jan. 31

kevin left today on a business trip.  gavin cried because he couldn't go on an airplane, too.  brooke cried because she's going to miss her daddy.  so, i had to make sure we had a fun morning.  brooke came up with the idea to make cookies :)  thankfully, we had just enough butter.  so brooke and gavin both helped me make orange chocolate chip cookies.  gavin helped measure the sugars and brooke did the flour, salt and baking soda.  they were both awfully curious as to what i was doing with the zester and the orange :)  i gave them some chocolate chips and let them lick the beater.  that was about all it took to put smiles on their faces.  mission accomplished.  now i need to give all these cookies away to our neighbors so i don't eat them all!

jan. 30

for the past month i've been running on the weekends.  i thought i would do the "couch to 5K" running plan, but i quickly realized that running 3 times/week proves to be a challenge with 2 small kids at home.  so, i run when i can, which usually means saturday or sunday.  even though it's only 1 day/week, it makes me feel good.  i've run in the cold and in the rain, and regardless of the weather, i always feel better after running.  there's something about breathing the cool, fresh air that is just plain old good for the soul.  not to mention the waistline... :)

jan. 29

a package arrived from aunt sandy today.  she sent the kids 2 big, cozy michigan blankets that she made herself, and she also had an extra little something for the birthday girl - new clothes for her baby dolls.  we didn't get 5 feet inside the door, and brooke was already making me drop everything and put the clothes on her baby.  she rarely leaves the house with a baby doll, but as luck would have it, she happened to have one with her today when we arrived home and received the package.  we dressed 3 of her baby dolls in the new outfits, and brooke played with them all day long.  what a great gift!

jan. 28

gavin awakened with a fever this morning, so we spent a long day indoors.  brooke had a little play date with our neighbors anna and jessie, and i managed to keep gavin happy.  kevin brought home uncle si's pizza, and then we all cuddled on the couch for some family time.  kevin turned on the x-games and was beyond thrilled to see gavin's excited reaction.  kevin said, "this is a nutcracker moment right here."  gavin kept saying things like "yay!" and "one more" and "whoa!"  it was so funny.  kevin is already planning their trip to aspen :)

jan. 27

brooke was at school today, and gavin and i enjoyed some great 1:1 time.  gavin had his last gym class of the fall/winter session today so i took some quick pictures with my iphone.  i love how he climbs up to the balance beam and gets on without even worrying about where i am.  he has no fear.  i still don't know how he hasn't fallen off.  when he walks across the beam (with my assistance) he says, "walk, walk, walk, walk."  i've really enjoyed participating in this class with gavin.  he loves it, and i love to see his personality on display.  i love that he is not afraid to try things.  i also love that he doesn't need me by his side at all times.  he's learning how to share, wait in line and take turns.  he taps the tamborine during introductions, helps the teacher put the balls away and lines up against the wall for stamps.  he's one of the younger children in the class, but you'd never know it!

jan. 26

my baby is growing up.  today when we started getting ready to leave the house, gavin walked into the kitchen with one boot on and one in his hand.  it's the first time he's put one of his shoes on by himself.  never mind that it was on the wrong foot :)  then he tried putting the other boot on, but i had to stop him to get them on the right feet.

jan. 25

brooke has been taking ballet for a year now.  she really seems to like it, although it's hard to know for sure because i rarely get to see her in class.  they only let parents "observe" on the last day of the session (about every 2 months).  she goes to class during school, so i don't even drop off or pick up.  so, it's special when i do get to go in and see her.  there is nothing sweeter to me than a bunch of little girls in pink leotards and tutus.  i love to see her coordination grow (ever so slightly) over the months.  she loves twirling and spinning around the house, and she recalls a lot that she learns during class.  brooke's teacher, miss katie, is the owner of the studio, and she's wonderful with the girls.  i feel very fortunate to have such a gem of a dance studio right here in our community.