Cousin

S. is always so excited to see her cousin S.
They are so cute together.
I wish they had more time together growing up.
I finally got a picture or two of them together, looking the same direction, looking cute.
It doesn't seem like it would be too difficult, but they seem to have an unspoken pact that they cannot sit for a picture.
Funny enough, this was the very next second! A typical picture of them together, going, going, going.

I love how they have some of the same characteristics. I also love seeing cousin S. pull the same tricks as my S. It helps me realize how much of her crazy behavior is developmental. Typical 2 1/2 year old stuff.

Seeing cousin S. protect her stuff in her new house is new for me. It's usually my S. grabbing and hoarding the toys.
They are great together and get past these moments pretty quick and easy.

I think we may be in a little trouble as the years come with these two together. In the meantime its wonderful to see Grandpas Salt and Pepper together! Aren't they so Darling?!

Birthday Birthday

Just a quick week after the last one we get a second party, for the second born. How lucky!
Z. seems just as easy to please.
Stuffed animals, craft supplies, jewelry,and makeup, and she is in Heaven.
Z. chose to eat her Birthday dinner with mom at Texas Roadhouse. She was most impressed with the taxidermy on the walls.
Carcass on the wall seems odd to me at a food joint but the food is still great.
Dont you just love the pose, crossed feet, pretty smile?!
It's so Z.!
What you cant see very well is the effort she put into dressing up to go out.
Her favorite outfits are black and white, include fancy shoes(with as much heel as parents will allow) and have to have accessories like jewelry and hair clips.
None of it is moms doing, she totally came that way!
She partied twice.
Once with the fam. and again a few days later with the friends.
Fortunately for mom only 1/2 of them could make it.
They played a game, played with barbies, painted nails, opened gifts and watched a movie.
Z. has added more life to my life than anyone.
The word that always comes to mind around her is Tenacious.
She is smart, pretty, exciting, contagious, talented creatively, quick, friendly, and basically just a wonderful person.
Life would be plain and drab without her.
What a great blessing to have her brighten our days for the last 8 years!

Birthday season has started

It all starts out with the firstborn, N. What an easy boy to please. Legos and videogames are all he ever needs.

He chose to have his birthday dinner with dad at Pounders.
Pounders chicken is one of his favorites!

He was lucky this year, his birthday fell on a weekend so he was able to have a friend party on his actual birthday.
They played games, opened gifts, ran around, and watched a movie.
As the parent I have learned much more from him in the last 10 years than he will ever learn from me.
We are truly blessed to have such a kind, funny, loving, intelligent, strong, quiet, son.

Cub Scout Adios!

Turning 11 has one big advantage, as far as N. sees it.
NO More Cub Scouting!
It's also great for the parents.
No more obnoxious Pack meeting cheers.

N. was able, with not much effort, just a little prodding, to receive his religious squareknot, a bunch of smaller awards and his Arrow of Light before leaving onto bigger and better things(Boy Scouts).
I think he just likes the idea that he has a sharp object to threaten siblings with who dare to enter his room.

Our own ice cavern

Having a metal roof is interesting.
I am trying to stay positive about it for the 4th winter, that's why I'm trying to see it scientifically.
Realistically it is ugly, an unpredictable avalanche danger and the sound of all the snow falling off can be downright startling.



Our main roof is a metal one and then in the back yard the patio roof also is metal.
What happens that is startling is when it warms up a little bit the snow sloughs off of the main roof onto the patio roof several feet below.
Its noisy.
The other thing that is startling is when the snow falls off of the main roof in big chunks and falls onto the front porch stairs.
Not too noisy in itself but the person that it falls onto can be.
This cool snowy cave like structure is created by almost enough temperature rise to make a giant avalanche, but not quite.
My favorite parts are the icicles going all directions like snaggle teeth.
Maybe someday I will miss living in a house that looks more like a snow lodge than a home.