The Library - Storytime

Our local library has a great emphasis on children - book section, play area and storytimes.  There are 2 storytimes at the branch we go to -  Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.  The Tuesday evening storytime is at 7pm and is called “Pajama Storytime.”  All the children (and the librarian) wear their pajamas.

Not only do the librarians read books to the children, they sing songs, learn letters and color pages.   They even “studied” music one time and went on a parade around the library playing different instruments.  Elianna enjoys listening to the stories as well as interacting with the other children.  My prayer is that we will be able to meet different parents as a way to reach out to others.

Pajama Storytime Parade

Valentine's Day

This year I decided to step it up a notch for Valentine’s Day.  In the past, we have never “really” celebrated.  Chris and I may have gone out for dinner and gotten each other cards but obviously nothing to blog about.

At some point in the past, I bought decorations for Valentine’s Day.  Heart shaped candle holders, votive candle holders that say “Hugs” and “Kisses”.  Things like that.  On February 1, I pulled them all out and decorated the house with them.  I also swung by the $1 store and bought 2 heart shaped boxes.  Each night at dinner, Chris and Elianna would open their boxes.

In Elianna’s box, I put small gifts - “jewelry” from the $1 store, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, a sucker - small things like that.  She looked forward to opening her box.  She would ask repeatedly throughout the day to open her box.  “There’s something in my box?”  To her, even the small stuff was fun!

For my Chris, I decided to write 14 reasons why I love him.  Each night he got a new reason.  Nope - don’t even ask.  Not going to share with you what they were - “For his eyes only”.  I enjoyed exploring the many reasons why I love that man!

On Valentine’s morning, Chris had to work at 4:30 am.  Instead of making a special heart shaped breakfast for just Elianna and I, we went to Chick-fil-a.  We ate breakfast and then played in the play area.

After Chris got home from work, he brought Elianna and I Valentine’s balloons.

For lunch, both Chris and Elianna got to open their last box because for dinner we went to Running Club!  Romantic!  Actually it was great!  A couple in our church started a running club as a way to reach out to others in the community.  We are still a small group, but are hoping when warmer weather comes so will the people.  We had a good time hanging out with friends and eating delicious creamy chicken noodle soup!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hammond's Candy Factory

Last Friday, we met Chris' brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews at the Hammond's Candy Factory in Denver.  Hammond's is famous for it's handmade candy, specifically the candy canes, which workers pull and bend into the correct cane shape.  They also twirl lollipops by hand and use an old fashioned candy ribbon crimper.  It's a pretty cool place to go and visit.  And of course, the best part?  The free candy cane at the end. 

Elianna and Her Babies

Elianna is very much into her babies right now.  They are all named “baby” except for her dinosaur which is named “Babyes” (pronounced Baby S - but all slurred together).  She pushes them everywhere in her strollers and carries them in her baby car seats.  She has 2 strollers and 2 baby car seats plus a grocery cart.  They are all put to good use.  Every day these 5 items can be found usually in the living room full of babies and baby items.

Not only is she big into her babies right now but also reading books.  That's right.  Put those 2 together and she loves reading to her babies.  It is sometimes very interesting to listen to her "story" that she reads to the babies.  Although sometimes very interesting, it's also super cute.  She is going to be a good mommy someday.

Saturday Sledding

This past weekend we got approximately 19 inches of snow. It is supposed to snow tonight into tomorrow but as of now we have nothing new. Still lots of "old" snow. Lots.

Chris gave our cars "snowhawks."

Saturday after it actually stopped snowing, we decided to venture out for a walk. Well Chris and I walked, Elianna rode along in her sled. We didn't get far before Chris suggested we go sledding. There is a huge hill over by Lowery Air Force Base that is great for sledding.

After we bundled everyone up (except Harley since he had cut his leg on a rock while running around in the snow), we headed over to "the hill." I about used up all my energy just walking through the knee deep snow just to get to the base of the hill. Then we had to actually climb up the hill. When I got to the top, I decided I was only going to sled down the hill once. There was no way I could climb back up again. But I did. Again and again. Because it was a ton of fun! First Chris and Elianna went down. Then Elianna and I. Then just Chris. Then just me. Then all 3 of us on the sled to end our afternoon. That last ride was a good one! We had snow rushing into our faces while we raced down the hill at neck breaking speed. It was fun!

"The Hill"

I can't wait until Harley's leg heals up so he can go along with us. He would absolutely love it! Plus as an added bonus, he would be exhausted for 3 days straight!

Who knows, if we end up getting more snow, we may just have to head back on over to "the hill" for more sledding fun!

Chris and Elianna holding hands in the truck

Snow Camp 2012

Obviously this is our first year not going to Snow Camp with our NJ teens. When you have no responsibility and aren't running around trying to finish everything up, it is actually really sad to not be going. We always looked forward to Snow Camp as a time to get the teens away from their normal activities. As Chris always says "A change in pace + a change in place = a change in perspective". We found that to be so true with the teens.

But alas! since we are not going this year, Pastor Walker asked us to do a short video that he could show them on the bus ride up to NH. So we did and let me tell you it was a ride in and of itself to get that video done. It was so frustrating and hysterically funny that I just had to share it. The beginning part is us talking to the teens and showing pictures from our Snow Camp years with them. Then there are the "Outtakes". You just gotta watch them. We watch them over and over just for the laughs!

Seeing as I've had video issues in the past and the fact that it was taking forever to download, I thought to make it just a bit easier. Click here and it will take you to the YouTube version.

Photo Booth

Yesterday after a rough morning of a certain little girl whining and not cooperating, I decided we needed to take a little Photo Booth timeout. It was exactly what we needed. This is what we looked like when Chris came home from a long day at work.

Aliens

She makes a cute chipmunk!

Frogs

I love the top right and bottom left - it looks like I'm eating her head!

Why the long face?

Even though there are days when I am glad there is only 1 and not 2 . . .

I still love this little girl!

Chris even jumped in for a little paranormal fun!

Our family