Phil had a rough work week - one full day, two partial days, and two days off completely. We consoled him the 2nd full day off by sliding down our driveway on our recycling bin lids. You can see pockets of water below the ice since the first melt was underway.

 Leif is shocked, shocked!, that Naomi is trusting enough to send her lamby down the driveway with only a blanket to keep her warm.  She needs a hat at least.

 We sure tried to make a snow man, but alas, the snow of our storybooks allows for amazing snowmen while we managed to make cookies and a big snow mountain. And Naomi wanted to use a beer bottle for the nose, so there was a bit of disappointment all around.

Snow angels! Another mystical activity from the depths of our book collection set in wintry conditions.  This activity delivered though Leif is less sure than Naomi.

 These two may not stay outside for hours at a time, but they played hard and slept GREAT.

I forgot to post these when the kids were doing their art. Naomi's 5 pieces during her room time.  A rocket ship, Leif holding a banana, and the alphabet.

A letter that says, "Dear Mama, I have to go. But I'll be back. PS Pete is with me." (We read Bill and Pete to the Rescue by Tomie DePaola, and the letter is strangely reminiscent).  On the right, Leif pulling a (large) piece of tape.

Long weekend

Party weekend. Here are some pics from the 2nd party we went to at the same house this weekend.  The kids were excited to come as a princess and knight to their dear friend's house. Hannah is half way to 10!

(Note Leif with the excalibur!)

  

Laying in bed Friday night, unable to sleep after surging through Divergent (years after everyone else who was interested read it already), I heard three gunshots which made me feel like I was experiencing Divergent more realistically. 

Glad to see it was just someone emphasizing the D in our DIP sign.  

Phil had what turned out to be his last soccer game for the season Saturday night. The kids and I took the opportunity to go to the part before temps plummeted overnight.

Sunday night: working on a little block project. 

   

Phil and I were both off from work (school jobs are great for that!).  Naomi rushed into our room this morning and said, "There's SNOW! Come and see, come and see. It's so beautiful. It makes my eyes sprinkle with joy!"

 

The outside playground did not hold them long (maybe 14 minutes, which considering the 20-degree was pretty decent).  On to coloring instead.  

Tonight, Naomi said she had a great day, and in her dreamy voice, "The snow was delightful."

We said goodbye to a good friend, the teapot, in the Bassett house, one that will sorely be missed. 

In happier news, Phil and I have a new theme song. The kids enjoy dancing to it too, and it's a good beat to get cleanup done a little faster, or at least a little more enjoyably.

Note: I do not generally condone the use of "shut up." (For you, Mom).

Phil is off again tomorrow, and UD has a delayed start which doesn't really mean anything for me, working from home.  So, I predict at least another 14 listens to this song on Tuesday.

Fun at our library.

 

Reading with others in front of the fire. Leif had a long nap and usually wakes up from those feeling cautious. He put himself down for a nap and stayed dry for about 3 hours of sleeping! 

 

When Leif wears his helmet at odd times, I think of Benny and Joon (see second 20):

A look back to several weeks in summer!

While Phil gallivanted around France, the kids and I hightailed it to the Woodlands.

Breakfast at the Brooklyn Cafe and a quick trip to an Asian market to reminisce about whole fish (the smell) and frozen durian. Ah, memories.

What's a summer day in Texas without water? Leif is ready to roll right into the duck pond.

In an effort to see MORE water, we took a daytrip to Galveston and enjoy sand, seaweed (piled up behind Leif),

and dolphins from the Galveston ferry. 

Dad made an amazing hazelnut cake and continued the Roosma-honored tradition of tasting the spray whipped cream.

Pool time! Soaking up more rays and salt-water compound.

It was a perfect week to be at Mom and Dad's since both had a birthday while we were there. Here is Dad opening the group kid gift. Kids love to help anyone who needs help unwrapping.

Trial run on a kayak for the upcoming lake trip (pictures upcoming, perhaps before next summer's trip?), and Leif showing Grandma how hots are best worn.

Puzzle time!

We were spoiled on this trip. Dad was in the kitchen a second time cooking pannekoeken, Dutch dinner-plate-sized pancakes that are the texture of a crepe but thicker. They can be eaten plain or stuffed with delicious things like bacon! Wow, delicious.

Mom's birthday! With more help from Naomi, master Gift Opener and Appreciator!

Waiting for Daddy's return!!

Summer House Project #1: Fixing a huge hole in N's room. #2: Painting it purple!

Fourth of July Concert featuring the Vocal Majority with dear family friends!

Holland plays soccer!  They don't always win, but we dress in support of them regardless.

Cow Appreciation Day!

Leif starts escaping from his crib. A bit of a summer low-point.  Enter Big Boy Bed.

Christkindl Market, Alrington

Feeling nostalgic about the Christkindl Market we went to when living in Indonesia, I decided to take the kids and check it out. In spite of Phil's absence.  In spite of the cold drizzle. And in spite of forgetting my jacket. We went!

 Quick stop at CCA to say "Hey Daddy!" and watch some soccer practice.

Leif let me borrow his blanket, well, until he noticed I had it on. Which was about the time that it took me to take the picture.  Then he reclaimed it. Sadly.

 Fresh kettle corn and unlimited hot cocoa.  We were all ecstatic.  

Especially me who had to suffer a bit and hold the hot chocolate until it was a kid-acceptable "warm chocolate." Taking one for the team.

What to eat at a German festival, you ask? Corn dogs, of course! One corn dog actually, and one corn brat.  Quite tasty (despite Leif's face).

We came home to Phil having made a delicious meal.  This was double awesome since I was still thawing from all the time in the cold sans jacket.

Roast beast! Or the human equivalent.

 

So, we gave the kids wooden weapons from the Markt, the Compleat Knight to be exact. It must have been all the hot cocoa because it seemed like a good idea there, seeing it in the kids' hands made me a little nervous.  Next year: shields!!

The little pre-Christmas Christmas was a big hit with the kids. And we enjoyed our first family of four (or three, or even two) celebration before the Christmas rounds began with the extended family.