zeb a leb.

Zeb came home to day with a preview of his school pictures and a writing sample of what he 'does NOT want to do for spring break'.  Both are pretty funny.

I don't buy school pictures.  My parents never did either.  I take a lot of pics of my kiddos!  I like them better AND they are cheaper!

He won't ever smile with his teeth for school pictures.  and his head looks a little large here. I don't even think the picture looks much like him!  it does make me smile, though.  those picture people know that nearly all parents are suckers when it comes to pictures of their own kids!

this writing sample, however, looks EXACTLY like him.  What does he NOT want to do over spring break??

1. eat 'brokle' 

2. clean his bedroom or toyroom.  

This kid has a tough life, huh?  we make him eat vegetables AND do chores.  

 We have a lot of fun and parties while Zeb is at school- but we keep it top secret so he thinks we just eat veggies and clean all day.
 Ike and Metta are two peas in a pod.  Lots of laughing, eating candy, and having fun.

 she's so cute. and happy.  unless I'm singing to her.  I try to sing along to the Frozen songs when she watches it and she SCREAMS like a banshee when I open my mouth.  Even if I only mouth the words- she starts shrieking! 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" "AHHHHHHHHH!!!" I guess I'm a terrible singer.

oh, my birthday.

I had the best birthday EVER.  all week was awesome, really.  I love birthdays and presents and a day dedicated just to me!  Kent has some irrational fear of my birthday expectations- and I can't figure out why.  All I really want is the perfect day with the perfect gifts!  this year was pretty darn close.

The wednesday before my bday we had a sushi making class to go to!  I was so excited. and then they cancelled it LAST minute.  I was pretty bummed- but Kent took me to Red Robin for my free birthday meal to compensate.  and even though I chose bottomless broccoli instead of fries- he shared some of his fries with me :)  I really love red robin and their free birthday burger.  I think we've been there six years in a row for my birthday, now!

On my actual birthday- somehow- due to a scheduling change- Kent got to cash in on a day off he earned for passing his Air Force PT (physical training- pushups/situps/run) test at 95% or higher! He had the day OFF!  pretty miraculous, really.

We started with him helping me set up my circuit class at the gym- and then a great workout.  I always like to get in a really good workout on my birthday so I can splurge on food the rest of the day :)

That afternoon he surprised me with a babysitter for the kiddos and we went downtown to the Dayton Home and Garden show.  It may sound weird- but we really like going to stuff like that and just walking around, getting free samples, and checking stuff out.

It was really fun!!  they had a big cooking show and we learned some pretty great chef skills.  Plus- we got to eat the stuff they prepared!

Honestly- it was just fabulous to be able to spend the afternoon kidless and take our time looking at whatever we wanted for as long as we wanted!!  This giant chair was pretty cool.  and I'm holding a bag FULL of candy from all of the booths.  It was better than trick or treating.

After the afternoon downtown- we got our kiddos and headed home.  we opened presents from family - thank you for all of the GIFTCARDS!! from target, amazon, and cash.  I am one HAPPY lady.  I can't wait to use them.

Kent had scheduled ANOTHER babysitter for our kiddos that evening.  It was pretty great.  and he had the entire evening planned out to surprise me. 

First stop- this fancy pants new restaurant downtown called Salar.  It was crazy!! pretty high class, really.  I felt like an imposter!  If you couldn't tell- we really love food.  and Kent and I really like to try new things together- so this place was really fun!  it is Peruvian/mediterranean/french fusian.  Kent had heard about it from several people at work.  

I was stressed about how much things cost- so Kent did his best to hide the prices from me :)

Powdered sugar empanadas as an appetizer.  they were divine.

and red quinoa encrusted chilean sea bass on a bed of leek confit and yellow pepper cream sauce for dinner.

Kent had beef tenderloin with blue cheese risotto and chimchurri sauce.  I was pretty nervous to take my first bite!  but it was delicious.  and really fun to eat so fancily.

we ended up being seated by a table of loud and increasingly drunken russians!  what a fabulous birthday surprise!  I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversations all evening!  the russian language is so fun.

After dinner we went to the famous- Dorothy Lane Market-to peruse their desserts.  

It's a good thing this place is out of the way.  everything they have looks like a little piece of heaven.

I settled on their specialty- the Killer Brownies.  I got sea salt.  I need to make sure to return a few more times before we move!!

After picking up dessert we went home and watched 'Dan in Real Life'.  We watch it every year on or near my birthday.  If you haven't seen it- you MUST.  We love it.  and laugh so hard every single time we watch it.  There are very few movies I'll watch over and over. this is one of them.

the day was so pleasant.  Kent really did everything he could to make me perfectly happy - and he was successful.  He's pretty good at making me happy in general.  

Here's to a great 33rd year of life!  ten years ago- I had just come home from 18 months in Russia!  and here I am- ten years later- living the life I always wanted!  a wonderful husband, great kids, and an adventurous life! I have so much to celebrate!!  I can't wait to turn 34 :)

my greenies.

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  Last week was CRAZY!!  

I'm taking over several classes at the gym for a friend who had surgery, kent is busy at work, we are starting some MAJOR dejunking/cleaning, and to top it all off- we had to 'show' the house to potential renters yesterday!  I'm SO SO SO glad we don't own a home and have to worry about selling it/getting it ready!!  

I think we've already filled at least 20 bags/boxes of things to sell/give away.  Trash wise- we've filled almost as many.  This whole frequent military move thing is going to be very beneficial to me considering I may have some hoarder tendencies.  I just can't believe how much stuff we've been able to accumulate in 3 short years.  I can't imagine if I lived in a place long term!  We will never be able to settle down :)   

I just keep getting more and more excited about our move!  Time is FLYING.  How is it already almost my birthday?!  and speaking of my birthday- I honestly have been telling people the past few weeks my WRONG age.  I am more than happy to state that I am NOT turning 34!  I am only going to be 33!!  it was a pleasant surprise when Kent did the math for me to prove it.

This week is going to be ALL ME! we've got TONS planned.  Hopefully it will include some great blog posts.

Hooray for holidays!!  I've been smiling all day as I see people decked out in green on the street, at the store, at the gym!  I love that so many people are willing to do something as silly as all wear green just for fun.  We may even have green mac and cheese for diner tonight.  We are going ALL out :)

Ike does that little eye trick whenever the camera comes out.

Metta's jeans are 3T (for next year) and her shirt is a 12 month dress (from last year).  I'm thrifty like that.  her golden shoes and red pigtails are the perfect touch.

 I asked them to 'scream like a leprechaun'.  this is what I got.

Zeb was a good sport and wore green to school, too.  He is pretty tired at the end of the day and I let him take some time to 'relax' everyday when he gets home!  he's got homework and piano practicing to attack after his break.  

He's doing really well with piano.  He really likes learning- and I think that Piano is no different. I'm amazed that he is picking up on things so quickly.  I'm still hoping he's got Kent's musical abilities :)

the three.

The mornings are still pretty chilly- but in the afternoon- we might as well put on our bathing suits!  50 degrees.  It's a heat wave!   Although the bus stop is going to be especially cold and dark this week with the time change.  Zeb's bus comes at 7:30! eek. 

We are supposed to get some snow on Wednesday and it's dipping into the single digits again.  I'm kind of celebrating a little, still.  As long as it stays so cold- we won't have to start weeding or mowing yet!  

Isn't he cute with his little fur trimmed coat?  he really loves it.  

He also really loves jokes.  He's been on a kick learning new ones lately.  His favorites include:

where do milkshakes come from?

nervous cows.

What's the difference between a teacher and a train?

the teacher says "spit it out" and the train says "choo-choo".

On one of our heat wave afternoons (54)- Ike asked if we could get out the slip n slide.  When I told him no- he responded: "that's not fair!  You never let me do ANYthing fun!".   I'm not sure where he learns all of these cliche kid phrases- but he uses them often.  He actually threatened to run away this week.  He tells me often that he doesn't like me.  Yesterday he also told me that he was going to throw away 'all of my things' so I couldn't have them anymore if I didn't let him play the wii some more.  Zeb doesn't say stuff like this- so I'm still trying to figure out where Ike picked up on it.  Is it just innate in some kids?!

Metta is an ANIMAL.  she makes me smile all day.  Luckily she makes other people smile, too.  She's funny, crazy, and perceptive.   and she's really starting to jabber with multiple word sentences.   I was pretty concerned with her inability to combine words into sentences- but I think she's making some really great progress.

During church today- I got this picture text- with the message:

"you've got quite the charmer on your hands! haha. I love this kid"

It came from one of the nursery workers!

She is a CHAMPION nose blower.  ALL DAY LONG.  If she's got any snot- she'll get it out. and 

she thinks it's pretty funny.  One of her very favorite phrases is "ewwww! Yuck!!"

Here is a much better picture of her. The gap between her teeth is as giant as ever!  we'll have to see if it resolves itself or if she needs it fixed!

   And her hair is getting pretty WILD.  I'm not sure when or if or how to cut it?!?  ideas??  I just put her in piggies every day!  I have no idea when she'll need a real haircut!  She's adorable in the pigtails so for now it works.

I can't believe we are almost half way into march!!  I think starting this friday (the 14th)- I'm going to begin the celebration of my birthday week.  A week of fun all for ME.  I can't wait.  I'll have to post about all of my adventures.  My actual birthday is the 21st.  I LOVE presents.  especially in the form of Target giftcards, treats, socks, and other great food.  

Fatty fat Tuesday.

I'm so glad we've lived in Ohio and learned to love and embrace Fat Tuesday!  what isn't to love and embrace about a day to feast on Paczki?!  It's a pretty great tradition that we will definitely continue.  Just don't tell my mom- because she thinks donuts are as bad as cigarettes!!!

After preschool we went with some friends to a local bakery- Granny C's (THE BEST)- to get some fresh paczki!  Like I said- I don't love donuts- but on days like this you HAVE to take a bite or two.  I got a couple extra for Kent and Zeb.  Zeb would be SO mad if he saw this picture and I didn't save him one! kent, too for that matter.

 Metta was being weird about eating earlier in the morning- but a donut obviously cured her of whatever the previous ailment was! I told her to take a BIG bite for the picture.  She obliged.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday- the beginning of Lent.  If I'm going to celebrate Fat Tuesday- I should also probably continue the natural progression of the holidays.  I'd never heard of Lent growing up- but have come to love it in Ohio.  I'm planning to participate in a few of my own ways over the next forty days.  Any suggestions/ideas from my friends who are true 'Lenters'?  what are you doing??

ahhh!!!!!!!!!!

In a college Botany class I was asked to write a 1/2 page self introduction.  When I got my paper back- my professor noted that using so many exclamations and superlatives in my writing made it hard to know when I was actually trying to emphasize something important.  I told him that EVERYthing in my life was that important and exciting!  He thought I was nuts. 

 I write how I talk.  and I speak in superlatives.  I ALWAYS have. I ALWAYS will.  and sometimes that rubs people the wrong way!  I can't apologize because I'm not sorry.  However I will say that I never  rarely do it to intentionally bother people. It's just me!

With that being said- church was canceled again yesterday! UGH!  I wanted to die. and all for the MOST DISAPPOINTING storm ever!!  Our predicted 13 inches yielded 1.5.   When I got the news about church- I considered screaming.  Instead- I dressed the kiddos and myself and did some research to see what wards (mormon congregations) in the area were still having church!  we had a few options and chose one at ten AM- our regular start time.  yes- a day at home can be lovely- but Kent was working all day so it was just the kids and me- and I absolutely HAD to get out of the house for a few hours!  

It's hard- because I really do LOVE the snow- and even the cold.   I just HATE cancellations!!   It turns out that last week the ward we will be going to in Japan cancelled for snow, too!!  ahhhh!!  I'm cursed.

Going to a different ward was really pleasant. It was nice to meet some new people and hear from different voices!  all of my kiddos were really well behaved.  Zeb and Ike are old enough to be entertained by the dot game.  A church lifesaver for generations!!  I remember playing it with my dad in church and always getting beat. It made me so mad that he'd never go easy on us!

Aren't they so cute all dressed up?  Ike refused to wear his tie.  He ripped it off in the car.

and this isn't a church picture of metta- but it's one from her birthday that I forgot to post!  the only present we got her was a box of timbits.  Little donut holes from Tim Horton's.  she LOVES them.  So do the boys.  even I (and I don't like regular donuts AT ALL) enjoyed a few.

I am really excited that we got this snow storm in March!  And I wouldn't mind an inch or two for my birthday on the 21st!  wouldn't that be the best present ever??!  but- pretty please! no more cancellations!!