Bathtime Is Fun Again

After a week of screaming at the sight of the tub, Lucas is back to his water lovin' self. I have no idea what caused the hiatus, but I'm glad it's over!

Cousins and Birthday

To celebrate Cole's 2nd birthday, Jackson and Brady visited from Missouri. Lillian loves playing with the boys and Lucas had fun just chasing everyone around.

"Naptime" (yeah, right!)

Birthday boy

Lillian helps Cole with the candles

Lucas and Brady have some bonding time.

Lillian and the boys

Sharing

Sharing the 50 cent garage sale toy that remains a favorite despite other expensive toys.

Growin' Up

Lillian's new "grown up" hair.

It's all happening too fast...

We were forced to enter the "big girls" section of Kohl's to find clothes on Saturday. She picked out the blue dress for spring, but so many of the styles were waaaay to mature for a 5 year old!

She jumped 2 shoe sizes in recent months which brings her to a 1-2, depending on the type of shoe.

The haircut on Sunday was the final straw...Lillian is growing up.

And there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to stop it

Antics

Lillian chose books over Saturday morning cartoons.

Greeting the cat (a daily occurance for Lucas)

A new way to get on the couch without help (and a completely innocent look on his face!)

Our Valentine's Date(s)

Traditionally, we don't eat out on Valentine's Day. We cook a nice dinner at home and enjoy the flexibility of doing it on our schedule. This year was no different.

Menu

Ribeye steak

Asparagus

Baked potato

Garlic bread

Chocolate covered strawberries (dessert)

Lillian dressed up for the occasion and helped with the candles. Lucas only cared about the food. We used Brent's grandma's china; incidentally, the pattern is called Camille- Lillian's middle name. We had an enjoyable evening at home with the kids. Happy Valentine's Day, my loves!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine Traditions

(found online, I added my own comments)

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;Curl your locks as I do mine ---Two before and three behind.Good morning to you, valentine.

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!" (How sweet!)

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. (what if you saw a crow?!?!)

A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have. ( I did this yesterday and there were at least 6. No way this one is true!)

Zoo

The first zoo trip of 2009 was last Saturday. I was at a 7th grade academic team competition(if you don't think that is an exciting way to spend a Sat. morning, well...), so Brent and Grandma Charlotte took Lillian and Lucas out to enjoy the weather. Not many pictures but they had fun.

Lillian

Lillian worked this weekend, helping Brent move rose bushes and fill in holes. She has a shovel just her size and she eagerly put on her boots and went to work.

Lucas

The warmer weather has allowed Lucas the freedom to go in and out the back screen door as many times as he wants. It is the best entertainment while I'm fixing dinner. The only drawback is that the cat knows this and uses this as a way to sneak in the house.

Big Sister Advantages

There's always someone who thinks pushing you around is fun...

Bookworm Post

To all my reader friends out there, I updated my Bookworm blog with my latest favorites. Check it out when you have time and let me know what you're reading, too!

Before Bed Snack