Lice.

This was one of the worst weekends as a parent… we got an e-mail from Maggie’s school on Friday that one of the students had head lice.  Later found out that it’s one of her best buddies, and got some visual confirmation when she came home from school.  We spent Friday and Saturday treating her hair and then re-checking and re-checking… cleaned every possible thing that could be cleaned – I’m scared to see our water bill this quarter!  

All weekend - "get away from your sister!" and "Don't
touch her head!"

Sunday we decided to visit a “lice boutique” (gross, but really a brilliant business plan) to get all of us checked…  Thank goodness we did because Maggie still had 15 nits and one bug (thankfully the rest of us were clear).  They gave her the lice treatment, and also turned on Moana to occupy the girls.  It was pricey, but I would go back in a heart beat if this ever happens again – finally have some peace of mind!

The only person I know who would smile while
getting treated for lice

 Jamie and his Dad spent the rest of Sunday demolishing our kitchen floor!  I’ve hated the cracked, ugly tile since we moved in – so excited for the change, and so grateful for their hard and dusty work!  I’m hopeful that it will all get done this week, even though everyone I talk to tells me to plan on at least double the schedule. 

The girls and I escaped to Grammer and Pops’ for dinner, and the Rabines came too.  Lots of fun for the kids – just love how they entertain each other!

Playing cards.  They make up the rules.

Pops pelting the kids with snowballs

 Earlier last week we celebrated Uncle Jason’s birthday with dinner and cake!  Poor guy couldn’t get any space from the kids while eating cake and opening presents.

mmm... kid spit...

Adores her godfather

Pooped people in plaid

Valentines Day was kind of a downer this year since it fell on Ash Wednesday.  However, Maggie was thrilled to get her ashes at school, and sobbed hysterically when I washed them off at bath time.  

Our holy little preschooler

Grandma took the girls to Maggie’s preschool on Tuesday for their valentines party.  Apparently Evie was pretty timid and shy during story-time on the carpet, and Maggie held her hand and kept reassuring her – love these girls.

Maggie's class (plus Evie)

Shredding the slopes

We took the girls sledding on Sunday after church, such fun!  My body was definitely sore the next day, but we had a great time!

We started with sledding, then played on a very slippery playground, and then made a huge snowman.  Afterward we got some hot cocoa and then us girls all took a nap (while daddy graciously shoveled the driveway).

You forget how much fun sledding is!

Sledding with Daddy

Biggest snowman I've made in a while,
complete with a creepy mustache?

The construction crew

Loving the great outdoors

Maggie and Evie LOVE singing... like all. the. time.  Here's Maggie's "Months of the Year" song from school... followed by Evie's rendition:

Uncles make the best seats

Girls Night

Jamie had some of his buddies over last Saturday for a snobby beer tasting, so I took the girls on a girl-date!  We went downtown, had some pizza, dessert at Astoria, and then headed home for a bubble bath and movie in Mom and Dad’s bed – such luxury!  We had a great time, the girls were really well behaved and fun to be with!

Lovely conversations, such as, "saying toot is more polite
than saying fart"

These girls devoured a pizza!

Strolling the streets of Royal Oak

Maggie really wanted a picture by the lit-up tree

This is the life... if only they would make room for me!

In other news - Maggie is done with physical therapy – woo hoo!  We are supposed to keep working on some strengthening exercises, but it will be so nice to have our Monday evenings back to normal!  Evie also likes to work on exercises, like jumping!

Snow fun

We had some beautiful weather recently, so we hurried to make a couple snowmen before all the snow melted! 

Working on the snowgirl's hair

  

Evie's creation (with some help)

 

Caesar!

 

Evie pretty much wanted to keep poking sticks into her snowman

  

Aunt Amy went to VIP day with Maggie at school in the fall... a little late, but they finally sent us their photo:

Proud niece

 It's been a quiet January, not much to report!  Here's a few photos from the week:

Maggie's drawing of our family
with Grandma

Legos have taken over my house...

Snuggle buds

These sweet girls love to crack each other up

And they'll cut you if get in their way

 

Fabulous Maggie

Uncle Jason makes a great chair

Grandma and Grandpa on their way to Vegas!

Building memories... and bears

This past weekend we took the girls on a family date for dinner, Build-a-Bear and ice cream.  We needed some family time!

Evie's new lion, Rainbow

Daddy was beyond thrilled when Maggie
chose Rey from Star Wars

Warming her lion's heart

Rainbow had three "baths" while we were there

mmm tomato soup

I believe that all dates should end with ice cream

Cuties

Mooching Mama

We also went out for dinner with Grammer and Pops at Great Lakes Crossing last weekend, and so the girls got a chance to ride the carousel:

Still a huge fan of horses

Feeling very grown up

Some others:

Maggie hanging with Noelle at PT

The face of stubborness

Sick day at home

Jamie Ross and his happy clouds

Back to the real world

Well, we're all back to work/school/daycare - boo!  I had such a nice Christmas break, and it's hard getting back to all the busy schedules!

Back to the grind

Maggie went to see her orthopedist over break... I swear this guy has a different opinion of her feet every time we go there.  This time he wanted us to see a neurologist to make sure there is no neuropathy.  I figured it was a waste of time (and it was!), but we made the appointment and ruled it out.  Maggie is doing really well at physical therapy, and they think she'll be finished there in a month.

Such a little ham

Serious photo at the neurologist

Evie is also doing great!  I feel like we've finally moved past the hitting stage, and it's really rewarding to see her restraining herself from hitting and trying to calm herself down when she gets angry.  She still loves Moana, baby dolls, singing, and anything Maggie is doing.  I just love this age, she's so sweet and curious and smart.

We got new phones, and are a little 
obsessed with the portrait camera function...

All smiles

Tough girl

Bananas for bananas