Let it go !!

Movie night.. Popcorn and Frozen.. and some "beautiful singing.. It does not get any better than that.

Lilja's yoga

this week

Lots of Momma/daughter times this last week, as Aran has been hunting for the last 5 days.. One more weekend and we get our daddy back.. But for now... girl time.. Lots of hiking, treats and playgrounds, just to get out of the house after an amazing week of torrential downpours.

After school Lilja can chose something special to do.. the park, play at hone, tea parties and... ice-cream.. Today ?? yep chocolate icecream with sprinkles and a cherry on top.. what a lucky girl..

Heaven!!!

no more afraidness for slides..

and always strong in her arms 

ok, new favorite photo.. does she look big to you??

this is the rainbow after al the rain we got. we even had a flah flood warning on our phone at 4 am in the morning.. Is it bad that I kind of woke up Lilja so she could sleep in my bed.. Don't tell me..

we went to JT's birthday party.. Lilja was the only girl at a sports themed indoor football game party. The kids all got little  helmets.. Lilja knew what to do with those.. 

Lilja chose to go hiking up the hill one day.. surprising as the playground is right next to it, but she wanted to go all the way to the top..

What goes up must come down.

So it has been two weeks of Lilja in school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and me working those full days . We are both adjusting pretty good, besides being pretty tired when we get home. First Lilja and I had a lot of mommy daughter tea parties, but they have turned into Movie times with yummy popcorn on the days when I teach 10 classes... yes, I said ten!! Lilja is loving school, she loves the playground and her new friends, she is experiences everything I hoped for her.. It was interesting talking to her teachers a couple of days ago. They are very impressed with Lilja ( well, ofcourse, I would think ) but they had some great observations.. *She recognizes her name on a nameplate.. ( ofcourse, because she can write it too) but she also knows everyone else's!! very impressive!! * She loves learning.. she was eager to get tested and wanted to do more when the teacher was done.. Now what?? she said *She has her friends she looks forward to seeing, but she also plays with everyone else. Plus she is turning into a leader!! *Even though she is an only child ( with the stigma that they are very clingy and needy in the classroom) Lilja likes playing with her friends and leaves the teachers alone. and then the teacher said something that I just want to share with you.. She said " Lilja is one of those kids that just makes you happy" The proud momma was beaming... and beaming some more!!! this all gives me peace of mind that we did the right thing to put her in school one year before her kindergarten.. she is just thriving!! Here are some random photos and activities we did the last couple of weeks.

Tante Brigitte got us hooked on Playmobil.. How cute is this Koala tree ad bears..

Lilja wants to be a Koala veterinarian when she grows up and live in Australia.. Our answer.. Dogreat in school, make good money and take your parents with you :))

Oh how she loves swinging. Aran went hunting for 5 days so Lilja and I are on our own.. What did we do the first night.. Pizza and the park!!

The pigtails are baaaaack!! and her new little smile..

no elk yet, but lots of mushrooms.. I guess I can be happy with a mushroom dinner instead of an elk steak.. for the first two weeks.. Now he better come home with some elk!!

The Ignacio parade was here again.. This time we got some much candy, it is not even funny anymore. What do we teach our kids... to wave to strangers to get candy..Great parenting job mom!! But the candy is soooo guuuud!!

the drummers were a hit.. they actually were drumming "old mac donald" too funny!

Maddie, Kara, Kenny (Kara's dad) and Lilja.. waiting patiently for all the candy.. Those bags were full by the end of the parade!!

So excited!!!



the four musketeers.. Baby Kate pretending to be a big girl..

Looking so cool! Yep she climbed all the way up all by herself..

that's how high she was.. 

a birthday party and friends

It has been quiet at the home front. We are adjusting to Lilja going to school and she really needs some "stay home " time in the weekends.. Wishful thinking as there are birthday parties to go to and people to see.

My friend Cindi is moving back to town, so the kids got reacquainted. The last time we saw them, Ryan was 1..  

Ofcourse high up in the sky.. Little daredevil!!

Lilja and I had a library day when Aran went hunting.. Yes it is that time of the year.. Lilja played with this Educo doll house for hours.. I love that it is wood and open so you can play from all angles. I think this might have to become a birthday present.. Any takers??

Next week is Lilja's first time taking school pictures.. she has been practicing her sweet smile.. what do you think about this one?

LOVE!!

and this one??

or this one??

Momma, it is my responsibility to water the plants... they are almost dead!!

I just found this photo in a box.. I must have been 13. I think this trip was to England.. yes our family were big bike riders.. best vacation ever!! so many stories!!

Maddie turned 4 last weekend.. She had a My Little Pony birthday party.. Melissa went all out.. Guess who was the life of the party?? a pony named Cody!! and these cupcakes!!

The birthday gir.. We forget she is only 4!! she is as tall as Lilja..

There is a little poy on this cupcake that is one of Lilja's lovies now.. pink, sparkly and little!!!

Lilja dressed herself for the party.. I did have to put my foot down on some different leggings, but she has a great fashion sense.

Cody the pony rode probably in about 100 circles or more.. so well behaved and gentle. Baby Kate would not get off, but she did ant to share.

Finally all by myself!!

Lilja thought it was funny that Cody had pink ribbons in his air.. yes, he was a boy. 

she is pretty comfy on a horse.. Aran does not want her to really love horses.. I say... let her chuck some poop for some lessons and she will earn her keep :))

so cute!!

Daddy cookies