Cold

I know that many, many people are hurting this winter in the long-term frigid temps and large amounts of snow. I took this for posterity. Keep in mind, this is pre-windchill temp. 

(photo by one of the kids)

This is Ava's opinion of this stupid-cold winter. She doesn't have enough fur to make this fun.

One tough Minnesota chick.

Cuddling in front of a space heater is a great way to thaw out.

Crêpes

Obviously single parents can make a wonderful life for themselves and their children, however there are also many reasons that it is helpful to have 2 parents. One example:

It is important to have one parent that remembers that their daughter gags when you feed her crêpes because it is too "eggy" and hasn't served her crêpes in years because it always ends in tears.

It is also important to have one parent who forgets that their daughter hates crêpes and serves it to her one morning so she can say, "Oh! These are delicious! Can I have more?"

Sewing School

One of those gifts that actually worked out...a sewing book for Laura. I did a lot of research and picked Sewing School by Andria Lisle and Amie Plumley. It has been so wonderful! 

So far she has made a pin cushion, a "needle book" to hold her needles,

A first attempt at a stuffed animal,

A second attempt at a stuffed animal,

A sleeping mask for me,

Glasses case for Jim,

A name tag for Ava,

And the pièce de résistance, a skirt! 

She picked out the material and used the sewing machine, so this was pretty darn exciting. It was cool to see her wear it to school proudly. I even learned something while I helped - how to make a casing for elastic.

She had a hole in the knee of her pants the other day and the first thing she said was "I can sew it back together!" I love that she feels empowered to just go downstairs and make something.

Whatever

You know what? Its easier to take the easier route. And today, that means posting lots of old pics instead of finishing the post I have half-written in my head about Laura's recent sewing projects. Obviously, these pictures are from times long ago when I could see the grass. Right now, it is covered in 2 feet of snow and it too cold to do anything but run to the bus stop and back. 

Picture by Adam on the ladder (sounds like a recipe for disaster, huh?)

We were so innocent of true winter back in these days

Wacky day at school

Wacky Day at home

As good as our family portraits get

Jim and I went to a play at the Guthrie Theater, with provided childcare! Awesomeness

Dance party at Adam's school

January - by the numbers

Days in January so far - 23
Scheduled school days in January so far - 13
Laura's sick days - 3
Days cancelled due to extreme cold - 3
Actual days Laura was in school in January so far - 7

Pre-Christmas Happenings

Laura's latest belt test

Grandpa Phil came to visit! 

Adam and I discussing ancestors and family trees

Christmas at Jim's parents'

We had a great time giving gag gifts for Christmas at Jim's folks' house. Most were from Goodwill and probably destined to return to Goodwill.

Jim found this great hat for his dad. It looked great on everybody who tried it!

Bob and Kate's gifts had a loose Sasquatch theme

Have I mentioned that Jim had pneumonia? His eyes are a bit dead in the picture because he was pretty sick at this moment. But he's almost back to 100% now. No more freeloading!

Laura got to sit on Sunshine for a bit

We joined the embarrassing club of people who have dressed up their animal and then photographed  it.

I was surprised to see a poem Laura had written last summer at Grandma's house. It was great!

There may have been a bit of cell phone slot machine playing :)