January photo round-up

A little of this, a little of that, a good January.

I love that Viggo loves grapefruit as much as I do, and that he's reading a history book while eating it. Grapefruit must taste even better that way.

Svea fell asleep on the floor, and pulled her dress up over herself, and put a pillow on her legs, to keep warm. Please note she is sleeping on top of not one, but two, blankets.
Svea likes to make simple situations complicated.

Elin fell asleep with her tutu on, which was apparently warm enough. No dress- and pillow-rearranging required.

Elin plays with blocks.

It looks springy inside with my geraniums happy on the windowsill . . .

. . . but outside, it was butt-cold.

This was a couple weeks ago, and of course, the two below-zero days of that week were the days the kids and I had to be out and about. That's okay. We can handle the cold. We aren't pansies.

Cozy inside with Elin.

I had to take over Viggo's math teaching for a short time.
I do not do math at 6:30 in the morning like Nate does.

I do math at 2:00 in the afternoon, with berry tea and spice cake.
Viggo said there was no way Dad would ever let him eat spice cake during math.

I am not Dad.
And since I was doing the math, I figured I could take some liberties and include snacks.

We are potty training Elin.

I have to admit, it's not because she begged to be potty trained.

I'm just sick and tired of diapers. Buying them, changing them, storing them, hauling them around.

It's time.

Potty training in the kitchen was fun . . .

. . . but totally ineffective.

A box came today in the mail containing gifts from Grandma Zeke's trip to Guatamala!

New hats were worm immediately. Thanks so much, the presents are loved!

Shoveling

Many hands make light work!

Our labor here is willing, and even better, they work for free.

Even Elin, who usually likes being inside when it's cold, couldn't resist. She had to come out and help - for five minutes.

I think Svea could have stayed outside all day.

I love winter. Love it.

Monkeys in the grocery store; swimming movie!

After dropping Svea off at preschool yesterday, Viggo and Elin and I headed to the grocery store.

It was pretty cold, and I had to send mail, so we went to the grocery store that has outgoing post . . . that way, we would have to make only one stop.

Please take note of the pick-up truck shopping cart.
Please take note that Viggo could not really fit into it.

Elin got to steer, so after dropping off the mail (Viggo found a dime on the floor near the service counter, he was pumped), we went to the bakery to get some free cookies.

Then we headed down the cereal aisle and Elin started looking for something.

Now, two of these monkeys might be stuffed, but I think a more likely story is that they climbed up the vine, got stuck on it and died, and became fossilized over a long period of time. If you could see these monkeys, you would agree - they're disgusting, gross little monkeys (except the cute blonde one).

Elin spotted the monkeys, and we had to turn around and do another lap through the cereal aisle before we left just to say good-bye to the yucky, dusty monkeys that she loves so much.

I got a kick out of this sign - why is this necessary? Don't Americans think about pizza all the time anyway, without needing any help?

We visited the lobsters - Elin decided which one was the mommy, which was the daddy, and then who all the babies were.

Viggo dreamed of seafood.

Then we went to produce and there were fruit samples. Strawberries, melon, and blueberries were a bit step up from the crazy-sour kumquats we sampled last time.

Here, Elin holds some of her grocery store goods. After we were done shopping, each kid ended up with a cookie and fruit, and Elin got a crown, a sucker, and stickers. Plus the dime Viggo found. Going to the grocery store is a big deal.

Then we had to ride the pony.

All in all, we spent an hour at the grocery store, but only bought five things.

This is what we do in Minnesota when it's too cold to play outside - we go to the store.

And both Viggo and Svea started swimming lessons last night. Svea was very excited! She did great!

So did this guy :) It's so fun to watch them in the water.

Viggo loves jumping off the diving board!

red-long-john-o-rama

The end! Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma Zeke!

{Not pictured: Nate and I wearing our red long johns.}

Viggo is 8!

We had a birthday here!
Viggo turned 8 last week. Isn't that insane?

In lieu of a birthday party, Viggo chose to play the NES (yes, the old Nintendo - the gray and black one? From the 80s?) all day long. At 6:00 a.m., he was up and at 'em.

Viggo recently discovered, after grilling Nate and I, that yes, we do indeed have video games. We let him play the Nintendo for 2 hours as a surprise for finishing second grade math a month ago. So the offer to play it for the whole day - well, he couldn't imagine passing that up.

Monkey bread and apple juice for breakfast. Viggo planned the menu for the whole day.

Our birthdays, if you haven't noticed, revolve a lot around food.

Food that I don't usually make because it's covered in sugar.

We throw caution to the wind during birthdays.

Now that's one happy guy.

It's so exciting turning 8!

Svea . . . birthdays bring out her funny side :)

I also suprised Viggo with a cup of coffee: 90% warm milk, 5% coffee, 5% sugar.

Yes, he had coffee for breakfast and he played Nintendo all day long.

I dare you to call me a terrible mother.

Hey, you only turn 8 once.

During the marathon Nintendo playing, Svea and Elin gave Nate a check-up.

More like several check-ups.

After many innoculations to the foot and several teeth exams, Elin declared that Daddy was in good shape.

Viggo and Elin enjoy some puppy chow during a (very quick) Nintendo break.

What Viggo was unaware of was the large quantities of puppy chow that Nate and I consumed while he was playing Nintendo.

I might owe Viggo a remedial batch of puppy chow.

Then we had lunch.

Viggo wanted hot dogs, baked beans, and orange fluff.

As you wish.

I love my guy.

No really, we promise she's totally normal.

Time for presents!

Viggo opened a card from Nate and I . . .

. . . informing him that he would be attending the Michael W. Smith concert with us here in St. Cloud in a couple months. He was stunned! LOVED his reaction!! I mean, who doesn't love Smitty!

Viggo's faces and excited reactions to every single gift was so much fun to see.

Yay! Math games on the go!

Fishing lure stuff. I think. I don't know what these things are . . . should I?

What's a birthday around here without Legos for the V-man?

Besides, the Kingdoms series is just plain cool.

Of course everything was closely inspected by eager little sisters.

Ten minutes after presents were over, Svea was already planning her birthday party. She actually forced me to begin writing a list of ideas.

More Nintendo and birthday phone calls.

Viggo was impressed by Nate and I's unexpected Nintendo skills. Yes, not to brag, but Nate and I are amazing at Nintendo (especially me). But we reminded him, being good (even spectacular, like I am . . . ) at video games is not something that is worthy of any college application or resume. That's why this was a one-day treat. (Maybe that's why I don't really have a job?)

When he finishes third grade math, Nate and I are willing to revisit the Nintendo again to celebrate. Until then, it's back in the box.

Dinner menu: homemade pizza, fruit juice jigglers.

As you wish, Viggo.

Whoa! And unexpected SCSU basketball tickets!!

Viggo was really wowed - sports with Dad is a real treat!

Our sweet and funny little boy is getting bigger. Viggo, you are such a blessing to our family and we love you SO much! Enjoy every second of being 8!