Remember Anne of Green Gables???

Did any of you ever watch the Anne of Green Gables TV Movie from the 80s? 

 

Well, I just started reading the first book in the Anne of Green Gables Box Set that I got for Christmas.  I can't believe that I never read the books as a kid since I loved the movie so much, but it's amazing how closely the movie follows the book.  I'm half way into the first book and I feel like the movie is playing in my head right along as I read.  This is not the case for many other books I've read and then watched the movie versions.

It's been a very fun trip down memory lane reading the book so far.  I'll have to buy the movie too so I can share both the books and movie with Nora as she grows (it's a pretty feminine story, so I don't think Luke will be interested).  

Blasted Winter...

I'm not a crabby blogger, or a crabby Minnesotan...but I need to vent...

I'm done with winter.

I was simply bitter on Sunday when I knew more snow was coming.  We had just enjoyed a few days of beautiful sunshine, "warmer" days (30+ degrees for those of you outside MN), and I had just shoveled my deck and patio (first time all winter) with hopes that it would not be needed again this season. 

The other fact that added to my bitterness is that I felt like the time change for Daylight Savings this weekend was like a precursor to spring....then we get seven more inches of snow. Come on! 

As I was getting ready for work today, I wasn't crabby.  I was disappointed that Luke got another snow day and that it was once again on a day I had to work (I love cozy, stuck-at-home days with my kids).  I was even thinking positive thoughts like "Well, at least it's warm outside" and "The snow won't last that long in March."

Then I got to work.  More precisely, I parked at work.  As I walked into the building, I bit it. 
Full sprawl...

Flat on my back...

In the parking lot...

With my head bouncing off the pavement...

Ugh...

As if I wasn't bitter enough about the second March snow storm of 2013, then I got whacked in the head by it. 

The rest is history...an incident report at work, a three-hour trip to the E.R. (recommended by a nurse or I wouldn't have gone), and an achy neck and shoulders from the fall. 

The silver lining to this stupid snow?  I did get to snuggle with my kiddos after returning from the E.R. and got some stuck-at-home time being lazy on this "snow day."

Eight Months

Our Sweethearts

At eight months, you are...

• Mastering the skill of clapping. You've been working on it for a month and can now coordinate your hands together almost every time.  You especially like to clap when music is playing.
• Becoming a more steady "sitter."  You can now sit up for extended stretches while playing and don't tip over as easily when looking around or reaching for toys.  That ab of yours (the big round one in the middle) must be getting stronger;)
• Now eating banana without it being blended into baby food and enjoy eating Puffs baby cereal with your fingers.  
• Working on showing us "so big." You usually put your arms out to the sides when we say it, but you're getting the hang of it:)
• Getting the last few days out of your 9 month winter clothes.  I'm hoping we get warmer weather soon so you can get into your 12 month clothes that is more for spring/summer.  
• Talking or singing all of the time.  Your sounds include "ba", "da", "ma", and "na."  You also sing a lot and like to make growling sounds.  
• Sensitive to Mommy and Daddy leaving the room.  If you are playing well by yourself, it is best that we do not acknowledge you and just keep going about our business.  Why?  Because if we speak to you, then leave the room, you get whiny expecting to be picked up and to become part of whatever we're doing.
• A continuous blessing to our home and family.  This time last year we knew you were a girl and had chosen your name.  We were very excited for you to join us, but had no idea what a beautiful little person you would be and how much we would love being a family of four.  

Getting tight in the clothes hamper!

Clapping!

I just love this sassy little face:)

Flexible!

High Five for Friday

I have to admit, being in the middle of a Facebook free week, I have been thinking a lot about my High Five for Friday this week and am having a difficult time narrowing it down.  I'm used to sharing posts on Facebook about life and the kids, but this week I'm only sharing via our blog.  Anyway, on to my fav pictures from the week:

Dinner date with my kiddos while Daddy was busy

Beautiful hoarfrost on a March morning

Close Up

Love this sleeper on Nora: the pink is like
her lips and the blue like her eyes:)

This collage is from this morning.  I took pic 1 because I heard Luke reading out loud to Nora while I was doing the dishes.  I just love his nurturing heart and desire to be with his sister.  I think Nora enjoyed Luke reading, but she was also busy playing.  Pic 2 she is diving into her basket in search of toys.  3...She's losing her balance a bit and realized that I was watching her.  4...She tipped over and was wedged between the couch and toy basket.  She never got upset and Luke never stopped reading.  Just a funny little glimpse into our morning:)

1. I had a lovely lady date with my dear friend Krista last night.  She is such a blessing to me in so many ways.  Recently, I've really appreciated the opportunities to process life stuff out loud with her.  We process very well together Brent even suggests my getting Krista's opinion on things.  I am blessed to call her friend.  Oh, and we enjoyed some wonderful Mexican food at La Poblana and a Shamrock Shake for dessert:)
2. Nora has started noticing my jewelry and hair recently.  I'm not so excited about the jewelry part, especially my earrings that she loves to pull.  I am, however, loving her playing with my hair.  She is usually gentle and looks longingly at me while she plays with it.  It is just so heartwarming.
3. Nora is trying her hand at finger foods, well Puffs anyway (the baby cereal that dissolves on the tongue).  I love watching her concentrate and work so diligently to pick them up and get them into her mouth.  
4. Luke loves reading chapter books now that he's gotten the "all clear" from school.  (He didn't feel like he could read them until his teacher said he could:))  He got the first four Box Car Children books for his birthday and is already on the second book.  We are so blessed that he loves to read and that it comes easily to him.  
5. It's not often (or ever) that a date with my hubby just falls into my lap, but it did this past week!  I got a note from a couple we know through Luke's former daycare inviting us to a concert tonight.  So, we have reservations at Chester's for dinner and then we'll head to the concert.  I'm looking forward to a night out with my man!

Swimming with Nora

Today we brought Nora swimming for the first time at the Rochester Family Y.  It was so cute to see her little self in a swimming suit:)  She seemed to like the water, but wasn't quite as active as I had expected her to be.  I thought she'd be kicking like crazy, I actually think the water calms and soothes her.  She enjoyed floating around with us and isn't bothered at all by water in her face.  We start baby swimming lessons with her next month, so it will be fun to see what she thinks of that too.

Modeling her swimming suit

Hanging with Daddy

Checking out the water fountains

Having fun!

Quarterback and Receiver

Luke is a huge Denard Robinson fan.  This year for his birthday he asked for a Denard jersey and even sent Denard a letter inviting him to his birthday party.  Brent came through on the first part of his wish.  I had forgotten I took these pictures of Luke posing that he requested:)

Quarterback

OR

Receiver

High Five for Friday

Reading chapter books!
He's very proud to be reading his new
chapter books from Gpa/Gma Picker.
Boxcar Children see yet another generation:)

Hard working man installing our new faucet

Adorable hood + adorable smile = Irresistible:)

Practicing sitting up in the tub
and chewing her favorite spoon

Holding baby fingers

1. It was Spa Day at MOPS this week.  Best morning of the year!  Free spa experience including:  a wonderful breakfast spread, a personalized bottle of lotion mixed with the essential oil of your choice, a hair style/up-do, a nail polish application, a paraffin dip for hands, a makeup application, and a gift bag filled with spa goodies.  Obviously a wonderful morning:)  
2. Brent's been trying out a high protein diet.  Honestly, my first response was not favorable, but I'm trying to see the bright side.  The bright side I found is that there is always fully-cooked meat in the fridge (thanks to Brent's food prep), which makes meal prep even easier for me because I just have to come up with a side or two for Luke and I to eat with it.    
3. I learned this week that cleaning for and with a friend is the best kind of cleaning:)  I got to spend a couple hours helping a friend prepare her house to sell, and, yes, it was fun!  Maybe I should consider group cleaning more often;)
4. We got to meet our friends' new baby boy this weekend and hang out over dinner.  It is always so fun to see those we love move into a new stage of life with a new little one:)
5. So my #5 from last week may not have made a lot of sense, but this week I made a difficult decision that I know was best for our family right now.  I'm not good at setting limits for myself, so this was a big step.