Time, time, time.

It's the one thing I can not get enough of.

I am horrible at taking on too many tasks and never finishing one.

We have been busier than we were before Christmas, which is supposed to be the hustle, bustle season. But it seems that our busy season is in the winter months, when we are trying to keep busy as we spend more time indoors.

I find January and February tough months.

It's dark and cold and hard to get outside to play.

We are usually hit with at least one small break in the weather that we all go outside just to enjoy a few minutes of sunshine (and hope that it will be enough fresh air to tire out these kiddos).

Luckily those few days came at a perfect time this year.
We have had more snow and bitterly cold weather than I can remember. (although that doesn;t seem to stop my kids from bundling up and heading outside for awhile).
But, its nice to feel a bit of warmth, and feel the sunshine and finally try those electric scooters that Santa brought.
(I should say thoughtlessly brought as the poor kids have just been staring at them since Christmas because the weather has been too crappy to actually use them).
So that is exactly what we did!

And although these scooters probably give me more gray hair than I can imagine. (thank God for hair coloring),  they are great for tiring out Hurricane Eric.
He just ran after them the whole time!

Hurricane Eric eventually slows down and finds anything with wheels to play with.

And this was a few days before we actually had green grass sightings!

It's February, and its Ohio, so who knows what is next.

It's been beautiful play-outside weather this week, but I suspect we will get another snowstorm before spring is here to stay.

2012

2012 was not too bad to us.

We did not win a lottery,

but we are all pretty happy and healthy

(and I managed to keep all of my children alive another year, so that's a bonus!)

I don't make resolutions.
They are too easy for me to break.
Instead, I try to give a little more in hopes that it will be a little better to us too.
(Although I would like to finally get all my digital photos organized.
..and of course  a small lottery would be nice!)

Merry Christmas

And just like that...Boom.

It's almost Christmas.

We are in the current frenzy of last minute shopping,

cookie baking,

gift wrapping,

holiday tv watching days.

So to all those that did not receive a card-

This is the photo we used.

It is accurate.

Can you tell who is naughty and who is nice?

Wishing everyone a Holly Jolly Christmas!



Since then...

See?

Back to my old usual ways.  I got caught up in life and boom-

its been a few months of posting here!

So in true "Jill" fashion a let's catch up what we've been doing the past couple months.

Hiking with the kidlets at my favorite gorge.  This is truly one of my favorite places ever, and its so close to us!

And some more hiking at another very cool, very local park.

My Halloweenies

(a black cat, a sharkie and an ice princess)

And tomorrow we give thanks to all we are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!!





The First day of School

Such a bittersweet day for me.

Two weeks ago, I was ready to ship the littles out of the house,

and back to school, without a second thought...

But, today my heart was nervous for them.

And the hardest part is trying to hide that.

Trying to be brave and remind them (and myself)

just how much we love school!

Because we do!

Until about 2:00pm.

Then I feel my hearts have been away too long and I am ready to have them back at home,

safely under my wing.

But we all braved forward and put on nervous smiles,

took the annual "back to school Picture"

And waited at the the bus stop with eager friends.

I thought this year would be a little easier, but it wasn't.

There were no tears, (at least not on their end).

But I managed to buck up and watch them jump up into the bus like little pros.

I watched them wave with cautious smiles through the window,

and wished them every ounce of goodness I possibly could,

and I waved back, smiling at how very proud I am

of the little people they have become and at the same time wishing they would just stay this way.

Such a bittersweet day, every first day of school.

My heart always hurts a little more when I watch their little worlds get bigger

and another day closer to becoming farther.

For them, the world on a string...



the farm.

One of my favorite places to go is to Tom's parents farm.

So many cool sights that we city kids don't often get the chance to enjoy.

You know, trees, fresh air, tractors...

It truly is simple pleasures.

And I know it sounds cheesey, but I love to watch them play.

Really play and explore and imagine.

(especially when they don't realize they are being watched)

It ALMOST makes we want to live out in the wilds somewhere.

(and then I come to my senses because where would the nearest Target be?)

We spent the whole day playing in the creek.

Bryn manages to find every possible deep hole and potential danger in the waters..

always wearing a smile too.

And this dog follows this girl. Everywhere.

Even the littlest one gets all excited about throwing things in the water.

And this girl finds remarkable details everywhere.

I love their desire to explore.

Fishing for minnows- "Bennett-style"

We walk aimlessly around the old barns.

They are almost ghostly old buildings that I think would have a lot to say if walls could talk.

And the kids walk around on their mission to find a barn cat or two.

(yes, even without their pants which happen to be getting dry from our swim at the creek)

Playing on the farm equipment is apparently much more fun than all the silly climbers we have in the city...

The whole motley crew, following their Dad like little ducklings.

That man can really keep their attention.

And it makes my heart all melty.

My boys.

The little and the big.

And after all the sticks and feathers and rocks that we bring back to their new home,

I always turn to find the proof of a good day.

One that will bring back memories when they are older.

Thank you farm.

 

The Color What?

The Color Run.

You run and there are colors.

Lots of colors.

Colors thrown at you as you run.

And by the end of the race you are covered head to toe in colored paint.

I know- sounds like fun to run and have people throw things at you.

Well it is.
And here are the pictures to prove it.



Before- all clean.

 In the sea of bright white shirts...

Crossing the finish line. 

The color party!

After. 

We had lots of fun, but I think if I were to do this run again, I would do it with the kids.
There were lots of strollers and people walking.
Definately more "fun" than "run".

Plus where else can you get pink highlights and purple boogers?
(still finding color in places that's not supposed to have color)