project day

It is February break and yesterday we needed a break from the snow as we been skiing twice and sledding; thus project day! We painted works of art, sculpted with modeling clay, cut and pasted our own farms complete with animal stickers, made apple muffins and did some 'spin' art. Spin art? Using our trusty salad spinner (don't worry we gave it a good soak after wards) we came up with some great designs.

3rd time

The boys enjoyed skiing so much we went again yesterday. As soon as we walked in we saw instructors that recognized them . . .ahhh, they are so cute.

Blaise skiing for the 3rd time . . . sometimes it goes well and sometimes . . .

Ambrose prefers skiing down the hill by simply 'french frying' or skis straight, barreling down the hill. Here in his 3rd lesson he is nice and controlled (please note though this isn't as fun).

kiss?

I gave a kiss this morning to Ambrose on his cheek. As he walked away he took his elbow and 'wiped' the kiss away. I said 'hey, did you just wipe away my kiss?' He turned around, smiled and said 'no, I rubbed it in'.

hmmmm. Interesting.

Blaise's birthday party

Today we met some of our cousins at Brantling (ski place in Sodus). The boys took a lesson and had a blast skiing (even though it was only 18 degrees!) Blaise's ski boots are 2 sizes to big (but the smallest that the ski place owns), so he was carried up and then put his hands on his knees and 'pizzaed' down the hill . . .and then asked to do it again, and again, and so on . . . His instructor got a good workout today!

Ambrose went up the tow on his own and came flying down the hill before barely stopping right in front of the fence (each time I was yelling 'pizza, pizza', he told me later he doesn't like to 'pizza' until the very end, he would rather go really fast down the hill . . .um, yep, mommy's heart is still okay).

We had lunch and cake (strawberry - what Blaise asked for) and thought we were headed home, only to have Blaise ask for more. We ran into his ski instructor that he had the last time we went, Justin, who asked to spend some time with Blaise - so he carried him up the hill and down again. Meanwhile, Ambrose was flying down the hill. Needlessly to say, two boys were snoring on the ride home in the back seat!

special present from brother

Special cards were made and presents were wrapped for Blaise's birthday, he just turned 3! I'm not sure where the time went . . . it seems like yesterday I was on the phone with my mom saying 'oh, hold on I'm having a hard time breathing'. And then rushing off to the hospital to meet Blaise 6 weeks early at 4lbs. 7oz.

He has come a long way! He wants to do what his big brother is doing . . . learn his alphabet, colors, shapes and count. They sing together, play together, read together, giggle together and fall asleep together. Blaise has such a smiley, laid back disposition that is exercising his want for independence. He likes to zip his own jacket but has no interest in going on the potty. If Blaise wants to do it he will otherwise he is content just to smile and ask for help. Oh yes, ladies he has the looks to melt your heart.

Next week we are taking Blaise skiing (or 'kiing' as he says it) at Brantling for a get together with some family for his birthday. Here he has received a wonderful present from his brother (really it just cracks Damian and I up as to what Ambrose wrapped for him) . . .

sold

The Epilepsy Foundation's Chocolate Ball (25th year) was last night. I've been helping with the ball now for several years (maybe 7 or 8? Well, I've lost count.) Last night, we had almost 450 people attend, 9 chocolate creations (that were all very delicious), and an incredible live and silent auction. I'm proud to say that one of my photos was framed and sold in the silent auction - see photo below.

During the presentations, a girl who is a college sophomore and won a scholarship through the Foundation spoke. She was diagnosed with epilepsy in second grade (petit mal seizures) and then they advanced to grand mal seizures, she takes medication daily in order to be seizure free. What an incredible girl and story. She plays soccer, attends college and has overcome so much! She spoke of her grandfather, a mentor, who taught her at the age of seven to play cards. She gave the analogy of epilepsy being like playing cards - you are dealt your hand and you play to win.

Last night it was great to catch up with doctors and nurses that I used to call on as a pharmaceutical sales representative. I had a wonderful group of volunteers that helped make last night a successful event. Epilepsy is not talked about very much. 1 in 100 people have epilepsy. I was honored to help with such a successful event for an incredible organization, what a blessing!

learn to fall?

Ambrose started 'learn to play hockey' at the beginning of January. We have seen such an improvement in just a few weeks. The first week he went the kids would start on one end and purposefully have to fall. He skated, looked around and kept right on skating (never falling). And now look at him . . . (he is in the black helmet, 2nd from the right, Sabres jersey, orange socks)

we are busy

As I was doing a few things in the kitchen yesterday I peeked around the corner and found the boys reading . . .


They play together so well. I can be in the next room and they will build blocks, throw bean bags (their latest is to throw them through the opening on the under side of the dining room table and they just giggle and giggle), drawing, reading, etc. Lots of reading and looking at books goes on in this house, but please don't interrupt . . .

What a face, huh? Hey, I asked for a picture in the middle of the story (what was I thinking????) Back to reading and laughing at mommy . . .

snow day

Shoveling - check
Snow wall built (oops, too high fell down)
Snowman - check

Now to go warm up . . .