I say GOOD-bye March.

Just about to hang up the phone on this month... I'm looking forward to what April has to say.

cousin sisters

I loved my childhood, but remember wishing (while we lived in the wild west Colorado) that I had cousins and grandparents in my life. I'm so grateful my kids have enjoyed these extended family relationships. Born nine months apart, these two beauties have grown up with enough contact that they might as well be sisters.

They're rounding the bend towards the end of their high school years and will shortly be headed off in the arms of the great wide world. I'm excited for what the future holds and pleased to know that even though their paths are diverging, their love for each other will keep them connected. These two are the apple(s) of my eye.

she's a trend setter (or a trouble maker, you decide)

 I took two of my daughters shopping this afternoon. We found a couple of pairs of jeans and a skein of yarn, and after that it was just window shopping and fluffy stuff. I laughed when Rooney pushed the pant leg of a mannequin into the sleeve. She modeled the desired fashion outcome for me

and then proceeded to become an impromptu window dresser. Look for a new trend at a mall near you.

these two are the apple(s) of my eye

my big boys are side-by-side

It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it makes me H-A-P-P-Y!

 To me, it sometimes feels like they're still the munchkins I used to dress alike.

little men in uniform

There IS something about a man in uniform, right?

Even not-quite-grown-men in uniform hold my gaze a little longer than usual.

We attended the annual Pinewood Derby as parents of a Bear Cub.

Mr. Dub is one of the den leaders.  Does that make him Dub Cub?

THE highlight of the night was hearing our cub's name called as they were awarding trophies for the fastest pinewood derby cars.  None of us expected it, which made morning boy's enthusiastic leaping and whooping to the front of the room to accept his trophy for being the fastest Bear extra entertaining. 

(It's also why we weren't prepared to document the celebration)

I know that secretly, Dub claims part of that trophy as his.  It took raising three boys and a LOT of pinewood prep to earn that baby.

A night in: bullseye.

Recently Dub took the three girls to a youth event for an entire afternoon/evening. Morning Boy and I found ourselves together with many hours to fill. I envisioned the two of us curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a blanket... some quiet together-time in front of a good movie. It actually didn't end up being like that AT.ALL.  We've been reading a good book together, so I found myself reading a few chapters at a time while he ate lunch and dinner, and in between we managed to get outside, tackle a few chores and play a few games. The last game of the evening involved shooting at targets with the nerf gun.  I will disclose here that I am not one to be trifled with when it comes to competitive target shooting. Things got pretty intense. I will also admit that I did not win the competition. But the grand champion gracefully congratulated my second place finish, as I lost by only one point.

I'm glad we didn't lose ourselves in a movie.

It was much more fun to laugh and talk and compete.

Having a nine year old caboose on our crazy train is pretty great.

oh deer!

It's been a harsh winter.

I think we can agree.

The other day the temps in town hit the mid 30's and I spotted a woman in flip flops and shorts at the grocery store. She was wearing what the rest of us have been craving: hints of warm weather.

We had a day in the 50's this week, and now today we're recovering from a mid week nor'easter and wind chills below zero.  

Forget the polar vortex, people. 

New England is suffering from bi-polar vortex.

We're not the only ones hungry for Spring.

There have been clusters of deer roaming the neighborhood.

The other day the kids and I counted SIXTEEN deer in one herd munching on the shrubs around our front door.  

We haven't seen grass in the yard since 2013.

I have faith that it's still there.

My prediction is that you won't see a region more happy to welcome Spring mud season.

I earned the man-card.

Kitchen renovations.

They're coming along.

Mr. Dub is a home improvement genius.

He can fix/make/build/renovate just about anything.

He also has a full-time job.

Therefore, kitchen progress isn't exactly racing along at top speed.

I'm ready to have real floors.

Since Dub is doing everything in his power to help us progress in this area, I decided it was time for me to step it up and help. You know, since I'm a stay-at-home mom, and mostly just sit on the couch eating chocolate and watching soaps all day.

I took myself to a home improvement store this morning and rented myself something akin to a jack hammer.  

Secretly, I've always wanted to operate a jack hammer.  (While I was vibrating my thumbs off this afternoon, I quietly assumed the nickname Rosie the Riveter. It's wartime in the kitchen.)  

Tonight we are one step closer to installing the new floor.  MOST of the mortar that was stuck to the sub floor (from the tile that was removed after Christmas) is now inside the shop vac, in a trash can, or in the form of a fine powdery dust that is now coating everything on the main floor of the house.  

 Home improvements are not for the faint of heart.

stay tuned.

"Breaking News" (competitive class plays)

 Because of a snowstorm (NOT breaking news this winter) our High School's annual competitive class play competition was postponed until after our February vacation. You may or may not remember that I went on and on and on about last year's plays... I'll save you some time this year and just tell you that it's a tradition I love.

This year's Senior Class put on a very funny comic book style play called "Breaking News"  by Tim Kochenderfer

Sweet Mesquite was the most valued Stage Manager, but also spent some time on stage in some "extra" roles.

 Tragically the Senior Class did not win this year's competition

(although my most unbiased opinion is that they won hands-down)

 They did manage to unanimously sweep the Best Actor and Best Actress categories.

 All family members in attendance were entertained by the enthusiasm and talent on stage.

 When one of these kids goes on to wear Prada and make an Oscar acceptance speech, I'll be able to say I was a fan in their early years.

 I do love some good drama.

Bravo Seniors!!