My Little Valentine's

Valentine's Day...I'm so grateful for my three little Valentine's.

I'm so blessed to wake up each day to look into thier beautiful eyes, to watch them grow, to have their love in every moment of my life, and to give them love in every moment of theirs.

I woke early to sneak a balloon and a heart shaped box of Hershy Kisses into their rooms...I wanted them to open their sleepy little eyes and to immediately know it was a special day.

Kate received her first pink rose...her first flower exclusively and lovingly given to her by her daddy...in keeping with the tradition my father started for me(he stepped up his game this year by not only sending these beautiful tulips, but GODIVA...love him!).

She was so surprised and thankful.

We ended "love day" with our traditional Valentine's dinner as a family.

A perfect SNOW DAY!

Kate came tearing into my bathroom at 6am exaulting, "Mommy, there's a lotta snow outside...come (placing her little hand in mine and guiding me out into the hallway)...let me show you!"

The boys woke as giddy as she and ran down stairs to sit on the sofa and watch the swirling, glorious snow fall. We had a warm breakfast and snuggled a bit...and began the countdown to the magic hour of 9am when I promised we would search out the snowboots, snowsuits, gloves, hats and make our way outside.

It’s was a Snow Day.

I'm all to aware...these days of their childhood will pass by too quickly. I hope to make snow days magical and special and exciting for our kids. I hope to remember to keep things in perspective and not allow the worry of work and life to interfere with the Magic of a Snow Day. I hope that someday, maybe on their child’s first Snow Day, they can look back and say, “Remember when Mom and did that one thing on that one Snow Day? I want to do that with the kids today.”

So after literally 4 hours stright of climbing the backyard hill with the neighbors for that short thrill of sledding down at break neck speed, making snowmen, throwing snowballs, and chasing the dog...I finally forced them inside, at 2pm. They cried. I don't blame them...despite soaked gloves, wet socks, and red cheeks, they didn't want their magical day to end.

Sled riding. Snowman making. Hot chocolate.

Magic, indeed.

Groundhog 10K

Only 10 weeks remain until the Boston Marathon...we are thick in training and grateful for the mild winter we've been experiencing. It's made winter training much, much easier...so far. We broke out the tank tops and shorts for the 30th Annual TLC Groundhog Run last Sunday, the countries only sanctioned 5K/10K run completed entirely indoors in the Hunt Midwest Subtropolis. This is the 4th time I have competed in this race and it's always great to see so many friends compete in this sold out event as well. :)
2nd place female. 41:25 chip time (6:39 pace)

Yep, she's FOUR!

A VIP interview with now, four year old Kate:

Favorite Toy: "My Ponies, Mama!"
Favorite Food: "Vegetables, Fruit & Milk" (Nothing like her mother)
Best Friend: "Adryelle & Rachel"
Favorite thing to do outside: "Ride my bike"
Favorite teacher: "Ms. Kelly"
Favorite color: "Pink"
What are you going to be when you grow up? "A mama"
Favorite movie? "Tangled" (She at first mistook my question for, "What's your favorite booty", to which she replied "mine". :)
Favoite thing to do with daddy, "To cuddle dadddy"
Favorite thing to do with mommy, "Help put away laundry" (hmmm...help?)

She's pretty amazing!

Kate's Montessori Celebration of Life

Someone had a 4th birthday this week! More about that soon....

These moments make a sometimes haggard mom smile inside...and out.

Just when I thought I heard it all!

I work with a diverse population...education is pare for the course in that manner. I've heard every excuse imaginable as students have attempted to weasel their way out of the consequences of apathy and irresponsibility when it comes to completing school work. Really, many of my colleagues could write a book, or make a quirky calendar...and maybe actually make some money out of our career choice...hmm. Anyway, I was making routine parent phone calls this week with the purpose of communicating to parents/guardians the sad news that their student was not completing work, risking failure or removal from the course.

"Oh well, she's been really too busy to complete work over the last month because she's been taking care of the diabetic cat".

(insert sing-song voice by mom of said student)

(then insert stunned and laughable reaction by me)
True story.

Fat cat.

In all seriousness, these "excuses" from parents (yes, PARENTS) are becoming all too common these days. The expectation that teachers be responsible for more and more....yes, to primarily TEACH...but also to fill the role as social worker, counselor, psychologist....responsibility for moral and character development...and the list goes on. So yes, it frustrates me to see the public, and even our government, point the finger at inadequate educators/teachers when really, much of the decline and failure of our educational system lies at home with the decline of family structure, values and simply the investment of time into their own children.
Okay, off my soapbox...but not before I share the following article. :) http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html

KC Milan Lion's Fury

"HEY JONATHAN, TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN!!"~MOM
(yeah, you gotta look good playing the game...I mean, he already requests hair gel for every event)

Yep, even in this harsh, cold, snowy winter...wait...hold on, I'm way off...I mean mild, unseasonably warm winter, we are still kicking the ball around a bit. Indoors, that is...although the weather hasn't really prevented any chance of just being outside. I could say I would like to see even just a little snow, but quite frankly, I'm okay with this wacky winter weather. Jonathan has been enjoying playing with his team after a brief hiatus and we are thrilled that his entire undefeated U7 championship team will be back to play this spring...sporting a new name (see blog title?) The kids were asked to come up with a name.... Jon picked Fury (think "How to Train Your Dragon"). This was combined with another players pick of Lion and wa-la, we have a pretty formidable name, right?

Asking for prayer...

I had the fortune to photograph this amazing family....and this beautiful little girl. Please take a moment to read the following blog about Violet's latest trial...she and her family really need the intervention of prayer right now. http://calvinandoliver.blogspot.com/










http://calvinandoliver.blogspot.com/

Christmas Day!