Chilly chill

Joe is on the dive team for work and they do practice dives about once a month - even in the freezing winter! He took the camera last time and took some pics. This is him helping another diver. They dove from this opening and came out in the hole on the ice, you can see in the distance with the cones around it. I know he uses a dry suit and all, but I am just so amazed that he does this! #1 it's freezing. #2 I just can't imagine what it would be like to be under the ice, walking around under water! He said the water is actually warmer than the air, so he's not cold when he's in the water!

Someone's in the kitchen with...

I just think this is a funny picture. Mina has done this a few times, and I always do a double take. This is a kitchen that was mine as a kid, and I never thought to climb in through the sink and stick my head out. Too funny.

New Do!

I cut Mina's hair yesterday. She was very cool with it, and just got a little annoyed with having to sit still for so long. But it turned out all right, I think we may have to seek some professional help in the back, we'll see! Here's the "before" and "after."

Mina's Valentines

Mina was super excited for her valentines party at school. We made valentines together weeks in advance. Her teacher recommended starting early, and signing a couple each day... well Mina did them ALL at once, signed, sealed, stamped. So for weeks she loved taking them out and playing with them. So finally the big day arrived! I did her hair very cool (click on the link, the woman is amazing!) and she had a great time! She was happy to get valentines from the kids in her class.

A Musical Moment

This is some video of Calvin singing "No more monkeys jumping on the bed." It was actually done a while ago, but I couldn't get it to upload until now. He loves to sing for the camera! And yes, that is Mina laying on the changing table!

Winter warm up!

This weekend the temperature was in the 40's (???), and it felt so good! I love that about Chicago weather, you cherish those warm ups soooo much, and try not to think about how it is just a big tease! So, we got the kids toys out and played outside for a while. Here's the line up!
And another cute Mayzie smile... LOVE those!

Joe got some work done too, bye-bye Christmas lights!

While we were outside, I noticed Calvin was munching on some
pretty nasty withered herbs I had failed to pull out in the fall.

This is the same boy that, just at lunch, refused (kicked and screamed is more like it)
to eat a pita chip! I guess I should be happy that he will eat herbs,
though I'm sure if they were on his plate, inside, he wouldn't touch them!

This is the plant he was eating. Yum!

Mina date

Mina likes to make little charts and set goals for herself (I admit that I strongly steer her in a good direction), where she gets to put a sticker in a box each time, and when it's all filled up, she picks a reward.  Recently she filled up her chart for going to the bathroom ALL by herself, like 20 times.  YAY!  For her special treat, she wanted to go on a "date" with me!  So fun.  I always enjoy getting one-on-one time with the kids.   They are so different that way.  Mina and I went for ice-cream and to the library.  Her favorite ice-cream is cherry or strawberry, but I couldn't really tell, because all she did was eat the cherry on top (maybe that's what she meant??) and the whipped cream.  She also got a balloon at the ice-cream shop, which was a big highlight of our night out!  I also learned that when she grows up she wants to drive a RED volkswagen Beetle (which I remember wanting when I was little).  When I asked her where she wants to live, she said at a waterpark hotel, of course, that WOULD be the coolest!

Our stay-cation

Joe took last week off and we enjoyed a whole week at home together! It came at a great time, as he was out late for work or church T-F the week before, so we were both beat. We had lots of things we really wanted to do while he was off, but ended up taking a couple trips to the doctor for sick kids instead. So, we didn't get to the museum, or to see cows (Mina's request), but we did have a lot of fun just being home together. The highlight of the week was going to Key Lime Cove indoor waterpark for a night with Grandmamita and Grandpa Hammer (my folks). The kids LOVED it, and were all feeling better, thank goodness!Everything in the hotel, was bright and cheery - a real cure for the winter blues.

Most of our time was spent on these water slides and this little swimming area. Although we did enjoy the wave pool, lazy river, and cool water slides (just Joe, me, and my Dad).

We had a great time at Key Lime Cove, though it was a little short, and on our winter stay-cation! This week was back to reality, and the first thing Mina said to me Monday morning, in a super sad voice, was "I miss Daddy."

Mayzie smiles

Mayzie has been flashing the best smiles lately for pictures! In general, she is not a super smiley child, but when I say, "Mayzie, say cheese", she really gives it her all! I love it!Here she is with her favorite sparkly purse, which she love to carry around.

Standing up in her high chair, which is also her new favorite way to eat, and ride in shopping carts, yay.

And another great smile, as Mina give her a little ride in the doll stroller. I think
I also love this picture because my house does not look like
a wreck in the background.

Winter Blahs

To make our own fun, on a cold winter day, I throw the kids in the tub and let them play with shaving cream. They have done it a few times and LOVE it, and it keeps them busy for a while, then they take a bath, OF COURSE, to get the old man smell off!