Warm Weather

A week ago, today, we were enjoying our last day
of summer-like weather.

See?

Then we came home to cold and snow. But guess what? Rumor has it we might hit 80 on Friday!

Good thing I didn't get the warm weather cloths packed away after our trip. There are some small benefits to procrastinating.

The Beach

While on our trip, we hit the beach!
This is Avery's first trip to the Ocean!
You can see how impressed she was...

But Chase and Ellis had a lot of fun!

They walked the beach.

They made a sand castle.

And Jet was lucky enough to hang with two Mermaids.

Birthday *part one, part two*

After a long day at the zoo, our friends were gracious enough to plan a lovely birthday dinner [Chase requested mac and cheese and french fries and Shannon made both from scratch]

Followed up by an ice cream cake. A fun way to start off Birthday week...

Bithday *part one, part one*

On Chase's actual birthday
we were in California visiting with friends.

We spent the day visiting the Los Angeles Zoo.

Chase and Jet checking out their wingspans.

What are Mark and Ellis looking at?

The Prairie Dogs, of course.

A couple of real posers.

Zack

This vibrating bouncy chair is for babies, right?

I am one of the babies here. Don't you dare tell me that I am not.

New Skin

I've heard it said that you change your skin every seven years. Which may not be scientific fact. But, if there is a grain of truth to it, then Chase has finally shed all of her baby skin.

That little baby that came home from the hospital at 5 lbs... the cranky newborn that took months to outgrow colic... the one that made me realize that children expand your heart tenfold... the girl who made me a mother.

Happy Birthday to Miss Chase Alexandra Godale. You are now 7.

You make me laugh, you make me cry, you make me proud, you make me think, and have even been known to make me scream. And, I love you for it all.

Now, I have also heard that 7 begins the age of reason. I hope, beyond hope, that this is true! Please be reasonable and not call your sister an alien. It makes her mad and she bites you. You have been warned.

But maybe reason and reasonable are not related, after all...

*Birthday "part one" pictures are on their way.

Spring Came

And then it went.

Today we woke up to snow. Sigh.

But just last week it was so nice out. Here are pictures of Chase and Ellis on a walk/bike ride that we took down to the community lake. Chase and Ellis were testing out the lifeguard chair. For future summer jobs? In just a few more weeks they will fill the lake, but for now it is fun to be able to run IN the lake and climb the platform!I am woefully behind on posting because of our trip and the break from computer access. So stay tuned. Many pictures to come...

Happy Birthday Elena

My niece Elena turns 14 today. Even though she is busy boycotting her birthday this year, I am wishing her Happy Birthday and letting her know that I love her.

I want to let her know that yes, the 8th grade stinks. I'm not sure that I know anyone that looks back on it as a time that they think that they looked their best. Or that they felt their best. Or even that it was a fun time. I wish I could forget it myself.

But the good news is that it doesn't last forever.
This picture is from a car trip that Elena and I took through the middle of Texas to go watch Mark run a race. This is the great Sam Houston. And here is a Sam Houston quote that might amuse Elena. She's been telling us all her thoughts on Texas and one of its founding fathers agrees:

"All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men."

Getting (Re)acquainted

This morning was rough. We are getting re-acquainted with Daylight Savings Time. Right now our friendship is on shaky ground. Last night it was hard for little people to fall asleep. And this morning it was even harder to wake up in the dark. I bashed my head on the corner of the nightstand trying to turn off the alarm. I dressed Chase while she was still in a nearly coma state.

Speaking of re-acquainting myself with things... Since we are heading West on Friday to visit with Shannon, and experiencing 70+ degree weather I decided I should see if there was anything I could squeeze my larger than normal butt into and not be totally embarrassed. Let's just say that it will be very easy for me to pack lightly! Shannon has a lovely salt water pool - and I tried on a swim suit and am hoping that the only people who will see me in it are my immediate family. It covers all the important things, but that is all that it has going for it.

And in further news, Chase will be making a NEW acquaintance today. Her class has a new teacher. I am still processing this development. And hoping for the best.

Surfer Love

Chase and Ellis are gearing up for next week's visit to Malibu.

And they are doing with true sisterly love and flare...

Dishing it up

Monday
Turkey
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Popovers
Salad

Tuesday
Three Cheese Pierogis
Turkey Polska Kielbasa (for the girls)
Veggie Ribs (for Mark)
Salad

Wednesday
Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
Brown Rice
Salad

Thursday
Baked Ravioli with Meatless Meatballs.
Spinach Salad

Friday
Spaghettios for the girls (they are not a fan of the food at the restaurant) and
Caprese Pita Wraps at Organic Energy for Mark and Jennifer
Blue Lagoon Smoothies for all.

March Madness

 March came in like a lion. Will it exit like a lamb? I can only hope. Because all the snow has made us a little crazy around here. Perhaps that is why we have...

March Madness? Prevalent throughout history -- why else would there be sayings like "Madder than a March hare?" An online search showed me quote after quote of March being a cause of craziness and depression. What a reputation.

So I will try to find some good in poor old March.

Spring will arrive. Whether that actually means sun or good weather here in North East Ohio, only time will tell. [The sun is actually shining today... a good omen?]

And with Spring comes Chase's birthday. Something she is definitely looking forward to and planning already. She is having her first "Kids" Party this year. She has invited 7 friends and is planning to play musical chairs and "Pin the wings on Tinkerbell." Of course there is a good chance that this will only add to MY madness...

Maybe there will be a leprechaun that we can follow. Maybe we'll find a little luck of the Irish somewhere along the way.

If not, I can just blame it on March. It already has a bum rap.

Fussy for a reason

The pediatrician told me that if I just exude happiness that Avery will not even know that she had shots today.[I kid you not.]

I must not be happy enough. I have one fussy, fussy baby on my hands this afternoon. She is a bundle of contradictions. She wants to be held. Screams to be held. And then, once held, quiets for a few moments and then screams some more.

She had FIVE vaccines this morning. One oral and two in each leg.

And she definitely KNOWS IT.

Here are her 2 months [and a week] stats.

Head: 15.25 inches [25-50 percent]
Length: 20 inches [3-5 percent]
Weight: 9 lbs 12 oz [10 percent]

Dishing it up

Monday
Three Bean and Beef Enchiladas
Salad

Tuesday
Grilled Salmon
Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Spinach Salad

Wednesday
Tri-color tortellini soup with carrots and asparagus
Spinach Salad

Thursday
Whole Wheat Spaghetti  with meat sauce
Salad
Cinnamon Rolls
 
Friday
English Muffin Pizzas
[I discovered trick to make the 'crust' crispy. I toast them in the toaster first and then add sauce, toppings and cheese and then put in the oven to melt the cheese. Super easy and the girls have a lot of fun building the pizzas.]
Fruit Salad
Salad
Girl Scout Cookies! [The orders are in and I have sorted and labeled all the orders. We have WAY to many of our own!!!]

Overheard

Last night after bath time, Ellis was running around wearing the flower baby towel. She informed us all that she was a Flower Fairy, and that she was bringing us Spring.

[Oh, I wish it were so!]

So Chase, being the big sister that she is, started to get bossy and tell Ellis the BEST way to be a Fairy and how she SHOULD be playing.

Ellis was having none of it. So what did she yell at Chase?

"Chase, BE QUIET! You are stifling my creativity!"

Oh, I hate when that happens!

Need a laugh?