Time to Get Out and Enjoy the Early Spring!

The kids and Mom spent a good amount of time out of the house this week in the wild late winter/early spring weather. On Monday, they joined Sara and Chase for a trip to the play place at the local mall. They also took a ride on the train.

On Wednesday, they joined Chase in his backyard. 

Signs of spring are here after what has been an almost disturbingly mild winter. We took pictures of our crocuses on Wednesday afternoon, . . .

and by Sunday they were in full bloom being pollinated by the bees.

The grown-ups had their own fun this week, too. Thursday morning Mike was out in front with the kids as they rode around on their bikes, and our neighbor Don came down for a chat. Mike asked about the Friday fish fries down at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, and Don said they were a pretty big deal. In fact, a poll in the local internet newspaper rated it as one of the top three in the Pointes (we'll have to try Marge's Bar & Grill, which was ranked first). Friday afternoon, Hallie got a call from Laurie (Don’s wife) inviting us to this Friday’s party, and of course we said yes. St. Ambrose has a reception center with a full kitchen called the ARK. Appropriately enough, it has a Noah’s ark theme. Rather than build it above ground, the architect used innovative skylights to both light the gathering space and give it a view of the church above. Plus, the church was able to keep its parking lot.  

This beautiful Norman Gothic style church graces the end of our street.

We wished we could stay a little longer, but we had tickets for the program “One Voice: An Evening of Music & Testimony” by the Saints Unified Voices directed by Gladys Knight which took place at the Palmer Park building of our church, which used to be Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox cathedral. The chapel is amazing, both for its ornate interior details as well as the acoustics of the choir loft behind the podium. It was a perfect venue for the concert!

Thanks to pinehurst19475 for the photo.

Hallie and Sara scoped out a mom-to-mom sale for ideas for their own set-up for next week, then we went to music class. From the class, we headed up to the Yellow Door Art Market in Berkley (it’s like the Quilted Bear, but everything is hand made in Michigan). Hallie found the kids a couple of fun T-shirts, and we bought some delicious Love Bars from Kitchen with a Cause.

25% from the purchase of each bar benefits Stand Up to Cancer.  

We ended our afternoon excursion with a visit to Pewabic Pottery, which was having an open house in honor of Pewabic’s 109th birthday. The celebration included a tour of the studio. Landon got a front row view of how a clay vase is made.

  

Landon sometimes needs to get his wiggles out, so we are so glad it’s getting warmer out. This afternoon when he went out, Zöe, the little 10-year-old daughter of our new neighbors, was also outside. They played together in the backyard for a while before coming in to play in the toy room. As she got ready to leave for dinner, Landon told her, “OK, you have to go.” At least he walked her back to her dad’s house!

With temperatures in the 60s on Sunday, we could feel that spring is finally in the air for good. We may get some cool weather in the next few weeks, but we’re due for more delicious afternoons like we enjoyed today as we threw open the windows and let in the refreshing breeze. 

Random Fun at Home

We just had a few random photos to share. Enjoy!

Skater Landon

Skater Landon on a date at Sander's with Mom.

Happy Girl

Hallie's new do

"Hi, Dad!"

Hide and Seek. Or as Landon says it, "Hide and Zeke."

Mike wishes he could take credit for the lovely flowers Hallie bought.

A tomar un matecito! Like Landon, Eliza enjoys Dad's special blend of yerba mate, chamomile, honeybush, and peppermint. Yumm-o!

Cymru Am Byth! (Wales Forever!)

Again, we had another laid-back week as winter begins to wind its way down with half-hearted attempts at snow and cold followed by warmer weather. Eliza had her one-year check up. She is healthy, strong, and active.

On March 1 for St. David’s Day (in honor of Mike’s Welsh heritage), we ate potato leek soup and bought daffodils. Next year, we'll have to see if there's an Eisteddfod nearby. Our family members hale from many different countries of origin (Wales, England, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Laos, Mexico, and maybe more), and we thought we should have some fun learning about the cultures of our ancestors. We’ll slowly start incorporating new celebrations as the year goes along.

Daffodil Hill in Plymouth, California. Our yard will have daffodils soon, just not so many. 

Landon’s friend Rylee had a party for her birthday, and Landon enjoyed playing with her and his other friends from the branch. He received a treat bag with toys and goodies which he played with all weekend long. 

Low Key Week

Hard to believe it, but we had a pretty low-key, routine week. Landon decided he wanted spiky hair for church last Sunday. Once he got there, however, he wanted it back flat.

Eliza managed to keep her hair band on for a little bit longer than usual.

The local kids had winter break, and we had some snow, but we also had sun, so the snow melted. We enjoyed a brisk mix of sun and cloud throughout the week and even got a bike ride in. 

Hallie and Mike spent a few evenings watching Downton Abbey on PBS's streaming video channel (Internet TV, how we do love you!). As with many media trends, we were vaguely aware of the show, but we never got around to seeing it until now. Had we known Hallie's dad was such a fan, we might have tried to have a viewing party or two via Skype or IM.

Speaking of PBS, Hallie and Eliza did end up making it onto the "Discover the D" TV show. 

. 

They're at the end of this segment about the new "Driving America" exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. 

Mike taught Landon about rockets and balance boards using stuff we scrounged about for around the house. We had so much fun we forgot to get any pictures! Maybe next time.

Eliza has enjoyed her birthday presents, including a cute talking dog from Sean, Jen, and their kids . . .

. . . and some new clothes from Aunt Carly, Uncle Shad, and Cousin Cru.

Valentine and Other Plans That Did Not Quite Go As Intended

Our neighbor Dawn sewed Eliza a dress for her birthday. We love all the little details!

Hallie, Landon, and Eliza went to the Henry Ford museum for Macy’s 2nd Monday, where they got to play at the newly renovated automobile exhibit. 

Mike had dinner with his colleagues and a potential new hire at Mario’s Italian Restaurant, a classic eatery in Midtown. On the way home, he bought Hallie three rooms’ worth of tulips, daffodils, and roses.

Yup. The rose-filled room looked just like this. Just like this. Plus tulips and daffodils. Jealous, much?

Mike woke up on Valentine’s Day feeling sick. He either got an intestinal bug or he ate something on Monday that really disagreed with his system. Boo. His presence at home did give Hallie the opportunity to let Eliza nap while she and Landon went to Just Baked for an activity with the Mom’s Club. They decorated cupcakes in red, pink, and white with different sprinkles. 

Short sleeve shirt weather in February?!

Mike’s illness spoiled their plans to heart attack his office at work, so instead they brought the cupcakes home and Mike admired them from afar. Even though Mike being sick meant that he cancelled class and we had the evening available, but our date plans for Friday were already made, so we just enjoyed a relaxing time at home.

She climbs on everything. 

Mike was well enough to return to work Wednesday, and Hallie and the kids spent the day at home. Landon made the choice not to get ready for Spanish class, so he missed out. ¡Qué lástima! There’s always next week.

Mike had some work up in Rochester Hills on Thursday, so the four of us made a road trip out of it and made a stop at the children’s play area in the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets and then at Max & Erma’s in Auburn Hills. Like Landon before her, Eliza proved herself to be a fearless daredevil as she climbed on top of the giant rubber food.

Seriously, she climbs on everything! 

We picked up the photos Hallie had taken of Eliza at Portrait Scene last week. So adorable! They did a really great job of capturing her bubbly personality.

For more photos, go to this link. 

On Friday, Hallie and Mike left the kiddos with Priscilia so they could get their taxes done and then celebrate. Well, we got our taxes done. Capital gains tax on the condo sale offset the tax credit on Eliza’s adoption, so we owe this year instead of receiving a refund. Boo hoo! Not the greatest mood to bring along to the restaurant, but we didn’t let it get us down too much. Good thing we have a little in reserve. Too bad we won’t after April 17. Anyway, we enjoyed dinner (on a previously received gift card. Must pinch those pennies) and some well-needed couple time. 

On Saturday it was Hallie’s turn to have the previous day’s meal disagree with her. The kids’ music teacher and her assistant called in sick, so the kids missed their music class. At least we had sun and time to enjoy a relaxing day at home and finally get the van cleaned up. 

Easy to Get Carried Away Celebrating

It may not look like it from the picture, but Landon really worked up a sweat at gymnastics on Monday.

Later on that evening, we received word from the ad agency doing the Chrysler ads Landon is in that they wanted to put his picture in a poster Chrysler will sell on its website (feel free to buy one!).

(He's in the bottom row, third from the left.)

Our big event of the week was Eliza’s first birthday, with accompanying celebrations.

The birthday girl received some new outfits and presents from family and friends.

Her mom and dad (mostly Hallie) took some time to make some treats and have some special goodies made for her party on Friday night. We went with a Minnie Mouse theme.

That night, several of Eliza and Landon’s friends and their parents helped us celebrate Eliza’s birthday with a party!

The kids around Landon's age took to beating each other senseless with the balloons we scattered all over the floor. A little too much sugar, maybe?

Once she figured out that we wanted her to eat her cupcake, she went for it with gusto!

(Hallie had to help out a little there with some extra candy for the piñata.)

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

We have had a mild winter so far, but we knew snow and cold had to come eventually. Friday night into Saturday, the snow fell and the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees from above freezing to feeling like it was below zero with the wind chill. Brr! Of course, the cold did not stop Landon, who donned his snow duds to spend some time on ice. We didn’t let him stay out for too long, but Mike got the bright idea from Pinterest to bring the snow indoors so he could continue to play. The best part is that the snow will just drain out of the tub as it melts. Brrrrilliant!