For months, my sweet little girl has been dreaming of her Elsa party and this weekend it finally came! She had a blast dressing up like Anna and Elsa with her silly grandmas, making stone trolls with her friends, going on a scavenger hunt for prizes, and opening presents. She lit up like a Christmas tree when it was time for cake and the Happy Birthday song and wasted no time devouring her pink Elsa cupcake. The party really got going after dinner, when all the kids decided to play out in the front yard with the sprinkler. They enjoyed snow cones with homemade syrup from the Olaf snow cone machine. I think Livi (and all the kids) had a great time playing together and that she felt very special to be the birthday girl. Happy 3rd Birthday, Livi Lu. We love you!
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Frozen Party
For months, my sweet little girl has been dreaming of her Elsa party and this weekend it finally came! She had a blast dressing up like Anna and Elsa with her silly grandmas, making stone trolls with her friends, going on a scavenger hunt for prizes, and opening presents. She lit up like a Christmas tree when it was time for cake and the Happy Birthday song and wasted no time devouring her pink Elsa cupcake. The party really got going after dinner, when all the kids decided to play out in the front yard with the sprinkler. They enjoyed snow cones with homemade syrup from the Olaf snow cone machine. I think Livi (and all the kids) had a great time playing together and that she felt very special to be the birthday girl. Happy 3rd Birthday, Livi Lu. We love you!
Monday, August 13, 2018
Week 33: A talent
This is the piano that I grew up learning to play. It now resides in my house and is used nearly daily by me, my kids, and the many students that come to my house to learn to play. I began piano lessons when I was in second grade, which was the beginning of a lifelong love of music. I took lessons through eighth grade, but continued to play all through high school and college, often serving as an accompanist for soloists or for church services. I improved even more drastically when I began public school teaching, because with 60-70 students in a class, the last thing I needed to be focused on was my piano playing! Piano has continued to be my bridge into music, even in this crazy Stay-At-Home Mom life. I play for three church services a month, direct the church choir, and help out with special events like the Christmas program. I have my own studio of piano students, all of various ages and abilities, that help me feel a sense of purpose and bring in some extra income for our family. I am so grateful that this talent has been a part of my life for over 25 years and that I have been able to utilize in a plethora of ways throughout the many chapters of my life.
Week 32: The City I Live in
Confession: I did not take this picture. I had good intentions of going around town and snapping pictures, but I just never made the time. This is a beautiful picture of the Rhinelander Courthouse lit up at night and it is one of the most beautiful structures in our town.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Week 31: Something I could not do without
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Three and Thirty Four
Olivia,
My beautiful girl! I can't believe you're three years old already! Man, time really flies. You'll probably understand that more when you get older. Daddy says you're my mini-me, and I guess in many ways he's right. You are nurturing and caring and like to look out for your big brother. You rub my tummy if I have tummy ache and kiss my head if I have an owie. You love to snuggle and be rubbed, though you are EXTREMELY particular about the manner in which this is done. "Not like this. Like this!!" And you demonstrate how you want it done. You are very sure of your likes and dislikes. (Again, like your mother.) You can also be fiery and tenacious, with a bit of a temper when something makes you angry or frustrated. I am grateful for this quality in you though, because it will help you stay strong and on course during some of the more difficult times of your life. You are hilariously weird, and understand the timing of jokes better than most kids your age. You frequently crack us up with your hilarious antics and your sweet phrases.
You spent the morning of your birthday at Grandma Patti's house, playing with Nolan and riding bikes. The rest of the day was pretty low key, since we were doing your big Elsa party on the weekend, but it was a fun day to spend with you. You were elated to have presents and lit up like a Christmas tree to get your own explorer kit, princess lip gloss and nail polish, and some new jammies.
Sweet girl, we couldn't possibly love you anymore! Happy Birthday, sweetheart!
Love,
Mommy
And just to prove that I did celebrate my birthday too, I went out to lunch at Crimson Café with my sweet friend, Katie to toast to year 34! Mid-thirties here we come!
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Week 30: Generations
We spent the first week of August in Eau Claire with Mom while she had some vacation from work. Dad was going to be gone to Texas, so we thought we would come and keep her company while he was away. We spent our first day thrift store shopping and found some awesome treasures! The kids were thrilled to find a play camera, tons of cool books, a Mjolnir hammer, a Sandman Action Figure (that Nolan slept with that night), and some amazing dress up costumes. We also paid a visit to Olive Garden and the kids did so well. We all had a great time.
The kids also could not get enough of the horses. From grooming, feeding, and riding, they wanted to spend every waking minute out there. Nolan has really grown in confidence and ability this summer and learned all about cleaning hooves, bridling, leading, and even did some riding on his own. He's a speed demon and wants to spend all his time trotting and when he saw Mom lope - he decided that he was ready to try that, too. Mom thinks he needs to wait a bit yet... Elliot was a very good and patient teacher, and while Nolan was in control, kicking him to go faster and faster, Ell would turn and look at me with a "Are you sure about this, Mom?" look before he would half-heartedly start his gentle jog trot. He listened so well when Nolan would lose his balance and pull back to stop. I was so proud of both of them. We're going to try a leadline class at a horse show later this month. Livi was extremely brave, too and spent so much time diligently brushing him before and after each ride. She'd push her stool right up next time him and spent 10 minutes grooming the same spot until she was sure it was clean. (Don't try to rush her...) I love sharing this part of my life with my kids.
Later that afternoon, we headed over to the Weisenbecks house for a visit and dinner. I really got a kick out of Grandpa Arnie and Olivia interacting. They are both so stubborn (and similar) that I don't think they quite knew what to do with each other. It cracked me up. Grandpa would sing her a song and she would declare, "I don't like that song!" He would stop singing and turn his attention to Nolan, when all of sudden she would start singing the same song. Then when it was time to leave, she asked him for a sloppy kiss, which she promptly wiped off, saying "yuck!" Such a stinker, but so funny. We had a delicious meal of salad, pot roast, potatoes, sweet corn, and carrots, finished off with some ice cream pie. Grandma's cancer is currently stable and she has been feeling pretty well lately. It was so bittersweet to have this meal at their house, which felt so reminiscent of the many meals I've had there over the years. It was almost like the cancer was gone, or at least not at the forefront of everyone's mind. It's scary not knowing when the cancer will resurface, but for now, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have another wonderful meal together with them in their home.
Before we left for home, we had a final meal out at Culver's (the kids' favorite!) where they showered Grandma in kisses for an awesome week!
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