March Out

I just feel like I have to squeeze one more post in before March ends.  It's hard to believe that we started this month with snow and we're ending it with temps near the 80s and sunny skies.  This past weekend was absolutely beautiful, and after many hours outside we are all sporting a little glow.  We went to the park, rode bikes (Sara's got the two-wheeler!), planted some summer begonias, drew with chalk, poured out a huge container of bubbles, grilled, and enjoyed evening driveway drinks ... what's not to love? 

At the park on Saturday, Sara hit it off with another girl who was there.  As a result, we were invited to the girl's older sister's birthday party on Sunday (also at the park).  So we went back on Sunday for the party and play.  While there, I met another mom who is from Hampton, IA, and who graduated from Iowa State!  We know some of the same people from Hampton, and had a great time chatting.  Her only flaw is that her husband is a Hawkeye, but I'm willing to forgive that.  It was nice to make some new connections.

Also on Saturday, I noticed my neighbor in her garage refurbishing an old desk she found.  She maintains antique booths as a hobby, and loves to search for good finds.  We were chatting and I mentioned our freebie piano, which shows a lot of wear and tear.  I told her I was thinking a professional might have to come take a look at it.  She said, "no way," and told me to go to the hardware store for Old English scratch remover (they make it for both dark and light woods).  I picked up a bottle that afternoon for about $6, and got to work on the piano, whose dry wood appreciated the lather.  Oh my word, it really worked wonders!  Obviously you can still tell that the piano is old with some bumps and bruises, but it looks a thousand times better than it did.  I sure love a cheap fix and a resourceful neighbor!  Now Steve and I are wondering how many other surfaces in our house could benefit from this magic formula.  (and so the project list grows ...)

For the most part, it's life as normal around here.  Some days we think our girls are 16 and 12, not 6 and 2, based on their attitudes.  Sara desperately wants to earn an allowance but acts put out about actually having to perform any tasks (although she is quick to seek recognition when she does get around to cleaning her room or something like that).  Emma has started crossing her arms, throwing her head back, and marching off when she's mad.  A couple days ago she burst into our room, crossed her arms, stomped her foot, and said, "Daddy is mean.  He said I can't paint with my fingers. Humph." Then she furrowed her brow and stuck out her bottom lip.  She's got the drama down.  I'm beginning to think that, while ages and circumstances change, kids really are just who they are.  They grow and learn and change, but I'm fairly confident that when they're 16 and 12, I'll see glimpses of 6 and 2 in my girls. 

I'm beginning to plan for summer.  Since I live life by the school calendar, I use a July-July planner, and realized today that it's time to buy my new one since my planning is now bleeding into August.  I'll have about 2 1/2 weeks off this summer, so I'm working on the logistics of child care, camps, travel, and of course just some R&R.  I start feeling myself get overwhelmed with everything that will happen between now and the end of the summer, so I have to remember to slow down.  One thing at a time: we have this Friday off of school for a "spring holiday".  I was thinking of taking the girls to the arboretum, but it's looking like the weather may not cooperate.  If that turns out to be the case, I think we'll go to Paint n Party.  Sara received a gift certificate for her birthday and has been begging to go ever since.  If we end up there, I'll be sure to post pictures of the girls' creations.

Welcome, April!

Book Talk

I have to start with a huge shout-out to my friend, Allison, who has hooked me up with most of the books on the "must read in 2015" list I referenced a while back.  So far I've read these ones:

For the Waverly women of Bascom, North Carolina, first frost always means mystery, or at least the unexpected.  When a mysterious man arrives in the small town, senses are heightened and the Waverlys know that if there was ever a chance of a normal, non-eventful first frost, this is certainly not the year.  High schooler Bay is learning firsthand that the family you're born into can impact beyond what you can reach, regardless of abilities and intuition, like it or not.  I liked this story.  It wasn't at all believable for me, but it was light and easy.  I wouldn't call it a "must-read", but it was enjoyable.  Wait until you can get it for a good price.

Landline struck a good balance between real life and the utterly impossible.  When Georgie realizes there is no way she can leave her job in LA to travel to Nebraska for Christmas with her husband and kids, she finds herself most comfortable staying at her mom's house rather than in her big empty house.  She finds an old rotary phone from her teenage days, and uses it to call her husband and daughters in Nebraska.  But somehow the landline connects her to the past, not the present, and she finds herself reliving/replaying conversations she should (did?) have had with her husband.  In the end, I think this story was less about a magic phone and more about the power of our conscience to guide us to what we know is right.  Well-written and highly entertaining (sometimes maddening), I'd definitely recommend it.

 If you're looking for something a little deeper, before i go should be on your list.  Daisy is 27, about to celebrate 4 years cancer-free, when she finds out that the cancer is back and it is spreading aggressively.  She has months to live, and decides to spend her time finding a new wife for her husband so there is someone to care for him once she's gone.  This story is heart-breaking, inspiring, irritating, and funny all at once.  The characters are well-developed and their struggles are real.  In terms of the book, some parts were better written than others, but overall, a really great story.  Get your tissues.

"Books are a uniquely portable magic."

Stephen King

a post in which I refuse to mention the Cyclones

Besides the obvious (reference title), we had a good week back from Spring Break.  On Thursday evening, Sara's rescheduled Open House took place, and on Friday evening, the rescheduled "Deputy Round-up" at her school happened.  It made for a very exciting end of the week. 

Sara was so excited to show off her school at Open House.  Unfortunately, Steve had a work event he couldn't get out of, but I was able to skip Open House at my school to take the girls to Sara's.  We visited her classroom, where Sara was being shy and a frequent parent volunteer said, "Wow, Sara, you sure are quiet tonight."  Nothing better than a little honest insight into her day ...

 Deputy Round-up proved to be lots of fun: face painting, balloon animals, cake walk, photo booth, snacks, and a silent auction at which Sara was thrilled to win an ice cream party with her teacher.  Steve was equally excited about his winning bid that scored him some new wireless headphones.  By the time we walked home on Friday night, we were all exhausted!

Yesterday was another rain-out, but today the sun finally came out and we got a taste of spring. We opened up the windows and enjoyed the sunshine.  Steve and I also put down twenty bags of mulch, which I know I'll feel for the next couple of days.  And it must have been the weather, because there is not other real explanation, but we both worked ourselves into a clean-out frenzy this weekend, and organized some parts of the house that have been left virtually untouched since we moved in.  For me, it was mainly the kitchen cabinets and my dresser drawers.  For him, it was almost every other space in the house.  Spring cleaning feels so good!

My updates lately feel like just a recap of our day-to-day, but these are the things I know I'll appreciate having documented down the road.  Life is hectic, loud, and generally good in the Brittain home!

Spring Break

Our spring break has come to an end.  For the first time in a few years, we didn't travel anywhere, and although I missed not being in Florida (especially since our weather hasn't been great), we had a good time at home.  My parents were here for the first part of the week, and then they headed to MN early Thursday morning for a quick visit before they return to FL to finish their "winter".  

Unfortunately we had quite a bit of rain and lots of cloudy skies this week.  We found indoor activities to occupy our time, which included multiple Target trips, lunches out, art projects, and movies/nests in the family room.  On Tuesday we headed downtown to the aquarium, which provided a nice change of scenery and climate!

The sun finally came out on Wednesday, so we headed to the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for some playing and hiking.  It was pretty muddy, but it felt so good to get out for fresh air. 

We found walking sticks of all sizes!

 

When we got home, we played on the driveway and G&G convinced Sara to finally start riding her bike without training wheels.  She didn't want to listen to what I had to say about it, of course, but got the hang of it with Grandpa's help.  We've worked on it more since, and Sara is gaining confidence (which I've found has been her biggest obstacle). 

On Thursday we went swimming at the indoor pool at the rec center.  Sara was told by two different lifeguards that she was too short for the big slide, and she was so disappointed because she's been able to use it when she's there for swimming lessons.  She is currently 46 inches and needs to be 48 inches to ride during open swim hours ... it made me sad to watch her be denied because I so know that pain of being too short.  She asked me how long it takes to grow two inches and was unsatisfied with my answer of, "I don't know, it's different for everyone."  She still had a great time swimming and practicing her cannonballs. 

Friday was another rain-out, so we drove across town to have lunch with Steve, which the girls thought was so fun.  Yesterday, finally, I got the bug to be productive around the house and started just a couple of quick projects.  Today we planted some new plants out front.  They look good, and will look even better next weekend when we fill in the beds with mulch.  For her part, Emma is ending our week with a black eye (thanks to an accidental piggy bank to the face, courtesy of her sister) and potty-trained (even in public) with the exception of a few accidents here and there! So although we didn't travel, we've had a really great week.  As you can imagine, I'm both ready and not ready for our quality time to come to an end!

Of course I can't end this post without celebrating the Cyclones, who did indeed with the Big XII Championship for the second year in a row!  They played three tough, very close games and came out victorious last night.  We're proudly flying our ISU flags in both the front and back while awaiting the Selection Sunday results.  As a friend so eloquently wrote on FB last night, "It feels good to be a winner!" Yes ... yes it does!

Cyclone Saturday

We had a full-blown Cyclone Saturday last weekend!  In the morning, Steve, Todd, and Sara headed downtown to see the women play in the Big XII tournament at the American Airlines Center.

 They had great time, even though the women lost.  From what I hear, Sara spent much of the time eating popcorn (below) and recording score updates in the notebook she brought along. 

Later in the afternoon, Steve and I headed to Ft. Worth to see the men play at TCU.  We first hit up a pre-game alumni event with 400+ alums from the DFW area at a great BBQ place.  The president of the Alumni Association was in town because of the women's tournament, and stopped in to lead us in some cheers and the fight song!

We had a great time at the game, where the Cyclones finished the regular season with a big win. It was fun to see some of our favorite "celebs" up close and personal!

Steve and I enjoyed our night out with so many Cyclones fans.  The arena was full of cardinal and gold ... the Hilton Magic definitely traveled to Ft. Worth. 

The men begin Big XII tournament play tonight.  We're hoping for three wins and a repeat championship!

Another Round

The girls were so excited that the sleds I'd ordered after last week's snow arrived yesterday afternoon.  Last night they sat on them and pulled them around the house, feeling a little sad that we'd missed our big chance to use them this year.  But we found a good spot for them in the garage, promising to pull them out whenever an opportunity (though few and far between) presents itself.

Then we woke up to snow (and no school).  Again.  Lots of it!  Sara was first a little disappointed that tonight's open house at school would be canceled, but quickly realized it was a small price to pay for a fun day at home.  Steve had to head to work, but the girls and I bundled up and headed outside with our new sleds, and we had a blast.  We took some runs in our front yard, and then walked to the park to play there.  Emma fell over a few times because the snow almost reached her knees.  Sara loved stepping in the deep spots to feel herself sink.

 The sun was shining and it was just the perfect day for snow play.

 I even took a few turns on the sled ... lots of laughs for everyone!

 Snow Angels

We've spent most of the rest of the day in the kitchen and doing projects, watching the sun melt our snow ... it's going away as quickly as it came.  Today we've made chili, the insides of chicken pot pie, and banana bread.  Now we're waiting for G&G, who are on their way (from Florida - they're not thrilled about our current conditions) to spend part of spring break with us, and the good news is that their flight isn't delayed. They'll be here soon ... a good ending to our fun, surprise, spring snow day!