Snow day #3

We are on day 3 of house arrest.  Rosie is potty training and I'm considering playing a game of 'hide and seek' where I lock myself in my room with a bottle of wine and 100 rounds of candy crush. Alas, I've snuck away long enough to upload a bunch of adorable pictures of my children thinking that this frozen wasteland is magic.  These were of course taken during snow day #1 before I started hearing, "I'm SOOOOOO bored.  Can we make donuts/play apples to apples/eat s'mores/paint/go bowling/sword fight/spend $100 in the ap store/dress the dog in drag?"

School starts back tomorrow!!  Yipee!

Missoula Children's Theater

One of the wonderful things about living in our small town, is the fantastic community of children who live here.  

Each year, Andy looks forward to a visit from the talented group of actors and directors who travel with the Missoula Children's Theater.  They come in their truck with every prop, costume and set they need to put on a creative and entertaining production.  All we must supply is the children.

Auditions are held on Monday, parts are assigned, scripts are handed out, and by Saturday night the show is ready to go on.  Sound like a lot of work?  It is.  These kids practice each day from 3:30-8:00.  They even eat between their scenes so that they don't have to leave for supper.  Homework?  It get's done there, too.... well most of it.  

This year's production was a retelling of the classic Rapunzel, complete with bears, ogres, and of course, the three Billy Goats Gruff.  That's Andy in the middle as the Biggest Billy Goat.  He was so excited this year because it was his first time with an actual script of his own to take home and work on his lines.  

Another bonus was that some of his best friends participated this year, too.  That's Georgia Anne in the back row with the glasses (she was an awesome Ogre) and there is Allison in the front middle as the cutest Baby Bear around.  

On an unimportant note, his eyebrows remained heavy and black for the better part of a week. 

Many thanks to everyone who came to support our kids and who helped make the show a success.  I think we may have some future Thespians in our midst.  

I don't take pictures when it's cold

The last few weeks have been a grumpy haze of nasty colds, tummy bugs and too much tv.  We don't do cold.  I pull the car right into the yard next to the door and we run for it or we just stay home all together.  The world has just seemed germ-y and uninviting in the last two weeks.  

But right when I thought I'd go mommy-crazy and start selling the children on Ebay, the clouds parted and a bright light filled the sky.  

Oh, yes, it was the sun. 

 The zoo, the farm... you name it.  Sign us up.  Our walls are closing in on us.  We need some fresh air and fresh perspective on the world.  

We need to play in the dirt and snuggle a puppy.  

My goodness, if winter doesn't end early this year, you might find us driving south to warmer lands.  Or you might find a great deal on a sibling set on Ebay :)  Either way, I'd say there's a good reason we don't live in Alaska.  We need the sunshine!

New Year, Old friends

There is nothing in this world more beautiful than an old friend.  Someone who is family just because they want to be.  Someone who loves you, even when they don't see you for years.  We got to spend New Years Day with one of our favorite families this year. Now here come a few dozen of the seven million pictures I took that day.  

Andy (9), Zane (9), Zaly (2 1/2), Rosie (2 1/2), Zadie (5), and Jozalyn (6)

I guess that's technically three pairs... but I believe I'd call it a full house.  

The weather wasn't great, so we spent a little time at Build-a-Bear.  

And the candy shop.

And just because our visit made me into a big mush pile.  I will now share some of my favorite picture of the middles back when they were the littles.

Did I mention these cuties used to be our neighbors? How many times in your life do you get to live right across the street from your very best friend?!  I am hoping more than once, but I guess time will tell.  For now, at least we have the beach.