The ordinary days ..

Using her magnetic Goobi construction set to create ...

Someone said to me yesterday, "are you writing down all those things that Ellie says?"  And of course, I said … "sometimes …" but that didn't feel good enough.  She sure is a witty, insightful and amazing person as she is finding her place in this big world.

She reminded me the other night, "Mommy, nobody's perfect.  It's okay, you can try again." As a comment to something that didn't go as planned.

And to the prediction of 8-10 inches of snow over the weekend she said, 'that's okay, I like the snow!"  So I guess I've done my job - to allow her to enjoy what she has, when she has it, for however long she has it …

And then yesterday when I picked her up from Bright Horizons yesterday she told me her day started off great, but didn't end well because of an incident on the bus from school.  We talked about how sometimes that happens.  She said, "I wish this day was over!"  So I said to her, "Let's not wish it away.  Let's use the rest of the day to do things that make us happy so we have good parts to remember."  She understood, but wasn't convinced.

When we got home it was homework, dinner, card games … and she still wasn't happy.  So I told her about an article I read the other day about how to get out of a funk.  And ironically, she knew exactly what a funk was ….. I told her there were two activities suggested in the article.

1)  Exercise, stretch, just move!
2)  Be creative - draw, color, paint, write

And she understood.  So we went into the living room and did our stretches together.  For a long time.  Not just a warm up.  But a good 15 minutes.  Within two minutes she was smiling and laughing.

Sometimes we all need to be reminded what's good for us.  Not told, not scolded, not harassed.  Just reminded what we already know.  Even as adults.  So I'll remember this activity the next time I need to get out of a funk .. and how well it worked with Ellie!

Happy Birthday Bill!

This has been a crazy week so far with no school and work closing early on Monday, School off for Teacher something-or-other on Tuesday and now Wednesday is swim lessons and Bill's birthday … whew … it's already been a week.

So tonight we celebrated with pasta and shrimp for dinner and a red velvet/cream cheese frosting birthday cake for Bill's 47th!  complete with presents of course!  Ellie always has the most fun -

The happy birthday celebration!

Ellie singing Happy Birthday!

Seriously, more snow ...

Today is President's Day.  No school, no mail, no banks and no Bright Horizons.  For us this means that Ellie is home for the day…. Bill and I agreed to split the day, each of us working from home part of the day and the other part going into the office.

Bill had the morning in the office, and I took the afternoon.  And somehow both of us missed that we had 4-7 inches of snow on the way .. with a wonderful wintery mix of sleet thrown in for good measure.  So now we're both working from home in the afternoon.  And that leaves Ellie to entertain herself for a bit while we both jump onto conference calls at the same time… Hello Rainbow Loom!

Here's a shot of her dressed and ready to help clear!

Bundled up to face the winter cold and snow!

USA Hockey

Ellie joined me for our 6:30am puck drop for the USA v Russia Olympic Hockey game this morning.  She honestly seemed as happy to be watching I was.  She asked terrific questions like, "Is the goalie always your favorite player?" and "Why is that guy missing so many teeth?"

She cheered loudly every time the US scored a goal.  And was extremely excited for the OT and then Shootout part.  And we were jumping up and down when our new favorite player, TJ Oshie scored yet another goal in the six round of shootout to claim the WIN for Team USA!

Pancakes with USA spelled out in chocolate chips!

Saturday .. celebration continues!

Valentine's Day is a celebration, and in our house those usually last for several days.  Take this year.  Valentine's Day was on a Friday .. which turns into the weekend.  So we made the best of Friday with Ellie's party, presents and dinner on Friday night .. and partied into the night.  Yea, right!

Here's a few shows from the weekend so far….

Here's the candy take-away from Ellie's and Bill's presents!

And the tribute to Pitchers and Catchers reporting yesterday!  My kind of bouquet ...

2nd Grade Valentine Party

Ellie asked if I would be a parent helper at her class' Valentine Party today.  When I agreed, they assigned me ice cream for 30 students and sprinkles!  Who would have known that we would get four inches of snow and make the travel to and from school quite a challenge, but in the end it worked out wonderfully!

She was thrilled to have her mom there as I was the parent in charge of the Valentine card opening station and filling in the Mad Libs.  It sure did make those kids laugh when reading back their crazy combination of words!

Then there was the additional treat of being parent pickup at the end of the day too.  Why should she ride the Bright Horizons bus into town when I was already working from home in the afternoon.  So we trekked through the snow together!

Here's a few great shots from the party today:

Ellie and Mommy at Valentine's Party

Ellie, Reese and Owan at the snack making station

Eating her snack

Game table - stacking conversation hearts!

Throwback Thursday

Here's another throwback Thursday picture.  Seemed appropriate with my recent trip home, and reconnecting with so many that are important to me to find a throwback picture that captures some of that fun!

This one was a great trip with the girls to NYC.  It was one of the first ones I took with my friends at Rosenbluth Travel.  We took the train into the city, stayed at the Marriott Marquis and laughed more than I could ever remember laughing back then.  It was awesome!

And based on my memory its from just about 20 years ago - January 1994!

South Street Seaport with the girls from Rosenbluth Travel - 1994-ish
Marianne, Jenni, Maggie, me and Patty!
Those were the days!!

Whirlwind trip

What an amazing few days I had traveling to New York on a 'girl time' adventure.  I decided several weeks ago to make a trip to back to Saratoga to catch up with old friends.  When Bill said, "you should take the camera," I envisioned returning with a load of The Hangover-worthy pictures.  Which is exactly why I don't have any pictures of people to share.

This trip was about catching up and making time, much overdue time with old friends.  It was an amazing trip.  I loved seeing so many people I don't always see on trips back home.  And as this trip was solo, I also renewed faith in myself that I can still do this … master the flights, connections, car rental, directions, etc.  It was a great trip.

And here's some photos to prove it!

Coffee Planet is the go-to place when meeting Alicia for coffee!  What a wonderful morning we had catching up!

The Whistling Kettle's selection of loose tea is unrivaled!  I brought lots of sample bags home to share before we decide upon our favorite!

Northshire BookStore!  My very first visit to the Saratoga store.  It was a real treat!

Oh Delta!  Got off the flight in Albany and ran into a long-time Delta employee, Carolyn who greeted me with open arms.  We go way back to my travel agency days.  What a way to start my trip!

Dreaming

I couldn't resist snapping this irresistible shot of Ellie as I tucked her in and shut off her light.  She sure does love her dogs, and this picture says it all.

Three stuffed dogs surrounding her - Digger, Goldie and Kingston.  She's made a hobby of collecting them since she doesn't have a real one.  How many parents have explained how hard having a dog is to a child?  The daily care and maintenance of one - not to mention the fact that we every time we travel it would make things so much harder to either board or travel with … but how does a 7 year old comprehend that?

She doesn't.

But I don't blame her.  She just loves her dogs …

Sleeping angel surrounding by her posse of dogs!

Sunday should be a day of rest

In our house Sunday is another day we're able to get our weekend chores done!  And today we preparing for watching the Super Bowl … an hour earlier here in Illinois!  So Ellie will almost make it to halftime … which is good, since she wants to see Bruno Mars perform!

After clearing the snow yesterday and a big breakfast of filled pancakes we were able to enjoy a late lunch at Joe's Station House .. all three of us getting burgers!  And they were great!

This other picture is a project Ellie and I each made last Saturday night when Laura and Hannah came for dinner.  They are called Calm Down Jars … filled with warm water, glitter glue, food coloring and even more sparkles.  The glue suspends the glitter and creates a cool effect when turned upside-down.  Its mesmerizing like a snow storm .. and used to 'calm-down' kids.  Each one turned out different from the others .. and we all have our own to use!

Joe's Station House burger for lunch on Saturday

Calm Down Jar with all those cool sparkles!

Wouldn't be Saturday unless there was fresh snow!

So today is more of the same.  At least Bill made it home safely from Lincoln .. which is wonderful since we needed to be snowblowed and shoveled out this morning! The snow is turning to freezing rain so it's putting a bit of a hitch in our plans .. but we'll get things done inside today instead!

Shoveling the newly fallen snow!

Breakfast of filled pancakes!