Thinking Warm

I have to say seeing the amount of snow piling up outside I feel like it is going to be forever before it melts....okay that's an exaggeration how about until April. That being the case, I decided I needed a mental image of warmer times. This picture was from our trip to the shore this summer. Ahhh...the heat of the sun and the splash of the waves..... can you feel it. Warmer times are coming!

Emily's in Charge

This morning while Dave & I were out shoveling we told Emily she was in charge while we were outside. Of course, she immediately yelled to Matt "I'm in charge" to which Dave told her "don't abuse your brother". Well, while we were out she decided to help inside. She washed the morning dishes and did some mopping. I think I need to leave her in charge more often if it means some of my chores will be done by her. :) Thank you Emily for being such a great helper!

I Feel Like I'm a Kid Again

Since moving to New Jersey, I've been happy to say that the snow here has been less than back in New York. Well, this winter is proving that wrong. Since December 26th, we have had 6 snow storms. Only on the first storm did we experience minimal melting. The last five storms the temperatures between them have not gotten high enough to melt the snow. Yesterday we had two snow systems come through. The first storm dumped about 4 inches of snow which I shoveled in the early afternoon - thank goodness. Last night into this morning we were "blessed" with another 12 to 15 inches. At his request, Dave asked me to come and help him shovel on his second round out this morning. The piles are getting to where we don't know where to go with the snow any more. The other day when Emily & Matt were out playing in the snow, I saw glimpses of myself as a kid playing in the snow - that has never happened.

On a crazy note to this storm, the school system here called at 5:30 a.m. to declare a late opening this morning (9:45) only to call back an hour later to say school was canceled altogether. Why they couldn't have decided this last night I don't know. Of course, the first call kept me wide awake so at the very least I didn't get awakened twice.

So, tomorrow we are suppose to have another non-accumulating snowfall and as we were shoveling one of the DPW plowers told us that there are "rumors" of another storm on Tuesday which is suppose to rival this storm. I was so hoping snow would be just a December/January event. Well, Tuesday is a long way off - we will wait and see.

Oh, I will say that growing up in Buffalo definitely groomed me into being a well seasoned shoveler. No snowplow needed here.......but maybe next year. :)

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday, Uncle John. Can you believe this picture was from 3+ years ago!

Hope you are enjoying your day......and that it is warmer there than here!

A Child's Remorse

I can honestly say that both Emily & Matt have a healthy amount of guilty remorse when it comes to doing something that is not "pleasing" to mom & dad.

Matt, as soon as you start to discuss/ reprimand him about the error of his ways, will bow his head, get pouty which is followed by glassy eyes and then covers his face with his hands. He is our extra sensitive boy. Usually by the time you finish the reprimand you find yourself having to give him a pep talk to come out of his state of remorse.

Emily, also gets emotional. The first clue being the glassy eyes and then the quivering lip which usually ends in a cry fest. Don't get me wrong, I don't delight in my children being upset but it is nice to know that doing wrong does not result in giving them pleasure.

What I do find sweet is that Emily after getting in trouble feels she needs to do something to get back into our "good graces". Tonight, after getting is a little trouble and being put in a time out, she called me over to show me her "gift" to make things right - a penny write out of "I Love You!" with a heart and some stuffed animals and bric-a-brac as decoration. Emily was so proud of her "peace offering". You have to love seeing how kids react to the circumstances that occur in their lives and how their reactions mature as they mature.

What Can Tear Matt Away from the Computer?

Answer - Nothing! Matt is very into the computer. He loves watching YouTube videos of trains, Legos and his most recent obsession are videos of "Fireman Sam". There is very little that can steal his attention when he is in his computer trance......not even food. Unless of course, you bring the food to him. This particular night he indulged in licking the mixing bowl after Dave & Emily made cheesecake. I don't think he looked down in the bowl once but let me tell you that bowl didn't have a lick of batter in it when he was done.

Ahhh...the Wessel Addiction - Coffee

Okay, the one vice this family has - or should I say Dave & I have - is coffee. In particular, we can always go for a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Our kids know of this "addiction". Now when we are out and heading home they ask "are you getting coffee?" Like I said they know our vice.

Yes, even when Matt was just pulling himself up with the aid of the coffee table he learned the importance of the drink to mommy. Don't panic, the cup was empty but what a photo op.

I would like to say that in Matt's 5 1/2 years of life that the addiction has lessened but that would be a lie. We still love our coffee!

Then and Now

Tonight as I was going through looking for a picture, I was amazed at how much the kids have grown. This is a picture of Matt in the snow in March of 2007. He is so little and under that hat is a little blonde boy. Fast forward to January of 2011 and here is that same boy. No longer a baby but a little boy. One with amazing wit and who doesn't like to do what he doesn't want to which is pretty much leave the house. Our little boy is so growing up!

They Say Its Your Birthday!

Happy Birthday Aunt Kim - we love you!!!

Creative Therapy

Its funny the things we find to be personal stress relievers. One area where I have always found a sense of calm and stress relief is using my "creative" nature through different outlets. It all started with stamping. I found it to be a good distraction prior to having Emily and Matt and supported that "habit" by selling stamping products for a while. Then Emily came along and stamping became too much to fit in. After a few years, I took to scrapbooking - a more private side of using my creativity. I still love scrapbooking but I get overwhelmed by all the "catching up" I'm constantly doing. Then, this past summer I was given the opportunity to work on the bulletin boards at church and my creative nature became more "public". I'm so thankful that I was asked to originally help and then allowed to basically take over the bulletin board ministry. It has once again gotten my creative juices flowing. Over the Christmas holidays, a new outlet was "born" - Kathy Kube's. I made several photo cube holders as gifts for some friends and it has become my newest creative hobby and venture. The funny thing is if you ask me how long it takes me to do a bulletin board or a photo cube I couldn't really give you an answer because I get so lost in the creative fun it gives me that time truly does fly. What amazes me though is that something that gives me personal joy has actually given other people joy and that is what make this "stress reliever" so worthwhile.

Bringing the Snow Indoors

The Christmas season was over and it was time to create a new church bulletin board. The idea for the winter board has been in my mind, and on a project sheet, since summer. With the help of my wonderful friend Debbie, we tweaked the materials and came up with this as the final outcome.

This is one of my absolute favorite hymns and fits appropriately with the time of year and weather we have been having here in NJ. It is hard to see in the picture but even the color of the letters - red outlined by black are part of the symbolism of being black with sin, washed by the red blood of Jesus Christ and made whiter than snow in the eyes of our God.

So, when the snow starts falling AGAIN in your part of the world, well in most of your parts of the world, just remember the thought of being made "whiter than snow".

It's Snowing Again... and Again, and Again

This winter has been crazy with the snow. Our snow fall season started the day after Christmas and has been pretty consistent with one or two more snow falls per week. This past week we had delayed school openings on both Tuesday and Friday (yesterday) morning. The temperature has stayed pretty cold so we have had very little melting which has led to mounds of snow. Dropping the kids off and picking them up from school has become pure chaos. There are so few parking spots by the school normally and now about 2/3rds of that parking has been effected by snow piles. Dismissal time for school is 3:05 but I find myself leaving the house at 2 just to get a parking spot somewhat near the school. Oh what I could do with that extra 40 minutes? I spend my waiting time now - either walking to Dunkin to get coffee or catching up on my magazine reading. At least I am accomplishing something.

Now the kids on the other hand are loving all the snow. After their "shortened" school day yesterday, they came home and played in the snow. They loved playing on the high mounds at the corners of the property. Once again, Emily outlasted Matt outside. She loves the snow. Matt is not as thrilled with the cold or being cold. They did have a great time though and I am positive they will have more opportunities, I think they are already talking about more "weather" for Tuesday.

She's a Bielieber

It appears that Emily has her first "celebrity" crush - Justin Bieber. For a while now, she has been asking us for Bieber clothing items and I always say "no" mainly because I'm not big on advertising "crushes" on clothing outside the home. Well, on Monday when Dave was off work and the kids were at school, we went to Walmart and found an appropriate compromise - Bieber pajamas. We put them on Emily's bed for her to find when she got home and boy did we know when she found them.....the screams and shrieks of excitement could be heard through the neighborhood. So now Emily can show, at least at home, that she's a "Bielieber".

Cooking with Dad

The other night Dave & Emily spent some "daddy/daughter" time in the kitchen making cheesecake. Granted it was a cheesecake mix from a box but they had so much fun and did a great job. Emily has been showing a lot of interest in cooking lately and cheesecake is her favorite dessert! She even gets it when we go for ice cream, if they have it. Great job Dave & Emily!!

Mismatched Day

At school this month, Friday's are "special" days. The first Friday was to be "wear your favorite color" but got canceled due to it being a half day, snow day. This past Friday was "mismatched day". Well, Emily and Matt really got into this one. Emily had on her zig zag striped dress, tights with hot pink, baby pink and white dots and finished her outfit with one purple sneaker and gold ballet flat. Matt's outfit consisted of a green striped dress shirt, red, blue and gray camouflage pants, one green sock and one red argyle sock and on his feet one brown "dress" shoe and one white sneaker. They did mismatching so well.

This coming Friday nothing is scheduled but the last Friday is crazy hat/sock day. The kids get to decorate a white hat or white socks however they want - we've opted for white hats. Keep an eye out for their "creations".

Pink & Camouflage

The kids definitely have their favorites when it comes to colors. Emily's has always been pink and Matt's his fluctuates between red and camouflage. The other day they decided to dress for school accordingly. You can't see it but Emily completed her outfit with hot pink tights....that girl love pink! Matt is total camouflage - pants, shirt, socks and even his unmentionables. Oh, and his school backpack is also camouflage. He decided to give a very serious salute for the picture.

May I Take Your Order?

Lately, we've been waiting to eat dinner when Dave comes home from work which tends to be between 6:45 and 7:15. Now I know the kids are in pj's but you have to know that when Emily & Matt come home from school one of their first questions is "can I get in my pajamas?" They know that if we have no where to go at night they can get in them for the night.

Okay, back to my story. Dinner was ready and I told Matt to let Emily & Dave know. He decided he would take their "orders". Halfway through Emily's order Matt ran to me in the kitchen and said, "I need my towel". It appears Matt has seen waiters with arm towels and feels that is a requirement for the job. I love seeing how kids interpret the world and bring it into their own world. Oh and by the way, he told them all we have is what I made so that was all they could order. Love that boy!

He's a Dancing Machine

Matt was so hilarious yesterday. I was in the kitchen working on my laptop and Matt was at the computer in the dining room. He spends his time on the computer watching different fire and lego videos. Well, he found one with some music that had a beat that moved him to dance, dance, dance. Of course, I got the first picture without him knowing but once the flash went off, well it became a photo op. It was so cute! He loves to shake those hips!

Another Snowfall

Thursday they declared another winter weather advisory for Friday here in NJ. By 9:00 p.m., the school district decided to make Friday a one day session of school (basically the hours needed to declare it a full day and not a snow day) in anticipation of the "storm". At around 5:00 a.m., Matt came to our room complaining of a stomach ache so the decision was made to keep both kids home seeing it was a short session. The snow had already started falling and falling and falling. It did stop about 3:30 p.m. and at around 4 inches, not a crazy amount. It was nice to be able to stay in the house and watch the beauty of the snow falling, knowing we didn't have to trudge out in it. Our neighbor's sons came by and shoveled for us, so when Dave came home he didn't need to shovel. It seems we are getting our snow very early and quite consistently this Winter. I'm never one for rushing the seasons but if this is how Winter is going to be ....come on Spring.

Teaching their Classes

Thursday night the kids decided that the best way to complete their homework was to teach it to their own "class". Mr. Matt taught his kindergarten class and Miss Emily taught her second grade class. One funny part about this is that prior to teaching his class, Mr. Matt was in pajamas and felt it necessary to change into "teacher clothes". Miss Emily accessorized her pajamas and even had her high heel shoes on. It was fun watching them teach their classes and see glimpses of what they experience through the day - such as heading to the office to get a cup of coffee. Matt still delayed on doing his actual homework until the very end of "class". It was a very fun night and one that involved a little bit of clean up before Dave got home from work.

Matthewism 2011 - #1 & #2

Dave was asking the kids random questions the other night. He asked them "what is an attitude?" to which Matt replied "something that you can do not very well" which in his case is very true. He is the sweetest boy but when it comes to certain things he has a brutal attitude and is so very sensitive (you can make him cry just by the tone of your voice).

Dave later asked Matt if he knew one of the 10 commandments....Dave started "thou shalt not" and Matt said "panic". Love that answer!

Breakfast in Bed - Try Homework in Bed

Matt is a real tough cookie when it comes to homework. He has no desire whatsoever to do it. I try and explain the sooner it is done the sooner it is over. Even that reasoning doesn't help. It seems to turn into at time where I raise my voice and he mopes (he is so sensitive). It takes about a half hour of conflict and then he finally comes to the realization of being ready to do it. Well on this particular night we were having an awful time and in the end he decided he wanted to do it in his bed. So, I complied and he happily completed his work. Next year, homework gets harder and there is much more so I am hoping we both can shift our attitudes to be more positive......start praying now!!!

Snow Play

Emily's snow person

Matt's snow angel

Snowballs

Snow Fun!!

Two More Baby Teeth Gone

Emily's lost more teeth. Her two lateral incisors have finally vacated her mouth which has made eating much easier. She lost the first one the morning of December 27th and then she lost the other one while we were on vacation in MD. Our first night back home, she put both teeth under her pillow but the tooth fairy must have not realized we were back because there was no money under her pillow (oops). The next night she placed them under her pillow and the tooth fairy made her visit and like in the past she left the teeth for Emily to keep. Emily is very excited to show her Dentist, Dr. Eddie, at her appointment in February that two teeth came out without his "assistance".

Our First NJ Snow

These pictures are from our first winter snow fall which happened December 26th....the day we were suppose to leave for our trip to Maryland. What was amazing is that the way the snow drifted it was as if we had a protective moat around the outside of the house. Our front stoop was snow free. You can see the true snow fall amount by the first picture which is of our patio. The morning of the 27th we dug out just enough to leave for our trip to MD and then dealt with the snow when we came back 3 days later. While we were gone, we did arrange for a neighbor's teenage sons to shovel and make it so we could get back into the driveway from the plowing that occurred while we were away. Thankfully MD had no snow so we were able to enjoy our time away.