My son, the artist

We got word from Evan's art teacher earlier this month that he had a piece of artwork chosen to be in a local art show at a gallery in Ft. Madison.  We finally got down to see it on Saturday.  There were alot of pieces from local school children {I think grades 1-6}, but there were only about a dozen from Holy Trinity, so I was very proud he was chosen.  I made a pretty big deal about wanting to go see his artwork before the show was over, Evan wasn't quite as excited to go, even asking me why I was so excited about it!  What a guy.  We had to make the trip worth it by taking him out to lunch.  I think I'll frame this one when it comes back home & put it up in Lydia's room.

New stuff from Reminisce!

Just thought I'd share some of the new stuff that's being released right now at CHA Winter.  These papers & stickers are from the new Greenday line.  I had a great time working on this one, since green is my color!  I also love that it's not just for St Patty's day.... you can use most of the papers & stickers for about anything!

Next up is the new Monkey Business... I have to say, these little monkeys are so cute!  It's been suggested that they each get names {Collin, Evan & Lydia}.  Some of my favorite things about this line are the many versatile patterns & the super cute big monkey stickers.  

You can check out all of the new Reminisce lines here .  I still haven't gotten my hands on many of the "real" stuff, but can't wait til I do & get to play!

is it over yet?

I have to say, winter doesn't usually wear on me, but this year {maybe it's life with a toddler} I'm sooooo ready for it to be over!  On Thursday, it was so lovely here, sunny & pretty warm {what a tease}.  By Friday night it was single digits again & when we left on Saturday evening for a wedding, very cold!  Yesterday morning we woke up to a few inches of snow & it kept up for a few hours after we got up.  I have to say, it was lovely, though.  The boys wanted in the worst way to go sledding, but Dan is nursing a soar throat, so he wasn't up for that.  

I think part of the frustration with the weather is that it's kept the boys home quite alot.  I love for them that they have snow days, but the last time they were home, Evan had been home sick for 2 days, then they had snow days for 2 days, so you can imagine I was dreaming of getting out of the house!

This week is Catholic Schools Week, so the kids have lots of activities going on the week.  Wednesday we go to their weekly mass with them & then get to share donuts with everyone at the school.  Friday they get to do one of their favorite things... go bowling at the local bowling alley.  I got a call on Friday evening from a writer from our local newspaper.  She asked if she could use a quote from Evan about why he likes going to a Catholic School.  

Collin is finishing up his cookie dispenser for the Invention convention at school.  It turned out pretty cool.  Him & Dan got together & figured out how to make it work.  He's tested it many times... I think he's eaten enough Chips Ahoy... I'll have to hide the ones we need for the convention or no one else will get to test it!  I'll be excited to see all the inventions from his classmates as well.

Lydia has been so, so busy!  She is talking like crazy, repeating {or trying to repeat} EVERYTHING everyone says.  I can't even say how many words she is up to at this point.  She is CRAZY about Sesame Street, or at least the parts that have Elmo in them.  She got a book from Aunt Kathy for Christmas with little flaps that peek a boo.  I think on Sunday we looked at it at least 15 times.  She can say all the characters names {my favorites to hear her say are Burt, Ernie & Cookie}.  She remembers about most everything we tell her, is extremely independent, has a quick temper {but can shut it off just as quick}.  As an example, she does not like at all when we try to help her eat.  Dan keeps thinking he needs to help her with her cereal or soup, but she refuses {very loudly} & demands her spoon & her bowl.  She is very good about helping.  She loves to help "fold" laundry, pick up her toys & take things to the boys {like their socks in the morning}.  Speaking of the brothers, we asked her yesterday where her brothers were {they were in the basement}.  She went directly to the doorway & was babbeling "guys, guys" & yelled down "Coll, Coll, COLLLLL!" {code for Collin}.

So that's what's up.  Can't wait to let them all go out & play outside, run on the porch, swing, ride bikes... it's coming soon, right?  

what have we been up to?

Well, a little of everything, it seems!  Dan's been super busy at work, which is great, since the auto industry isn't so outstanding.  I guess the parts side is the one to be on.  I've been finishing up stuff for Reminisce for the upcoming CHA show while fighting a nasty cold.  I went to help with some mailings at the office in North Liberty on Monday... yikes... I was there for about an hour before the snow started & needless to say, the drive home was unnerving!  Collin's been busy with school & a special project called Invention Convention.  We've been collecting the pieces for him to build a cookie dispenser & hope that Uncle Rick could help us out with the building of it soon.  Friday he's supposed to go with his class to Eagle Days in Keokuk... last year the boys went with my parents & really enjoyed it.  Evan, since Sunday morning, has been feeling completely lousy.  He woke up with a horrible stuffed head & was down & out all day with a fever.  Monday I had sent him to school because he thought he'd be ok, but when he got off the bus, I knew that I shouldn't have sent him.  He had a headache & looked exhausted.  Yesterday, he got up & with the horrible weather & him not feeling well, I kept him home.  Then I noticed some pimple-like things on his chin.  Today we went to the Doc, his fever had come back last night & the spots were spreading & he was looking like a mini-teen with bad acne.  Impetego was the verdict.  YUCK.  Poor guy.. his cold's getting better, though.  Lydia has been super busy, as usual.  She was the one who started the whole sinus yuck & was nice enough to share with me & Evan.  She's getting better, but it's still hanging on.  I'm hoping between her cold getting better & making some trips to the chiropractor (little lady is completely out of wack!) that she'll start sleeping better SOON!  She's been up at least once every night since before Christmas.  I've been thankful for my coffee every morning!  

Right now we're just trying to stay warm & get ourselves into better health!  Wish us luck.

My One Word

I don't know if you've seen ali's blog & her one word suggestion, but I thought I'd play along.

My word is PATIENCE.

Yep, I'm always trying, praying, hoping for more patience.  It is so hard with everything going on in our lives... it's definitely a weak spot with myself, my kids, my husband, my work.  To help me along, I think I'm going to make up some artwork to have in our main living areas to highlight the word & keep it in my thoughts.