The Side Bar

First, a request...
If you visit a country other than USA and you have time and access to a computer, would you please open this blog once while you are there? I'm not trying for lots of readers here, that's not the purpose of this blog. But I do have a gadget at the bottom that tells me where people are when they open it and I'm  kind of silly about collecting different countries. In fact, the Finland and Estonia flags are from me last year, so its not like I have a dedicated Finnish reader. Michelle opened it in Canada, which made giddy. So, if you happen to get a chance, it would really make my day. Thanks very much!

Second...
I started collecting the names of the books I read last June. You can see them in the side column and I've tried to keep updating it.  It has been so much fun for me. I have used it to go back and remember authors I want to read more, or series I want to continue, or books to recommend to friends. If I like a book enough to finish it, it is on the list. If I don't like a book, I have no problem returning it to the library the minute I decide its not for me, so it won't show up on the list. I really think I'll try to continue this list forever. I'd love to have a lifetime book list (at least from age 34 on).

Hello there

Too Much Noise

Laura's school play was a few weeks ago. I was really impressed with how well the whole performance went. Laura got to deliver the flowers to her teacher at the end. She was very proud!

A Laura post

Earlier, before the crazy crazy cold snap, Laura was the only one who could get the dusty snow to pack enough for a snowman. A snow family, actually!

I took Laura to see Pinocchio at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis. We agreed that it was fantastic!

And we had a date after at our usual restaurant. Notice Laura's dangly earrings that she borrowed for the occasion.  

And, a few weeks ago, she and I tried out cross-country skiing. She did a wonderful job! It was really fun for both of us. Now, if it was just snow again and warm up a bit, we could try it again!

Adam's Happy Birthday Jesus celebration at preschool

Wild Kratts glider

The kids, particularly Adam, are obsessed with The Wild Kratts, a PBS cartoon about nature. 

Laura decided to be a helpful big sister and help him make a Wild Kratts glider. It has a gear shift, steering wheel, and logo on it, among other things I've since forgotten.

New, short-term, pets

Laura's wish list included some painted lady caterpillars this year. My parents ordered them for her and we were all surprised to see that the company sent them immediately. The one time we have done this in the past, they didn't ship until spring. So...Mom and Dad kept them alive until we got there. Then, we babied them all the way to Jim's parents' house and home on a 12 hour car ride, including bringing them into the hotel with us.

They hatched today!

We set up their own sanctuary in our living room since 2 weeks in a tiny net habitat didn't sound like a fun lifetime and we clearly can't release them outside. So far, they haven't flown around much. I'll keep you posted!

Adam in the snow

Christmas in various US states

 As usual, our Christmas season was spread across weeks and states. We started at home with a small family celebration. 

This girl has some power...and some rage.   

 Then we headed down to Oklahoma via some really terribly icy roads.

They didn't seem to bother the kids much.

Four days at Grandma Ann and Grandpa Phil's house.

duh...

Mariocart!

And 4 days at Papa and Grandma C's house.

Sigh. Our children are not destined to be supermodels.

Merry Christmas!

Well, hello there

I moustache you a question...

How was your holiday season?

Ours was lovely. More pictures to follow.