Mac's new do

You know how a new haircut can turn a baby into a little boy? I think it just happened :-(

Chef in the making

Addie is sitting on the couch doing one of those mystery books- color over it with the marker and you get the answer kinda thing. She is working on one that has a code and she figured out that is says "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I tried to explain to her what that meant, and she suggested you could also put the lemons on some chicken.

Shamrock Shakedown

The leprechauns came to visit this week. ..

Here is Mary's account of what happened (video):

I also had the pleasure of celebrating with Addie and her class. Check out my hat- I got that bad boy in Dublin 15 years ago to the day~ thanks Dad!!

Minnesotsa From Space

This is Addie's first science fair project (this post is long overdue). She has a real interest in space and decided that she wanted to do her first project on space. We went to the library, got out a couple of books and learned about how man was able to reach space. In the center of her board, we put some things we learned about, like Sir Isaac Newton's law of gravity and rocket propulsion. Around the outside we put pictures of famous Minnesota landmarks taken from space. These include everything from the Metrodome to Addie's school. We had a great time doing this project together. I am looking forward to more next year!

Is this what a leprechan looks like?

Giving it her all!

Mary's 4-year old visit to the dentist has led her to a very big decision... she's giving up the thumb. For those of you who know Mary (even just a little) you know that she is a THUMB SUCKER. Her story is below:

THUMBS
by Shel Silverstein
Oh the Thumb-sucker's thumb
May look wrinkled and wet
And withered, and white as the snow,
But the taste of a thumb
Is the sweetest taste yet
(As only we thumb-suckers know).

Sitting in Mass Sunday, I could tell she was trying very hard. She came over to me and whispered, "I really want to suck my thumb." Good thing I had just restocked my gum supply :-)

Kiddywampus

Addie had school off Friday so she and I were able to go to Kiddywampus! I love it there- an open studio full of every kind of art supply! This was our first venture- a mural of a farm in springtime! I love it!

Hop on Pop

There are some nights when you are just proud to be a parent, when you get to see your kids grow right in front of your eyes and do things that amaze you. Last night was one of those nights.

Addie is getting close to reading. She knows a lot of words, but she always shies away from reading books in front of me and Polly. Last night, I suggested to Addie that we try reading Hop on Pop. It was one of my favorite books as a kid, and the book is easy enough for her to read on her own (the simplest Suess for the littlest use). And, she did it. She read the whole book all by herself. She even turned the pages so Mary and I could see the pictures. I was so proud of her and I think she got a lot of confidence by reading it.

Its really hard being home all day.

Addie has school off Thursday and Friday this week for conferences. At approx. 9:17am Thursday, Addie looked at me and said, "Its really hard being at home all day."
No comment :-)

Jelly bean season

Can jelly beans really make your hair curly?

Little Bro

They really are buddies these days- it makes me smile :-)
I often wonder if this is what Timmy and I were like....

Sledding Patch!

Here was our Daisy Troop sledding outing. The girls were so excited to get a patch for their pinnies!

Number 5!

What a RIDE!

Not sure how we actually pulled it off, but Clint and I spent 4 days in Telluride, CO this week. The kids all went to the Davidosn's (story for another day) Thursday night, and we flew out of a snow storm to celebrate Kelly's 40th with my family in Telluride, CO. It was our first trip together without the kids, well, since the kids! Do you think we look happy?

Our condo was located in the town of Telluride right at the bottom of Lift 7. The view out our condo was STRAIGHT up a run that was an unbelievable black diamond that was a serious mogul ride. All I could do is pray that there would be another way home :-)

In the morning we rode Chair 7 and skied down to Lift 4. We rode Lift 4 and started working our way up to mid- mountain (Lifts 5 and 12 were my favorite) and then up to the newly opened Revelation Bowl.

Our days were sunny and warm! The runs were mostly groomed, but steep and fast- my favorite kind of run of there can't be a couple inches of new powder. Sandia Headwall was a great run! I've never laughed so hard as when Kelly, Mom, Dad and I got stuck in the Enchanted Forrest- not so enchanted when Dad straddled a tree!

It was such fun being together - we all skied together and a pretty quick pace. Clint was the all star navigator and really got into it. He especially liked going FAST! I think it was the cougars in his boots.

Telluride is a very high mountain. The town itself is about 8,700 and it only goes up from there. Revelation Bowl is over 12,500.!

Mom and Dad kept pace all weekend too!

...even at Apres Ski! This place was great- half way up the base lift so you didn't have too far to ski down after a few cold Fat Tires!

Guiseppe's at Lift 9 is a great place to have lunch- at a mere 11,890 ft! It had my only star sighting of Mark Consuelos (ok, I know, he's Kelly Rippa's husband and Oprah Show contributor). He's hot but not much on skis ;-) He's also apparently small as you can barley seem him between Mom and Clint.

One of the cool things about Telluride is the gondola that runs between the town and the mountain village. Its a free ride and goes 'til midnight. Very cool for an evening ride back and forth to see the sun set over the mountains through the Aspen grove, and a steep ride down back to the village!

There are also those other good things you can always count on: Clint for Apres Ski, Tim & Anya making an awesome dinner, Kelly & Polly pulling Tim & Clint through the billiards exercise, and Clint falling asleep at the puzzle table.

Its amazing what a few days of sheer bliss can do for you. I had such fun and felt so good to be back on my boards. It felt like so natural and so free. I loved seeing the joy in Clint's face. He really improved over the weekend and I know how great that feels. He was free and happy and fast! He rocked it.

When we made it back to Minneapolis and over to pick up the kids at the Davidson's, Mac looked at me and ran away. Addie cried all the way home because she wanted to stay longer. Me too :-)