Being sick is just not fun, but swimming is!

Boy, have our kids had a streak of illnesses. Ethan starting throwing up on Wednesday early morning, about 1am. I ended up sleeping in Olivia's bed and Olivia took my spot upstairs. After a long day, he seemed a lot better by Wednesday late afternoon. Olivia has had a runny nose all week, and with that runny nose has come dried skin around the nose and a lot of soreness. The poor kid can't figure out how to blow her nose yet so it is all very messy. (I have done A LOT of laundry this week.)

Both kids seemed on the up swing Thursday so we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for Parker's 5th birthday party. The kids had so much fun and stayed up past their bedtime. They loved it! And, truth be told, Scott and I really liked being able to sleep in a little bit the next morning. Olivia and Ethan are such early birds, I wonder where they get that from?

Saturday we went to the YMCA downtown with a group/program from Coopersville public schools early education programs. We were in the pool the entire time! Ethan kept letting out these screams of excitement every few minutes! It was so adorable. Olivia really enjoyed seeing some of her classmates outside of school. Swimming in the winter is so much fun! Scott and I were right in the thick of it, in fact, I think if the slide was open Scott would have gone on it. The kids were exhausted and sleepy last night.

Unfortunately, they were both not feeling well, again. Ethan threw up a little bit, enough to wash the sheets, and Olivia is just plain miserable with that runny nose and chapped skin. I hope they are both well soon, everyone around here needs a full night's sleep with no interruptions.

Baby it's cold outside

How we stay warm and have fun in subzero temps:
playdates with cousins
GR Children's Museum
coloring
painting
playdough
movie time
playing dress up
playing camping out in the living room
planning our vacation to Florida
baking cookies and bread
computer time
Here are some pictures:

Margaret Rose

While others spend this time of year contemplating New Year's resolutions, planning their future year endeavors, and adding to their to do lists I will now and always take this time of year to relish the memories of times gone by with my mom. It was last year on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2007)morning that I woke to frenzied phone messages and the returned calls telling me the heart breaking news that my mom had died earlier in the morning of a stroke. It still doesn't seem like it is real, and yet I fear forgetting...her voice, her laugh, moments in time... Watching videos or that beautiful montage of photos set to the theme song from "Somewhere in Time" (my mom's favorite) that my dear friend Amie made I am not able to do yet, so I play the moments back in my mind and heart. In order not to forget, I will remember.

"Let this New Year be the beginning of a new life in each of us...Let all blessed old things stay, but let the clutter of our heads and hearts be removed, that new inspirations and new affections may come in and gladden our lives."
~ Chester Burge Emerson


So happy new year, new inspirations and new affections to you all!