Ten on Tuesday

1.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Kiwi's.  Second earthquake in just months in New Zealand and the devastation is just horrible.   Horrible. May everyone who is injured find the help they need and the ground underneath them settle. I can't imagine living through such a horrible nightmare.  My heart just weeps for them.

2. We have a 4 year old in the house!!  Makenna Claire celebrated her birthday yesterday and had such a fun filled day.  She is proud to tell everyone her new age and of course eagerly soaked in all the attention.

3. Makenna is actually having one very exciting week.  This week she is also Star of the Week at school so Scott and I were able to visit her classroom this morning and see first hand what preschool is all about.  It was really neat to see how well behaved that many kids can be within the given structure.  MC was able to tell everyone about herself during circle time and share her poster board of pictures to the class.  The video coverage shot by none the less, our iphone is in the post below.

4. And tonight was her music program at the school.  Her teacher commented on Makenna's enthusiastic love for music and that if she was missing, it would be noticed.  Ha!

5. Maybe that's why Mommy and Daddy thought she needed THIS for her birthday.

6.  The kids went to the pediatrician's this afternoon for their 4 year old and 18 month check ups which of course includes immunizations for both of them.  {{Well, maybe this won't be a highlight in MC's week, although she did awesome!}

7. MC can't wait for her official Parteee!  on Saturday.  She is over the moon excited and is counting down the moments.  Seriously. For her, the party = her birthday and I can't say I blame her.
What an exciting week for her!

8. I have a love hate relationship with running.  I have never been a runner but love what it does to my body and love the way I feel afterwards...  And to top it off, I have had stomach distress after running on too many occassions.  Hence, my dislike for the activity.  However, I have never given up on it!

  It's easy to bring a pair of shoes and run wherever you are, right?  What other excercise is that simple?  So, I am at it again.  Four weeks into  a guided plan by Scott's triathlete coach, I am progressing beautifully and guess what?  It's getting easier, more enjoyable (somewhat) and I haven't had any GI issues.  Woot woot for sure.

And this morning...my first continuous run for 30 min since working starting the program.  Having successfully accomplished this first goal, I am very excited for what the future looks like!

9.  If that's not enough to make me happy, I was one of the lucky 50 to get into this photography class--http://www.snapshotsofagoodlife.com/index.cgi?p=schedules
Seeing that I was #1300 something on the waiting list for her last class (literally..thirteen hundred something), I am so thrilled to have a seat in this class!  I really think this is the last piece of the puzzle for my emerging photography skills.

10.  And with that, this momma is so very tired.  It's been a busy few days, and the rest of the week is just as hectic so I am signing off and retreating under the covers.  Night night to Tuesday.

xo,K

Presenting Makenna presenting...Makenna!

At Makenna's preschool in Naperville, the students are the "stars" of the week of their birthday. This means that they bring in a poster and talk about their family and the things important to them. They also bring a snack for the day and bring something for show and tell.

Today was Makenna's turn to be the star. Here's her effort and it's pretty darn good. I didn't upload as HD because it was taking forever.

Love surrounds Us.

Valentine's Day...a day that has never really meant much to me.  It is a hallmark holiday after all, and really what is the point of it all?  Expensive, overpriced events and dinners..lots of money spent on flowers, perhaps?

I personally don't relish in that and I believe in showing love for one another in every day little ways.  Scott making me coffee each morning and making me sure I have enough "me" time to work on my hobbies and take care of my self, my being.  The 'i love you's' that my family expresses to one another throughout the day.  The spontaneous hugs and kisses, my kids playing nicely with one another, Scott cooking for us or doing a few loads of laundry....It's all in those things that demonstrate Love.

Saying that, I have to admit that it is fun to make it a special kind of day for the kids.  Keeping it simple, but indulging a bit too.  This year we decided to have a surprise breakfast feast before Scott headed off to work and the kids and I went to playgroup.

Scott and I made heart valentines that covered the table and decorated the kitchen the night before.

We made a delicious meal of course adhering to the love theme...
heart pancakes,
red berry smoothies
and a special treat..nutella/berry grilled heart sandwiches.

It was all good!

And a few "gifts of love" were at the table as well.

                 {{{Our budding photographer MC took the pic of mommy and daddy.  =)}}}

Of course we had to have a few tasty sweets as well.  YUM!

It was a fun morning and one I am sure Makenna Claire and Rylan will remember for a bit.
The little things... It's all in the little things...

We hope you all had a wonderful heart day as well!  May love be in your hearts each and every day!
 xo

Ten on Tuesday

A bunch of randomness..

1. Hope yesterday and everyday surrounds you with love and those you love.  I have never been a big fan of "hallmark holidays", but it is fun to get into the "heart" spirit with the kids.  We had a fantastic Vday with them which started with a special breakfast full of goodies.  Cute pictures to come.  MC woke up this morning asking for another special breakfast feast.  Sorry sweetheart..this morning it's leftovers.  =)

2. I love TO DO lists.  Scratch that..I love crossing off items on my lists.  Yep, that's better.  Yesterday I finished a TO DO list.  Last week's TO DOlist, that is.  Now I must tackle this weeks. Sometimes it seems like life is one list after another.

 With vday over, the excitement turns to M's birthday count down. I love birthdays and my kid's bdays make me giddy.  Can't wait to bring in year #4 for MC.

3. I haven't had as much sugar as I did yesterday as I have had in a long time.  Conversation Valentine Hearts please exit my home now!  I will look for you next February, but enough...i just love you 2 much (and so do my kids).

4. Some days I think I am raising monkeys.  Monkeys with loud shrills.  Monkeys that copy one another and try to out do the other.  Monkeys who think furniture is just something to climb on and jump from.  Maybe they just need to get out more..c'mon spring!!  Or this momma of monkeys is going to go a little craazzzeee.

5. I need new running music.  My old playlists is gettting just that. old.  Any fresh ideas?

6. I am loving my new camera.  It's is sweet indeed.  Thanks again everybody.  xo

7. I am officially behind my photo a day. Shoot.  Honestly I haven't been able to catch up since we got back from Portland.  Shoot.  Now if I can just find a day where I can work on it all day long..ha ha!  Need to add that on my "to do" list.

8. LOVE this shirt.  Need to order one asap.  HA!  It's perfect for a photographer mommy, raising monkeys.  :))

http://www.clickinmoms.com/store/product.php?productid=17522&cat=0&page=&featured=Y


9. This weekend MC has her first dance!  Her date?  That's right..her first valentine, her daddy.  I am sure they'll have a blast.

10.  Anyone who is around Makenna knows that she is one confidant, outgoing little girl who has the drive to seek out what she desires.  As her parents, we know we might have to deal with a few hiccups down the road with issues around her strong willed personality but we also know she will get very far in life and success will always be at her heals.  Yesterday in playgroup, MC picked up her friend's guitar and started singing the clean up song while the parents cleaned up the toys.  funny..right?

Not only that, she got her friends to start singing with her on her "stage" and then their line up continued into other songs.  A few of our friends weren't at playgroup yesterday, so it just happened that these four kiddos go to the same preschool, and are in the same class, and they have a musical program coming up next week.  So I am sure this is a little preview of what the show will be like.

Anyways, too cute not to grab my iphone and hit the video button.
Take a look..

Life is sweet

when you share it with the one you LOVE.

And year 8 is off to a wonderful start!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten things I am loving right now..

1. Snuggle time with my kiddos.  They are both so sweet and loving, and there is not a day that goes by that I take them for granted.

2. Scott's wonderful cooking. He seriously is filling our bellies full of healthy, delicious and devine meals using fresh ingredients.  I am so grateful that he loves to cook and does so with such talent and drive.

3. Speaking of eating, ever since we came back from our eating tour of Portland (yum!), we have been putting roasted garlic in everything.  Scott roasted many heads of garlic that we have kept in the fridge so they are ready to go. We have included them in our eggs, our sandwiches, our salads...anything really, and it is so delicious!

4. Rylan is talking more and each day as he surprises us with new additions to his vocabulary.  I don't think this will ever get old.  The human brain is just phenomenal.

5.  Valentine heart candy...specifically, Brachs large scalloped hearts.  I bought a bag a while ago and told Scott to not open it until Valentine's Day because if I know it's there......well, let's just say he opened it, I found out, and now he needs to replace the bag.  They. are. just. that. good.  (Rylan and MC think so too!)

6.  Coffee in the morning.  Ahh..it just puts a smile on my face.

7.  Playing with my pictures.  Happy dance, each and every moment I have to spend on those memories that are locked in a precious photo.

8. Sleep..since my workout schedule is gaining momentum, many a nights I find myself in bed before I would like.  However, I have to say it feels so good to be taking care of myself.

9.  Fabulous, fun Fridays!
Last week we went to the Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview. The kids had so much fun...here playing in the "Dominicks" grocery store where Rylan was the cashier.  =)

And after the museum.. a trip to the ice cream parlor where Nana made a surprise visit!

{{{And, yes that is MC's face own work of art on her face.  She loves the face painting station at the museum and always takes it very seriously!}}

Now that's a FABULOUS FUN FRIDAY!

10.  Right now I am especially enjoying those moments during the day that Makenna and Rylan play together..making one another laugh and smile...playing trains or babies...having musical parades...going "shopping" together and so on.  These moments I relish and I hang onto when they aren't in such a "play together" mood! =)

Portland up next!  xo,K

a BLIZZARD of a post

we woke up and gave each other our usual snuggles to start our day...

but of course it wasn't just an ordinary day.

Our first peek outside was meant with wonderment.

and then reality hit, and Cassidy needed to go outside. 

which is a problem when several feet of snow rest on the doorway.

must start shoveling from the doorway.

so that is what we (he) did.

and Cassidy still needed tons of coaching to go outside.

and once that was accomplished, 

time for the great dig out!

About 2 feet of snow,with several more feet of drifts.

Scott shoveled and blowed us a pathway.

but of course you have to have some fun too..

and the kids aren't the only ones allowed to have fun now are they?? 

cheers to hours and hours of clearing the snow!  YEa..

{a little beer helps the spirit. } 

And at as the evening approached, we had yet to see a plow down our street.

crazzzeeee...

But come dinner time, a plow managed to find us!  woot woot!

And we survived the worst blizzard in our lifetime.

So not an ordinary day

but one I am sure we will always remember.

Now we must buckle up for the cold, frigid, air headed our way.

Sounds like tomorrow is a perfect day to bake cookies, watch a disney movie and build a tent.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Hello. Hi. Howdy. Hola.

I think I am enjoying my laid back life a bit much lately since this ol blog has been abandoned.
But it's not that I don't think of it...it's just that by the time the day turns to evening, my little ol self doesn't want to do anything but relax and chill with Scott or snuggle up with a book and be asleep by 10 or so.  Therefor, there hasn't been much computer time.  But it sometimes is nice to just be.   Ahhh..

2. Scott and I had an absolute wonderful time in Portland, Oregon last weekend. Lots of relaxing, eating, drinking wonderful wine and just being together. It was a real treat to focus all of our energy on us.  I'll do another expanded posting, with pictures, on it soon.. promise.

3. It's amazing how fast one can return to daily life after a vacation.  Kids, house, errands, to do lists...yep, I jumped right back in but life is just a bit sweeter after taking a few days for myself and us.  (thanks mom!!! xoxo)

4. And since being home, the kids have been in Nana and Phil withdrawal.  Seriously, I think they need a 12 step program.  Every day still, Rylan asks for Nana..wants to see pictures of her on the computer and call her on the phone..and when she comes over, she is greeted with the most enthusiastic expression of love.  And although MC was so thankful to have us home, she now saids how much she misses Nana and Phil (even though they see them on an almost daily basis). I guess they did ok when we were gone..ha!

5. With Makenna Claire's birthday right around the corner (I can't believe she is going to be 4!!), we are beginning the festivity planning.  It will be her first year having a friend party and she  is so very excited! For some reason, every time you ask her when is her birthday, she saids February 14th.  Silly girl.  I think it'll be a princess party, although she came home from school today saying she wanted a Toy Story party because her friends Connor and Juan Pablo don't like princesses.  Funny!

6.  Rylan has an awareness of what the "potty" is and has been asking to go potty, almost on a daily basis.  In fact, he insists on us going in the bathroom,  sitting on the toilet (and of course not doing anything), and then washing his hands.  I know he is no where near being potty trained, but having him have a general awareness to it all, makes me a little nervous. I am so not ready to go there yet!  Slow down little man.

7. Scott and I are both in the midst of athletic training and it feels great!  It's wonderful to be able to support one another through this adventure.  (thanks babe)

8. We are in the midst of a blizzard here in Chicago.  Horrible winds and snow, with more snow coming overnight (a couple of feet).  Wind damage everywhere and many people stuck on the roads.  Worst blizzard since 1967. Stores, schools and restaurants all closed.  I am very thankful to be home, in my warm house, with my family.  May everyone stranded make it home safely to their families.

9. Oh my goodness...we just had lightening and thunder, during a blizzard.  Bizarre.  I have never seen anything like this.

10. Now I must go snuggle with my honey, in my nice warm fuzzy socks under a blanket while the wind blows and the snow falls.  Life is good.