Remembering Moms and Grandmothers today

Nana with Ellie at a week weeks old

Gram is top left corner - wondering what is going on!?

Today is February 28th.

It is the day that my grandmother, Mary Mitchell was born as well as the anniversary of the death of my mother in law, Susan Fricano.

They were proud mothers and grandmothers.  They shared the love of family even though they never met.  I am the connection, or better yet the actual bloodline connection belongs to Ellie.

When asked to recall memories of my grandmother, I remember her being strong - one who endured.  She told stories and laughed with us.  I remember so many good things.

Nana to Ellie, was a woman whose family was the most precious part of her life.  And she was thrilled to have her children bring grandchildren into the family.  Josh and Ellie.

Today I will remember both women, with different memories for who they were, what they stood for and the love that endured.

Let it snow!

Today it snowed most of the day.  Big, fat, fluffy snowflakes fell slowly to the ground.  By the end of the day several inches had accumulated, yet the drive home provided just wet roads.  What a treat - the beauty of snow without the messy roads!  So Bill got to snowblowing, while Ellie enjoyed her snow adventures!

Having fun

This week was a very full week for our family.  Bill was on the 5pm phone duty at work, so that always adds another element to our weekly planning .. Tuesday - Religious Ed., Wednesday - Swim Lessons and Thursday - Girl Scouts.

Tuesday was also Bill's birthday so we raced home from church to pizza and cupcakes.  Wednesday on our way to swim I stopped for Ellie's first Shamrock Shake of the season!  She loves those green shakes!  And since Bill normally takes her to swim and I hadn't seen her swim in 3 weeks, I was amazed at the progress she has made.  WOW!  Swims half the length of the pool kicking, only coming up to breath once!  She's able to swim a straight line ... and oh, so due for another 'accomplishment' sticker soon ....

That brings us to Thursday.  Well yesterday afternoon it began to snow here so with all the after-school activities being cancelled we did the same with Girl Scouts.  And last night we wore our pj's inside out in hopes of a snow day today!  But ... it didn't work.  We got a couple inches and a bit of ice, but the schools remain open!

We explained that she'll have two whole days off on the weekend to get outside and enjoy the snow.  So now she decided if she could wear her boots today that would make things better.  Well of course you can - thanks for asking!   And another Friday begins ....

Happy Birthday!

Here we are again.. celebrating Bill's birthday ... seems like just yesterday (or was it a year ago?) we celebrated!  He told Ellie he was 22 today .. and then she looked at me, scrunched up her face and said, "Daddy!  You're 46 today!"

With all the Valentine candy and Girl Scout cookies around here we decided Bill got to pick what he wanted to celebrate .. he choose pizza (of course) and cupcakes (from Fresh Market - devil's food for Ellie and Red Velvet for him).

Here's a few shots to mark our celebration today!

Pancake Sunday

Ellie woke this morning asking for pancakes ... so just as Papa used to do, Bill took to the kitchen to make his girl the pancakes she was asking for!

Who's going to eat that HUGE stack?

Almost the whole stack ...

Deep in a pancake-induced haze!

Happy Valentine's Day

What a 'sweet' day it's been!  The day began at breakfast with our exchange of presents .. three gift bags on the table when Ellie came downstairs had her wondering, 'how did these get here?'

She loved her new hot/cold Tervis cup, her chocolates and her Treasure Buddies (Disney) movie.  She was as excited for me to open my card from her!

Tonight the celebration continued when Bill brought home a wonderful sushi spread with some very special desserts!  And of course the gorgeous red roses that adorn our table!  That's love!

Ellie at school with a crayon heart

Gator Mailbox for Valentine cards

How are we going to eat all this sushi??

Nothing sweeter than a cannoli!

Jelly Belly Valentine Mix!

Girl Scouts Valentine Party

Ellie's Girl Scout Troop went to our local adult residence homes - Westminster.  The girls just loved it.  The coordinator had all the supplies to make Valentine cards along with cookies and lemonade as a treat.  Ellie picked a table with 3 gals who were happy to chat with her and she was so proud she was the only Girl Scout at the table.

As she finished the first card Ellie said, "Who wants this one?"  And one of the ladies' hand went in the air, "Oooo, me I want that one!"  Ellie was so pleased!  She made several more cards, signing each one "Happy Valentine's Day!  From Ellie"

Flo Rida has some competition now!

Making muffins...

Ellie was making mini-muffins to put aside for her breakfasts this week.  She chose to make lemon poppyseed .. of all the flavors I gave her to choose from!

Snowy Saturday!

We had a bit of a surprise when we awoke this morning.  A dusting of snow overnight had left a blanket of the white stuff everywhere.  And as we made our way downstairs it began to snow again!

So after Creative Drama Bill and Ellie cleaned up the sidewalks and driveway with shovels!  Feels like winter again!

Featured in Skidmore's SCOPE

As my 10 year college reunion is this year, UWW reached out to graduates for an update - 10 years later.  Since we've had some exciting changes I sent in all the latest!