It's official

Last night at dinner, the girls and I were talking about state birds, the national bird, state flowers and such. We decided we should have an official family bird too. We never did decide on the bird (Evie nominated robin, Annalise--peacock, Jim and I--turkey vulture), but we did come up with a list of official things that pertain to our family. This will probably be boring to most of you, but since this is our family blog and scrapbook, I'm entering them here for my own amusement.

Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: grilled cheese
Dinner: tacos (which we happened to be eating when they decided this. Mom voted lentils)
Drink: Girls vote lemonade, mom and dad vote beer
Dessert: Cherry pie
Animal: Fish
Flower: violet
Fruit: apples and cherries (because they grow in the yard)
Vegetable: Carrots
Holiday: 4th of July
Book: elmer's day out
Car: Corvette pace car (in our dreams--kids can't vote because they can't drive)
Time: 12:34 or bedtime
Ice cream: moose tracks
Confrence: Big Ten
Fundamental: Defense
Nut: pecan
Connor Prairie Farm animal: goat
School: Smoky Row
Donut: custard filled
TV show: Mythbusters
Snack: popcorn
Bug: lady bug
Riddle: What do you call a dog, rug and bird? A flying carpet!

I'm sure that there will be additions to this list through the year. It was just a fun thing to talk about over dinner.

gymnastics

We have a general rule in this house is that you can do one sport at a time. For a long time, Evie was involved with soccer. Annalise's main sport was driving in the car to Evie's sporting events. This fall, they both asked to do gymnastics. Once the dust from the holidays settled and everyone's arms were back in working order, we enrolled them. The very best thing in my book is that they go at the exact same time so I don't have to make 2 separate trips. And I have 55 minutes to listen to pod casts and crochet whatever I want. There is a walking track there at the gym, but they also have couches and free wifi. Annalise is really getting the hang of tumbling, but she still can't figure out the cartwheel. It's cute that she stands there for a minute or so psyching herself up and then barely gets her feet off the floor.
Evie has a good time and when she isn't distracted or goofing off, she does a pretty good job. This isn't a hard core place with strict rules and that is ok with us. The good part is they keep the kids moving and wear them out.

Another neat thing is that they put all the kids on the appartus right away. Evie hasn't fallen off the high beam yet. I think her balance is improving. It helps your confidence when the floor is padded with cooshy mats.

I am happy to say that Annalise has mastered the forward roll. See video at the end of this post

They don't let the little ones on the high beams yet. Annalise will be moving up a class in the next session and she will get to move up with older kids. I hope she gets the hang of the cartwheels.



Evie is really confident in class. We asked her how she learned to do this flip and she said she just decided to do it one day. We were impressed. I think she learned it from her trampoline days.

Annalise is really good at the forward roll!!

Winter is over

It's 60 degrees here today and I think this message Evie wrote on the driveway pretty much sums it up. So now, bust out the 1888 Bock. We survived.
Of course, several inches of ice and snow just don't disappear. They make a lake in our back yard that should dry out sometime in May.

All that melting snow means running water and the kids were totally into cleaning out the gutters to watch the water flow. Where we lived in MN, there were kids that played in the gutters every single day. We actually called one of them "Gutter Boy" because he would be out there even if no one else was. I always used to wonder what kind of mother would allow her kids to play in the gutter. Now I am that kind of mother.

Annalise is so completely happy to be outside without a coat or hat. I worry now that I have let her out once, she may be ruined until next fall.

Valentine's Day

Quiet Valentine's day around this house. We did our normal running around shuttling people to school, work and religion class. We celebrated in the evening. Of course, Annalise got dressed in her new Valentine's day present from Grandma and Grandpa TAller. It fits great (for a pillow case dress that she favors) and she loves it. Did you know there were pockets?
Evie had to finish her homework before she could participate in Valentine's fun.

We gave Evie the gift that keeps on giving. a 1000 piece puzzle. This should keep us busy for the next week or so.

Jim tries to steal a kiss from Annalise, but she was being too goofy.

Channeling our inner MInnesotan

Kind of a lazy weekend around here. Jim hurt his back this week so we just hung around the house and even watched a movie! Inception is really good if you are looking for a rental. My newest theory in life is that you are what you eat and if you eat junk, your body will hurt. Here's Jim's lunch. Meatloaf with BBQ sauce, a brat and a bowl of Velveeta. This is probably why his back hurts. He needs some lentils--which we had for dinner.
Evie and I decided it was a fine day to take in a skate. Evie's skills have really improved since last winter and she hardly feel at all!

We tried to get Annalise to come with us but she refused. Instead, she and dad went on a "date" to the candy shoppe.

Later, when we came home, it was 45 degrees! A lot of people were out chipping away at the ice and we decided to join in on the fun. Since the gutter on the front of the house was making a lake on the sidewalk, a channel needed to be constructed to direct the water away from the house. Jim and Evie did half. He had to quit because of his cheese ball induced back pain. I stepped in for the second half.

We finished up. This picture should be in the fleet farm catalog. I feel alive, Aunt Becky.