winter visit to the zoo

We don't typically utilize our zoo membership in the winter, but I decided that there's really no reason not to when the weather is in the mid-40s. It was a nice little outing. Not as many animals out, of course, but was SO not busy. Very leisurely and fun as a family outing. We got to see the new and completed seal/sea lion area, which is going to be lots of fun in the summertime. We saw the sea lions do their daily tricks for fish, too, which is always fun. I was actually surprised at how many animals were still out in the cooler weather. We got to hear all four kookaburras do their witch cackle crow, which was totally zany. Good stuff!


This is an interesting way of using a trash can...









My favorite, favorite animal at the zoo is the red panda. Ooh, I just want to snuggle his little squishy face.


For three days in a row now, we have been out doing sidewalk chalk. Our driveway is very colorful. Our typical mid-afternoon "outing" this week starts with suiting up in snow boots and coats, tromping to get the mail down the street, and then stopping several times on the walk back to jump in puddles. Then we end up in the driveway doing sidewalk chalk. Finally, we move into the garage where they strip off their muddy, chalky, wet clothes and run up to the bath (at 4pm). Let's here it for routine!

surrounded by super heroes

just another day amongst some terribly courageous souls

three cheers...

...for encouraging my boys to learn to take on their own responsibilities.

vision board

i'm not a crafty person. i'm really, really not. and i don't consider myself creative, either. so when my wisdom circle group chose to do vision boards last month, i went a little begrudgingly. because i like chatting with women, over wine, about things that matter. but i'm not nearly as stoked about crafting [about things that matter]. still, it was useful. and this is what i now stare at every morning while i shower:



i'm not sure i really finished it, but it works. obviously i'm very focused this year on taking a relaxing trip with my husband for our 10th anniversary :) we are hoping to make this happen after gavy turns three, so that the chances of him having potty-trained ...and consistently sleeping through the night... will be high enough that all grandparents will agree to tandem baby-sit while we leave. we're shooting for october or november, so that should give them time to warm up to the idea....right?? of course i love fall and hate to leave during it, even for a child-free trip to a beach. but it'd be great if this happened in 2012 so that it still counted four our 10th anniversary.

we've given up on some of the big plans of before, like fiji, or hawaii, or ireland, because of the travel time. chances are our parents won't agree to an extended trip, so 5 days may be all we get. mike is pretty into the idea of a beach resort, though, so we may still go international. maybe caribbean (and island i *haven't* been to, please) or central america. i think i need to look up what airlines take direct flights from des moines to these types of places. ideally we need something where we could leave early morning and arrive by early afternoon, so we wouldn't have to spend 2 full vacation days traveling. anyone have ideas? i would love costa rica or belize, but i'm guessing there will be no "quick" flights from des moines. anyone have favorite places not too far from home?

A smattering of fun

Usually I dread Wednesdays since Mike works all evening, thus it's the Mommy Show all day long. But today the weather was in the mid-40's, so we got out to kill the winter blues and had a little creative fun.




Who knew sidewalk chalk could add so much to a snow man? We're calling it the polka-dotted pig.


The fun continued in the driveway. Here Jack drew himself with his brothers, and it reads "Jack, Benja, Gavin."


And, because I have neglected the kiTTies a bit since the kiDDies war born, here is a shot of Lucy in the kitchen sink, where she apparently was trying to drink from the faucet.

Heartfelt Valentines Greetings

We started making valentines back in early January. I knew it would take that long to get enough made for everyone in each of the older boys' preschool classes, plus for non-preschool friends and family. The kids were super excited for the first several days about cutting the hearts, gluing the smaller hearts, and writing out the names. But eagerness faded when we hit week #2 and still had a lot to do. At least 50 homemade valentines have been produced thus far at our dining room table, so I'm overjoyed at the incredible cuteness that abounds in our kitchen right now, but totally understanding of the fact that they are OVER IT at this point :)


Jack experimented with cutting his own hair at this little crafting period


We enjoyed making and decorating valentine's cookies at the house of the Giles family. Ann Marie is expecting boy #4 in a couple months. I expect to feel a lot less stressed about the level of chaos at our house after I visit their house this summer.




Cute little Joseph used every decorating tool we had available to embellish his cookie.



We had a valentine's brunch at my parents house this weekend and I got creative with my pastries:

Gavin found and tried on my old cowboy boots. He was singing "Heart Breaker, Dream Maker!" (a la his shirt):

Earlier this week my mom and I took a class at a local bead store on "cold connection" jewelry riveting. We made the earrings we are wearing here. Mine required the use of both a hammer and fire. Who can beat that?



Jack loves using the camera. I discovered dozens of photos on the camera, taken all over my parents' house. Toilet, hand towel, bed, shelf, cat, and so on. I saved a few with people in them :) ....

Hard to believe...

that winter didn't arrive until February. But after days of picnics and spring puddle stomping, we are now playing in the snow.

Spring Tease

This weather is SUCH a tease for spring!!! I adore having long afternoons in the sun, at the park, in January and February in IOWA. The birds are back out, and I finally got a bird feeder. So far, I've only been able to get them this close to it, though:


Come on birdie, just a llllittle closer.....

The boys love the spring-like weather. They have been taking every opportunity to get as muddy as possible.




A few more things have gone up on the walls, and we purchased a console table and end tables for the family room. Always enjoy adding the touches of warmth to our new home. My most favorite wall-hanging thus far is this Sticks mirror:



Aside from all the spring-like weather, I have been making a lot of winter soups lately. This one was not my favorite (beet and parsnip with dill cream):


I think I am not a big enough beets fan for that. But THIS one was a total hit (Cruelty-free Corn Chowder):



It's vegan and soy-free, so a hit at potlucks where people may have food allergies or restrictions. It's very creamy, but the "cream" comes from making cashew cream (you soak raw, unsalted, whole cashews in water overnight, drain and then blend with some water till smooth. It really looks like cream). Lots of veggies and yumminess in this soup. If anyone (Samantha?) wants the recipe, just shoot me an email.