The Spirit of Calvin Lives On...

No steering...check!

No brakes...check!

When she's in a snowball fight...she's in a snowball fight!


Getting geared up to go sledding one more time since there aren't any snow plows in NC and our road is still covered...

Out enjoying another day in the snow.

A toboggan built for four.

I just loved this picture. And he sure did love the snow.

Snow Days

At 6:15 this morning, I heard a little voice beside my bed ask, "Mommy, can I go and play in the snow?" Thankfully, it didn't take too much to get him to go with Plan B...crawling into bed with us and sleeping until 7:30.

But he did finally make it out to play later in the day as did the rest of the crew.

We ended up with about 6 inches or so. Yeah, I'm really enjoying these North Carolina winters.

Front yard view

Off to sled down the main road...which is currently a sheet of ice.

Exploring the yard

Trying to make snow angels with a little help from Caspian

Lia and I hung back at "the lodge" while the rest went out to play. Didn't stop her from dressing the part though.

OK...so that was fun....now I'm ready for 65 and sunny!

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Last night for the first time ever our family sat down and watched the videotape of Michael's first birthday party. It was amazing...the boy (being the first grandchild on both sides of the family) was drowning in gifts. We kept fast forwarding and he was still opening presents. Couple that with his parents' late 90's fashion crises and it made for quite the entertaining experience.

What was even funnier was we still had a good number of those toys in our garage!

Lia also has enjoyed looking at her siblings during their baby years. She found this picture of Lauren on a table the other day and just hugged it and hugged it and saying "baby!"

Tomorrow is Lauren's turn at being our featured star in old home movie showings. Should be fun.

Raising Calvin

I have always loved Calvin and his trusted sidekick, Hobbes. But it wasn't until the other day that I realized Calvin was no longer just a fictional character. He was my son.

I don't know why I didn't see the similarities sooner:

• the love of cartoons (and all things electronic for that matter)
  
• the regurgitative sounds that spontaneously erupt at certain dinner items
  
• the avoidance of all things academic
  
• the daydreams of being the world's greatest superhero, "Stupendous Man,"
  (and the underwear to go along with it)
  
• and the creative ploys to avoid any and all forms of bodily hygiene
  

For example, the other day after he had finished his "business" in the bathroom, he walked out non-chalantly as if everything were fine. I then peppered him with the usual questions:

"Did you flush?"

"Is the lid down?"

"Did you wash your hands?"

After his usual smacking his hand to his forehead followed by the "Oh, I forgot" with the sheepish grin, he trotted back to the bathroom to finish.

Seconds later he came out and said, "Mommy, did you hear the water running?"

Now I did hear the water running for a brief second, but he's been my son a little too long for that one to escape notice. "Yes dear," I said. "But did your hands actually come in contact with the water?"

He then slumped his shoulders, dangled his arms in defeat and moped back to the bathroom to complete this hygenic torture treatment I was imposing on him.

I couldn't help but laugh.

And this summer, I fully expect to see him in his wagon careening over the ravine in our backyard contemplating the great mysteries of life.

And when he comes in dirty from a full day of play I'm sure that he'll try to negotiate out of a much-needed bath again.

The l'il stinker.

What happens when...

you're an innocent 4 year old boy and your older sisters kidnap you and make you play dress up in their room?

This is what happens:

He came downstairs and we instantly thought....VILLIAGE PEOPLE!!!!

For those of you thinking "it could have been worse..."

It was. Those pictures won't be posted but will be saved for a future time when blackmail is appropriate and/or necessary.

Let the Little Children Come to Me...

This past Sunday as I was reading in our living room, Lia joined me and picked up the little Bible she saw sitting by my chair.

She took it to her table and began to "read" it.

Daddy came by to see what we were doing, so she told him to "sit" and she began to "read" to him.

Then she wanted to pray with him. (She was the one praying, by the way).

And she prayed, and she prayed, and she prayed.

After they were done, they shared a drink and went on their way.

Her tiny feet may not be able to touch the floor yet, but I'm glad she's learning to stand on the truth of His Word.

Not to Be Outdone...

Since we already have the theme music going...here's a little bit of Lia playing some Wii fit. In case you are unfamiliar with the game, she needs to flap her arms like wings in order to keep the bird on screen in flight. The only thing funnier is watching her trying to ski jump and hoola hoop.

Oh, and the name of our theme song (for those non-Rocky people)..."Gonna Fly Now."

Thought it was appropriate.

Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee..

In our house, the reigning boxing champ is 4 years old. After watching his moves here, you'll see why:

Sometimes...

Sometimes I just don't bother to ask what they're up to because I'm not sure I really want to know.

Any ideas?

Game On

Lia decided she wanted to take Michael on in a game of Five Card Draw (Thomas the Tank Engine style)...

She carefully considers the hand she's been dealt...

And then counts to five and declares herself the winner!

With a poker face like that, she's a tough one to beat!

64 Degrees???

In January???

Yes, indeed , and we were loving it!

Spending a little time on the deck with the rice table.

So precise!

Remember the tree that ate Charlie Brown's kite?

Practicing some tricks on her new Ripstick

She is growing up way too fast for my liking...

So even though we've come to grips with the reality that this weather isn't here to stay, we will certainly enjoy it while we can!

Family Picture

The girls surprised me with this clever creation yesterday afternoon:

It's our family made out of popsicle sticks. Scott, me, Michael, Lauren, Caroline with Alex peeking out from the corner and Lia in our arms.

Is that cute or what?

Tea for Two

Lia decided that she and Daddy were going to have a tea party. The only problem was there were no "Lia-sized" table and chairs available.

So, she improvised.

The bar stool became the table and a pack of napkins became her chair. She even found a rocket ship (formerly used as a pool toy) to be her stirrer.

Gotta love her ingenuity.

The Oatmeal Dilemma

Lia has developed a love of oatmeal. I think she's probably always had it. I have just avoided offering it up until now since it always makes for a challenging way to start the day. See, Lia has mastered one character trait, independence, while still working on hand-eye coordination. This mean the kitchen gets an oatmeal bath every morning.

Now many of you may be wondering why I don't put into use one of those luxuries afforded to mothers of this generation. Surely, there's something that can be done to cut down on the mess. Perhaps. It's just that my sure-minded, strong-willed little beauty has her own opinion regarding such accessories:

High chair? Infantile.

Bib? Insulting.


Spoon-assistance? Please.


She may be the baby of the family according to her birth certificate but she is anything but a baby in attitude. When her day starts, she has chores to do, dolls to take care of, and siblings to order around.

And if she needs a bowl of oatmeal in the morning to get going, well I guess that's OK with me.

Birthday Fun

Last Sunday was Caroline's 8th birthday. Here is how we spent the day celebrating her:

Before church she opened some presents...

...and took her new bike for a spin around the kitchen!

After church, she invited all of us to join her at her favorite restaurant!
And then we went to an indoor amusement park to have some fun...

Daddy was able to give Carly some pointers in how to ward off future suitors :)

Somehow, I see this in his future.

Lia showed some skill in the "Whack-A-Duck" game. This did not surprise any of us :)

I think our birthday girl had a good day and we certainly had a great time celebrating her!