really?

I know I shouldn't be surprised by snowstorms in March and April, but I always manage to be nonetheless.

It's funny to me that our first real snowstorm this winter came on the last official day of the season!

Jack kept burying his face in the snow and rubbing it around. It was hilarious. But every time I tried to capture him in the act, he would walk away nonchalantly, like "what?" What a weirdog.

This kind of snowstorm is ideal because Eva was thrilled to be able to make a snowman with her friend, but it was warm enough that we didn't have to shovel the walks or worry about dangerous driving conditions! Happy last day of winter.

if only he could read...

five for Friday

Yesterday, the couch that Marc has been saving for over the last 5-6 months was delivered! After much searching, he carefully chose just the right couch that was modern enough, yet still comfortable to sit on. (It looks kind of white, but is actually a warm gray color.)

I asked if he was going to add some throw pillows. He thought about it and replied that he would, if he could find some that were modern enough to counteract their "pillowness." (Max and I could not refrain from rolling our eyes at that.) That's an academic for you.

The man cave is well on its way to completion.

Lucas, after the dress rehearsal for Hope of America. This was one of the few times when I thought his long hair looked okay, so I thought I had better document it.

My cute neighbor Traci borrowed a lemon on Sunday. (Don't you love having neighbors you can borrow from, especially on Sunday? It's the best.) On Monday morning, I found this on my front porch. Seriously, everything she touch turns beautiful.

After dance on Tuesday, Eva decided to do a little cleaning. Far be it from me to discourage that! She cleared and wiped off the kitchen table, the accent table, the ledge of the hutch, and even the chairs. Happy day.

Despite the fact that we switched dog foods to one that has limited ingredients to avoid allergens, this guy still threw up twice this week. On my watch. Gag.

I may have to focus on the fact that he allowed Eva to pose him for this photo. You know, for his own safety.

and one more for good measure:

Eva was making up songs while I took a shower this morning. (She has decided that she gets lonely while I take a shower, so she now sits in my room and waits.) She ended up inventing about 10 new songs about various animals and sea creatures while I was getting ready, but this one was my favorite:

Big stinging manta rays
Don't blame them for their ways
Manta rays on the waves
With their power
In their hour
They spend their time stinging

The funniest thing is that she doesn't take any time to think about the lyrics, she just starts right in singing. Totally cracks me up.

tidbits

I've had a nasty cold since Monday. These have been my best friends this week:

Marc went and got me the Zicam on Tuesday night because I was having trouble sleeping. If you haven't tried it, you should -- instant relief from congestion, I can breathe again in seconds -- it's a miracle!

Thanks for all the encouraging comments on my last post. Crystal and Claudia had me laughing out loud this morning. I had to make myself stop, because it was sending me into coughing fits. So thanks for the boost.

In other news...

A few days ago I was doing laundry and heard Jack barking his head off. I looked out the window and saw that he had cornered something in a bush. I went out to see what he had, only to find that he had trapped a dragonfly. That's our dog -- the dragonfly hunter. And when the dragonfly flapped its wings? Jack jumped back about 4 feet. Yep, he's our scaredy dog.

Max bought a yearbook this week. I mentioned to Marc that I couldn't even remember having a yearbook in 7th grade, and that I thought it was a bit silly to pay $30 for that. He said that if Max likes junior high enough to want to remember it by buying a yearbook, we should consider ourselves lucky. It's always good to get a good shot of perspective.

I woke up this morning at 5:00 to a veritable symphony of birds. I don't have anything against birds, I enjoy birdsong as much as the next person, but not at 5:00 a.m. Eva woke up as well. Curse you, Marc Olivier, for hating fans! If I could have a fan in my bedroom, I could be nice and cool in addition to avoiding early morning birdcalls!

Today was the dance festival at Lucas's school. After reading Jill's comments about being emotional at theirs, I searched my feelings for something -- anything. Nope. Nothing!

The setup was terrible, I couldn't see Lucas when it was the 3rd grade's turn, and I couldn't get anywhere with a better vantage point. I guess the kids were having fun. I did get a good laugh over the 4th graders' square dance: they all looked like they wanted to avoid their partners. When they were supposed to swing each other round, they kept their arms to themselves and just walked. And the partnerships were all messed up, it was complete chaos.

As we were walking to the car, Eva glimpsed the nearby playground and wanted to stop. As I had no immediate plans, I had to say yes.

Apparently she has forgotten that she used to go down any and all slides, because now she is too scared and will only go down the baby slide that is so small and so slow she has to push herself down! She kept complaining about the wind, which I was thoroughly enjoying because it was keeping me cool.

We came home for lunch and a nap. I still feel sick, but at least I showered, got dressed, and put makeup on today! That's progress.

who knew?

(OR, a summary of this week in question form)

Who knew...

that I could be 36 and still not be able to keep myself from getting fried at 7Peaks?

that I would ever find a reason to dislike our great water pressure? (sunburn + shower = ouch!)

that Jill's pebble ice would keep Eva happy -- and hydrated -- for a good long time? (Seriously? Is that the secret to a successful day at 7Peaks??)

that a phone call from my grandma could get me laughing like I haven't since Jessie left?

that a book with this cover would be on my bedside table? (Grandma recommended it!)

that Lucas would take to sleeping in until 9:00 or 9:30? School starting is going to be a big adjustment.

that Jessie's dear friend is now my friend as well? (Thanks for playing, Hannah!)

that a dog could get a stick jammed across the roof of his mouth, requiring immediate -- although minor -- canine surgery?

that my kids, who have to be persuaded to play outside in the summer, would happily play at the park for 4 hours with their cousins?

that Eva would be having nightmares already? I went in the other night when she was crying, and she sat up and said, "There's no snakes!" No, indeed there are no snakes in her room.

that I would be going to rent a cello for Max? His first lesson is tomorrow morning.

that Marc would become the clean kitchen Nazi? (Hooray!!)

that life does in fact go on now that Jessie has moved away? I hate it, but it looks like maybe I will make it through this. Talking to her every day helps a lot! (But I won't be watching any movies with sisters again any time soon...)