January and early February highlights

Jack was excited when he saw these deer out our front door the other day. In total, there were 7 and they ended up crossing the street and hanging out in our empty lot. I am hoping they found the pumpkins we put out there for them to eat and not my landscaping!

She loves to help me vacuum!

I spent most of December and January preparing for an author to visit Jack's school. Barbara Techel, author of Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, and her dog, Frankie, gave a presentation at the end of January to the entire school. A local Starbucks graciously donated hot cocoa for all the kids to enjoy. The afternoon was a big hit for the students and was worth all the hours I spent preparing for it.

Elizabeth modeling her new hat

I found this puzzle at Barnes and Noble and knew that it would be perfect for my family to attempt at our Christmas gathering over New Year's. It is a 2000 piece puzzle of one of the villages comprising the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. It was part of our Italian tour in September and we spent a day cruising in and out of each village. It was absolutely beautiful and I hope to take Matt there in the future. I knew when I saw the puzzle that we had to attempt it. After working on it over New Year's with my family, Matt and I spent countless hours in January working on it and finally finished it the night before the Super Bowl (we needed the kitchen table for our party!).This picture was taken in early January, a few days after we started the puzzle.

Jack and Elizabeth have fun playing dress up with the fun accessories in the suitcase that Elizabeth got from Grandma Ryan for Christmas. I know that I can use these pictures to black mail Jack when he's a teenager!!

She had been begging me all morning to paint so I moved her easel into my scrapbook room and let her create. She lasted an HOUR. Yes, an entire hour she painted and was just thrilled with each creation she made.

Best way to keep her happy and entertained---giver her a bunch of stickers!

 Jack was the Star Student of his kindergarten class this past week. Yesterday, Matt, Elizabeth and I went to watch the Star in action. It was cute watching him make decisions for his class, like who got to be dismissed first, etc. Jack wanted Matt to share his doctor "tools" with the class and I read a book and told them about my old life as a scientist (new life as mommy is probably not as exciting!). Here is our Star in front of the star student board.

Picture of mommy

I went downstairs a few days ago and saw this picture on the easel. I figured Jack drew it but when I asked him he said it was Elizabeth. When I asked Elizabeth who it was she said "it's a picture of you, mommy". Love it! There are two arms if you look closely, one just got attacked by the eraser. And for the record, this is probably how good I can draw a person!

Super Bowl

Living in Green Bay we can't help but be excited about the big Packer Super Bowl victory. The town is crazy, roads are blocked off for the parade and the celebration at Lambeau, and schools in Green Bay are canceled today (Jack has school since we aren't in the GB district).

Here are our two Packer fans celebrating (this is actually the picture taken after the Packers beat the Bears to go to the Super Bowl since Elizabeth was sick and fell asleep by halftime of the big game). We had a party so Jack stayed up to watch. My favorite quote from Matt "Jack, you need to sit down and watch the end of this since you never know when it will happen again. I've waited my whole life and never have seen my team win the Super Bowl." Jack doesn't realize how lucky he is....

Some of the goodies we served at our party (Thanks Caitlin!)