Christmas

The series of videos I have is from tonight, when the girls were dancing to "Linus and Lucy" (their new favorite Christmas song), and were overtired from short naps and a trip to church for Christmas eve service.  Add in some sugar cookies for dinner, and you have these three (nearly failed) attempts to wish you all a Merry Christmas:

In church on Sunday, our pastor talked about Jesus' Wish List.  On it are hope, love, faith, joy, and peace.  May you all have a blessed Christmas where you can give these gifts not only today, but all year long.

And THIS is Why I Love My Husband

A few weeks ago, Mitch had told me that he had booked massages for us and arranged Katie to come out and sit with the girls so we could have a night out.  Shocked and excited, I anxiously looked forward to Date Night, as we had not been out for a very long time.  I had lots of questions - what else would we do?  where would we eat?  how late would we stay out? - but Mitch was not very forthcoming with any details.  It was a surprise, he said, and so I just had to wait.

Yesterday, after my marathon week of concerts at school, I came home, scribbled some last-minute notes to Katie for the girls, and walked out the door.  Mitch had picked up Katie at work since she and Boston share a car, and so as we pulled out of the driveway I asked Mitch if Katie was just staying the night so that we would not have to drive her into Minneapolis at a late hour.  To my surprise, he said yes, and that we had a room booked at Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis for the evening.  Mitch not only booked a beautiful room right in downtown and arranged massages in the spa at the hotel, but had packed my bag (he had never done that before) and taken care of every detail for the girls.  Changed the sheets for Katie?  Done.  Made pancakes for the girls for Saturday morning breakfast?  Done.  Packed all of my makeup, which was in several places in the bathroom?  Done and done.

I was completely overwhelmed with love for my husband.  In our crazy, busy life, where most of our lives focus on our work and the girls, it was so nice for us to have a night to focus on ourselves and give attention to our own relationship.  And I was completely surprised, as Mitch has never done anything like this before.

I can't decide what I liked the best from our night out - dinner out at Hell's Kitchen, where there was a jazz group performing, or the massage, or the champagne we had in the room, or ordering room service for breakfast and lounging in the hotel robes and drinking coffee while watching the news.  I think I just liked being with Mitch.

Thanks, honey.  I am so lucky that we have each other.

This is Why I Love to Live in Minnesota

SNOW!!!!

After above-average temperatures this fall and no snow at all in November, it had finally snowed for the first time on Friday night - we got a dusting, enough for me to bundle the kids up on Saturday morning and pull them around the yard on the sled.  (Rookie error - as soon as both girls were bundled up and I had my hat and boots on, Gizmo let me know she had to go potty.  UGH.)  Both girls were excited, because we really had no significant snow to speak of last year, and Gizmo's brand new boots were worn only once.  Because Gizmo is a growing girl, she got to break in her brand new purple boots and black snow pants today, while Gonzo used hand-me-downs (which are still cute as can be).  By the end of the day, most of the snow was gone. 

Until this morning.  A couple of inches were on the ground when I woke up, and the snow fell steadily all day long.  We went out to play this afternoon after naps (and after potty breaks), and I have to say that I don't remember having that much fun in the snow in a very long time.

Gizmo was really excited to walk around, and after Mitch gave her a few tips on walking in the deep snow, she was ready to venture around the yard.

Gonzo, on the other hand, had her doubts about this whole snow thing.

She eventually came around.

We spent an hour building a snow elf (the snow didn't pack well enough for a snowman), taking turns riding on the sled, making snow angels, and making "snowball soup" for our snow elf to eat.

The snow stopped early this evening, and when Mitch stuck the ruler out in the snow, we have about 10 inches of the fluffy white stuff.  Mitch certainly got in his workout today, shoveling the driveway three times.  It was so great to be outside this afternoon with the neighbors, who were out taking care of their own driveways and playing in the snow.  Our neighbor's dog, Moose, came over to play while we were outside, and he enjoyed catching snowballs in the air.  The temperature was not too cold - about 30 degrees, and so we were able to have fun without feeling too chilly.  It was truly a perfect afternoon in the snow.

We'll see our lawn again in March!

Thankful

We here at Fifty Below Zero might have had one of the most perfect holiday weekends to date.  We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal at Boston and Katie's house, where our children were well-behaved and enjoyed meeting Boston's parents, as well as playing with Mitch's side of the family.  It was a relaxing, wine-filled day (with a nap for Gonzo at Katie's, too - bonus!), and when we got home we were again able to put the girls to bed early and I was able to do some retail therapy Black-Friday style. (Side note - holy hell, Target was crazy-busy on Thursday night.  I have never shopped on Black Friday before in my life.  I was truly shocked that I had to wait in line to purchase my one doorbuster gift.)

Mitch and I had the day off on Friday, and so we took the opportunity to take the girls to the Children's Museum, something that we have not done ever as a family.  It had been since the summer since I had taken the girls, and so both were excited to see the new exhibits, which highlighted castles and science through golf balls (and giant exercise balls, which Gonzo loved pushing through a maze).  While Gizmo was sad that "George is gone" (they had a Curous George exhibit all summer long), both had a great time climbing through a giant anthill, learning about the life cycle of frogs, painting with feathers (and their own faces, too), and climbing through different habitats.  As a bonus surprise, we took the girls to Panera for lunch, where they were well-behaved and entertaining to both us and the people around them.  

While the rest of Friday and Saturday were spent in the house doing a major cleaning of the house and sanitizing of toys (we are hoping the germs are FINALLY out!), our family still had fun playing games, listening to Christmas music, and getting out the Little People manger in preparation for Christmas.  Gizmo has discovered the beauty of the Charlie Brown Christmas CD, and so if "Linus and Lucy" wasn't on repeat in her room, we were playing it on the piano upstairs.  Mitch put up Gizmo's tree in her room, but it is still waiting for decorations.  Mitch and I did some damage on Black Friday online.  We even watched a movie(!) Saturday night.  (Side note #2 - "Magic Mike" sucks.  Terrible.  Even with all of the almost-naked men, it was a disappointment.)  Katie was kind enough to bring out leftovers Friday night and unwind with a few beers.  

Today Mitch and I divided and conquered - I took Gizmo to church and Sunday school, he took Gonzo to the mall to shop.  We were able to build a fire in the fireplace this afternoon, and relax while watching football.  Gonzo learned to say her whole name this weekend, as well as sing "Happy Birthday" by herself.  I have food ready for part of the week, the house is clean, and Mitch is finishing the laundry as I type.  

We have a new visitor at our house until Christmas - Emma the Elf showed up the day after Thanksgiving on the mantle, and she has since watched over the girls from various locations in the house.  Gizmo was skeptical at first, asking me after a few moments of staring at her, "Mom, did you put her there?", but has since embraced our tattle-tale visitor who tells Santa of her naughty or nice status daily.  She loves wondering where Emma will be the next day.  I can't help but wonder if the greatness of this weekend was partly because of that Elf.  After one day, Mitch declared that Emma was coming out of her box after Labor Day every year if this good behavior is to keep up.  

There were countless small moments this weekend with the girls and Mitch that filled me with such contentment and gratitude for  all that I have in my life.  I am thankful that I have two beautiful, healthy children who amaze me every day.  I am thankful for a husband that I can still laugh with and still makes me feel special.  I am thankful for our jobs that are stable and provide, our house that keeps us warm on these colder Minnesota days, and for weekends like this, which make me feel truly blessed.

I

We're Off to Trick or Treat

I first asked Gizmo what she wanted to be for Halloween in August.  At the time, she was just starting to watch "The Wizard of Oz", and she said without hesitation, "I want to be Dorothy!".  I figured that by the next day she would change her mind, but she never wavered on her Dorothy decision.  It was official when Grama Poke was enlisted to make the costume.  Grama JG got the rest of the must-have accessories - Toto with basket, blue hair ribbons and socks, and of course, ruby slippers.  (Big props, by the way, to both Gramas for taking care of the whole thing!)

She made one adorable Dorothy, if I do say so myself.

Gonzo, on the other hand, had no interest whatsoever in wearing any sort of costume.  Gizmo deemed her worthy of dressing as the Cowardly Lion, and I had found a cute costume at Target, and then borrowed another lion costume from a friend at work.  The night before Halloween, I tried one of them on, and Gonzo cried the entire time.  We even tried to have her wear Nemo, the cute costume Gizmo had sported a few years ago, but she cried, "No Nemo!", and so we took that off, too.  She was happy enough to hold Elmo and pass out candy.  So much for coordinated costuming.

Maybe next year, Gonzo!

Role Play

The scene:  Gizmo's bedroom, Sunday night.  Mitch, Gizmo and I are picking up toys in preparation for bed.  I grab Toto's basket, part of her Dorothy costume for Halloween.

Me:  "Gizmo, why don't you go get Toto and we can put him in his basket."

(Gizmo runs into the other room to find Toto. She runs back in.)

Me (with basket open):  "OK, Gizmo, put him in!"

Gizmo (with a sad look on her face):  "Oh, you can't take him away from me!"

(Mitch and I exchange a look and laugh, both of us immediately deciding that she has taken on her role of Dorothy for Halloween extremely seriously.)

Me:  "I'm not taking him away.  We can put him in the basket and set the whole basket on your ledge."

Gizmo (without another thought):  "OK!"

End scene.

Who knows how she'll act as "Dorothy" tomorrow night, especially when she has a sidekick in the Cowardly Lion.

Back from Hiatus to Show Off Our Daughter's Athletic Prowess...or Lack Thereof

Gizmo has started going to a tumbling class this fall through our district's community education.  For the last several weeks, she has met with several other 3-5 year-olds to move between five different stations: trampoline, tumble track, balance beam, high bar, and wedge mat for rolling.  The first week she spent running between her group and me, but that has significantly improved with bribery of Dairy Queen for the first class she stays with her group the entire time.  (We have yet to have DQ, by the way.)

Every class they warm up....

And then get into small groups to move through the apparatuses.  While she waits, Gizmo keeps busy by digging in her nose.....

.....here's another close-up......

And then does her best.  (And by best, I mean go as fast as she possibly can, even pushing kids out of the way as she goes.)

Oh, Gizmo.  I fear you might have your parents' abilities in athletics.  Lord help you.

Getting Her Green Thumb Early

Gizmo and I planted the garden this past spring, and we have had a little bit of success this year.  I clearly have not inherited my grandpa and dad's natural growing ability.  (It figures that the plant that grew the best was the one that I bought by accident - the serrano chile pepper. I licked one piece of a pepper, it burned my mouth, and then I promptly pulled the whole plant out.)  We did have a good lettuce crop, our asparagus patch is starting to come in, and we finally got some tomatoes this year, after attempting them for the last three years.  

We planted carrots for the first time this year, an impulse by at the garden store last spring as Gizmo declared that was what she wanted to grow.  We pulled the carrots this weekend, and while they are short because we planted them too close together, they are delicious!

Gizmo loved eating them with the green tops still on!

You Know the Kids Don't Miss Mommy When.....

......every day this week I've come home and Gonzo has said, "Gra-ma! Gra-ma!".

I think she just likes practicing her words.....

Back to School.....

Goodbye, summer, so sad to see you go;
Goodbye, summer, you started long ago.
We'll miss your lovely days, your endless summer nights,
Oh, goodbye, summer, goodbye.

We had a great summer here at Fifty Below.  Tomorrow the grind starts yet again.  There's something to be said for routine, right?

Gizmo's Birthday Weekend

Oh, Giana.  People use the words "spunky" and "spirited" when they meet you.  That is certainly true.  I fear you take after your aunt Kate a little too much at times, as you seem to love drama almost as much as her.  But you are kind and polite, sweet to your sister, and are smart beyond your years.

We had a get-together with family on the day of Gi's birthday, complete with tacos, presents, and cake.

(Yes, she did almost set her hair on fire.)

The following Saturday, we hosted a "snack bag" playdate, where you and a few of your friends played outside on your new swing set built by Papa and your new bounce house, among other things.

Happy 3rd birthday, Giana!