Throwback Thursday 14- This is my life this week!

Okay this Throwback Thursday wasn't so hard to come up with! It has been snowing, snowing, snowing, icing, snowing, hailing, snowing more here- seriously, I am about done with it! The kids have had a late start and two snow days this week- tomorrow could be another- not sure yet! This brings me to the Throwback part- last February we had nearly an entire week of snow days- and this week is reminding me of it all over again- Ahhhhhhhhh! I could print the pics I took of this week, but they would look nearly exactly like these ones-not kidding!
One major difference from these pictures, is that there are icicles hanging from the roof!
Another difference, is now there is a whole in the basketball backboard due to our neighbor kid throwing ice at it yesterday- nice, huh?!

Besides that- you can now see the driveway, but only because Dana shoveled for over an hour- it was so thick and the street is an entire sheet of ice!

I am just hoping it stops soon- I can hardly handle the cooped-upness! I have too much to do this weekend, the snow must stop!!

Meet Big Bird!

Last week I went to pick up Sister Jones in our ward for a meeting. After inviting me in for a minute, I saw that she had 2 bird cages- and in one a BIG BIRD!! Yes, this is one Big Bird! This is "Pumpkin" the Macaw from Brazil- she is 29 years old!! Yes, 29 years old!! They can live into their 60's! Sister Jones has had her for 22 years! I am not kidding! I was utterly fascinated with her- she is quite threatening looking, but so intriguing! She talks, cries for her "mom", and walks everywhere! You can't let her into cabinets, because she can cut holes in the pipes! She can bite off your finger in 3 seconds! I didn't hold her! Sister Jones said it takes nearly 6 months for them to warm up enough to let you even get near them! After 22 years, she loves to let her mom hold her and even give her a shower! The stories go on and on...I loved it!
So, today, I took Celeste to meet Pumpkin and her other bird, a cocktail, named Bo, who is also 29 years old! Amazing! Here are some shots of them: She doesn't fly, but can spread her wings-check out that span!
Aren't her colors just gorgeous?!
She was an abused bird, both were, actually before Sister Jones got them. Sad. She rescued them, but the torture was so bad for Pumpkin, that she plucked all her feathers on her stomach! Every single one- and they don't grow back! I said her stomach looks like a plucked chicken!
She likes to licks her hand- they groom all day long, and love to groom her too- she will pull hair out of your hand or off your arm if you are holding her- isn't' that odd?!
Here is B0- Celeste liked him too- but he wouldn't let her touch him. If you wave to him, he bounces his head up and down- Celeste never tired of this, but he did!
Sister Jones is such a neat lady- and Celeste just totally loved being at her house. We plan to visit her often- and perhaps one day Pumpkin will warm up to us- but for now- I am happy she stays in her cage! I like my fingers!

Miscellaneous Finds and Surprises!

So, as I mentioned before, January had not been a month full of things to blog about. I have had plenty to do- but just not things that are particularly interesting in the blogging world, or things I feel I want to write about. But I found a few, so here are some things that I have found/purchased/discovered/finished this month:

New cute brown shoes- Mudd- my favorite trendy brand (that I can afford)- normal price $49- clearance for $9.99 and I saved 15% more- love them!
My curtains in my kitchen- the green in the pattern totally goes with my green walls and adds so much depth to the room. Sorry that the pic does not do them justice- oh, and my wonderful mom made them for me!
So, the girls have separate beds in their room, right? Well, Celeste would get cold in the night, so she would climb in bed with Leah- her bed is a full size. Leah was complaining that her room was too small, so last Saturday, I pushed in the trundle, (Celeste's bed), and cleaned off Leah's big bed and now the duo share this big bed! They love it, and don't stay up late either- they have been threatened!

Just another view of the room- but notice the white bookcase- try not to pay attention to the clutter on it (I asked Leah if she knew what a "hoarder" was- she answered, "yes, it's 25 cents!" I said, "NO, a HOARDER". Love that girl- anyway, I told her I would absolutely NOT let her become one! ) She would save everything if I let her- I go through her room now on a regular basis- you'd be amazed at what I find and then THROW AWAY! So, the bookcase, I found at Target- the "do your room" brand- regular price $89.99- it was repackaged and on clearance for $30.00! Love it- so easy to assemble and not missing a thing! Great deal, I think!

The last view of their room, where Celeste's bed used to be- now the vanity has a home! Yah!
Here is my project I worked on for my friend Laura's baby shower- she is having a boy, but won't tell his name, other than his first initial that I dragged out of her- I think it turned out pretty cute. If you can't read the center, it's because I couldn't get a great view- but it's on vellum, over brown paper and it reads: Welcome to the world, little one...You are so loved! The embellished brad in the center says, "brand new". I put the glass behind it, so when she is ready to frame a picture of him, she can take out the paper and put the picture in. Hope she likes it!

Another shot- The lion kind of hangs off the side. Another shoe find- love these bone colored sandals for fall- normal price $49- my price $3.49! Gotta love Kohl's- right?!

And finally, my new door!! I love this door- seriously, it is the little things, I swear! I have wanted a new back door for a very long time- we finally decided it was time. I looked and looked for a simple style- this one is just like the one we had as our front door at our condo. It is just a white steel door- pre-hung, so they had to cut out my old door completely, including our hideous black wrought iron door that I hated....so that wasn't all bad! Anyway, Lowe's had it for $184- I saw it on sale at a competitor's store I thought for $148. I asked the guy at Lowe's if they matched prices- long story short, they called the other store, and they actually had it marked at $124- so, that is what they gave it to me for!! So, after locks and other things I needed, I got it all for $155! Installed by our good friend, who happily hung my curtain rods (pics of the curtain to come later), and fixed my floor trim that you can see in the corner, and happily hauled off the crappy doors that I no longer have to see!! Since this is the door we use as our "front" door, it is perfect, just perfect- and today I painted the trim, so after the curtain is done (another one from mom), I will be smiling every time I walk into the kitchen!
On a side note, Alex has been playing basketball every Saturday this month, but today had his best game ever!! It's not even about the points he scored, either- but that he had more assists and passes to others that made it so awesome. A mom came up and told me that he was a really great player, but more importantly, that he took time to give other kids an opportunity to score, even when he knew they probably wouldn't. I told her he knows what those boys feel like, because last year, that was him. He is a great boy- we love him and love that he is so kind- oh, and he got "offensive player of the game" this week.

Happy Hair!

Today was a good day!! All three kids got a much needed haircut! For Leah and Alex it was their routine cut and style- but for Celeste, it was a BIG deal!! She was getting her first real "big girl" haircut! Renee had cut her hair last May for her first trim, but this time, it was much, much more! Get ready...how short do you think I had her go?.....!!!

It is hard to see, but when her hair was combed down it was really long!! But it was getting scraggly, and I just wanted it to grow thicker and healthier. Only Renee could have the patience for this job- Celeste loves her and so does Leah, so that is awesome.

Ta Da!!

Check it out- not too short, but the wave just bounced right up! Now that it is dry- it is super smooth and even more bouncy- I LOVE IT!!

I love the natural flip- and it really changes her look, don't you think?!

Leah's turn: Her signature cut- thanks to Renee!
Full of sass- this wouldn't be the same on any other girl of mine!
Her two bottom teeth are coming in, finally, so her smile is still a little empty.
Last but not least: the boy... Daddy does this one.
Just about every 3 weeks or so he gets his done.
And now, before bed, without the spike in the front, but you get the idea: Oh how I love haircuts!! Everyone looks so nice and groomed- all ready for a new school week starting tomorrow! I just love that they love getting it done, too- I would be one miserable mom if they put up a fight- thank goodness for a wonderful friend who does it at the drop of a hat for me- I love ya, Renee! You are the BEST!!

Sweet Storytime...

Yesterday story time started up again at the library, and since I haven't taken Celeste in a long time, we decided to make it our Wednesday morning outing, despite that it was snowing like crazy!! Suzanne brought Abby and Olivia, and Ashley brought Emma and the twins. The girls had a BLAST! They sang and danced around and listened to stories about alligators and crocodiles. They even got to make a crocodile to take home- how cute! Here is a montage of it all: On our way out, I snapped these of Emma and Celeste in the snow- they are darling. It is so cold here, yet Celeste refuses to wear gloves- so when she touched the snow, she cried when her hands were freezing! Duh!!

Story time only lasts about a half hour, but it is just enough for these 3 year olds- we will see what next week brings!

All About Alex...

The newest pictures I have this week are all about the boy. He had his second game on Saturday- he scored a basket again, but they got crushed- they don't keep score on the scoreboard, but we parents do! Then last night he got the Character Education Award for the month of November, nominated by his reading and math enrichment teacher! Way to go, Alex! He technically could win this award again if he is picked by his teacher or another staff member, but we are pleased with this one because he only gets enrichment once a week, so that was a great pick. So, my mom and dad came out, braving the frigid temperatures to get cookies, punch and watch Alex accept his award.
Here are the highlights:

Courtesy of Dana- who I fired after missing the shot with his principal!
Love the action of him in basketball- he has really stepped it up in defense and got the Defensive player of the game this week.
We are so proud of all his accomplishments, on the court and in the classroom. As a matter of fact, the 3rd graders all had to read 4 books this 9 week grading period- and they have to test on each one of them. When the grading period started, Alex was grounded, and in his room, so he had not much else to do but read. He started reading 2 a day, and taking the test the next day. This went on for the week or so he was in his room. Well, he was on a roll- he just kept going and going. Today he takes his 50th test- yes, he has read 50 books in under 9 weeks! These are chapter books, too- not 10 pagers- all on a 4th or 5th or higher grading level. He isn't even in competition with other 3rd graders anymore- his teacher told me the next girl has 30. He just wants to keep it up- he is in competition with himself- and his goal was 50! This morning I said, after he takes the test, he can take a reading break for a while. He said, nope, I am going to get 2 more today. He is motivated! And, incidentally, we have not rewarded him for this- he is doing it solely on his own! We are so proud of him! We love you, Alex!!

The first week of the new year...

I have been trying for days to come up with something to post about...but I am blank!! I have nothing, nada- seriously, I have had a boring week- the best thing is that I gave a talk yesterday at church- I am just glad it is over. It had been 2 years since I spoke last- the highlight was that I got to speak after Bonnie- she was fantastic. The most memorable part of my talk, was that I had Leah, my "shoot from the hip" girl come up and read a quote by Spencer W. Kimball:

"A testimony is not an exhortation. A testimony is not a sermon. It is not a travelogue. It is not a story. You are there to bear your own witness in two minutes or less."

She was fantastic. She stole the show and I know people will remember nothing of my fabulous talk on Testimony, but they will not forget what she said! She was perfect and it made an impression- so the point!

I have little else to report on- I know- how boring am I?!

I was looking through old pics and found this from last January- look how much my baby has changed?! She is getting so big, and her hair is so much longer now, and she wants so much to be a big girl like Leah. I miss this girl...

She still had that little girl face last year...
Look at the difference one year can make: Her hair is so long, but so fine, and she doesn't really seem to mind it, even when it hangs in her face- thankfully she will let me put pretties in it- but they come out the minute we get home!


I had to bribe her to keep this headband in her hair for the picture- the bribe, gum- yes, this girl will do anything for gum- including staying in her bed all night- bless Dana for figuring out what she loves...it is priceless!
This week, I am buying a new back door- if that isn't exciting, well, I don't know what is- seriously, I am very much looking forward to it- and I will post pics of my new kitchen curtains, courtesy of my wonderful mother- and so just hang on a day or two- I will keep trying...