Crayons and Keyboards

Her Royal Birthday

Little girls love them so princesses.

Cartoon princesses, Disney princesses, real princesses - even themselves as princesses. So, to celebrate Miss Belle turning 4 yrs. old this week, we gathered some of her royal friends from her kingdom and celebrated the way a princess should.

We kissed the Beast, had a tea party, invited other princesses to play, and even had a few princes in the crowd to keep everyone safe.

Digital Princess Party

Technology sometimes makes our life a burden; not being able to escape work phone calls/emails comes to mind for me. However, as we all know, technology is a blessing in many ways; it has made life more of an adventure if nothing else.

The iPad we got for Christmas last year has been great. It's allowed us to communicate with Boo & Pops on a regular basis. With Miss Belle's birthday being the same day as Pops, they always share a special bond. This year, Boo & Pops can't make the trek up north, so we celebrated early via the iPad.

Miss Belle's birthday present arrived from Boo & Pops yesterday, and our digital opening party made it a great night - even had a few friends over to share the experience (Syler and Davis made an appearance while their momma enjoyed a night our for her birthday).

Bunkered Down

With Snowquestration going on outside, Miss Belle was held up indoors. She made due with a left-over-boy-fort and the iPad; who said polka-dots and camouflage didn't go together.

Much like our government; the "Storm of the Season" was less than stellar.

Digitally Young

The first time I remember getting in front of a computer at school, I think I was in the 5th grade - so approximately 12 yrs. old; oh how the times have changed.

A portion of Jaxson's homework this week was to start logging onto the computer and practice his words, math skills, etc. Incredible how young, and how quickly, those kids these days pick this stuff up.

Zoo Keeper He Is Not

This either set the stage for a life-long fear of snakes; or, is the seed that will someday grow into a passion for snakes/reptiles.

My bet; a life-long fear.

Just Because She's So Damn Cute.

Tubing with Buddy

Risking Life and Limb

National Geographic would be proud of me.

I had the subject of my photo in perfect position. The action for the picture was discussed. I stayed true in my spot to get an action photo of Jax ~~launching~~ tossing a snow ball at me.

Note to self: Next time I take this photo, be quicker in getting out of the way. He throws much faster and straighter than anticipated.

Hanging with Hannah

Tubular Day

A small caravan of our dear friends/neighbors made the small trip north over the border into Pennsylvania to Ski Liberty for a day of snow tubing.

Honestly, my expectations were pretty low for a few reasons:

A. Certainly, my kids would be scared of tubing; they are scared of their own shadows.

B. We/them would quickly get bored from going down the same hill over-and-over on a tube.

C. Everybody and their dogs be at the mountain due to the long weekend.

Of all my concerns, the only one that was right was C; everyone and their dog decided to go tubing/skiing this weekend.

Heart Express

Great Valentine Day for Ms. Annabelle.

Not only did she get a pink lava lamp (to match her brother's blue lava lamp), she now is the proud owner of a princess encrusted bike all her own.

It's pink. It has tassles. It made her day.

Training wheels will come off quickly with this little lady.

Game Face.

Pumped Up

When God made Saturday mornings, he must have had birthday parties in mind. As a parent, it's a great way to burn a few hours and at the same time burn some kid's energy.

Fill 'em with sugar and let them loose.

Iced Out and Beat Down

Kids first attempt at ice skating was about as smooth ~~as it could go~~ as rough cut piece of iron cut with a spoon...needless to say, it wasn't smooth at all.

After some bargaining, debating, begging, pleading, and brute force, we managed to get Jaxson on the ice.

Annabelle was a little more gracious and happy to hit the ice.

At the end of the day, I was proud they both stepped foot on the ice - next time I just hope it goes smoother.

I will not let this kid get the best of me; he WILL get on the ice...

That right there my friends, is a face of frustration...on me, not the kid.

Victory; two laps around the rink.

Add Another Branch

Yesterday, our extended family grew by one more branch.

Michael and Kristin welcomed their first child into the world; a beautiful little girl - Hannah Marie Coon.

Her stats:

Born: January 24, 2013 at 6:20pm
Weight: 7lbs 8oz.
Length: 21 inches

Bowl Full Of Goodiness

What do you do when it's freezing ass-cold outside...ice cream of course. Makes sense to me; obviously, Annabelle had no issues - she would have climbed inside the bowl if she could have.

Don't Duck With Me

Foggy, drizzly, wet Sunday afternoon sent us inside for some afternoon energy burning sessions.

Never tried "duckpin" bowling; but at 50-cents per game, I'll try damn near anything. Smaller balls, smaller pins - easy for kids and good stress reliever for adults.