I've been right about a few things

In this case when I gave zada my phone to take pictures at the aquarium last week, I just knew I'd end up with at least one picture of the moose's butt. Game over, I'm the winner!

A full field

There was a full field for racing today. It looked good for the Japan car early, only for a surge from one of four Lightning McQueens in the race to break the contest wide open.

How we all feel after Ikea

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At Ikea with a list

The good news is we made it to Ikea. The bad news is everyone else did too! Ai!
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At the rink

Zada and I skated a bit today at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. We had a handful of adoring fans.
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Elves at work

Grandma Margie had one more decorating job for the kids to do today. We arrived here in time for lunch. Church is at 4pm, with dinner and Bentleyville (Duluth's holiday harbor light display) to follow.

Holiday break pajama party

Now that (almost) all our chores are done, we went over to the neighbors for an impromptu pajama-wearing, popcorn-eating, grinch-watching good time.

Grrrrrr

Not sure what makes me more upset, that she wrote on the car or that she spelled Troy's name wrong!

Should I wear my new hat to church?

Holidazzle!

We've resumed a couple of our Minnesota holiday traditions, including going to the Holidazzle parade with Uncle Russ and Aunt Sue. Merry Christmas!

That's my boy!

Hat hair is the best!

I heart coffee and my kids

Zada and Darby are in a dead heat to be my favorite kid today. Zada jumped up two levels in her ice skating classes and was asked to participate in an enrichment reading group at school.
Not to be easily counted out, Darby was called "a joy to work with" by his school district speech therapist (with whom we met for a half-year review) and he asked for an extra hug and kiss goodbye from me at his preschool.
For all of the lousy anxious days I've had on both kids' accounts, today is a real treat. So I'm at Caribou celebrating with a small, half-caff, mint skim latte. Cheers!

What we leave behind

As the rest of the snow melted this week, we had a good view of our express route to and from school.

Birds of a feather...

flock together!

Too enticing to refuse

When I got home today and opened the front door to let the sunshine in (and Uncle Russ out) I found this sunny spot on the rug too tempting to refuse. After lying prone for two minutes, regrouping from my hectic morning, I grabbed my knitting tote and coffee and finished my current project (shh, it's a Christmas surprise) with the sun on my back. Small wonder sunshine, it's always a winter mood-booster for this cat.

Not a moment too soon

My new long johns arrived yesterday during our first legitimate cold snap (wind chill was -5). I believe these duds and I will be close friends this winter. I also wrote Santa for some new Smartwool socks. Here's to a toasty new year!

Classic kids' lunch