Ian's Birthday Weekend

My baby is 4 years old. The time has flown the last 3+ years. We remember the woman who gave him life. We are extremely thankful for his selflessness of placing her child. We pray that she has the comfort of knowing that her child is loved and cherished.

Grandma Sandy, Grandpa Neil, Uncle Joe, Aunt Keri, and Natalie came to celebrate with us. Uncle Mike was even in town for work, so he was able to come and celebrate with us. Upon Ian's request, we went to Red Robin for dinner to enjoy some burgers and french fries.

After dinner, we headed home for dessert. Ian requested Grandma to make him a fire truck, dinosaur, airplane, choo choo birthday cake. As always, Grandma exceeded expectations and made an amazing cake! Ian was a VERY happy boy!

Protests

What a crazy week in Madison. With the unions being challenged and wages and bargaining threatened, public employees from all over the State came out to Madison in full for protesting. Madison schools were cancelled Wednesday and today and will likely be cancelled again tomorrow. While I believe that people should be treated fairly, is is fair that the unions told the superintendent of the schools to cancel school? How is that fair to the children who are suppose to be there to learn and the parents who now have to take sick days while their kids are home?

I am extremely thankful for my children's teachers who choose to teach despite the low salary and benefits they receive compared to the public schools.

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa

Happy 90th Birthday Great Grandpa Meier!

We love you!

Snow Day!!!

The snow came falling down! Well over a foot of snow fell in 24 hours. This was after several inches fell the day before. The wind blew and blew, which made it difficult for the plows to effectively plow the roads. Schools were called off since the roads were too dangerous to drive on. The kids enjoyed a day off from school. They even braved the blustery weather in order to climb around in the mounds of snow.

A look out our back door

Ben loved being out in the deep, deep snow

A Princess in the Snow

Gymnastics Open Gym MLK day

Day off of school means lots of fun at Madtowne Twisters. The kids enjoyed going to Open Gym.

Ben and his friend, Sean, swinging

READY, SET, SWING

Weekend Fun

We had a fun Christmas break, however, due to my recovery from a spinal blood patch from my last prolotherapy session, I did not have the time or energy to make our traditional Christmas cookies with the kids. I am so thankful that the kids understood that mommy was hurt and VERY sore. I suffered from headaches for several weeks trying to rebuild the spinal fluid and trying to come off of high amounts of caffeine that originally helped with the headaches from the spinal leak. We spent a little time (while the headaches were manageable) making and decorating gingerbread cookies. I love spending time with my kiddos, especially when we get to do fun activities, like making cookies!

Ben and Cami add the ingredients

The kids are great helpers

We are ready to put the cookies on the pan to bake

Look at my yummy cookie mommy

The kids' creations

Cami's Lost Tooth

Cami made another step into growing up today. She lost her first tooth. She told me this morning on our way to school that her tooth was very loose and that she was sure it was coming out today. She worked on it throughout the day and after lunch and recess, the class went back to the classroom to start afternoon classes. Cami pulled her tooth out in the classroom and quietly put it in her desk. She told her teacher during her class. Since this is the first tooth she lost, she gets to write a letter to the tooth fairy asking for something extra special. When I asked her what she is going to ask for, she responded with "a Nintendo DS". I carefully explained to her that the tooth fairy cannot afford to buy every child something so expensive. I told her that the she needs to choose something that is a little more affordable for the tooth fairy. She then responded with "maybe money for Chuck E Cheese. I think the tooth fairy will be able to do that.