Back to School

This week's letter? C.

It's taken Ali and I a bit {a lot!} of determination to get back into our school schedule. A week ago we were playing games, coloring, watching movies, and scrapbooking after dinner. This week it's back to business as usual!

Ali and I both put our homework off until tonight! She had to practice writing her numbers in a plate of salt. She got a kick out of that! {I think it was because she loves salt... she kept licking her fingers in between each number!}

Our Last Weekend

I went to see The Color Purple with my mom, Mike, and my sister. We went to dinner at Stanford's before the show because Casey had been thinking about the doughnuts we had there the last time! It was a great performance! Man, those gals can sing! Sophie was my favorite character... very feisty!

Saturday the girls and I spent the day with my mom and sister scrapbooking. I finished the San Diego trip! {Just in time for another vacation...}


Sunday was a sad day. I tried to get us all to bed early, but we have been staying up so late, that idea didn't work too well. I layed awake for quite awhile! Argh!

Happy New Year!!

I really can't believe that it's 2009 already. I'm in awe at how fast the time goes. Tonight we had the opportunity to just be at home - together. It was mellow and really nice! Dinner was pizza and root beer while watching Horton Hears a Who. Good times! Then it was on to a major Wii bowling tournament. Travis got a Nintendo Wii for Christmas and it got hooked up today... he has yet to put down the controller. {Maybe this was a mistake?} Ali has a knack for the bowling... her highest was 144! {Mine was only 155.} At a little before midnight, the girls were in bed, Trav had moved on to Wii golf, and I was still plugging away on scrapping our San Diego trip. {Trav bought me a little table so I'm set up in the family room watching the amazing Wii determination!} We did stop long enough to turn the TV to Dick Clark, crack open a bottle of Mike's, and remember all that we're so grateful for in our lives.

We wish you all a very happy 2009!

The girls and I met our friends Michelle, Bela, and Baby Maya this afternoon. The girls played in the children's play structure at the mall while the mommies chatted. After the kids were good and sweaty {they ran and played like kids that have been cooped up for 2 weeks!!} we moved to Starbucks for a treat.

{Of course, Merilyn would not stand still for a picture.}

From there, the girls and I met our friend Liz for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. {One of Ali's favorite's because she can get a cheese pizza without the sauce!} After dinner we headed to Macy's to spend our gift cards, and then to Barnes & Noble for some book time. It was a full afternoon/evening! It was so nice to be able to have mobility and catch up with friends.

The girls & I were going a bit stir crazy yesterday, so we decided to load up in the Honda {Trav still had the Pathfinder} to met Mom & Casey at Sunshine for pizza. It turned out to be no big deal to drive - other than our driveway - & it was so nice to get out & drive.

Today is a wet & dreary day, so we're laying low... staying in our pj's & doing a lot of reading. The only "big plans" we have is to watch a movie & make popcorn. It's interesting... now that I have my car back & I can get out... I'm content to snuggle in with the girls.

Here Comes the Rain!

It's hard to believe that we went from Arctic temperatures and snow to rain so quickly. It was pretty stormy last night... it was rainy and very windy. {As you can see from the deck chair.}

Today the girls have been very busy playing with their new toys. Anything that wasn't opened yesterday was definitely taken out of the box today! They've been so busy playing that they have been getting along pretty well. {Which is somewhat amazing considering we've been together 24/7 for two weeks!} I can always tell when Ali has gotten bored with her activity, though. It usually sounds like Merilyn squawking, yelling, or crying.



The girls have been having a ball with their maze of tunnels & tents. It cracks me up how static-filled their hair gets and how it doesn't bother them one bit!!