sweet dreams

Thanks, Grammie, for the sweet, sparkly fabric for Clara's new pillowcase. It makes her sleep extra fancy. Just like her.

bumbo

Annie asked why this thing would be called a dumbo?

Anyway, bumbo or dumbo or even gumbo... look at this big boy sitting in his chair!

And this is the same big boy, sucking on his fingie. He is not partial to a soother but finds comfort in placing any one or two of his fingers (or sometimes his whole fist) in his mouth.

snow where to go

Here we are, all at home, playing in the snow that was deemed so treacherous we could not possibly go to school. So a snow day it is, and we're enjoying some outside time and reading time and crafty time (and fighting time and cranky time and bored time). We'll see if they let us go to school tomorrow.

she made this

This is Annie's new doll, designed, cut, sewn, and stuffed all by her. She's pretty pleased, and making adjustments to her pattern for future dolls. Look for her unique designs... probably not in stores near you, but maybe she'll take some custom orders?

recess

A month and some days later... we are still celebrating Joe's birthday. It's the big 1-0, after all, and deserves some extra fun. Plus, the month of December is always a wee bit busy to cram in a birthday party. So here we are with Joe's buddies. We had a gym party, then back to our house for snacks and cake. The boys were great, sweaty (after games of soccer, basketball, and a complicated round of tag), and really polite. We love ten-year-olds.

bedtime

Leo thought he'd try to sneak into bedtime with the big boys.

clara and leo

repas du jour

Today's menu: construction paper pasta. Which Jane actually ate.

kantor men

Senior and junior.

rainbow hair

Annie did everyone's hair today.

sleepy

It's a sleepy, slow January, with unmade beds and laundry that stays piled in baskets for days (weeks?). We can't quite figure out a schedule, this babe and I, and everyone else is along for the lethargic ride.

king tut

When your hooded blanket doesn't fit over your baby's giant head. 

go to sleep

These brothers need to go to bed. Please.

helinskys

Thank you, Auntie Alice, for the nice visit and delicious cookies and awesome hats! We're so glad we had a chance to visit (and, yes, we got to the airport in time!).

family

Here we all are...

ski bums

That's us! We went to meet up with all the Girodats/Hansens/Dhas' in Whitefish, Montana for our Christmas on the slopes (or in the lodge for the seniors and juniors among us). Joe, Henry, and Annie took lessons and did great (so great! I'm so proud of them for sticking with this new, difficult thing and loving it!) so they could join their cousins for a run down the (easy) hill. They were so happy and proud. So we skied, and bowled, and ate, and played, and rested, and frolicked in the snow. Whitefish is a really pretty town (out-of-a-Christmas-movie-kind-of-pretty) and we were glad to have a vacation in the snow. Add family, and that makes it even better.