Roxy dashing through the snow

It was very cold, but not unpleasant today in the park.

Alana's first public performance

Alana played Row Row Row Your Boat at the Open Mic night at the Family Music Center where she takes lessons. I was very proud, both because she played, but also because she got over nervousness and just did it! Another young girl, maybe a year or two older than Alana, named Blossom, played two short classical pieces, which I think was very motivating for Alana. Unfortunately, the next Open Mic night is the weekend that we're away, but we'll certainly be at the next one.

Family Game Night

The YMCA Afterschool Program invited parents to come and play games with the kids tonight. We played several rounds of dodge ball and then the kids had open play. Here is Cal playing basketball.

Here is Alana jumping rope.

Bunny visitor

It's frigid this morning, and of course overnight, but that didn't stop our bunny visitor from walking by our front door.

Alana at The Metro

Alana's piano teacher, Dave Solazzo, was performing at this restaurant, so Larry took Alana. This is her with the band's singer.

Snow prints

Saw lots of these cutie cutie footprints (about the size of my thumbnail) on our walk today. I'm pretty sure these are a mouse.

Yes, that's my eye

I learned a new medical term yesterday - subconjunctival hemmorhage - a blood spot in the eye caused by a burst blood vessel, usually from straining in some way (lifting, etc). Super scary and gross looking, but apparently no big deal. I cannot seem to keep my blood inside my vessels these days. I took this photo on Monday morning - it looked a lot worse yesterday.

UPDATE

On Tuesday (1/26) I went to see an ophthamologist because the blood was clearing up, but the main red spot was still very distinctive. I was getting freaked out and just wanted it checked. The doctor said it was fine and would disappear in a few more days. I was very struck by how upset I got - again - like with the blood donation; just feeling really scared and vulnerable. I didn't realize how fearful I am about my health. Hmmm.

After the big game

How freakin' cute is this??? Larry let Cal stay up and watch the Saints (finally) triumph over the Vikings. This is an hour later. He bought this stuffed football from the Dollar Store with money he earned from doing chores. Such a blackmail photo 10 years from now!

Build a Bear BD party

Alana made an adorable Dalmation dog with heart-shaped spots.


After the workshop, the kids rode the carousel. This is Alana with her friend Haley.

Roller coaster

While Cal went to see The Spy Next Door with his friend Jake, Alana and I ran a few errands at the mall. Afterwards, I left her ride the dorky roller coaster ride in the food court.

Safety patrol

Cal was picked to be the safety patrol person for the 3rd grade hallway (what we used to call the hall monitor). He starts immediately and serves through the month of February. He's very proud and so am I!

Corning Museum of Glass

So interesting. A great family outing.

Waiting for the glass blowing demo to start.

Waiting for the glass works demo.

Alana front and center at the glass works demo

In front of Tiffany glass

Souvenirs

After much consideration in the gift shop, the kids picked out these adorable glass animals.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Yummy dinner on our way home (in Ithaca) - the In and Out Burger of the east.

Slamwiches

At Denny's before our trip to Corning.

Daddy dragging kids

More yummy soup

I asked my friend Lisa, who started chemo at the end of December, what she would like me to bring her to eat and she said Potato Soup. I never made it before, but it came out great.

Town of Clay Frost Feste

Turns out, it's mostly a pirate festival. Fun.


Pirate pop-up game


Cal playing tic tac toe


Alana getting her fortune

Alana and Lily

Alana and Lily and Sunny Pickles the clown

Lunch at BK

PJ party at elementary school

Terrible photo, but a great event. I volunteered to read Dear Mr Blueberry. The kids came up front with me because another woman's children had come up with her. It was nice for me to have them there!

Curry peanut sweet potato soup

Cooked up a big batch of this soup from a friend's recipe - it's yummy!

Illusion

Until I got close enought to this stick, I was sure it was Roxy lying in the snow.

Bunny visitor

These tracks were in the driveway, but last week, they were right up on the porch.

Alana's manicure

Larry took Cal to laser tag again, so I took Alana to Miracle Nails for a mani-pedi. We were there for what seemed like forever, but they only charged us $30, which was a bargain for all the attention she got!

Penguin and snowman - impressive renditions on such tiny nails!

YMCA

It's been months since we went swimming at the East Area Y.


Jonah came with us and he and Cal played basketball.

Spirograph

Really inspired gift from Uncle Leo (I had something similar when I was a kid) - Alana loved this and played with it almost exclusively for a couple of days after it arrived.

Beehive

This is the remnant of a huge hive that I spent all summer avoiding!

Prodigy

Alana took her music book to school with her today and played one of her songs in her music class. She told me about it afterward - I had no idea that she was doing this. I'm so proud of her, both for playing the song and also for taking the initiative in this way.

Snow drifts

There are always weird snow drifts by this utility building at the park.

Driveway

I had to clear the driveway since Larry was up in Watertown moving TRH snow - combination of snow blower and shoveling.

Playdates

Alana and Maisie played dress up and Barbie


Cal and Jake pretended to be assassins, then later played foosball, DS, and finally watched a James Bond movie.

McDonalds

Alana played on the video games


Cal and Jake played air hockey

Sledding

The weather was perfect - not too cold. Here Cal is eating some snow.


Cal on the Adler's inner tube

Alana on the Adler's sled

Meredith and Adam

Kate

Jonathan