Week 8

This was an amazing week at our house!  C4 was home for February vacation.  Each day I planned a 'surprise' for the kids.  We had good time together- just like the good ole days when he didn't have to go to school every day.  

Monday, Feb. 17th

Our Monday morning started with an exciting family moment.

Monday's surprise was to go sledding at Dad's with cousins.  Dad's got a great place to sled.  A just-the-right-size hill for the sledders and a warm house with a view of the fun for the non-sledders.

Thanks to Lisa for tromping around in the snow to capture the fun and take such beautiful pictures!

We celebrated Elizabeth's birthday two days early.

Without it being a school night, C4 was able to go play hockey with C3 in his men's league.  C2 and Karen went to watch.  Must have been neat for them to watch their son and grandson play together.  C4 is center wearing #5 gold and C3 is in the gold jersey and white helmet.

Tuesday, Feb. 18th
The surprise of the day was The Lego Movie.  It was a little hectic driving around as we got 5 more inches of snow.  The kids loved it and now sing "Everything is Awesome" all the time.  Good lyrics, totally annoying song!!!

Wednesday, Feb. 19th
The surprise of the day was a family ski trip.  We went to Pittsfield, MA to Bousquet; close to home and cheap.  It was C4's 2nd time skiing and we bought a lesson package for Madison, Nathanael, and Trevor to give it a try.  The lodge had a 2nd floor reception area where me and the little guys set up for the day.  They had room to run around and I had brought the laptop and library dvds to keep them happy.  I was able to see all the action from the window.

Excited and ready to go:

That's them in the center getting help with their skis.

Madison and Nathanael picked it up quickly.  Nathanael's skating skills gave him a huge advantage and he was quickly navigating the cone slalom on the bunny slope.  Madison is athletic and determined.  They both graduated to the lift and big hill.  Trevor stuck with it and did his best for the 1.5 hour lesson.  He had fun, but was happy to join the movie fun inside.  He said he'll try it again next year.

I love this video.  He was instructed to stop at the instructor.  You can hear the instructor saying, "Stop right here.  Stop right here."  Then you can see Trevor whiz past and the instructor chasing him down to stop him.

It snowed heavy for about an hour and a half making everything really beautiful.

This clip shows all 4 skiers coming down, Maddy first.

Thursday, Feb. 20th
Thursday's surprise was meeting Andrea and the girls at Chuck E. Cheese.  We about had the place to ourselves.  I told the kids $25 in tokens and when they're gone, we're done.

Blurry but cute; these two were playing pee-a-boo.

Ninny and Papa surprised us, showing up for the last 20 minutes or so.

I find my husband very sexy when he's putting the kids to bed and has Renna's bottle in his back pocket.

Friday, Feb. 21st
Our plan A surprise was foiled because Rocco woke up with a fever.  He was warm and snuggly.  By the afternoon he was determined to not let his being sick make all the kids miss out on the surprise.  We headed to Friendly's for sundaes.

Saturday, Feb. 22nd
Trevor had spent the night at Lisa's.

Rocco woke up all better.

I had a productive day. Now that hockey's winding down it feels like we're reclaiming our weekends.  I worked out and then cooked 5 meals to leave in the fridge for my mom while we were in Vegas.  

We took Gabby to church with us and Madison and Nathanael each had a friend sleep over, too.  Left church with 9 kids!!  Quite the little parade.

Sunday, Feb. 23rd

Colombo took the 2 happy kids to teach his class at church and I ended up with 6 cranky ones at C4's early morning game.  Renna threw an embarrassing 20 minute fit.  So fun.

At home, the boys had a serious Airsoft game in the snow and 50 degrees.  They were drenched up to their waists.

Week 7

This week was a little scattered- two days in Maine for funeral, a half day of school, two snow days, and Valentine's Day.

Wednesday, Feb. 12th

Madison got to go on an afternoon adventure with Anna.  These two have a little love affair going on with Ulta.

 Laura offered to have the boys join them to see Frozen.  This display was in the lobby.  Trevor:

 Rocco:

Thursday, Feb. 13th
Maddy at Anna's:

 Sean with us:

Friday, Feb. 14th

Anna had spent the night, so the kids had a blast playing in the ever-growing piles of snow.

Asher got in on the fun, too!

Afternoon treats:

One of hundreds of selfies I find on my phone from time to time.

Colombo took me to see Brad Paisley for Valentine's Day.  We started at an incredible Italian restaurant in the casino.  The atmosphere was just perfect and the food outstanding.  Really, really incredible food!

First opener I'd never heard of.  Great voice!

Then Chris Young.  I recognized his name, but didn't realize he had so many great songs I

Then Brad.  He was amazing!  I was also totally amazed by his lights.  The light board was bigger than the sound board.  That choir is a hologram.

Then he sang "Remind Me" with a hologrammed Carrie Underwood.

Saturday, Feb. 15th
We finally made it to one of Avery's basketball games.  She's a fierce competitor.

Then she came over to spend the night.  We ate quick at Subway before Madison had dance.  I had C4 walk his sister across the parking lot.  My heart melted as I saw him instinctively holding Avery's hand.  What a sweet guy!

Church was canceled due to...that's right!  Snow.  C3 and C4 headed out for C4's 6:00 hockey game.  The plan was for me to come later with the kids.  I chickened out!  It was snowing and slippery outside and warm and cozy inside!  Don't you know that C4 had like his best game ever, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists.  Hero of the game in their 6-5 victory and I missed it!  So upset!  Just because I was a chicken to drive to the next town over.

At home, Madison got her all set up to give us a fashion show.

Sunday, Feb. 16th
Crazy, fun-filled day.  I made a fruit platter for a baby show.  It's a long story, but I didn't actually go to the shower.  A friend was giving it for a teen mom and asked for donations.  While fruit platters are not very blog-worthy, I just thought it was cool how I accidentally completed the rainbow.  I thoughtlessly just grabbed fruit at the store and realized I had one of every color.  Kinda cool!

C4's game was out in West Hartford.  I couldn't believer when I passed by this house!  I had to turn around and pass again to take pictures.  The news crew shorted up shortly after.  All adults and it was several neighboring houses collaborating.

C3 played in the coach's game.  He's still got it- a standout on the ice.  I smiled from ear to ear listening to two women behind me commenting on how good he is, not knowing who I was.

I didn't stay 'til the end because I had to get to girls' night out!  Which was amazing, as usual!  I'm so blessed to have supportive, loving, caring, wise, [and funny!!] women in my life!