Swedish Meatballs Anyone?

Ikea finally opened last month. I have had a love affair with this store for years, but unfortunately lived hours away from one. FINALLY it happened. I can hop in the car and go. It has been wonderful! For someone who despises shopping, I can't get enough of this place. I was able to go by myself opening weekend. Several police officers and Ikea employees greeted me as they directed literally hundreds of people into and out of the parking lot. For the playroom I bought two of the flower lamps, and I am eyeing the red sofa. It is just the right size for reading and snuggling with stuffed animals on a rainy day. We have a house guest coming next week, so I am hoping to get in another trip for picture frames and a lamp.  And of course, the girls have requested more Swedish meatballs.

For Grandma

Sherman and the SeaMonkeys

 

     Sherman was with us for 5 glorious days. On Friday afternoon, Big Girl went outside, scooped up what was left, and put him in the freezer. For our next snowfall, we now have "Snowman Starter" so we can make Sherman again every time it snows.  

      I had a couple of inquiries about the SeaMonkeys. I am happy to say they are alive and well albeit living in the filth of their waste and fallen comrades. We are on the 5th or 6th generation and I am long overdue to clean the tank. They don't seem to mind, but when I used the  macro lens, I was horrified. However, I was able to get a picture of one- just look closely in the big bubble. 

    Rain is expected all weekend, so I will put off painting again. It will just give me more time to figure out what color I really want to use in Little Man's room.

Sherman the Snowman

  Seriously, I don't know how these girls come up with this stuff. Big girl just asked if I had a picture of Sherman all by himself. 

         "Who is Sherman?" I ask hesitantly. 

         "You know Mom, the snowman," she says nonchalantly. 

         "Right."

So of course we had to take a family photo with our newest member. He is still hanging in today although he has lost most of his teeth and his nose.  The kids all had a great time and were so excited that Dad was home for the snow.  I was not happy about losing power for 14 hours. The house was a crisp 52 degrees when the heater kicked on again. Last night we had lots of hot chocolate, as we thawed out and watched the snow melt from inside of the house. I am so happy we had another snow day with the kiddos, but I will be very happy when spring arrives!

 

Dinner with Dad

     I had to post a couple of photos from the girl's night out with their Dad.  They attended a Father/ Daughter dinner here which the girls were looking forward to for several days. I bought them new dresses and curled Big Girl's hair. Being the rebel, Baby Girl wanted straight hair so I did that as well. Dad gave each girl a bouquet of flowers and escorted them to the restaurant for steak and dancing. They came back so excited and just happy to have Dad all to themselves for the night. 

    Don't worry about Little Man. He had fun with me getting take-out and taking photos with my camera. My favorite photo was the one with the duct tape on my mouth. I guess he got tired of me telling him "No Sir!" every time he did something naughty!

Mardi Gras Mambo

 It WAS too quiet around here. Hubby rides in a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile, AL and has been begging me to go for months. Finally, after he found some very reasonable plane tickets a week before the parade,  all five of us flew to Louisiana. We dropped the kids off and the two of us headed over for some much needed together time. Don't worry about the kids- their  grandparents spoiled them rotten.  After a great parade and Ball, we went back to Louisiana to celebrate Big Girl's birthday. I think we just may have begun a new tradition. I finally finished unpacking today and I'm ready for a quiet weekend.

Dog Days of February

        Friday went to the dogs. First Baby Girl had a 101 days of school party. All the kids dressed up as dalmatian puppies and I was the "top dog" in charge. Who knew that I could corral a group of 5 and 6 year olds and make it a fun morning? Then that afternoon Big Girl's class had a pet parade and the 12 year old terrier made it interesting. We avoided one near dog fight with a Bull Mastiff before the parade, but overall the dog was extremely well behaved for being amongst 20 other dogs and about 60 kids!  The rest of the weekend was blissfully uneventful and this morning has been quiet. Too quiet.