Reading = Ice Cream

I am not above a little incentive (aka bribery). Each child finished reading his/her book and a trip to the Queen of the Dairy followed. Mission accomplished. Good job, kids!

In Between Days

These in between days - they are the ones stuck in the middle of cold and warm. Days that don’t know what to do with themselves. Only last week the expansive lake had a thick layer of ice to skate or play hockey on. Only last week was there snow to snowshoe, snow machine, sled or cross country ski over. 

The warm air blew in - yes, even in Canada it happens! Most of the snow melted in the balmy breeze leaving trees naked and lake ice thin and choppy.  And during the week referred to as “March Break”, we’ve been given a break from the cold along with our normal routine of early to rise and get dressed and quick, eat breakfast and get to work.

 Along with our break of the common everyday came an invitation. Could we call them “in between friends”? extended their welcome to visit and stay the night with them at their lakeside home. A family more than an acquaintance to be sure. A family warm and friendly that we enjoyed being around and gotten to slowly know better the last year or so. And so we moved in for the night! 

As we took long walks, careful to stay on the paved roads and off the mud caked off road paths we talked. We talked of families and churches, stories and kids, struggles and joys in between throwing the ball to their young, energetic black dog. The boys had disappeared somewhere with the four wheeler making memories and bonds of their own. Zanna held cats like babies until their claws showed and was forced to put them down. She attempted to keep the big, black dog in bed with her for the night - who didn’t last long in between two strange kids one of which a girl that wouldn’t leave him alone! 

Funny what happens when you are in someone’s home. It goes beyond the common civility, the superficial conversation - into something more.  And we move beyond the in between. 

The conversation flows like the syrup from the maple trees outside. Growing, meaningful friendship is sweet as the boiled down syrup over the homemade waffles that morning for breakfast. 

Daylight is extending in length these days and although the grass is dry and withered and the buds have yet to make their appearance on the trees and bushes, we’re enjoying these in between days looking forward to spring’s impending arrival and relieved to be beyond the winter doldrums of just last month when the days are short and so is my temper. 

We’re looking forward to the last months of the school year, sunnier days and new friendships! 

A Pinterest Inspired Birthday Party

My baby is 6! I can't believe it! So we celebrated by having some of her best girl friends over to par - tay - Pinterest syle! 
I'm loving this new resource of mine. It takes away most of my hard thinking and inserts someone else's great ideas. Why reinvent the wheel? 

We went with a Valentine theme since her birthday falls shortly after and there's a never ending plethora of Valentine ideas! Pink, red, white - it works, ya know? 

Where there's cupcakes, there's sure to be fun!

Having had a boy first and doing the following themes : Bob the Builder, construction trucks, spaceship, construction trucks, Lego, bicycle, Mad Scientist and Lego, I was ready to girl it up big time.

Oh, the crafts!!!! They love their crafts (and they're so quiet during it which I especially love).  I found the cute valentine placemat ideas through Pinterest along with a bingo game and those adorable lids for the mason jars.  They also crafted with things found at Michaels. What would I do without that place?

My Mom was my right hand women as she has been for every single birthday party I've ever given for either child. What a Mom/Oma!!!!!

For the particulars, you can find my Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/rhalldorson/ under the Valentine love bulletin board. FYI - I also make the heart shaped cinnamon rolls and fruit kabobs for Valentine morning. Adorable.