Billy Joel

On Wednesday morning, I heard a contest on the radio. They played a line from a Billy Joel song, and to win you had to call in and tell them the next line. The line was from the song "We Didn't Start the Fire," and I was sure that the next line was, "We didn't start the fire, no we didn't light it but we tried to fight it." I had no idea what the prize was but I couldn't resist calling in, and the DJ miraculously answered. They made me sing it, which was so embarrassing. They told me it was "ignite it" instead of "light it," but they gave it to me anyway. I've since googled it and three different sites had it as "light it," but whatever. Anyway, I now have tickets to see a show called "Movin' Out" featuring Billy Joel's music. Fun!

My trip

I had such a wonderful time visiting my sister, Betsy, and her family in January. I had so much fun holding the baby and visiting with Betsy and her husband, Geoff. It felt strange to be in an alternate universe where there was only one baby to take care of, and I wasn't even the mom. During the flights and layovers, I was able to read an entire 500+ page book. I was also able to see some dear friends while I was there. Thank you to everyone who made this fabulous trip possible!

Adorable Little Pills

Andrew and Daniel

These are the pajamas they got for Christmas. There is a picture of a monkey on a snowboard, and it says, "I do my own stunts."

I am so grateful for my two little boys. I have so much fun with them during the day. They love to go to the store with me and to the YMCA and to play in the backyard and get dirty. Don't let those innocent-looking faces fool you, though. These two partners in crime are on a constant search for mischief. Just when I think my house is babyproof, they prove me wrong. Andrew loves his "ov-alls." I found another pair for him in our boxes of boy clothes, and now Daniel can wear his old ones.

Daniel loves to wear Nathaniel's hat around the house all day.

Snow!

Yes, that is snow coming down. We woke up to a thin blanket of snow on the ground yesterday, which melted very quickly. Nathaniel managed to find a patch of it and make a snowball, though. He couldn't find his gloves, and I decided against searching for another pair in the attic because I knew they wouldn't last long playing outside anyway. I was right. Less than five minutes after they excitedly ran out the door to play, they were back inside saying, "Mommy, it's too cold out there." The odd thing about the weather here is that by Friday it is supposed to get up to the high 70s!

Nathaniel

We are so proud of Nathaniel. He is an awesome big brother. He helps with the younger children and they all look up to him. He also pesters them a lot, but I guess that's what big brothers do. He played basketball at the YMCA recently and he had a lot of fun. He got a basketball hoop for Christmas and he loves to go outside and practice. This is his third year of piano, and he is doing so well. He loves scouts; he should be earning his Wolf badge this week. He looks so grown up in this picture--he will be 9 soon.

Mary Poppins

That's our Emily, "Practically perfect in every way." She plays the piano and reads so well. She always desires to do what is right and hates to be in trouble. The other day I needed her to clear off the kitchen table, even though it was actually Nathaniel's chore (I did one of her other chores to make up for it). Anyway, I came back a little later, and she had already cleared the dishes, got out a clean washcloth, got it wet, and wiped down the kitchen table. When I saw her, she was wiping down each of the kitchen chairs. All I wanted was the dishes cleared, but I was very grateful. I can't believe she will be 6 this month!

Big Boy

This title refers to Andrew in more ways than one. First of all, he is so tall, and sometimes I forget he is only 3 years old. Secondly, he is potty training right now. Yea!!! He really is growing up. I can see that he is finally starting to grow out of his destructive stage. He loves to be a helper. The other day, I was standing in the kitchen and I said, to no one in particular, "I really need someone to go get Daniel's green sippy cup for me." Seconds later, a proud Andrew handed it to me. So sweet! I remember on our trip this past summer, he always insisted on helping Daddy bring in our things from the car. He is talking so much more, now, too. I am so grateful for that. He asks me for a hug about 10 times a day, and I am always happy to oblige.