February 2015

February

-Basketball-Kevin and Julia both played Park and Rec basketball this year. They both did amazing. It was something Julia was looking forward to for a very long time. Kevin made a huge improvement this year. He made several baskets during their scrimmages and learned very quickly that if he has his hands up under the basket he would get 90% of the rebounds, allowing him tons of ball time. Kevin is a very conscientious person, which serves him well while playing basketball. He's aware that it is a team sport and is so good about passing the ball and celebrating in other peoples baskets and achievements. I was beaming with pride from the side lines. Julia is a great dribbler and can pass like no-bodys business. I texted my Dad after her first practice letting him know that she may be his dream come true as a basketball player.

-Fourwheeler- We purchased a four wheeler and a plow this month. It's beautiful and wonderful and glorious. I can't tell you how many blasted hours I have spent snow blowing and shoveling our ginormous driveway. The four wheeler and plow takes just a few minutes now. So lovely.  It also provides hours of entertainment. The kids love being pulled on the toboggan, including Lacey and Laney. 

-Hockey and Ice Skating- February also brought Hockey and Ice Skating lessons. I'm not going to lie, I was excited when it was over. Spending three days a week at the rink got old, fast! But, it was well worth our time, Julia is skating circles and Kevin has mastered quite a few things that has helped him in his hockey game. 

-Surprise Graduation Party- We kicked off February with a surprise Graduation Party for Cody. It was oodles and oodles of fun. The night before the party Cody announced, "I think I'm going to stay home tomorrow!" Normally, I would be thrilled, this day however, I tried to mask my dread and tried my best to keep him busy and oblivious to my plans. It was a stressful day. I had originally left my house at 8:20 am, to drop Elena with a friend and Lacey at preschool. When I went to open the suburban, the doors were frozen shut. Once we got them open, one of the locks was frozen, making it so the door would not latch. We finally got it going, but not before we were running 15 minutes late. I dropped Elena with my friend and while I was pulling out of the driveway a friend called to say she was on her way for a haircut. I ran Lacey to school and then ran back home for a haircut. I had a bit to wait before she arrived so I began snow blowing the driveway. Only it was so blasted cold that the part of the machine the changes the direction of the snow being blown, was FROZEN, so I would walk forward, blowing the snow, and then run back to the starting line as quickly as I could, OVER and OVER and OVER again. It was exhausting, but a wonderful cardio workout. :) I also had time to clean up the last few things in the house. Did the haircut, ran back to pick up Elena, and my friends daughter had forgotten her ice skates for school, and since my car was running and I was out and about I ran the skates to her. Then, at 11:00, two hours later than I had planned I made it to the grocery store. I got home about 1:30. When Cody called to say he was on his way home (I had sent him to find my cross country skis.) I needed to hurry and get all the sandwiches assembled before he arrived. He knew two families were coming for dinner, but I had actually inited 75 people for dinner. I was slicing open my first loaf of french bread when I sliced right through my index finger. Like, BAD slice. Like, need a doctor slice. But, I had NO time, whatsoever. So I wrapped it as tight as I possibly could, and continued working like a crazy women. I was walking the box of 15 french bread sandwiches outside to be stored till go time when Cody pulled into the driveway. WHEW! I had been hinting quite strongly that I wanted a new dining room light. On Sunday, I was pretty insistent that it be installed ASAP! As soon as Cody got home, I got him right on the install. For the party I wanted to be able to push our dining table against the wall and have people be able to walk under the light in the dining room. He finished the install just in the nick of time. Everything was ready, and it was about 10 minutes before people were going to be arriving, so I asked Cody to go down and plug in the Wii and get it going for the kids to play. As soon as he stepped foot on the stairs, Kevin, Julia, and I pulled out the cake, started setting up all of our folding chairs, and put out a big Congratulations sign. I went outside to retrieve the sandwiches and when I walked back in the door, there was Cody. Uhhh...HUH? He was barely gone 2 minutes. I decided my best bet was to be nonchalant and see if he went to find something to do. But, as he was walking to our bedroom he caught the sign out of the corner of his eye and stopped dead in his tracks. He was most definitely surprised. He then went and sat on the couch when I said, "Oh, PS, There are 75 people coming, not ten. I could really use your help." But, he never moved. He sat quietly on the couch until the door bell rang a few minutes later. It was the best night. We had a ball and I am so grateful for all of our awesome friends who came to support us. I'm so super proud of Cody and all of his hard work. I'm so glad he is finished with school, too!  (Not to mention, I will be starting in 10 days. Yipes!) 

-Skiing-We also joined the local Ski Club. It's awesome. Kevin and Julia both picked it up super fast and Lacey says over and over, "I'm going to the top, all by myself!" But she can barely even stand and when she skis, she just leans into my skis. She hasn't a clue what she's doing, but she's wicked cute!

-Firsts-Elena got to decorate her first sugar cookies all by herself, she was super excited and perhaps a bit surprised. I love watching her experience things for the first time. It's just as fun for the fourth kid as it was for the other three. Elena also slept in her big girl bed all by herself for the entire night. I haven't encouraged it again, but it pulled at my heart strings for sure!!

Valentines-We spent plenty of time exchanging Valentines with each other. I love our Valentines Envelopes and we all love finding little prizes and notes from each other. My favorite was a letter from my secret admirer (Julia) she's certain I have no idea who wrote the letter. I also received a valentine in the mail from Julia. It is very sweet and is hanging on our front door. I love these simple rewards. 

I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that January is over, let alone February. But, I sure am excited about March. Lacey and I are taking a trip to Denver to visit a friend and see my parents and Grandparents. The Leprechaun just might cause some mischief, and if we're lucky, some of this snow may begin to melt. I do love me some March!

We are blessed and we know it!