Mega Bus-y

Lately, we have been mega bus-y. Last week I took the overnight Mega Bus to MN. I felt quite out of my comfort zone as I stepped out of suburban land straight to inner city cheap travel. Now, I truly do not mind the cheap travel, especially when I don't have to tick off the exit signs to Rockford, Janesville, Madison, Tomah, Black River Falls, Menominee, River Forest, finally MN, White Bear Ave, and near the MN State Fair Grounds. I illusioned sleeping away the night on a bus. So much for that due to crying kids and a strage seat-mate. Well, some Asian male asked to sit next to me, and as I was one of a total of half a dozen caucasion people riding the bus, I felt comfortable with this seat mate. I really wasn't thinking that I prefer my right side when I sleep and that is where road signs are posted when I sat on the left side of the bus. My younger sister informed me that Iwas out of my comfort zone and some touching on public transportation should be expected. However, when I informed her that he reached over to hold my upper arm - she thought that was weird. Then, around 2:00-3:00 a.m. somewhere in the middle of WI, he stated "I want to listen to" (referring to my iPod). I quickly stated "No, that's ok" as I quickly nuzzled up to the cold window with my u-shpaed travel pillow. Also while trying to showcase my flashy ring stating I was happily taken. My younger sister also thought that was weird. He was MN nice, with a little creepy. Ever feel like you spent the night by yourself, but not quite alone?

The ride back on Saturday, I secured a seat-mate while waiting to board. She looked middle aged and pleasant. She was. The crowd was much more diverse and different then the overnight crowd. (Perhaps boarding mid-morning rather than standing on a corner downtown Chicago at 11:00 p.m. makes the difference.) My seat-mate was a teacher and mother of two older children, ready to embark on the college scene. She was beginning her journey to IL to visit her recovering mother from a hip replacement. Ironcially, I was ending my journey to visit my recovering Mom and care-giving Dad. I had a great visit with Mom, as she was more perked than well, last summer. I guess the right meds can have that effect on a person. We enjoyed a few shopping trips to stock her wardrobe with smaller sizes as she has lost weight. We definitely had a great time, and it was great to see Mom, Dad, and my sister.

However, on the bus ride home I come to find out that Eric's Mom was admitted into the hospital with quite serious pneumonia. She has a nasty infection, quite serious pneumonia and kidney issues. She had surgery yesterday to remove the gunk in her lungs and put in a drain and has been on dialysis a few times. She continues to be in the ICU and a very sick lady. We are grateful that each day has slow progress and no regression.

And then tomorrow is Easter, which I absolutely love! Without Easter, Christmas would hold no meaning. I love the little things about Easter. The early morning will start with "He is Risen Rolls" and boiled eggs. We will be in church early til late due to my ringing bells and the pancake breakfast after. We will "use" the nursery after breakfast to sneak a quick visit to Eric's Mom in the hospital. Then, we will look for hidden Easter baskets filled with neat treats at home. No candy or chocolate as my little boy won't eat any of it. The only edibles are Norah's yogurt covered cranberries, raisins, and pretzels. Of course this year I crocheted their baskets, egg holders, and plush bunnies and all is adorable! Dinner will be just the four of us whenever we want.

We pray that Easter blessings will cheer you and those you love!

If only

If only I could buy for "just because" reasons, I would spoil my kiddos with these fabulous items from Etsy. Oh, do I love Etsy!

Two-Day I am Two!

Toddler toddler toddler two

Two is the number just for you!

Happy, happy 2nd birthday, Norah!

We love you so very much!

(I love the black and white above,

but also love the blue eyes below.)

These days Norah does so much, says so many funny things, has tons of words we never thought a new two-year old would ever say, has such a personality and loves to have fun. Life is full of joy every day with our little Shamrock.

So as we are enjoying Norah's birthday, a little bit of happiness is wished on you this St. Patrick's Day. Because everyone is Irish for a day

Thank you to all who love, adore, enjoy, and pray for our little girl!

Embracing Winter

Cabin Fever set in our house in major doses recently. During the winter olympics we reached our max capacity for tolerating the indoors. So, off we went to Lombard Lagoon. We hoped to ice-skate, play on the playground, walk around the lagoon, and play in the snow. Since the ice rink was covered in snow and not yet shoveled, we did all of the above except the ice-skating. All of the outdoor activity tuckered out our little ones. Norah's eyelids became too heavy for her on the way home, and she remained asleep through the transfer out of the car, onto the couch, the winter clothes removal, and into her crib. Definitely a pooped little puppy!

Bottoms Up

Cookie Monsters

Norah is the sneakiest cookie snatcher ever! I will bake a batch of cookies and she will sneak one from the cooling rack. So, I have learned to do the following.

1. Take cookies out of oven and place far back on stove to cool for a few minutes.
2. Remove cookies and place on cooling rack on counter
3. Push cooling rack far back on the counter, out of reach for little hands
4. Repeat for each batch

However; I sometimes forget step number 3, and the following happens. Norah is seen munching on a cookie. This time it was a green Shamrock Spritz cookie. I due have to say she has good taste, as warm, fresh cookies are truly the best. But she would snatch them all day long if she could. Oh, my little cookie monster. And then because she had a cookie, I cannot say "no" to Simon. So, then he gets in on the cookie monster action.

Just look at these sneaky eyes!

Hearts to You

I enjoy Valentine's Day. Mostly because I have a tradition of making Valentine's Day cards for my girlfriends. This started years ago pre-kids, and I still enjoy it. The cards go to my sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephew, girlfriends, and sometimes to my girlfriends' kids. I do have to limit myself and sometimes need to choose groups. But really, how does one do that. Here is a picture of the lovely Valentines all together, prior to being sent on to Loveland, Co, to then be dispersed to my near and dear ones. Oh, and if you did not get one this year, perhaps next year.

Thanks to my dear Aunt Cindy for sending these adorable crayon wallets to my little ones. They L.O.V.E. them! We use them at home and mostly during church services. Norah claims hers as hers as she loudly states "mar-kers". Really, they are crayons. And her scribbles are "name" and Simon writes "A-B-Cs".

And we made heart pizzas on Valentines Day. Yummy in our loving hearts!

And then packages arrived in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa 'Sota. Simon announced that by walking through the house with muddy boots to tell me. They opened them up on the phone with Grandma and have loved their heart rubber duckies ever since!

Snip Snip

A while ago Norah had her first haircut, at 22 months of age. She began to resemble a rag-a-muffin post naps and in the morning if she bathed at night. As you can see in the pre-hair cut pictures, she sported a cute little pony. However, her real hair started to grow and she had very little hair on top, with one long section in the middle-back. So, the hair-less top with the mow-hawkish mullet needed some snipping.

The pre-hair cut looks.



Quite the entertaining haircut, if I do say so myself!

She's digging the experience so far.

An experienced snipper for those under 3 feet!

Enjoying the pampering.

Quite the pretty lil' girl. Oh, and Mommy is soooo happy that her curls stayed.

My curly girly.

Here is what Simon thought of Norah's first haircut.

Past or Passed

Help Please!!!

I am writing something and cannot figure out the proper past tense. So, hopefully one of my readers is a grammar expert.

Is it:
He has weaved.

or
He has woven.

Which one is right?
Knot witch won is write.

Thanks

Christmas came and went and I never shared the great events. Here are the grand gifts that are still played with daily, heirloom quality I presume.

Grandma and Grandpa found this beautiful doll bed at a garage sale for lil' Norah. Before I knew they found it, I found the doll high chair at a flea market. I made her that doll (my first Amigurumi project) and determined she needed a handmade pillow and blanket. Luck has it that the blanket and pillow fit the bed perfectly, without planning!

Norah initially thought the miniature sized furniture was for her!

A big gift for the both of them.

Eric built an ark, for their collection of animals that has been growing. All animals need a place to play. Now Simon's jungle animals and Norah's farm animals have more to do and can co-exist! Believe it or not, around New Year's we found the perfect Noah figurine - at the dollar store! Simon kept saying he needed a Noah. Prior to Christmas I searched online; all I could find were super-hero styled Noahs. Who would have thought the dollar store would have just what we needed!

And of course the box from Grandma and Grandpa was also a gift of fun. Two fit quite snugly.

Of course the blue flashlight from Santa was necessary!

All the excitement tuckered out two precious kiddos. Norah needed her snowman pillow and blanket from Simon. Simon needed his new stuffed big dog, now named Ruff Ruff, from Grandma and Grandpa.

In these pictures, Norah is wearing a dress made by Grandma Wiens and her new slippers from Mommy bought at the MN State Fair.