Grateful

There are days you wonder if anyone appreciates anything that you do and then there are days, like today, that make it all worthwhile.




To Therin, you are like me in so many ways. I will always cherish your thoughtfulness. You have a maturity beyond your years.

To Wendi, thank you for "Monday" gifts and you didn't even know how much I needed it!

To Monica, for all the years of friendship, laughter and support. One day, I hope to repay you. Thank you for the gift of escape and relaxation-so thoughtful and so unexpected!

To my mother and mother-in-law for all of your caring, compassion and empathy.

To an army of great girlfriends: Natalie, Celine, Polly, Wendi, Annette, Lesley, Nora and Alisha; thank you for always being there to listen, feed me, and take you up on the many offers to take my children and give me a break. I SO appreciate all of you!!!!!

To my daycare families, for acknowledging my work and dedication to your children.

MOA weekend

Eating at Big Bowl. Chopsticks are a new experience. We brought them home-hopefully they'll eat as well as they did here if I serve dinner with the chopsticks?





A few more birthday gifts to open.








A sweet mother daughter moment.


Therin-my rock. Always helpful and dependable (and reasonable, unlike someone else I know (see picture below)).


Kya dresses up every day, not just on Halloween. I'll have to get the "gypsy girl" skirt on the blog soon. She hiked the bluffs today in her gypsy girl skirt and high tops-LOVE it!

Kya was begging to go to the Mall of America in September (I don't know that she knew what the Mall of America was, just that she wanted to go.). I told her, not then, but maybe for her birthday. So, here we are. Granny came to La Crosse on Friday and accompanied us on the trip. We didn't do much shopping (except for some Christmas presents at REI) but indulged in the rides at the mall and went to the Como Zoo on a very beautiful, 60 some degree November day. We had a lovely time. Thank you Granny!

Some side notes: You may notice that Kya does not have a purse strap in pictures this weekend; she has not abandoned this obsession, it simply broke on the ride to the Cities.
Aunt Ashley may also notice that we have not let go of the Kalahari bracelets yet. I'm tempted to stop the next time we drive by to see what color the bands are that day-do you think we could get in for free if it's a blue day?

4 Years Old!

I was so touched by the number of friends that stopped by yesterday to wish Kya a Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your generosity!

A walk down birthday lane

Last year's third birthday.


Second birthday.


First birthday.


On her actual birth day. Kya was born at 7:09 a.m. 6lbs. 11 oz. and was 19" long.

Kya is my sunshine. She forces me to really live and enjoy the present with all of her various forms of entertainment and abundant energy. Miss Kya I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a fun 4th year of life!

Therin's book

Therin's book.


Therin went to the park. Then went home.


Then he went upstairs. The end.

I asked Therin tonight if he sounded out all the words himself or if someone helps him. He said the "old timers" in the class (1st graders) help him. I love reading his stories! I am so thankful for these combined classes!

A Star Wars Halloween

Therin's Tree: SOTA artwork

Danger! Kya unsupervised with a camera.

So I came in from checking clothes on the line today. Kya greeted me by saying she had taken "a few pictures." Last time I checked a few was not 70!! Oh, Kya! Here is a sampling......


Inmate #: 4567889









Because who doesn't want 10 pictures of a box of wipes?



I am disappointed I deleted the 15 or so of her knee/leg. Right now I would've been tempted to post all 15 merely for the entertainment value! Enjoy your day!