March in a bundle

March brought some neat things and some comfortable times. What is it about a sleeping kid? So darn cute. 

Oliver had a band concert, complete with masks and social distancing and Star Wars music!


Oliver has a real knack for music. And for making good faces for pics. Ian too. 


We went on a fun walk during one of March’s beautiful days. Elsie wants to be walking ALL OF THE TIME, so she wasn’t happy about stopping to have to take this pic. 

I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated having Jess around. Having him home during Elsie’s first year has been a real treat. He’s been able to see her as she wakes up from her mid-day nap, toddles around, and smiles big.

She is a great workout partner. 

We went out to eat at a restaurant the boys love for Elsie’s birthday. Haha! She’s serious about that tortilla chip. 

Ansel had to add extra salt to the chips. He loves salt just like his momma. 

If you’re into counting, it’s been a year since the COVID safety measures were put into place. I remember thinking we’d be shut down until May 2020, but once September rolled around, I knew we’d be in it at least until spring 2021. I was worried. But as I look back, even though COVID has given us a run for our money, so to speak, I’ve learned so much. I’m amazed by how people adapt, how a little creative thinking can solve seemingly impossible problems, how love always comes out on top, and how flexibility and kindness makes things so much better for everyone in every situation. 

I recently got the vaccine and it has been rough. Getting it went so smoothly, but 12 hours later and I can tell my body is fighting something wicked indeed. I’ve never responded to a vaccine in such a way. Still, I’m vaccinated and feeling glad. 

I celebrated my birthday being surrounded by my family. It was the best gift ever. 

Ian learned how to ride a bike. One day he asked if he could try the pedal bike, and then he was off. Go Ian!

Ian, Elsie, and I went with my brother and cousins to the Land Rover Heritage Museum. It’s attached to an antiques shop and we found this gem. How much do you think a stuffed lion costs? I have no idea. But it’s available downtown if anyone is interested. Ha!

We had a small leak that damaged our basement ceiling. After three months, everything is back in working order. We don’t have that green wall anymore. I painted the basement white, much to my kids dismay, but it looks nice and fresh now. 

It’s been a good month. 

And she’s one

Elsie continues to fill our days with brightness, cuteness, and joy. And she’s one! 

She walks everywhere, toddling around the house and up and down the sidewalk. She’s very good at emptying bookshelves and toy bins. 

She loves to be in the action, discover the world, and try new things. Just this week she figured out how to go down the stairs backwards. She then tried this new skill to get down off our bed. Oops! But she is a quick learner :). 

She loves to read books (I’m pretty sure she knows the word “book”, because every time I say it, she smiles with glee), watch Frito the lizard, laugh, and be outside. Look at her climb up that hill! She is determined. 

Happy first birthday Elsie! You are just the best. 

Doings lately

It’s time for a quick recap of what’s been going on over here. Hold onto your hats folks, here we go!

This cute kid had a birthday and was baptized. 

He also tried on Jess’s clothes. We laughed and laughed. He then asked if he could sleep in them. We convinced him that it wouldn’t be very comfortable. 

Here’s Ansel standing next to his You’re a Good Sport Charlie Brown diorama. He did the whole thing all by himself. The kid had a vision and went to it!

Ian is having fun building, playing, and being so imaginative. 

He said this was his jungle. So cool! Then he requested that no one should mess it up. That’s a big request seeing as he lives in a house with 5 other people, one of them being a near two-year-old. 

Here’s his “drawer guy.” Look at the smiling face he drew. I’d want to get tinfoil from that friendly drawer anytime. 

Oliver had his cast removed and he’s back to 100 percent. 

He continues to grow like a weed and lose teeth at an astonishing rate. He’s basically as tall as I am and the kid’s 11. 

Elsie loves to watch the snow. 

She handled this cold day at the park. It was her first experience at a playground so the allure made her forget all about temps. 

She is such a happy kid! We are currently trying to figure out how much sleep she needs (one or two naps?), because she never lets on how tired she is because she so good natured (and full of energy, ready to do anything and everything — see park experience above).


We had some family visit from out of town, so we did our best fitting in a fun activity with social distancing measures since we have some high riskers in the group. It made us get creative and we had a lot of fun. 

It was snowing, so we all got under the lean-to and had our hot chocolate. 

The kids were good sports. And the snow was kind of magical. I feel like we’re getting a knack at finding spots were no one else really goes but we can gather. 

February was filled with goodness.