That Crazy Cora!

Cora has been cracking us up lately.  What a hoot she is!!! 

Last week, we were getting the kids ready for bed.  I was tucking Cora in and reading her a bed time story, and Tom was doing the same with Blake.  I finished with Cora and left the room.  Tom went in Cora's room to give her a hug and kiss and to tell her good night.  Well he walked in the room, and there's Cora, laying in her bed, she puts her arms out wide and says, "Come here big guy!"

A couple weeks ago, per a friend's recommendation, we went to the Applegate Bar for pizza.  We took the kids and dined in, which was nice because we were the only customers in the bar.  The kids had fun playing pool and the stuffed animal/claw/rip-off game. ;-)  Anyway, we had a great time and the pizza was fabulous.  I think we might become "regulars"!!

The another night at dinner, we were talking about all kinds of things and the conversation got to the topic of rings.  Cora looked at my hands and asked me if the only rings daddy had ever given me were the two on my hand.  I told her that I have one other one, but since it's a pearl ring, I only wear it for special occasions.  Without skipping a beat, Cora says, "Oh, like when we go to the Applegate Bar?"

Then...the other morning, Cora comes in our room to wake us up and says with a hoarse voice, "Momma, my voice is a little rusty this morning."  She is just toooo cute!!!

Blake is still doing a great job in school.  He came home yesterday and proudly told us that he was the only person in his whole class that got 100% on his math test!!  He has also been acing nearly every spelling test he has taken this year.  We are so proud of this young man!

Nose picker

I've got to share this one before I forget about it!  The other night I was cuddling with Cora on the couch when she gets up and says, "I have to go to my room for something."  She walks away and returns less than a minute later.  She is watching me and has a look of 100% guilt on her face.  I said, "what did you do Cora?"  Her response without skipping a beat, "Sorry momma, I had to pick my nose."  Too funny!!!!

Another snow day today after the school releasing the kids at noon yesterday.  Probably another one tomorrow since it's supposed to be -20 windchill :-(. It's time for the kids to get back to their routine!

Snow days #9 & 10

Another snow day today...#9 and we were notified before 3 pm today that there is no school again tomorrow.  Although I am saying snow day, it's actually because of the low temperatures.  I think the high tomorrow is 5 and with all the windchills, I think the low is like -30.  Crazy!!  

So this morning Blake gets up and asks if he has school (that's how common snow days are).  Tom told him that he did.  Blake's respons - "Awesome!  Not that I don't want to go to school, Dad, but if we keep having snow days, I'll get to celebrate my birthday at school!!!!!"  

Today was our big day - we signed papers and the old house is officially sold!!  What a huge relief this is!!!  So very thankful!!!! :-)

Welcome 2014

Just like that, we are almost a month into 2014.  I went through my 2013 pictures and got them all organized and ordered so I can start scrapbooking the year.  What a great year we had!!  Some of the things I'm looking forward to scrapbooking include Blake's broken thumb, our hold house and the new house, Blake playing T-ball, Cora's dance pictures, camping in Caseville, swim lessons, Blake's 6th birthday and Cora's 4th birthday, visit to GR, Detroit Zoo, our 11th anniversary, the kids' first day of school, Cora riding her bike with no training wheels, Halloween, New Years and of course Christmas!  Phew...what a busy but fun year we've had!!

I've never before looked forward to a Monday like I am to this coming Monday.  We sign papers for the sale of our old house!!  We are so happy that it sold fairly quickly in this market.  I made a comment the other day to a friend, saying that "we are so lucky!!".  She corrected me by saying, "Shannon, you aren't lucky....you are blessed."  Very true.

Michigan weather has been a little crazy this winter. Blake has already had 8 snow days!!  And January isn't even over yet.  He had 5 days all in a row right after Christmas break (therefore having a full 3 weeks off of school!) due to a snow storm that we had which had lasting affects of icy roads for awhile.  GreenStone even closed the office for 2 straight days, which was a first!!  It's also been extremely cold (negative temperatures) with high winds, which makes it that much harder to bear!  Oh well, just thankful that we have a warm (and well insulated) house! :-)

That's about all the news fit to print for today.

Fall random photos

I can't help but laugh every time I see this photo!!

I think they really do love each other!

Jess and I at our 15 year reunion.

Halloween 2013

Cora's field trip to the library.

Taking a break from our walk in the woods

Grandpa and Cora shooting the BB gun

Blake shooting the BB gun.

Swim lessons

The kids finished up their 6 week session of swim lessons in November.  They are both doing a great job getting used to the water.  Blake can swim all the way across the shallow end without touching bottom!!  Cora is also doing a great job but is not quite swimming on her own.  It won't be long though!  They go to swim lessons at Katie Tovar's in Sandusky.

Blake funnies

While I'm thinking of these, I figure I better jot them down!

When Blake went to the doctor for his six year check up back in August, his dad took him.  One of the things the doctor asked him to do was draw a picture of someone.  Apparently they have to assess how many body parts he associates with the person....I think they are loking for a head, 2 eyes, a nose and a mouth.  Well...Blake is a bit of an overachiever apparently....He proceeded to draw a picture of his dad.....sitting on the toilet!!  Apparently the doctor had no problem figuring out what he drew!!  Phew...glad I didn't take him to that appointment!

We were at church a couple of weeks ago and at one point Blake leans over and whispers to me, "Mom....when's it going to be Black Forehead Friday?"  I bit my tounge trying to hold back the laughter and said, "Do you mean Ash Wednesday?"  He thought for a second and says, "oh yeah!"