Winter Break

Our break seemed to fly by this year!  Since Craig is working second shift we didn't get to Mom's until Saturday afternoon.  

So excited to get a flute (recorder) at long last!

 Yes!  Mom finally got some sharp knives!!  Now she just needs a bigger cutting board and more counter space.  Oh & a dishwasher would be OK too.

Our trip was short, but busy.  A few of us made it to the theater to see The Hobbit and we also fit in a nice meal with Dad at a super delish Japanese Steak House.  

Monday we headed back North in the afternoon.  We had another family gathering at Craig's uncle's place and then Shari and Mary headed over for a couple of nights.  I didn't take one photo of that time, so I'll have to use words.  We had an awesome Christmas meal at a friend's house prepared by a trained chef, we lazed around in the hot tub some & stayed up late playing dutch blitz and drinking eggnog ~ a family tradition! 

Then we had a few nights with just our family.  Not too much exciting went on as Craig was working, but we did manage to spend one afternoon at IKEA and another at an outdoor skating rink.  Again, no photos.  I'm lame.

We rang in the New Year with a visit from the Prouty family.  We made it to a sledding party for several hours & then spent the rest of the holiday in a very low key way.  I think a few of us might have had our pj's on all day on the 1st.  A perfect way to start the new year, except, maybe some photos would have been good.  New Years resolution #1 Be a better blogger/photographer!

Flu & Gingerbread

The day after the kids' holiday concert at school Mom, Kaia and I were going to help Ayla's class decorate gingerbread houses.  Unfortunately Ayla woke up at about 12:30am and got sick in the bathroom.  I didn't know until the next morning, because my aunt got up with her and cleaned up the mess.  Thank you, Auntie Tonia!

She felt fine the next day, but I kept her home.  Now that I look at this photo I think she looks rather pale, so I guess that's a good thing.  I ran up to the school to get the graham crackers and candy she had already brought in.  Then all we had to do was find containers (butter cartons) and a recipe for frosting (glue) and we were set!

Micah saved his milk carton from school and made one when he got home.  Now they are gone.  I'm not sure how they could eat them as the frosting really was glue like & gross in my opinion, but hey it's sugar!

Oh & Craig was the only other one that got the flu.  He got it three days ago so I think we are safe!

Snow Day

How Quickly They Grow

How did all the Connelly kids get so big so fast?  We have two driving,  one on the edge of high school,  one on the edge of middle school, one who just entered the double digits and one on the edge of pre-school.  Not to mention those in between.  Wahhhh!!!

They are all such good kids.  I love it that we finally live close enough to see each other more than once a year.  As much as I hate how quickly they are growing, it is very exciting to see the beautiful young men and women they are becoming. 

Parenting

Right now I'm listening to the girls outside screaming at the tom cat who likes to pick on the kittens.  It's pretty funny, except......where did they learn to yell like that?  Someone posted recently about yelling at their kids, not liking it and trying to change.  Unfortunately I yell way more than I would like to admit.  I do it even though I know it isn't powerful and doesn't give me the results I want.  So then I started thinking about parenting books and the ones that have helped me.  I have gotten great results from Parenting with Love and Logic.  I have to say though, it is way harder to train yourself than it is to train your children.  Right now I'm reading and very much enjoying The Power of a Praying Parent.  So now I ask you, what books have helped you over your particular parenting hurdles?  Please share.  I'm excited to add a few more to my go-to list.  

This and That

Micah is old enough to bow hunt now & Daddy spoiled him with a real bow.  Hunting is suddenly fun.  It seemed to be a bit boring last year.  No good shots have presented themselves yet, but he keeps trying.

The above photo was before we knew he needed glasses.  After the school check they suggested I take him in.  Poor kid has my eyes.  20/150 and 20/200!!!  I had no idea he was so blind.  When I asked him why he never said anything he said he thought that's how it was for everyone!

On Saturday we met Auntie Julie at a farm that has I guess what you would call a fall festival this time of year.  You pay to get in and then do the typical corn maze, petting zoo, etc.  The kids loved the tricycle track the best.  Love this photo.  Click on it to make it bigger.  Expressions are priceless!

Craig was butchering a deer on Sunday and just for kicks thought he'd throw some scraps to the cats.  It was hilarious watching the kittens hiss and growl over the fresh meat.  I don't think they need mama's milk anymore.

This Girl

She turned four over 3 weeks ago.

I adore her more each day.  Yesterday on the way into the grocery store I scooped her up and asked her to please stop growing.  How did she go from a newborn to this funny, inquisitive, little being with her very own firm, distinct personality?  A girl that has her mind set in STONE every day about what she is or isn't wearing that day.  A girl that can upset her 8 year sister by chasing her around the house & shouting, "Ayla loves avocado".  A girl that will position her chair exactly in my way at supper time just to peel the onions & crack the eggs for me.  Love her.  She is just what we needed four years ago and every day since.  

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And yes, that stupid cat was pregnant again.  She has since had 5 more kittens.  That brings our grand total to 13 kittens since spring!!  Luckily some friends of ours want some barn cats and have asked for all 5 of them when they are weaned.