Mittens!

A big shout-out to Auntie Melissa who recently sent a surprise package for the girls. She made them the most lovely mittens for all our spring outings and the girls love love LOVE them.

Thank you!

Pneumonia

Ruby: The child who can't get just a little bit sick. When it comes to illness, she likes to go big.

On Monday she was sent home from school with a terrible cough and on Tuesday morning she was diagnosed with pneumonia. On Wednesday she was sent home (after being cleared to go back to school) because the meds she's on caused her to act like a hyper maniac all morning and then crash with exhaustion in the afternoon, and then we spent the evening fighting with her about whether or not she could go outside to play.

The upside is that we spent some time watching a Top Chef marathon together, and her insights were fascinating. For instance: Why don't the contestants just make spaghetti? Everybody loves spaghetti.

So true, Rubes. So true. Now get better.

Big Head

This might be the greatest video I've ever seen in my life. It is Cici's own creation and even though I've watched it about 50 times already, it still cracks me up.

And here is a bio she wrote for herself to accompany her animal research report for school. I find it beyond charming.

Cici K------ goes to --------- Magnet School. She has a mother, a father and a sister. Her favorite animals are her cats, Cutiehead and Peanut. Her favorite color is turquoise. She has written a poetry book. She lives in ----------, Minnesota. She likes ice cream. Her favorite flavor is lemon-lime. She has four aunts and five uncles on her mom’s side and one aunt and one uncle on her dad’s side. One group of her grandparents lives in Wisconsin, the others in Minnesota.

Routine.

The girls are back and it's Monday morning! This means we're back to our regular routine - organizing backpacks and choosing snacks and coaxing Ruby out of bed and into her uniform. Yay!

The girls had a terrific time in Wisconsin but seemed pleased to get back to their home turf and the cats. In fact, just last night Ruby was snuggling with Peanut and, voice filled with love, said to me, "Mom, even if Peanut was dead I would still take care of him." Such a thoughtful girl, isn't she?

It was a lovely little break for us, too (we saw TWO movies!), but we're so happy to have our foursome back together again.

Empty Nest

I have nothing to report because the girls haven't been home since last Friday morning. They're enjoying spring break with Grandma and Grandpa K, and we're stuck here at home, all alone.

[Sigh.]

Braggart.

I know it's not polite to brag and such, but since this is our blog about our children, I figure this is the place where there's an exception.

We had Ruby's school conference on Tuesday, and her teacher started by saying, "This is probably the best report card I've ever written."

'Nuff said.

Well, one thing more. She said Ruby was a classroom leader without being bossy. While I find this hard to believe (the not bossy part), I'm very proud of my girl.

Nice job, Rubes!

Cookie Dough.

Last fall Cici was part of a fundraiser for school and was asked to sell tubs of cookie dough. To fulfill the obligation, she and I sat down at the dining room table, I handed her my phone, and we just started calling our relatives and closest friends.

It turns out we have some very generous friends and relatives.

In particular, a college friend of Adam's who also lives in our city - we call him Pasty - purchased a lot of cookie dough. He wanted me to find out how much he needed to buy in order for her to "win" and I told him numerous times that I had no way of knowing how much other kids were selling. He ended up buying A LOT.

When all the cookie dough arrived and we picked it up for delivery, the fundraising coordinator pulled me aside and told me Cici had, in fact, sold more cookie dough than anyone else in the school. About $500 worth.

The grand prize was 2 tickets to Smucker's Stars on Ice, and we thought it only fitting that she go with Pasty since he probably put her right over the top. He called yesterday to tell us he also intends to take her to brunch at one of our city's finest and fanciest restaurants. She's excited to get dressed up and go claim her prize.

It's a fun little adventure for her today, but also an opportunity for me to thank all of you who supported her in this effort. Thank you for supporting her school, and her, and for being such a loving network for our family. And just think, if you buy the most cookie dough next year, you might just get to see the world's best skaters with my daughter!

Thanks, everyone!