Lindsey learns all about fire safety

This past Friday, Lindsey's girl scout troup had firemen visit them to discuss fire safety. They also discussed, with the girls, what it is really like being firemen. Lindsey had a great time....especially climbing into the truck and hearing their sirens while the lights were flashing. What's not to love about that?

Spring Fever

Reece asked if we could go to the ocean today. It sure feels like that could happen. We all have spring fever and that is very rare on Feb. 7th. We remember many Feb. 7th's because it is Brian birthday, and many were spent knee deep in snow. Today the kids and I spent a good part of the morning playing outside and spending time with our neighbors. That was sure nice (for adults and kids) as we hadn't desired to be outside too much in January. Tonight we'll party with the birthday boy and continue to "blow" a good chunk of our "to do list" off. I believe cooler whether is coming again so we need to seize this opportunity.
(Austin drew this picture a few years back.)

An Early Valentine's Day

Lindsey (and the boys who don't like to pose in new clothes) got an early Valentine gift when the "box guy" (UPS) came with a Gymboree order. Aunt Nar got them all snazzed up and Lindsey could not be happier. I think her favorite item is the sparkly Valentine bag. Thanks Aunt Nar!

Discontent in the British Colonies and the American Revolution

Austin and Lindsey are currently learning about when the thirteen colonies became independant states. It is great fun, after spending the past two years in Ancient times and The Renaissance, to recognize names such as: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. These books are just ones we checked out of the Library for only this weeks reading. There were so many great books, for this time in history, I just got online and reserved all of the ones reccomended. At least two of them I could get on audio which will save me 6 hours of reading out loud. I don't know who enjoys these more - the kids or me. When I went to school, we had a boring history text and all we wanted to do was skim the material and find the answer to our multiple choice questions. Austin and Lindsey aren't tested in history, but they have to narrate back to me what they have heard. (Ha - I do know if they listen or not.) Off to read!

We love the Library!

Our whole family loves to go to the Library. We really consider it a gold mine and it is all free!! What could be better? We usually just go once a week, but we have already been there twice this week and it is only Tuesday.

Daddy is home!!

There is great excitement, every single evening, when Daddy comes home. At this age, the favorite activity is to wrestle with Daddy until Daddy colapses. This picture was taken a good 45 min. into a "wrestling match" when Daddy decided to run out of the room and the kids ran after him. They weren't quite finished with him yet.

Super Bowl Party

Jeff and Sherri Callery had their annual super bowl party this past Sunday night. The guys found their spots in front of the t.v. while the ladies hung out upstairs trying to keep an eye on the little kids since there were more little ones than adults at this party. Fun was certainly had by all.

Lindsey Goes Ice Skating

This past Friday Lindsey had the opportunity to go ice-skating with her girl scout troop. They were given a 40 min. lesson and then the ice rink all to themselves for another hour and a half. She is our child that will do anything and it turned out to be a great time. Having the Rec Zone all to themselves was such a treat. I guess that place gets quite busy during open skate times. They were also allowed to stay and watch the Hurricanes practice that afternoon.

Friday Night Fun

What a fun time Friday nights have become. Heather and Brian, from our Life class, have graciously opened up their home for all of us to hang out at. This is every Friday night. As you can see, it gives the Moms a chance to gab (also the men - DO gab) and for our kids to play together. We've been able to go twice this month and it has been great to get to know these friends in a different setting than church. Thanks Brian and Heather!

Science Experiments

This past week Lindsey went around to 15 different stations trying all sorts of science experiments. A variety of things were taught including: Elasticity, water molecules, friction, gravity, chemical reactions, etc. A great time was had by all the girl scouts.

Protein Balls

Many people have asked me for a specific recipe called "Protein Balls". We pretty much make this a weekly staple in our fridge. With these ingredients it provides us all with Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Iron, Fiber, Omega -3's and a great source of protein. The kids mostly act like these are yummy cookies. Brian will eat a couple of them as a pre or post work-out. Here is a picture of Reece helping make them.

PROTEIN BALLS
1 cup of honey
1 cup of natural peanut butter
1 cup of wheat germ
1 cup of oatmeal (quick or old fashioned)
1 cup of flax seed
1 cup of Instant nonfat dry milk (or flavored protein powder)

Mix all of this together and simply add more honey if it is too dry. Form into balls and refridgerate. Easy, yummy, and healthy. With a recipe like this, you can also add whatever you would like. One idea was to add miniature chocolate chips, but since my kids like the very healthy version, I am sticking with that.

"Snowed In" Sunday, January 20th

Last Sunday church was canceled (except for the 11a.m. service) on account of snow. It was actually canceled the night before because of the threat of snow. Brian wasn't on the schedule to play this Sunday so we were just going to go to the 9:30a.m. service all together. Well....as you can see from our backyard and front yard pictures, we weren't able to make it to even the 11a.m. service. We just don't know how to drive in these conditions. :) (These pictures were taken at 9a.m. Sunday morning.)

Animal Lover Austin

Last night the kids had Miss Hannah here to babysit them. When we got home, Hannah shared with us that they watched a show about Penquins and how Austin must have named her 15 different kinds of penquins, their habitats, size, weight, distinct characteristics, etc. Anyone who happens to give Austin a listening ear will surely hear all about animals and protecting them from becoming extinct. His favorite section, in the library, is of course the animal section. Whatever his passion, he studies and draws and researches all about it. Right now that passion is certainly animals. I'll never forget, when he was 4, and his passion was human anatomy. He has always been such a sponge with learning and he still worries about his 'epiglottis' working to keep him from choking. Then when he was maybe 6, he received a talking globe. He spent countless hours studying geography. That has certainly been a blessing for us when we don't even know where a location is -- we ask Austin. Who knows what his next passion will be. We can't wait to see! (**the picture above is Brian and Austin at a news station in Raleigh)

Holiday Mix-Up

The other night Brian was tucking Reece in and Reece enthusiastically said: "I can't wait for Easter because then we get to go on a boat and watch fireworks!" Last July 4th their Aunt Lynette treated us all to a dinner cruise on the Mississippi River complete with the best fire works we had ever seen. I'm afraid Reece might be a bit disappointed come Easter when we can't produce those same fire works.

Bowling

The men, in our Life Class at church, took their kids bowling today. It was a great father/kid activity and a good time was had by all.

Austin, Lindsey and Reece have started how the New Year with 3 months of swimming lessons at the YMCA.