A Snowman In Our "Meadow"

Mallory and Miles were excited to finally have conditions that were favorable to build their much anticipated snowman. Since the first snow Miles has been asking, "Is this snowman snow?" I have felt horrible with the answer of, "No," followed by his sigh.

This weekend brought about a new round of snow and yesterday the three of us decided to trudge out to brave the elements. We went out with the plan to shovel snow to help Daddy and to just play for a little while. I had begun shoveling when I heard Mallory yell, "Look! We can build a snowman!" From there the three of us worked together to make the best one we could muster. In the end we had a perfect snowman. I love these pictures because it proves that they were being kids.

Even though I do not have a picture of it Mallory built a baby snowman to keep our big one company. I guess the thought of our snowman not having anyone to talk to was more than she could bear. It turned out cute too. It was a great day in our neighborhood.

I hope wherever you are that the weather makes you smile:).

A New Improved Knee

This morning Ryan had orthoscopic knee surgery. Everything went well. The doctor brought out pictures after the surgery of Ryan's knee before and after so I could understand what they had done. I must admit that it was quite interesting. Ryan stayed awake through the whole procedure and watched on the television screen. He talked with the doctor the entire time. I do not know if I could have done that or not.

We are now home (after stopping at Panera for broccoli and cheese soup for Ryan...and well I could not leave empty handed!!!). He is taking it easy on the couch and I am doing my best to take care of him and help to follow doctor's orders. I cannot wait until he is able to run after Mallory and Miles. I know that was one of the things he mentioned to the doctor and I sure hope this will help him get towards that goal. They are quite something to keep up with:).

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

On Friday night Mallory and Miles frosted and decorated cupcakes for their grandparents. They had so much fun. Miles (as we predicted) licked his fingers and knife throughout the process (that added a little extra love to his cupcakes). Oh no, now his grandmas and grandpas know the truth!!!

Mallory took her time and tried very hard to perfect the art of frosting. Her cupcakes did not have the cake in the frosting like her brothers so she must have been catching on. They both did a wonderful job.

On Valentine's Day morning Mallory acted as if it were Christmas. She woke up bright and early requesting that we all open the valentine sacks we had made the weekend before. It was so funny! Miles woke up shortly after and we all "tore" into our sacks. The valentines were so sweet from both of them.

Mallory, Miles, and I went to my parent's house to visit with Mom (Dad was working and so was Ryan). Mom was thrilled with the cupcakes and other goodies we had for her. Mallory and Miles had lots of fun running through the house and having fun. They always have a lot of fun when they are there.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Ryan's parent's house. Mallory and Miles spent the afternoon there while Ryan and I headed to the big city to do a bit of shopping for me (I know Ryan did not have the best time ever...but I did get some things that I have needed for quite sometime...my feet should be smiling now). I am thankful he was okay going with me.

Back to the cupcakes...I almost forgot that Mallory and Miles enjoyed one cupcake each after their decorating frenzy took place. They both enjoyed them very much. It was a yummy time at our house:).

Eyes That Are Not Forgotten

Tonight Mallory and I went through the same after school routine of swim lessons. Go home, change, head to the pool, undress, shower, well...you get the picture. During Mallory's lessons I watched and wrote in my notebook. Nothing unusual there:).

As Mallory and I were heading out of the building I saw a young gentleman sitting outside the door. I stared at him and he looked at me and as I began to walk away his eyes registered and I quickly turned and asked, "Are you Kam?" He looked surprised that I would know his name and then recognized my face (I guess I have changed in the seven years since he's been in my classroom) and said, "Oh my! I just tried to email you two days ago!" It was Kam...one of those students (or people) that we all have touch our lives and that we always wonder how they are doing once they have left us and moved on.

We talked for a while catching up. You know, me trying to find out if he has followed the right path in life...in just those few minutes of talking I could tell he has turned out just fine. He asked me if I still had the coffee mug he had given me (he was in my class when I was expecting and then had Mallory and had used his own money to buy a mug that had Mallory's first picture on it). I said yes although it was not currently on my desk. I'm sure you know what I will be doing tomorrow morning at school!

I was so excited to see him and it has sent a flood of emotions and thoughts to my head. I am going back to when he was in my classroom. When he would walk around the playground with me and tell jokes like, "Why did Tigger look in the toilet? Because he was trying to find Pooh!" And I will never forget before Thanksgiving break when my belly was bulging and he bent over to it (he had found earlier that day that Mallory could hear him) and yelled, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING!" and there is the picture that has been behind my desk of when he borrowed Ryan's Gretzky jersey for his wax museum presentation. Like I mentioned earlier, Kam was one of those students that I will never forget (hence the tears in my eyes that you cannot see on your end of the screen).

So tonight I will go to bed with a smile on my face knowing that maybe, just maybe, Kam thinks of me as much as I think of him. Maybe in a few years I will get an invitation to a graduation party. I would definitely be there with bells on:).

I think that someone placed Kam there to cross my path because I needed to be reminded of my daily job and how important it is although many times it is difficult. I am thankful for that angel looking over me.

...and thankful to Kam who has touched my life:0).

Our Little Tree Hugger

Yesterday after school I had an unexpected visitor come in (a friend of mine). As we were talking a picture came up on my computer and she looked at it and said, "Ahhhhh". Being the proud mom I am I showed her some other pictures from when Mallory and Miles were younger. We oohhhed and aahhhed at them and shared memories of our children's pasts. I really enjoyed that conversation and hope for more in the future:).

That conversation made me think of Mallory in her "baby stage". She is growing into a really great young lady and is working to build her character each and everyday (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship). Although she has her moments (like every child) she thinks of others and how to make the world a better place. She is my "tree hugger". The one who is quick to say, "We shouldn't use paper plates because they are not good for the environment. They waste trees." Now how many seven year olds would say that?

Mallory has really become excited and is using her citizenship to help our new school. She took the responsibility to talk with her principal about having a bake sale to sell cookies to the students to earn money for the new playground (her idea). She learned yesterday that it is going to happen very soon. Can you imagine the feeling of pride she must feel? She was asked something very exciting from her principal yesterday afternoon (a secret that maybe I can share with you in pictures later) and cannot wait to buy cookies.

I am very proud of Mallory and know that Ryan is too. She is going to be very successful in life...but the hard part is keeping her on the right path.

Just the Two of Us...Plus the Time Capsule

On Friday Mallory and I had a "heart to heart" with the time capsule before it was to be "buried" inside the new school. This picture was important to me because this was a historical day for both of us. It is rare that someone has the opportunity in their life to see a time capsule being put together...and we both did. From the sounds of it we might have the opportunity to see one opened that is currently inside our school now. Is that not exciting? I will definitely let you know if and when that happens!

Thank you, Jenn for taking this picture of us!