lots of videos

We have had a pretty busy week. Lilja and I were house sitting for three days, one of the dogs got sick.. yes, another one, went to the vet, luckily he is ok and Lilja and i had some fun times together.. so lots of videos.. enjoy!!l

Little drummer girl

The fishes game

Miso soup!

My bum is wet!

Good morning , smiley face!

making a fire for Momma

Lilja loves helping daddy make a fire..

I think by the light that comes off this picture, the fire is working..

our little model

Heidi Chowen from Chowen Photograpry asked if Lilja wanted to model for this clothing line called Stella Industries. Well, why not?? Unfortunately she is a little natural.. are we going to start this???  The shoot was in Durango, the photographer was a friend of mine and awesome, there were three little girls that played, danced and laughed together. if every photo shoot is that fun, we can go to more.. 



There were three little girls that wore different dresses, and they just loved eachother..





Uhmmm this is is way too cute!!!



Sushiiii!

I was seriously trying to make a joke , talking and asking questions to Lilja to see if she would stop eating her favorite dessert.. maple Greek Yogurt.. But I think the "Sushiii" made the video..

you can never go wrong with chalk

this week.

I am working a little bit more lately, as one of my grants disappeared.. Long story, but now I plugged myself in for more days to make up for the long day that I worked at headstart. actually a lot better this way..But I am trying to also have Lilja have some fun besides always going to work with me.. I know... who gets sick of tumbling Tots, but I think she also wants a break of having mom as a teacher once in a while. So on Tuesday we went to open gym with Maddie and Melissa..We had a blast... or let's just say Lilja had a blast and i had a little break..

Our walk before open gym.. just love this picture and yes, she is eating snow AGAIN :)

Momma, I am in a bath tub...



There was a little room besides the huge open gym area where there was smaller equipment. Lilja really surprises me, and apparently the gym teacher too of her strength in her upper body.. gymnast anyone??



she can hang there for hours..

Lilja's favorite- the trampoline..

and yes... she passed out!!! love the hands folded.. she slept for almost 1 1/2 hours in the car.. Lots of gas wasted to have a "non-napper" nap once in a while.. Oh yes, I'll take that nap!!!. 

My mom and I made this chalk board a year ago and it finally made it's appearance  .. ... you can never go wrong with chalk and water  

Happy love day

Happy "love" day as Lilja calls it to all our loves!!! You know who you are . Yes You too!!

my little girl

So we have had a  sad couple of days with Amos (one of the dogs I take care of) dying on Wednesday and then walking the dogies without him. But i have to share a little anecdote of Lilja through this all. On Wednesday, i found out they were putting Amos to sleep during dinner time. It was just Lilja and I as Aran was doing his ute language class..i started crying and Lilja asked why I was sad. I told her Amos died. She proceded to fall to the ground and pretend to dive.. Momma, is he diving like this??  Hmmm How to explain this to a three year old. We finally talked about Amos going to heaven and that he was now a spook ( a ghost) and that he was running and playing up there and watching over us. Well the evening went on and texts came back and forth from caroline and Jeff ( amos's owners) and the details came out, so I got more worked up and sad. Lilja was trying to get some attention, because I was not giving it to her and at a certain point I asked her to give me some space..Lilja stood right next to me and asked me " Momma is this enough space" well i was not paying attention and told her.. lilja I am really upset, can you go play in your room so momma can get some space and get herself together... so here it comes.... My little love..... she walked up to me , put her hand on my knee, looked at me with this little face of knowledge and said" Momma i think this is enough space".. and stood there looking at me with her hand on my knee. I just wrapped her up and snuggled up this little empathetic three year old.. and she gave me this huge hug. how did she know I needed that..

You did not say stop

Miss Annette is trying to really start some ballet with these two and three year olds. So impressive! Lilja is paying attention but did not realize she had to stop turning.. In May Miss Annette is holding Lilja's first recidal.. I am already tearing up.. Just remembering those days of ballet in my long past..wow!!! very long past ;)

RIP Amos

Eventhough you were not my dog, I saw you every day.. walking you, snuggling with you and stumbling over you as you tried to walk through my legs.. I knew you for 5 years and feel like you were mine also a little. You will be greatly missed by your family and also by mine..  Lilja asked if you are a spook (a ghost) now.. and I told her, you will be running, frolicking and eating up a storm right over rainbow bridge in Heaven.!! 

This is one of my favorite poems, I received when my dog Dominica died 10 years ago..

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

this weekend

We got some new snow on top of all we had already. So it is nice and clean and fresh!! the old snow has hardened so now we can walk on top of the old snow with a new fresh soft coat.. perfect conditions for a snow fight and snow angels!!!!



Here is Lilja making a snow angel.. That smile!! she really really LOVES snow!! This is one of my favorite photos now!!




Our dutch friends from Ouray came over and Charlotte is trying to pull Lilja in the sled in our back yard.. The snow is pretty wet, as it is 40 degrees outside. imagine Ingrid and i sitting on the porch, in the sun having coffee.. Oh yes, we did!! 



Snow fight!!

I am excited for Lilja's pictures this year as she is finally making smiling faces to the camera again.. Love this girl!!

We are the dinosaurs

"We are the dinosaurs" song has been one of my stapels  in my Tumbling Tots classes. This week the teachers requested the song, because they had made dinosaur heads. How cool is this!! Lilja is not in this class, sorry!! this is just to show you how I love my job!!

Snow angel

Dance class