Caleb's spelling test

New format, using the computer to take the test. Hard words this week - plurals!

Yummy

Larry, who is on a cooking tear these days, made heavenly rack of lamb for dinner. Melted in our mouths and even the kids liked it (though not with mint jelly!) Then we had chocolate fondue for dessert (but we were so virtuous - we just dipped fruit!)

Dentist visit

All 3 of us went for our semi-annual check ups today. Alana was called in just after me, so I didn't get a picture of her. The hygenists raved about how good both kids were.

Fat Tuesday Party

The temple's new Executive Director, Jonathan, came from Alabama, and he hosted a Fat Tuesday party for the staff and Board members in the temple library complete with King Cake and moon pies. He's on the left, with Larry.

Scouting

This is a terrible photo, but it was such a fun activity - the boys made targets and then tossed a small sack of rocks at it. I had to fight Caleb to get a turn!

Exercise

Larry's boss, Jerry, recently upgraded his family's exercise equipment, and he graciously passed along his old models to us. The kids are fascinated with the treadmill - they had used the one at Ramcat - so we set it up in the family room.

Mommy

Today Alana took a bunch of photos with my cell phone - this one came out sort of cute.

Scouting

In order to move up to the next level in Cub Scouts, Caleb has to complete some projects. Here he poses with the birdhouse that he and Larry made from a kit.

Snowy walk

Our last day at Ramcat. We took Roxy for one more ramble in the woods, which she'll miss! The kids were cold, so Larry took them back to the house, while those who were more intrepid continued up the path. After some initial hostility, the dogs have become fast friends. Jeannie looks on, in her white LL Bean coat (I have the exact same one in black).

Pittsburgh Children's Museum

Caleb driving (they have a real car in the "garage").


Caleb making shadows.

Alana and Daddy making shadows on the wall.



Caleb dropping parachutes.

Alana climbing.

Alana at media center in the "attic."

Mr Rogers' Neighborhood at the Museum

Mommy considers changing into a sweater and sneakers.


The kids peek out of Owl's tree.

More at the Museum

Cool sand disk


A light bounces off the objects and makes colored streaks on the table.



Another climbing structure.

Water play at the Museum

Daddy making whirlpools.


Caleb sending a boat through the lock.



Alana building with water tubes.

Caleb building with water tubes.

Vacation

The gang on our first full day at Ramcat. The empty chicken house is behind us and the frozen pond is behind Larry (who's taking the picture).

Magic Circle Children's Theater

Caleb's friend Jonah came with us to the show at Spaghetti Warehouse - Little Red Riding Hood.


They passed out flowers for the kids to hold and then Little Red Riding Hood "picked" the flowers as she walked through the "woods."

Caleb got to be the judge when the wolf went on trial (he sentenced him to 50 years). We had lunch at the Warehouse after the show (but I was mad - they wouldn't take my $5 coupon because it's a holiday!)

Family service

Terrific kids service tonight, led by the cantor (the rabbi is on his sabbatical prior to retiring).

Annual 3rd grade pancake breakfast

Caleb's class made cinnamon muffins

Daddy-Daughter Night Out

While I was at the (endless) Board meeting, and Caleb was at cubscouts, Larry took Alana to Starbucks.

Nevermind

Matt split up with Vicky because he still has feelings for Cristina.

Meet Vicky

Today Matt changed his relationship status on Facebook!!

Larry snowboarding

We planned to go tubing as a family, but once we got there, Larry decided to take a snowboarding lesson while I took the kids tubing. Here he is at the beginning of the lesson (on his ass).

Here he is at the end.

Family day out

While Larry took his lesson, me and the kids went tubing. Of course it was hard to take pictures. I got this shot of Alana riding up.



And this shot of Caleb playing in the snow after.

Snowmen

Larry's lesson lasted an hour, but the kids were done after about 30 minutes (you do the math!) So we played in the snow. They've never built a snowman (a shocking oversight, IMO, since I grew up doing this and it seems like a skill I was born with), but the snow was very packed down from all the foot traffic, so I built 2 mini ones. I think of this as the Island snowman.



This is a knight with a shield and a helmet.

Happy birthday Danny

After all the fun in the snow, we came and got ready to have Danny over for dinner. It's his birthday on Sunday. He wanted Bar B Q, so Larry made his famous pulled pork, and brought home a rack of ribs from TRH. Larry's been on a cook spree lately. He wanted to make peanut butter and jelly wings, but Caleb voted for mozarella wings. These came out exactly like the picture in the cookbook! (Larry looking about as happy as he did all day.)



I made a small GF carrot cake.




Danny liked his presents and the kids were excited about the whole thing!

Valentine's Party at the elementary school

The kids' elementary school had a terrific party tonight, with a nice dinner of soup and salad. They had a big craft table set up, where the kids could make Valentine's cards for soldiers in Iraq. They also had a silent auction - the teachers painted bowls - with all the proceeds (over $600) going to the Rescue Mission. A truly lovely event. Alana made several cards, and brought this gorgeous one home.

Pinewood Derby

His car didn't win, but his Den had the winning car, so he was happy. It was a good time. He and Daddy worked on the car Sunday and then he painted and decorated it today. His is the purple one on the far left in the photo.

Sunset

Gorgeous sky tonight. This photo doesn't begin to show how glorious - the sunset was dark pink, but the color doesn't really show up in this photo at all. The clouds also made one of those weird, completely straight lines across the sky - with blue sky on one side and grey on the other.

Rosy making herself at home

She's settling in well. She's restless at night and especially in the early morning - not enough people paying attention to her - she's a total glutton for rubs and pats.