Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. I just had to take a photo of my cookies and had a cup of tea in my Grandma’s tea cup. I haven’t used it in a long long time, but it was just the thing to do today. It was quite strange to have such a tiny cup of tea after using such large coffee cups all the time.
And today arrived a new special addition to our house. Since we have moved in this wall was designated as the ‘piano’ wall. A very good friend of mine had decided to get rid of her piano. And only a few days earlier I saw it at her house and thought how much I would love to play it. But, I didn’t. Then, I found out they were no longer going to keep it. Hubby and I went back and forth on the piano but as you can see the piano won out. I would include a photo of J and I playing our first duet together, but I have to draw the line at photos of me in my pj’s. Instead you get to see how beautifully it fills up the wall. It is also the perfect colour and the sound just carried through our house so beautifully.
I am a little rough in my playing, but it won’t be long before I get my groove back. I am lovin’ the internet tonight as I don’t have any of my old piano books, but all my favourite songs can be found online. I can’t wait until the sound carries outside and the neighbors stop to listen. At least I hope they stop to listen, that is what used to happen when my Mom would play when we were younger. There are lots of pianos out there, but you rarely hear them being played, I sure hope that never happens here. And yes, again, Hubby wins out at being able to pick up and play as though he has played all his life. He has never taken lessons. Phoey.
Happy Valentine’s Everyone
This is J’s first time to bring Valentine’s to school. And he wanted to make them! Last week we painted the water colour hearts. Then, I cut them out, J glued them on and added stickers. One the back is another heart that says, ” Happy Valentine’s From: J”. And he only gave up when there were just a few little stickers left. I was worried I would be doing everything, but he was happy to keep on going. We finished these Monday. Which I was very thankful for today.
Argh. Today. Today was the day that Apple woke up for the day at 4am. Not sure why she has been doing this lately except perhaps that she is not having enough proper sleep during the day. You see, now that I have to take J to school and pick him up she often has little ten minute naps that get interrupted. But, this morning was the killer for me as I had to volunteer today. And we had more snow. I know more snow! Really, if it hadn’t melted back in January we would be in serious trouble.
Hubby informed me he would be working late tonight, which never happens, so I should have known it would happen today on such little sleep. And J wanted to make cookies for his teachers. So, Apple finally went for an afternoon nap and we got crackin’. He did all of it by himself except cutting the cherries and operating the heavy machinery. I forgot to take a photo of the finished product but here is a photo of J having so much fun making his cherry shortbread.
We made it!! A little worse for wear and a little out of shape (mostly me) but we made it to Winterlude. The weather on Sunday was a real mix. By the time we packed up the truck with everyone and everything it was almost 10:30am and sunny. When we arrived at Dow’s Lake the weather had turned to windy and cloudy. In fact I thought it was going to rain for most of our skate. But, it didn’t. We set out with the wind at our backs. I kept telling Hubby and A that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with their pace, but set out like it was the Indy 500 or something. We had barely made it across the Lake when I was panting and out of breath. Not my idea of a leisurely skate on the canal. But, we were all out as a family, so I for one was not going to complain.
The first photo up top is at our stop point. We are in front of Fifth Avenue, which isn’t even halfway down the canal. If you look closely at my face I am beet red, out of breath and soaking wet from sweating so hard. J got out of his chariot for a few minutes to run around. He kept trying to talk to me, with the wind in my ears and the hat on my head it was hard enough to hear him let alone answer. Apple slept the entire time.
The first half was wonderful, even if it was fast. We stopped caught our breath and headed back. Well, the wind was in our faces creating a wind dam against the stroller (which was carrrying 70+lbs of kids). The ice was a bit rough for a stretch so I could barely skate, it was more of a walk/skip over the cracks and potholes. Hubby hurt his ankle and thought he could help by pushing too. Except it was harder to push with him pulling at the same time. And by this point I needed the stroller to keep me up right. So onward we went, apparently still trying to keep up with some imaginary marathon. When we finally reached Dow’s Lake again, the ice was smooth and I was able to skate the last stretch without the stroller and enjoy. It was a rough hour and a bit, but I was just so happy to have us all out there.
The next photo is at the beginning when we were all still fresh and raring to go. Please note the teenager, without proper winter attire. He also dressed J who did not have his scarf and neck warmer. We didn’t notice until we were at the canal, thank goodness I brought my scarf and he was able to use it on the way back. I did not get my Beavertail, so I plan to make another trip during the week.
