Drinks and A Big Hat

We Housewives of Madison County like to venture out for some fun girl time. We don't always need a reason to do so but having one makes it more fun. Last night we celebrated Lisa's birthday. You see, we all became good friends last year because our children were all in pre-school together. Except for the fact that Nicci and I have been friends for years. Since the girls were really little. Through her, I met some amazing women and we love getting together.

We've been sticking close to home lately. The last couple of gatherings have been at our local Mexican restaurant. It is yummy. Lisa knows a lot of folks there, we get great treatment. Last night I heard the waiter say extra shots in the next pitcher. I think he did, according to my stomach.

Lisa and I... Don't know why my face looks all weird!

Julia, Nicci & Elizabeth

The time went so fast!! What I thought had been 30 minutes was three hours! Lots of conversation, tons of laughs, some food and lots of this....

Oh yea, we almost forgot that Lisa had to wear the big hat.

She enjoyed this yummy desert. Now that I think about it, with out sharing!

Lucky for us, school was closed today due to all the snow drifting. Good thing since we stayed out so late. I'm a lucky girl to have gotten to have a fun evening out. Thanks gals. We are already planning our next outing. Stay tuned!

Finally, A Valentine Party

After two postponed dates, all due to the lovely white stuff on the ground, the kids finally had their Valentine party at school on Thursday (Feb. 18). The kids were not only excited to get back to school and their routine but to also have this party. The kids look forward to party days. Why not, it's a blast!! As room Mom, I helped Mrs. Cutler organize the festivity with great help from our usual group of families. Gavin's Mom did goody bags. Beth's Mom got the juice boxes. Sean & Emily's Mom brought the cupcakes. Kelsey's Mom brought fruit. Kylie's Mom brought cheese & crackers and a special pretzel surprise. I did sugar free cookies. Gabi's Mom did heart cookies. Sounds super yummy, wouldn't you say?! Becky, Monica, Cheri and myself were able to make it to the party. The kids passed out their Valentine's, made a really cute craft, watched a little bit of Miss Spider Sunny Patch Friends and then eat their feast! It was fun and we were all tired at the end.

Monica & Cheri getting ready. Becky wasn't here yet, she missed the photo op, darn.

Each child had this waiting for them at their seats after the movie.

Plus this spread!

I have to tell you first hand... Those pretzels were amazing! Monica's MIL made them. Mrs. Cutler requested more for our Easter party. Yea! I can't wait to get the recipe.

Here is the class picture. They had made these adorable hats last time they were in school, who knows when that was ;) They are holding up the craft we made with them. It was a really cute Valentine card for them to give to their parents. Each child wrote the following on the inside, Dear Mom and Dad, I love you. Then signed their names. Ahhh... It was cute.

Mrs. Cutler's "A" Kindergarten class 2009-2010.

PS- There were three kids absent. Hopefully they will all be at the next party!


When we got home I said hey kids, let that your picture by where the garden should be. The snow is very slowly starting to melt and I wanted to get their picture next to the snow piles. There is a lot of snow out there. We are hoping to continue to see signs of Spring. Here are the kiddo's.

Will 17 months, Shea 5 1/2 years.

The parents are already brainstorming for our next party. It will be fun. We love making it a good time for the kids. Seeing their faces light up is sooooo worth it!!!

Going Crazy

February 2010 has been a long month so far!! The groundhog could have stayed in his hole as far as I'm concerned. Silly thing, we've had nothing but huge snowfalls since he came out. As you know, the weekend we went to Great Wolf we had thirteen inches of snow. A couple of days later, another ten. It is getting deep with drifts around here. Our friends, the Kuck's, went on a nice trip to Florida and I had everything arranged for the kids while they were gone. Will was going to stay with Kristen on Monday so I could still volunteer, too bad, there was too much ice and fog. Darn it. On Feb. 11, Shea was to have her class Valentine Party. Mom and Dad came up the night before and relieved some of the kids' boredom. Wouldn't you know it, 5:45 am we get the call, school is closed. No party. Shea was a tad upset. But, we postponed it to this week. No fear... Grandpa Chas said he'd go sledding with her. We asked Will if he wanted to go. His eyes got big, he looked out the window and shook his head no. He remembered being out there with Shea and I and all he did was cry. Off Shea and Grandpa went. Sledding, hide and seek and snow caves!!!

Sledding...

Building a snow cave...

It was nice that they helped us entertain them. Even if they drove through snow in case Shea had school. We appriciated it. Shawn is getting a lot of use out of his new desk, he's been working from home a lot to avoid the long drive in the snow. Saturday the weather was nice and we went to Shawn's parents to celebrate his Dad's birthday. Shea and Grandma Huntington played in the snow for a while. They even got Shawn into the action. They built a snow house, complete with multiple snowmen.

Snow house....

Like the decorations? Shea thought that was fun to spray paint the snow. It did add some color to the otherwise white surroundings. Ahh... When is Spring? Later that evening, after Erin & Nathan arrived with their kids, they all went out to see the snow house. I had fun watching them while snuggling with baby Nola.

Do you think Will is impressed with the winter wonderland?

Shea even pulled Nevan in the sled. Hope she liked it.

The kids had fun playing in the snow with their Grandparents. Kept them occupied for another day!! Thankfully! Grandma Huntington even pulled out her old snow suit, she was like a kid again. They had fun in all of this white stuff. For those of you who watch Noggin, you'll understand that last sentence.

Yesterday we again found ourselves shoveling out from another eight inches of snow. Oh my, will this ever end? It is now so deep that it is hard to go out and play in it. Shea is very much hoping that she returns to school tomorrow. I think she is starting to get cabin fever, I've had it for a while!! I keep picturing warmth and sunshine. It is coming!!

Snow and Wolves

It is a winter wonderland around here! The view from the windows is great. Snow every where, trees are covered and the sun is glistening on the snow. What more could you ask for it is February in Ohio!? Warmth.... Did you say warm and sunny. Sorry, not around these parts! You'd have to join the snow birds down south for that. Friday and Saturday we received 12-13 inches of snow. The kids loved playing in it. It was a wet snow, great for fort building. Shawn had us all cleared out at supper time on Friday. We woke up Saturday morning and couldn't tell where any of his hard work was. It was all covered with another eight inches! Darn it, we had plans! Shawn got up and 2 1/2 hours later had us plowed out. YEA!!!!!!!

Shawn getting the weight off of our deck.

The view out the back door.

Our plans involved driving to Mason, Ohio to visit the Great Wolf Lodge! We took it slow and make it fine. Warmth... Ahhh... 84 degrees. Swim suits, flip flops and water. Yes!

Shea hitting the wave pool.

The place was packed with folks seeking winter relief as we call it. The kids were SO excited to go. Shea remembered our last trip so her excitement was doubled. It took Will a while to warm up to the place. It is big, loud and full of water. He adjusted after a while and ended up loving it.

Wouldn't you love it?!

Yes!




Will got all parts of his body into the splash zone. By Sunday it was from head to toe.

This kept Will occupied. Lots of wheels to turn and places to run.

Did you see those tubes in the photo above? Those are numerous tube slides. Shawn and I took turns going on them with Shea. The other would walk behind Will as he wondered around seeing everything. It was fun for each of us to get time with Shea to have fun with just her. All in all, a great time!!!

After splashing all day and filling our bellies it was time for the Clock Tower story. This tower comes "alive". The trees talk, things come up out of the tree stumps, the girl sings. Both of the kids just loved this. Will kept saying, "see". Shea sat quiet and still listening to every word.

Afterward, Wiley read the kids a bed time story, Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type. The kids could then meet Wiley. Shea was thrilled and posed for a photo. Will only liked him from a preferred distance. Get close, crying ensued!

Wolves are a big part of the decor, check out the fireplace mantle. See the hanging snow flakes, these were every where. We had a great little get-a-way. Can't wait to do it again! Now we just keep hoping that Spring isn't far off. Not sure... More snow on the way! Until then, we'll build snowmen.

If you haven't checked out a Great Wolf Lodge, we suggest you do!

Stairs and Celebration

We had a great weekend to end January! It was finally time to get the flooring done on our stairs leading from the front door to the upstairs. Shawn knew there was some re-building that had to be done and he was right. Shh... Don't tell him I actually wrote he was right.

He tore off the old stairs to get to the stringers. He only had to completely rebuild one stringer and repair the existing. He repaired due to electricity running through the drywall to our closet below. My genius of a husband did an outstanding job. As usual!!

Tearing down

Look up Shawn, I had to catch you in "the act".

As you can see above he was putting the stairs back together. The kids and I were locked up stairs for a couple of hours during this part. They played and I started cooking our dinner... More on that later.


This is the front of the stairs after Shawn had the facing glued and stapled on. We were so excited, it is looking good!!!




Sunday Shawn was able to get the top of the steps covered. We love how well they turned out. They are still drying so we have to limit the amount we use them this week. It's worth it!

Beautiful!

The reason I was cooking our dinner early on Saturday, we were having Justin over and finally celebrating his birthday. He had turned 25 earlier in January but between all of our schedules, this was the first time we could get together. Beef and Noodles, Pioneer Woman's Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies and desert were in order. It was all a huge hit! Shea insisted that we put 25 candles in the brownies and she wanted to light them. Oh I was scared...

I was busy taking photos and Shawn was scooping ice cream. I asked Justin to please assist.

Happy Birthday To You.... I won't put you through my singing.....

You must be getting older, it took more than one breath to blow out all those candles!

We had a great visit with Justin. Shea talked him into playing the Wii (she didn't have to talk him into it too much, trust me). We all ended up playing Mario Kart for a long time. She did beat him in Bowling!

The stairs are complete and so is another birthday party for Justin. We are now preparing for our next adventure... The Great Wolf Lodge.