Tuesday Happiness Project

Today's picture is actually two pictures - I couldn't decide between them, so I chose - both!  They are both from this weekend - 63 degrees on the time/temp light on Saturday, and discovering that the tulips are starting to poke through the ground on Sunday!  Both of these make me EXTREMELY happy!

Farm field trip

We went to a homeschool family's farm today.  They raise prize winning cows (I can't remember the name of them - but I'll find out!) and chickens and live on some wonderful land near the airport.  The kids got to see new calves (the newest was a week old), bulls, the heirloom chickens and climb all over haybales.  We lucked out - today was 58 degrees and sunny!  The wind was a bit cool, but it was so nice to be outside!

The Happiness Project

Since I am reading the book by the same name...and one of my goals for 2010 is to take more pictures (with my brand spanking new camera Darren gave me for Christmas!)... it seemed just too perfect to pass up the opportunity to join in Leigh's Happiness Project. The point is to take a picture of something that makes you happy and to post it once a week.

 

This week it's a shot of our dog, Toby.  He makes me crazy, but he makes me so happy too - he's so funny!  He does this thing with his eyebrows!  And being a basset, he's always got a soulful look.  When he was a puppy (we got him at 5 mos old from a rescue group) I wasn't sure he was going to survive to become a "good dog!"  He ate anything and everything, he was untrustworthly to the core!  But now that he's 4 he's finally "grown up" and is truly a "good dog!"

Year 2010 50+ Reading Challenge

I've taken up the challenge to read 50+ books in 2010.  It started Jan 1st so I need to go back and list the books I've already read.  I'll create a list on here by the end of the weekend!  I'm going to see if any of my kids want to join me in the challenge!  It should be fun!

Pointe Shoes!

Today was the day Rylie has been waiting for since she was 3 years old and danced for the first time - Pointe Shoes!  The girls met Michele at Degage and each had a turn for their fitting.  Rylie's feet are REALLY narrow, but after many tries, they found a pair that fit her - we think!  She's going to have Michele check them tomorrow, but I think they are the ones.  Ribbons have been sewed on, so I hope they are able to be returned if they aren't correct!

House thoughts

A certain house has been on my mind alot lately.  We looked at it in December with my Dad.  We weren't sure there was enough space in the walkout basement apartment for my parents to live happily.  I can't get this house out of my mind though.  Something keeps drawing me back to it.  I wonder if a second look is in order.  Maybe when the weather breaks we can get my mom over for a look.  In the meantime, I'll keep pondering why it is that this house returns to my thoughts so often.

Catching up!

Well, the goal of blogging at least once a week got away from me!  Once our "regular" homeschooling activities started back up life got crazy again!  To play "catch up:" 

Josh has been asked to take over teaching a Parkour class at the gym starting in June.  The instructors are leaving for California to pursue their stunt work careers.  We have also found a gym right down the street from us that is willing to let him come in during the week to practice.  Five minutes down the street is wonderful news - considering the other gym is 35+ minutes away! 

Rylie has been asked to go on Pointe at the end of this month.  She's thrilled, to say the least.  Feb 28th is the big day - off to Degage to buy the pointe shoes!  Auditions for "Annie" at Theatre in the Park are Feb 27th - the end of February brings big events in her life.

Ellie is really enjoying the ceramics class that she is taking this session.  She also is involved in a book club and a drama class as well.  Wednesdays are a busy day for her.

I've added some pictures of our snow.  For one snowfall the kids built a snow hill in the front yard (poor KS kids have to make their own hills!) and a great time was had by all!  More recently (above picture) we had some gorgeous HUGE snowflakes.  I believe at one point they said it was coming down at 2" an hour.  Crazy!  We are scheduled to get more tonight into tomorrow so I'm sure there will be more snow pics to come!