Snow and Summer

Lots of snow here and more snow to come...

So it is nice to see our time share week has been confirmed...

Ahh...being able to look at the resort and realize that the last week of June will be spent having fun in the sun...helps a lot.

Meanwhile, despite the snow, 2015 has started out pretty positive.  Michael is doing very well at his new school.  Chewy is working hard and getting praise for it (although a bit frazzled with the kids being around during the recent snow days).  Willow got a good progress report and she is progressing very well with her reading.

We have Total Con to look forward to at the end of February...

More importantly, Michael will be SIXTEEN on the 21st.  I have been planning a birthday party for him...even getting him a custom cake.  Universal Monsters will be the theme.

I hope that at some point he could maybe invite one of the kids from school...but we shall see (it may be too soon).

We have been having fun watching all the Star Wars movies with Willow.

We are all doing pretty well so far.

There and Gone and Going On...

It just struck me this evening...wow...Christmas is over.  Hannukah too.  And I am a year older.   The tree and decorations are packed back in our basement, some of the presents have made it into circulation...I am not even sure where they are anymore.  The only left over of the holidays is the extra gallon of egg nog that I bought because I felt that I hadn't had enough (Willow drank the last big of it).

THAT went by fast!

Michael's first week at the new school went very well.  His counselor sent a glowing email update regarding his classes:

"The History fair is in full swing and Michael is working diligently on his topic of Ancient Egypt.  He has been working a good amount of time on his paper and is just starting his powerpoint presentation.  His history teacher is stating that he is doing all of his classwork and has not had any homework because of the fair."

"In Science this week they partnered up and had science experiments on finalizing the chapter on evolution.  They worked on tying their thumbs back and did labs on picking things up without their thumbs."

It was nice to hear about his classes so specifically, and to also hear from the counselor that he was transitioning very well to this new school and situation.

Chewy is starting to get into a real groove with his new job and so 2015 is starting off with transitions and positives...I am hopeful that this year will be better!

The Simple Things...

Willow's list of things she wanted to do with me today (we have it off, but Dad and Michael have work and school):

1. Cuddles (10 mins or longer)
2. Tickle fight (10 mins)
3. Play with toys (10 mins)
4. (on the other side of the paper and added later) Bath Time!

A neighbor friend came over, wanting Willow to play--but she wanted to spend time with me.

(Heel of mother, who has a cold and merely wanted to rest all day....well, darn it...we have things to do!!)  (and we did 'em and more)

Love this girl.

Taking those pictures...

Taking those pictures...recording those moments, big and small...and sometimes putting those photos here...just because...they grow so quickly....

Santa came through on the music box!

And Santa knew that Frankenstein's monster and Dracula figures would put an oft-unseen smile on the teen's face!

Writing about her holiday show at school.

Putting together her first Lego set on her own.

Rapunzel's castle is starting to take shape!

Bathtub creativity...crayons from Santa.

The title of the work: Fairies in Zombie Dead World.

New PJs for X-mas!

Mom and Dad also can put a smile on this face!  

He looks like he is sleeping, but he is actually cuddling Kif there.