first this ... then that

I have a photo heavy post coming up soon about our 2nd annual camp-in in Oconomowoc, Wi.  First tho' I leave you with two things that get me heated up:

1.

When my beautiful baby gets a high fever and wakes up in pain.  That gets me riled up. 

Although the sweet sleepiness is a bonus.

and 2.

When the governor of our neighboring state manages to piss me off more then Pawlenty. That isn't easy to do. Although my little radical is awful cute with her homemade solidarity shirt.  She has started her Walker rants (ahhhh just when we were missing pawlenty).  This morning's were especially cute.  "Mama, I know you aren't mad at me, you are mad at skyWalker right??"   bwaaahaaahaaaa skyWalker.  

Spring fever

Had a taste of spring this weekend.  Went outside, felt warm in the sun, looked directly into the sun inviting its nutritious rays into the core of me.  Felt good at the time.  Now it just feels like Sunday night. Again.  Feeling worn out.  Work is tiring.  Lucy is still struggling in kindergarten. I really want spring break for both of us. 
Still, it was nice to have some snow melting and some sun shining today.

 Lucy was very excited about the hair coloring we found at Claire's!

 Nothing like a little cat cuddle to sooth a little soul.

poor cat. 

The truth is ...

It's been awhile since I blogged.  I would like to report that I've been really busy at work or creating culinary masterpieces or volunteering or packing for a huge trip or preparing for another adoption.  Nope.  Honestly It's a combination of being tired, being busy with my farm on farmtown and really finding that every time I get my camera out to take a photo of Lucy she either has snot all over her face or she has hair that is in such a state that I would (rightfully so) get flamed by some of my readers.  She doesn't need that following her around cyberspace her whole live, there is already plenty of stuff for people to find on her. 

That being said:

 We have had our share of fun.  Spending time with "the boys".  I find it funny that even though I try to keep an assortment of toys that would appeal to both genders, N.P (name to protect identity, of boy who was embarrassed about his desire to play with no body hair model doll) was totally into doing this dolls hair.

 as was his brother Isaac who had no need to hide his interest. 

 Lucy has taken a shine to Beyonce.  I didn't know how much of a shine until the moment we were in Kohls looking for sheets when she stopped the salesman and asked "excuse me, we are looking for some single lady tights"  (he paused for the briefest of moments before directing us to the girls section).  Me, I almost choked on my tic tac.  Above is her single ladies outfit.

 Lucy got bunkbeds.  So if anyone has a way for us to add a sibling to the family, a sibling that comes with free daycare and health insurance please let us know, we totally have space for her now.

good night.  hope to see you soon. 

Tuesday

It's only Tuesday.  I'm missing my girl when I am at work so I thought I'd put some photos up so I can check on her during the day.

 ok so technically this is not a photo of Lucy.  Had to put our little guys up too, Nathan and Jacob were rockin' out the other night ...

 a little light reading. 

looks comfy

 getting unpacked at school.

sweet snuggles with our pup.

The Roller Derby

Where have I been all these years???!!!   Yes, we found a new activity together.  Love the Roller Derby, Lucy does too.  She ROCKED the derby, totally engaged. 

It was MN Mascot show-down pre-show.  Lucy loved the mascots!

 She especially loved the pink pig mascot from the saints

 she met tons of roller girls. 

 watched the mascots play a mean game of musical chairs

 watched intently

 snuggled auntie jen

 snuggled mommy

 watched a bout

 talked ice cream with the leprechaun

 danced her butt of at the half time show

and like a good dessert, she ran into a paramedic, and scored a pair of doctor's gloves

Time to face reality ...

It's winter in Minnesota.  We will not survive if we just stay inside wishing spring to come our way.  Must get kid outside.  You know, better yet, find some money and get the kid to a warmer climate!

Another way to get the crazies out

The clean mud is a great way to get a sensory seeking kid to calm and sit for awhile!   These moon shoes???  They'll get your kid bouncing, walking, balancing and falling.  Great fun but not for the anxious-type caregiver!

Good Clean Mud Fun!

Today we made "clean mud".   Lucy thought of it because she has been helping the preschool team at my work prepare for their own clean mud making.  She thought it would be fun to do at home.   I agreed.  Lucy had fun.  Lucy had fun off and on for about three hours today, which in turn meant I had fun. 

Have a sensory seeking kid?  Want to feed their need?  Want a little tutorial?

OK

 First rip up 1-2 rolls of toilet paper into small pieces.

                                                       Next grate 3 bars of Ivory soap.  According to my coworkers
                                                      you can use any bar soap.  We went with Ivory because that's what
                                                      the directions said.

After you grate the soap, mix the soap and toilet paper together.

Add hot water, a little at a time, mixing by hand until you have

a mud-like consistency.

                                                              Play and squish away!  Lucy loved this.
                                                       She squished and slopped her way up to her elbows.
                                                       It was splatted around a bit but was pretty easy to
                                                      clean up.

If you have friends stop by, they might not be able to resist

the squishy fun.   After a couple hours we added a small amount

of color and blended some more.

After dinner we continued squishing. 

Lucy had fun, I had a break ... 

Happy New Year

It's been a long time since I've posted.  I guess we've been all mixed up with being on vacation and having all of these fun holidays.  Whew.  Slowly winding down and dragging our feet as our real life resumes in just 2 days.  We had a fantastic Christmas!

                                       We went to church and learned how to make krumkaka and lefse.

 Lucy rolled the lefse gentle and thin.

                                                 Had some nice naps and snuggles with Zep.

                                 Santa gave her a banjo ukelele for Christmas, exactly what she asked for.

                       Lucy took advantage of the time off of kindergarten to get her medical degree.

                                  She got a real cooking set from Auntie Barb and has used it every day.

                         Grandma got a new puppy and Lucy is thrilled to be able to carry her around.

 We went on our annual sled ride to Jakeenos.  New sleds and a fine coating of slippery ice made the trip smooth.

Lucy got a tent from Auntie Deb and Uncle Dennis, she has slept in it every night!  Tonight Azazel joined her.

Lucy's holiday program

so much fun! Love this school!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

snow daze

Lucy got her first snow days off of school.  In a crazy, never heard of move, our public schools shut down for two days due to a blizzard, not knowing what to do with all the snow, and frigid temperatures.  Wow, she is ready to get out of this house!

 on Sunday we trudged through snow as deep as Lucy's hips to get to a bus stop. we had tickets to a concert and we were going to attempt to get there.  we waited over 20 minutes for our 2nd bus, and as we waited our damp feet got increasingly cold and painful.  Lucy was bawling. The drunk men at the bus stop felt bad for her, and so did I so we went across the street to Subway and had some lunch warming our bare feet in our mittens.  Our friend Eric had his 4 wheel drive out and he rescued us!

 Monday, school was closed and so was my work.  We celebrated with a play date with Morgan, S & B

 We made home made ice cream in plastic bags, made it green. Ate it.

 followed it up with pizza.

 "quiet time" had Zep the dog begging for them to plow the streets so school could resume a.s.a.p!

 Lucy and S hung out in the ottoman.

Zep thinks it's B.S. that he ain't got no bed, insisting on curling up on our throw pillow.