help. This year was no different.

Don't you love that smile?

Christmas morning came and all went well. Even though the presents were a little sparse this year, the boys seem to really enjoy their time. Isaiah loved his new toys, Declan got a lot of games and IPod/Tune stuff, and Angus has enough to read for a couple of months. well... at least for a couple of weeks. Life is good.

The morning after Christmas, as Isaiah descended the stairs next to the tree, he started applauding. He has already started to associate the tree with all good-things-holiday. Good food, family and friends, new things to play with and look at. :D