our (felt) family

Mommy: Zoey, what is this?
Zoey: It's our family.  In felt.
M: It's really clever, Zoey.
Z: Yes, it is. This is Daddy (pointing to the one on the far right), the tall one with the spiky hair on his chin.
M: I like how skinny my legs are.
Z: Yeah, and do you like the sky and the grass?
M: Yes, they are lovely. What are purple circles in the sky?
Z: Mommy, you know what they are!
M: I do?
Z: Yes, they are lots of O's for Olson Family!

history in the making

Never in the history of the world has this happened:

But it happened today!  

TV on, toy in hand, food in mouth - fast asleep.  This transitioning to NO NAP is slow and painful torture - for ME!

the one at the crayola factory

(OR the one where Dalene finally shows her huge belly and fat face pregnant self)

For the past 18 months, give or take a few exceptions, Saturdays have been all about errands and cleaning house and preparing for the upcoming week. Today we wanted to do something just for Zoey, so we went to the Crayola Factory in Easton. She had a blast and it was a great time together with our little family.

the one with lots of snow days

We're just trying to stay warm and cozy (and sane, if I'm being honest).

still here...

We are still alive, and enjoying the time we have together as a little family.

We have been baking,



gardening,



and, as always, enjoying our food.

happy Friday...

In my opinion, there are not many better feelings than leaving work on a Friday afternoon. (It helps when it is 70 degrees and sunny out, too.) Today as I left work, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I have been trying really hard to not complain about having to work, and, instead, to be positive and helpful and efficient with my time while I am at work. Gone are the days of chatting by the water cooler (really, the water cooler) and catching up with colleagues who work on the other side of the building. And I am okay with that. Instead, I wake up really early so I can get to work really early so I can get done all the things I used to do after school before the students (and most of the faculty) even arrive. I have the copier and my classroom all to myself for about an hour, and I love that quiet time to return emails, grade papers, make copies, and plan for the next day. So, why the sense of accomplishment as I left school today? Because I am doing it. Somehow, I am managing to work full time and still spend precious, precious time with my little lovie and my bigger lovie, not to mention taking care of our house and my church calling. Is everything perfect all of the time? Of course not. But, everything is perfect some of the time, and that feels good.

weekends...

On Saturdays I love to

wear Mommy's clothes,

play in the bathtub,

snuggle on the couch,

and read to Daddy.

I got nothin'...

I am too tired to write about anything worth reading, but you can click here to see my cute little one with her favorite family.

I do not like the Sunday-night blues, and I've got them bad tonight.

homebodies...

Zoey has been doing a lot of hanging out at home:

gabbering to her audience below at grandma's house

watching all the kids play outside

telling mommy what all the kids outside are doing

those pesky stairs

already loves the bling

lip gloss, please...

Okay, ladies, I am in need of a good lip gloss. Preferably, one that makes my lips look like this:

http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_8/lil_rounds/
I know, I know. I'll need a lot more than lip gloss to make my lips look like that.

I am tired of lip gloss that leaks or doesn't have the proper amount of shimmer or doesn't stay on long. I am willing to put out pay the money for a good, non-leaky, good-shimmery, long-lasting lip gloss.

Suggestions, please.

ode to Uggs...

Okay, so this isn't really an ode because it is not going to rhyme and, well, there is nothing lyrical about it. Nevertheless...

I love my Uggs.

They are cozy warm, completely comfortable, and oh-so-versatile. If you live anywhere the temperature drops into the teens, I highly recommend them. Want to know what I love more than my Uggs?

Zoey's new baby Uggs.

No, I did not go purchase a $50 pair of shoes for my almost 5-month old daughter (though tempting, it is not in my current budget). Rather, a friend knitted, yes knitted, these cute little things. Thanks, Laurie!

pink panic attack...

So, I was reorganizing Zoey's closet after I put all her 0-3 month clothing in bins (big, sad, teary sigh here) when I realized I could no longer organize her hanging clothes by color - as we all do in our own closets - because all her clothes are pink (with the exception of a few adorable purple pieces). I moved to the next mode of organization: cute onesies, onesies with matching pants, dresses, jumpers, etc. It makes sense, right? All of a sudden I thought to myself, "[Sharp intake of breath] What if Zoey does not organize her closet this way when she is older? [Sharper intake of breath] What if she does not like to organize? [Even sharper intake of breath - with some coughing because of the sharpness] What if she doesn't like things color-coded?" That's right, people, the world is worried about the economy and such and I am worried about whether or not my one-week-shy-of-four-month old daughter will like things organized. Judge all you want.