Happenings & Pictures

If you are my friend on facebook, then you've seen a lot of these pictures. 

We are in the throws of swim lessons, while there is snow on the ground.  Thankfully the pool is warm, and next week I am going to spend my 45 minutes of waiting in the hot tub this time instead of the bench.  Only Junior would pose for me.

Abs is really doing well in swimming and even falls asleep early.  That also means she is getting up at 3 am, but we're working on that too.  Em jumped up two groups, and is really picking it up fast.  Maybe by this summer they'll swim well enough to warrant a trip to Hawaii?

I went to a PEO Christmas event, and didn't buy a thing at the silent or live auction.  One of the women in the group, purchased this wreath, and gave it to me as a gift, after seeing me admire it.  It's absolutely beautiful--this picture was taken with my camera phone, so it doesn't do it justice! She's so sweet, and has a son that has similar issues to Abs, so she understands too,

Next on the list....Em got new glasses.  She loves them, thank goodness, and we avoided the Hannah Montana problems from last time.

It's been super cold here.  Down to the single digits, and negative temperatures with the wind chill.  This is our gigantic icicle.  This picture was taken yesterday, and it is now 33", but too dark to take a picture.  I thought it might melt off, but guess it didn't get that warm.  Since we will be having a few more days of freezing temps, I wonder how long it will get.

Yesterday at the AFA chapel they were having the cadet chorale perform Handel's Messiah. 

The chapel is amazing, but they were keeping it so cold in there, that I left after the Hallelujah chorus before I froze to death.  Of course with that much glass, it would be hard to keep at an acceptable temperature for everyone I suppose.

Check out that organ!

Today we went to the craft bazaar here, and I was almost disappointed until I stumbled on the last booth way in the back.  I saw this...

And I pictured this...

How could I say no?  The lady was an Air Force spouse and she had so many amazing things!  I also got this (another hat turned on its side):

Too cute!  She had ornaments (which I can't share, so Sara will be surprised, I hope she likes it!), cards, puppets, bags, tshirts, jewelry, and more.  I did get a pair of earrings, but they didn't photograph very well:

Fused glass.  I think I need more!

Abs went to build-a-bear with her Girl Scout troop, and made a little Brownie bear.  Girl Scout cookies go on sale Jan 8th, if you want to buy any from your two favorite Girl Scouts Em and Abs!

While Abs was at that, Gunner took Junior and Em to walk around the mall while I studied.  Em is obsessed with Justin Beiber, and by the time they returned Junior was walking around swooning "Juuuusssstttttiiiiinnn Biiiiieeeebbbbbeeeerrr" in a girly voice.  The joys of having a big sister.

I was typing, and I looked over and saw a GIGANTIC shadow of Abs.  I didn't run over there, because I knew she was up to no good, but didn't want to scare her since I could only imagine what she was doing. 

Me:  What are you doing Abs?
Abs:  Seeing how tall I am.
Me:  You look mighty big, what are you standing on?
Abs:  Junior's black box.  (We have a brown ottoman that Junior thinks is black and he sits there to watch tv)
Me:  You seem awfully tall for just the black box, what else are you standing on?
Abs:  Oh just a stool or two.

The girl had piled two stools on top of the ottoman and was balanced precariously.  We got her down, but not before Junior saw her, and attempted to copy her.  The stools are gone now.

On Friday when I picked up Junior from school, I noticed one of his drawings on the wall.

I told you, the boy is obsessed with his Grandpa.  His teacher said that he was so proud of his artwork, and she let me take it down, after I told her that he talks about my dad all the time, but that he had never met him.  He saw the picture in my hands, and told me it was "My Grandpa's City".  I asked him to tell me about it and he said "It's heaven, it's what heaven looks like".  Way to break my heart kiddo.

Cookies just came out of the oven, the kids are almost all in bed, and we have nothing but kids movies from Netflix right now.  Guess I don't have any other excuse other to work on my papers for school.