Pro Pics

Some pictures from Jacob's recital are available here:

www.pictage.com/995756

Unless you'd like to go through a million pictures of curly-headed gingers, go to the folder labeled "Jessica's Favorites." Those are all the pictures of Jake.

Our Weird Week and J&e's Shopping Day

Monday was President's Day so only Kris had to go to school. Jake was a little under the weather so we just stayed at home in our pajamas and played. The next morning, Jacob had a fever so Kris stayed with him in the morning and I came home at lunch and watched him the rest of the day. Same thing Wednesday, but we had the added joy of some barfing that morning. Jacob got over his headcold enough to go to school on Thursday so that was a normal day. Friday morning we woke up to 5 inches of snow so we had a late start.

Saturday I needed to get a new dress so I bribed Ella with a new dress and a hot dog and we headed out for a day of shopping. We went by Target, JCPenney's, and H&M with little stops at the bookstore and the candy store to reward my good girl. Ella picked out a dress and a flower petal crown at Target, some sunglasses at The Children's Place, an Alice in Wonderland book at the bookstore, and some chocolate turtles at the candy store. (I found a dress for myself at Penney's.) I could tell Ella was getting tired (she'd missed her nap) but as we were headed out of the mall, we stopped by the Disney store. It was as though Ella had died and gone to heaven! She loved the costumes, the clothes, the dolls... she wanted EVERYTHING! After about the 10th time of me saying, "Maybe for your birthday..." Ella started to cry. She was so sad that it wasn't her birthday yet! I picked up my tired girl and carried her to the car. Poor thing was asleep before we even made it out of the parking lot.

Recital 2011

Tonight was Jacob's dance recital. Ella stayed with the sitter so it was just me and the Jakemeister. He was really excited and had a really great time.

I was specifically instructed NOT to take any video during the performance because of choreography issues, so please... the six people who read this, don't steal Jake's moves.

Logistics

Last night was the rehearsal for Jacob's recital. It was at a different location so as usual, I got lost. Luckily I had the Garmin that mom bought us for Christmas and even though Kris set it to Swedish, we arrived at the right place and on time. Kris made it over about 20 minutes later so we took Ella to grab some dinner. At six, we went back and got Jacob and we all headed home.

And then we remembered that we were in two cars, not one.

We drove back to the theatre, this time with the Garmin speaking English with an Australian accent, and Kris and the kids piled into his car.

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This morning I was holding Ella during breakfast when she started throwing up everywhere. Kris was able to take care of her while I got changed and he was able to take her to the sitter's since it was time for me to go. Tonight is Jacob's recital so I'm not sure what to do... take Ella and just hope she's okay? Ask the sitter to take her during the recital? Skip the recital?

I have 8 hours to figure it out.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day was on Sunday the 13th since Kris will be working the 14th. We all went out to eat at Jason's Deli (the only one in Indiana just opened up) before heading to the mall to visit the Build a Bear store. The kids were allowed to pick one outfit for their animal as a gift from us. Jacob picked out a Storm Tooper costume and Ella picked out a Sleeping Beauty costume. Both kids were really excited about the new gear so we stopped and switched out Dog Vader's garb for that of a Dog Trooper and Ballerina Kitty became Princess Kitty.

We headed over to Border's to get some new books. Jake has already finished the three books we bought him a couple of weeks ago so we picked up the next Captain Underpants and Kris bought him Wayside Stories. Ella had picked out a princess fairy tales book but changed her mind at the last minute and went for an Elmo puppet book instead.

We headed home where the kids played for a bit before Ella had her nap. Once she was awake, she and I went to the grocery store and picked up strawberries, raspberries, and dipping chocolate. She wanted a balloon too so we stopped by the Dollar Tree on our way home so she could pick out a balloon. She chose one that looked like a red rose. For Jacob we got a frog holding a heart.

While Kris made dinner, the kids and I dipped the fruit in chocolate, some with sprinkles and some plain. They were impatient to eat their treats so they hurried through dinner, declaring themselves finished with a mass of food still in their mouths. We all ate entirely too much and played until bed time.

*Off topic, Ella woke up at 4:30 this morning because she'd thrown up. She only seemed irritated that she'd made a mess and was fine otherwise. Jacob did the same thing Friday night, barfing once and then was fine for the rest of the weekend. Could this possibly be the nicest stomach bug ever?

Ella draws the pickle:


Red vs. Green:

Our Valentine's Day Adventure

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Originally uploaded by jessica_c_rhodes

Crisis Averted!

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Originally uploaded by jessica_c_rhodes

Check List

Dissertation Defended? Check!
Kris Home? Check!
Four Snow Days in a Row? Check!
Cabin Fever? Check!
Hacking Ice off the Car? Check!
Falling on Ice? Check!
Jake's Haircut? Check!
Jessica's Teaching Exam? Check!
Back to Work? Check!

To Do:
Family Valentine's Day
Actual Valentine's Day
Jacob's Recital
President's Day (no school!)
Lord of the Dance with Jacob
Jake's Birthday
Ella's Birthday
Spring Break
Disneyland!