Zero Days

This week we were hit (just like the rest of America) with weird weather! We had highs in the negatives and lows way down there! Big Brother just celebrated his 100th day of Kindergarten last week at school with a 100 Party. So, when school was canceled due to negative temperatures, I declared it a "Zero Day". (He doesn't get the whole negative number thing- so we just pretended it was really 0 degrees out!)

So, we started our zero day with a zero breakfast of waffles, peanut butter, honey and zero-shaped bananas. (We call these Monkey Waffles)We never got dressed, because you shouldn't when it's 0 outside. We bundled up tight and watched shows and did zero things productive! (Actually, I cleaned forever while the kids watched shows!)

This was Big Brother's idea since legOs have round pieces and this had a lot of zero-shaped tires. It took that Coke Zero to get me through this one!

We also baked some pumpkin muffins- which count because pumpkins are round and so are muffins. ZERO photos because there are ZERO left!

As a side note, just wanted to show you what the windows looked like for 2 days around here. This is actually ice on the INSIDE of our windows. Don't mind the subliminal messages that are intended for the hubby!

Have a warm weekend!

Ski Trip

On a whim we headed up to the mountains skiing last weekend. Big Brother took one ski lesson 2 years ago and we weren't too sure if Little Brother would even get out of the car! But, we headed up and figured we'd make the best of it! To our amazement they both loved it! 

Big Brother caught on so quickly and by the end of the day we were all going on the lift and coming down the green hills! The video above is a little long- but shows their skiing debut!

Little Brother used a back pack that had a handle and straps. I skied him down between my skis most of the day, but he did venture out towards the end. He even made it off the lift on his own a few times. 

All in all, it was a great day and we're hoping to make it up again soon!

Camo Boy

Big brother gets dressed and ready for school each day on his own. Today, he came down in this get up! I suspect he might be planning to escape from school during recess.

I wonder if his bride one day will mind having a camouflaged wedding or house decor?

Quality Time

From Jan 1 through the 21st, Kevin was home for 3 days. Yes- you read that right! His work took him away for almost 2 full weeks and then another week back to back. So, needless to say, we didn't get much "Quantity Time" with him. So, to make up for that, we really have been packing in the "Quality Time" when he was home. (He's home for a good while now~ no trips planned).

The first activity we planned was a Denver Nuggets Game. My mom gave us money for Christmas for a family activity. This is what we chose! We ate at a fun downtown restaurant, Mellow Mushroom, and headed over for the game. We bought our tickets through a school discount and were surprised to find we were sitting right next to our neighbors! Actually, 4 of our neighbors were there and all pretty close.

This bear is "cubbie bear". He lives at school and it was our turn to watch him for the weekend. Big Brother has been waiting for weeks to get him. He went everywhere we went. So, the boys even let him "borrow" clothes from another bear at home to go the game with us!

We stayed until part way through the last quarter. The Nuggets were up by 40 or more points. Big Brother thought it would be good to stay until the Nuggets had 110 points. When they made it, we headed home. Both of the boys enjoyed the night (so did we!)

Last Friday, Big Brother had no school. I woke up unable to stay home yet another day, so I quickly scanned some options and chose the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It's a place we've never been. Being a "retired" science teacher, I have been wanting to go for some time. It was an amazing place. We ALL had a great time and spent the whole day there. A good alternative to staying home and cleaning (and fighting!)

Our first stop was in outer space- well, at least the space exhibit. They had astronaut outfits and rockets. Even remote control rockets and huge lit up globes. Being into Star Wars and planets made this a favorite section for the boys.

Checking out their infrared light emissions! 

When you first enter, there is a huge T-rex. Little Brother wasn't too sure about it! After reading endless dinosaur books, it was cool to see how huge they really were.

Lots of hands-on exhibits and tons of dinosaurs...

Week In Review

Daddy is home after a 12 day trip for work. He's home long enough to drop off laundry and head out again for a shorter jaunt next week. These trips come up a few times a year. We dread them and I'm looking forward to having him home for good. 

And I'm looking forward to this plans this weekend that definitely include a babysitter!

All I can say is TGIF!

Here's our week in a nutshell-

Monday- SNOW DAY, Mommy stomach flu
Tuesday- Big Brother gets dropped off in the ice and snow while it's 9 degrees.
               Comes home from school with a fever.
Wednesday- Big Brother stays home with fever and cough/congestion
Thursday- Big Brother home again- fever and congestion.
                 Daddy returns home from 12-day work trip...
                 Little Brother's fish dies
Friday- Verbally attacked by Fish Nazi at Petsmart and denied the ability to buy a replacement fish!

This is our cute fish tank that I've been told is a toxic environment and full of horrible chemicals that created an ecosystem incompatible to life- or something like that!


Since we couldn't leave the house for a good 4 days straight, there was lots of this:

(He's not the only one- but really the only one that is cute enough to share on here when he melts down. My meltdowns are definitely not "blog-worthy!")

And lots of finding activities to keep the troops happy:

A toilet paper roll castle we made for the Star Wars guys. Pretty cute!

and a lot of messes!

We survived! Looking forward to a little R&R and family time this weekend! Have a good one!

Monkey Business

When uploading old photos from my "old" camera a few weeks ago, I found Big Brother's been "borrowing" that camera! I suppose when I am fighting helping L'il Brother get down for a nap, he gets bored. These photos are not edited, fresh from the camera. I guess he had a little photoshoot with a monkey!

The Holidays All Wrapped Up

We got suckered into buying the Santa photo this year. In prior years they let us snap our own photos, but not this year. I figure we won't remember getting ripped off when we see this photo when they are all grown up!

Christmas Morning

Our traditional overnite cinnamon rolls. This year, served on the funny food face plates from Grandma Sheryl!

Playing some Wii. The favorite gift of the day!

I love the face plant up above! He was trying to get a running start and ended up face in the snow!

We had a small New Years Eve party with a couple of friends. Was a fun night.

Last year we started the tradition of a "dated" family photo to ring in the new year.

(This was obviously last year's photo!)

Lighting up the lanes

A few afternoons ago, I was feeling cooped up with the kids in the house and decided we  could use some fresh air desperately needed to get out of the house. So, we ended up at the bowling alley for a little change in routine! Daddy's been out of town for work for a while and will be for a bit more, so it made for a fun evening! We finished it off at dinner at Jason's Deli. On Wednesday nights it's Free Kid's Meals. That means, I pay for a salad bar and the boys eat free and get all the ice cream they can hold! Not bad for about $8!

Big Brother has been playing Wii non-stop since Christmas. I'll say he was a bit surprised to find that "Real Bowling" is quite a bit harder! I love how they dance and cheer on their ball!

It isn't pretty and it isn't great form, but when the ball weighs about 1/5th of your body weight you get it down that lane any way you can! I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that after he let go of the ball, I walked over to get a straw at the concession stand, came back and the ball was still SLOWLY rolling towards the pins. I had no idea that was even possible. I only wish I had my new Flip (video camera) I got for Christmas to prove it to you!

This is just to show you that I beat the kids! Only joking! I just wanted to show that there is no chance of a bowling career or even a bowling league in my future! My score is the one with the huge purple arrow!

Arizona: Take 37!

Honestly, I have lost count of how many blog posts I have about Arizona! Really, this is getting out of hand. I can't tell you how many photos I have from 8 days with family celebrating Christmas and hanging out. But, I promise, this is it! No time for witty commentary or entertaining stories- all you get are some photos!

So, now I give you Arizona with my side of the family! (I promise it's almost over!)

We had an early Christmas Dinner and the kids got to decorate cookies. Surprisingly Little Brother decorated the most- a whole tray-full. The other kids decorated enough to fill their own bellies!

This is what happens when left on their own to decorate. Would you like a cookie with those sprinkles?

We headed over to the Marriot. They had a Willy Wonka display completely made out of candy and edible things. The kids loved it.

They had a station set up to write to Santa. Big Brother wrote that he wanted a bat and a wreath. What 6 year old boy asks for a wreath? 

This is my sister's baby girl. Here is another link with photos of her and another link to photos of my sister's entire family.

Besides playing with cousins, the boys got lots of cuddle time with Granny. It's always a treat to be with family.

We also met my dad's new wife who was kind enough to make dinner for our family and 2 extra cousins! 

Until next time! Thanks for all the fun and memories everyone!