Category: Neko

Gone skiing

January 15, 2010

Our district had one of those weird days off to file paper or something of that ilk, so Nancy and I took advantage of the day to take Neko and Mary Beth skiing.

Since most folks were still in school, the slopes weren't very crowded. The girls were skiing down the green hill by the end of the day thanks to a guardian angel ski instructor named Bill, who had the patience and demeanor you find in few folks, but was just what we needed.

(The song in the background can be heard sung quite loudly around our house by Neko, thanks to the school music program. I love when kids learn to sing “real” songs!)
Gone sledding

January 10, 2010
Favorite gifts

December 25, 2009

Calico Critters family and house, Lego boom box (and the resulting endless dance party), and an American Girl doll.
Snow!

December 19, 2009

And here it is, our first big snow.

Neko was beside herself with excitement. Still in her pajamas, she pulled on her boots and coat and headed outside. There she was, running and playing and doing snow angels. A bit later, she wandered in, looking for a big bowl. She had a snowman she wanted to bring inside.

When I looked out again, I realized her snowman was waaaay down at the end of the property, on the hay cart (look for the small orange triangle above her head in the first photo). And there she was, a snowman half her height, loaded into the bowl. She would stop every 20 feet or so to put the bowl down and rest. I’ve never seen her so determined. Some time later, she popped up on the patio with a smile and a snowman.

Why we bring a snowman inside to decorate, I have no idea, but I like the enthusiasm with which we’re embracing winter.
Holiday concert

December 18, 2009

Neko sings at home. Non-stop.

Like last year, she’s adoring music at school. Her teacher has sent home a CD of the songs they’re singing and the accompanying word sheets. The day they came home with her, she sat us all down and made us hold an impromptu sing-a-long.

You would think it would naturally follow that she’s a happy concert participant. But there, in front of a big audience, you can’t get her on the stage.

So today, when they went to perform for a group of seniors, I was shocked to see her walk up on stage. Granted, she wiggled, chewed on her sleeve, and pulled funny faces, and I totally had to crop her out of the photo I sent to the newspaper. But hooray! She’s on stage!

I will take my victories where I can get them.
Pizza night

December 4, 2009

Tom attempts professional dough throwing. Neko insists on doing every bit of it herself. Ellery uses half a bag of cheese on her pizza alone.

And Shep? He crams as many black olives in his mouth as he possibly can before we cut him off.
Outside

December 4, 2009

I’m vowing to get the kids outside for at least ten minutes a day this winter. We all need the sunshine, vitamin D, and fresh air. I think I’m going to be the biggest obstacle in all this, as I’m a complete wimp about the cold.

But today? We made it out for quite a dance party on the hay wagon.
Capes! (And a long overdue thank you.)

December 2, 2009

When my uncle Keith blew into town for Farm Day, he brought with him some really wonderful gifts for the kids. Handmade capes for each of the children, crafted by my aunt Becky.

I should point out that my aunt Becky is a professional seamstress who sews costumes for a theatre company, so these weren’t just any capes. These have their initial sewed on the back with carefully detailed necks, even nicer than these ones I’ve admired online.

So Susie and I are finally getting around to saying a huge THANK YOU to Becky for all her hard work. They are gorgeous, and our superheroes are putting them to good use!
Decorated

November 28, 2009

It mostly went off without a hitch. There was the requisite arguing over ornaments. Ellery wanting “the one with the button!” Then when I finally con Neko into giving it to her, she threw herself to the floor wailing because it wasn’t a real button.

And why, oh, why can’t we ever find all three of the ornaments that are personalized?

But other than the few hiccups, it really felt very Christmas-y.
We got a tree!

November 28, 2009

December is our busiest time of year. The press is cranking non-stop, we’re shipping and printing and photographing and on and on. Needless to say, last year the days got away from us, and suddenly it was almost Christmas and we had no tree. We went one day after school on a cold and gloomy day. Hardly the holiday event I had hoped for.

This year, we were determined to get it done early. It was beautiful weather. The kids were in (mostly) good moods. We all agreed on a tree almost immediately. (We even picked one out for my parents to save them a trip.) There was even photographically documented skipping from Neko.