Hey-o It's COLD

So! What to do when it is freezing cold outside!? Lots of things!

Above, Trenton puts together a new 3D puzzle. So proud!

Big news! This man has appeared to have given up his naps! It has been one week now since he's napped. Sometimes it is because we are out doing things... other times, it is him saying "I'm not tired, so I'll just rest." OK bud. No prob. Mommy isn't teaching this semester, so we have even more time to spend together ....

Above is how the living room looked one day when the kids were playing, and Jim was in London. Have fun, kiddos!  

Bottom left, boys reading. Yep yep. We love the library ;)

Bottom right, Jimmy indulging in some Reeses PB Cups. And a book. And a hat. And shorts and a t-shirt, 'cause that's how he rolls on 5 degree days....

 

One day, perhaps I will figure out how to turn this picture.

Oliver was Student of the Week, and \was happy to fill out the above poster. Answers included "What do you want to be when you grow up? A Dad. AND How do you get to school? Route 9"

And that library! Once a month, there is a science experiment. Here, they attempt to blow-dry some toilet paper on a pole, studying air flow as part of Bernoulli's principle.

Jim thought it be fun to take this pic. We are quite hairy in the morning. And not willing to have pictures taken.

OH! And this is big! Oliver is now attending a NEW gymnastics center... and we both LOVE it. The quality of instruction is so much better than the place we'd been going to for years... It is a bit of a drive, but worth it. So, once a week, we get some morning time together.

Oliver the Gymnast from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

And another snow day this week! Kids had off Monday for MLK day, then went back Tuesday only to be let out early from school... followed by a day off, and now a day on... Oy.

But, thankfully, we have THIS GUY:

In keeping all of us busy, I decided to prune the plants. Boys were given the challenge to dissect part of an aloe plant.

Added challenge for Oliver: make something out of this egg carton.

First, he cut it in half and used it as blocks to topple over as a Human Angry Bird.

Then, he filled up two tubs of water to see if they'd float (they did). And later, we ripped up the soaking-wet cardboard. That was fun.

Today, I picked up T from school with snowpants and boots in hand. He and Ollie were the ONLY kids on the hill. Pretty cool. 

Sledding!

Cold enough and snowy enough for us to enjoy this...

A dump of snow on a Thursday night meant no school for Friday... but frigid temps kept me indoors until Sunday. The boys were quite content to sled on a snow/grass combination over at the local hill. After about forty minutes, they were ready for some warm cocoa!

Happah New Yeah

Well would you check out THIS amazing pizza feat!?

That's what I call a volcanic air bubble ;)

SO. Just when all was looking good for this year (remember, last year between pink eye, colds, and THE FLU, we missed Christmas and New Year's celebrations)... Oliver's strep returned. He finished up his antibiotics mid-week, but then started having the same symptoms all over again. Jim took Trenton to Jon & Alex's for a NYE celebration. Oliver and I drove around the neighborhood & looked at Christmas lights... 

and had a par-tay in the bathtub! Jet bubble bath!

Also: make a note! The best day ever to go to the mall is January 1st! All of the hordes of youngins who are usually posturing in that place are NOT THERE because they are TIRED! 

I didn't buy much. But little guy and I had Chick-fil-A for lunch. Below, he is EDITING the spelling errors on his place mat. I was so proud :)

 And finally we have Trenton's last Zumba class of the session. Oliver was overjoyed at the opportunity to come in to class and dance with the big kids. Below, he do-si-do-s with Jackie to "Timber". The kids also performed "Dale Dale".

 

 

Holiday Brunch With The Girls

My friends and I have done a pretty good job of keeping in touch since our 2001 graduation from TCNJ. Although a few of us have since left the state (and returned, as in my case), we always make it a priority to get together at least once a year. Above, Kim, Andrea, myself, Kim, Elaine, Amy, Melissa (and Cate!)  We enjoyed a fantastic pot-luck brunch today at our house, and the kids had a lot of fun playing together. My boys are the oldest... it is so much fun playing with little ones again!

Above, Ollie, Evan, T, Morgan, and Samantha

Below: AJ checking out the craft area of our playroom, Cate playing with the trucks

 

 

Trenton could not get enough of baby Morgan. And Samantha would only let Ollie help her put her jacket and shoes on when it was time to go.

Later, I bravely put together this Hot Wheels monstrosity. It was totally worth the effort, though. I have fond memories of racing cars around a similar track with my brother many Christmases ago ;)

Christmas Day, 2013

 

"HE CAME!"
Yes, this is what they squeal on Christmas morning. Apparently, there was some doubt if he would follow through on his annual arrival...
This year, Santa used blue wrapping paper for T's gifts, and green for Ollie's. Very easy to tell which pile was which!
Oliver asked for a Ghostbusters Wii game, and got Just Dance 2014 (has the Ghostbusters song on it!)

de Pile 'o Loot

Trenton's strategy was to open his smallest gifts first, saving the larger boxes for last. 

But what he did NOT know was that Santa would wrap smaller things (like books) in large boxes!
Below, he reacts to one of his favorite gifts, Tin Tin Vols. 1 & 3

 

The Little Virtuoso Fiddle Violin... now he can play just like Daddy

...aaaand, let's be real here. Most popular gifts were a new DS game and the iPod Touch, which Trenton earned as a gift from Mommy & Daddy with a great report card.

 Later that day, it was up to Paramus to celebrate with the Wilsons. Trenton, Bryan, Oliver, and Grandma all check out a new maze game from the Marbles Store.

 Other folks keeping chairs warm in the living room.

Since we had an early dinner, we were able to drive down to Monroe and do a bit of celebrating with the Lacinas, as well. Look at the amazing sunset we were privy to on the Turnpike! Amazing!

 Benjamin, Barron, Brayden, T, and O

And Jack, Grace, Danielle, Cassie, and Johnny     

Pre-Christmas, 2013

Hello Konopacks! 

The Sunday before Christmas, we spent the day with Jim's folks and brother, opening presents, eating great food, and watching football. Below, Oliver reacts to the Giants' win.

And on Christmas Eve, we did the same at the Lacinas' home!
Below, the boys decorate their own gingerbread men cookies, and Tyronne and Len eye the appetizers.

We bought Mom & Dad new knives. :)))

And below, two little boys get ready for the arrival of the big guy! 

Had to leave out at least nine carrots. And reindeer food. And cookies & milk, and an LED head lamp, just in case Santa needed it to see.