Birthday girl.

We surprised the birthday girl on Tuesday by picking her up from school and taking her out to Red Robin, where both Daddy and Pappi met us. Of course there was the birthday singing and balloons that will hang around our house for awhile. The rest of the day we waited for Daddy to come home so she could open presents. She made me hide them.

The first year she is reading her own birthday cards!

The ones she could remember to get to before ripping open the gifts, that is!

We surprised her with the pink guitar she's been asking for since last summer.

She's smitten. The next Carole King, I think.

6:37 - officially SIX!

Oh, so patiently waiting for chocolate-chocolate chip cake! I saw her mouth the words of her wish - she's still wishing for a magic wand with real magic.

At bedtime, there were two more presents waiting in her drawers - matching jammies for her and Lily! She was over the moon, and said over and over all day long, This is the best birthday ever!

Now we are six.

When I was One,
I had just begun. When I was Two,
I was nearly new. When I was Three,
I was hardly Me. When I was Four,
I was not much more. When I was Five,
I was just alive. But now I am Six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six now
for ever and ever. {A.A. MILNE, NOW WE ARE SIX}

Six years ago.

Six years ago I was 37 pounds heavier and waiting not-so-patiently for my first baby to be born. It was also a Friday. I didn't know I'd have to wait three more days for my water to break and then one more after that for her to come into our world.

And now she's going off to school so confident in herself, and everyday making my world so wonderful.

I love you, sweetpea.

Ruled by weather.

Just two weeks ago we still had tons of snow on the ground (don't worry it's all gone now, at least from our yard, however our silly weatherman is predicting 3-6 inches tomorrow night).All through the winter I wondered what on earth Fisher will do outside once the snow is gone.That blue shovel was like an extra appendage anytime we were outside. It was his personal mission to shovel snow all over the neighborhood. Not necessarily to do anything helpful with it, mind you, just to pick it up and dump it out.I never thought we'd get rid of waist-high piles of snow, let alone the piles that were over MY head.(Oh yes, and it was Fake Moustache Day at school, too, for April Fool's.)

It's a good thing I watched and waited for those maple blossoms, because, as I remembered, their show was short-lived, only two or three days and the wind took the whites of them clear away. But for those two or three days, it was like someone had put light bulbs in our maple tree, which for those two or three days, was much appreciated while we waited for the piles of snow to finally melt.

Save the worms.

Sunday morning I hadn't gone too far on my run before I started noticing tons of stuff in the road, and shortly after that I realized they were worms. As in hundreds of worms. As in, suddenly I was leaping over them on my tippy toes so as not to crush the survivors.

When I was home stretching, I told Alla all about it, and of course my little animal rescuer dashed out the door to save as many as she could. It wasn't long before her sidekick came out to join us.

I'm sure we saved at least a hundred worms, but when it was time to come in (I had to shower and eat, for pete's sake!), Alla was sad for the ones we couldn't save. Love that girl!

I love her.

It's a shame there's no school today because it means Alla's teacher won't be treated to one of her colorful, crazy outfits. But I will.

Lots of snuggles.

I am the lucky mama of two little snugglers. They snuggle me, they snuggle Daddy, and they snuggle each other.Which must be how they shared this lovely cold that kept Alla home from school on Monday and Fisher home today.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. My husband is the resident candy-lover in the house and seems to pride himself on new discoveries. First it was the pretzel MnM, and now it is some Dove coconut creme egg.

2. I myself think I have kicked my sugar addiction, but would not turn down my favorite Easter treat, the ever-delicious Cadbury egg, should it turn up Easter morning.

3. Alla was home yesterday from school with a downer of a cold. All the extra resting must have paid off, because she woke up this morning before her alarm, and the first thing we heard was, I feel great! She sounded so surprised and genuinely delighted. The simple things.

4. Nana and Pappi got a dog! The little guy's name is Joe and he is a really, really sweet dog. I don't throw that around either, since I really have no desire for pets of my own, however, this dog really is a good one. The kids were so sad to leave him after our dinner there Saturday evening, saying they were going to miss Joe.

5. We have happily reached the 50s, steadily, and the buds on the trees are just about ready to burst. You'd think that the actual leaves are my favorite part, but it's the burst of fuzz from the buds that glistens in the sunsets for just a few days each spring.

6. Alla and I are in the middle of the second Little House book. I didn't read the series as a kid, so I'm invested in it now. When we started last summer, and then [she chose to] put it down for awhile, I was certain that after Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it wouldn't hold her attention. I mean, a whole chapter on how Pa builds the chimney for heaven's sakes? But Laura Ingalls Wilder knew her audience because my daughter is hooked, I tell you. I want to get through three more this summer so we can read The Long Winter during our next long winter.

7. Today was the first day the snow mound in the front yard was low enough to allow the swing to fly high without feet dragging across the snow on your way down, so Fisher wanted to swing, swing, swing, beary high.

8. This week's swimming update: only five minutes of crying!

9. The kids and I had a brief discussion while making dinner this evening about going to school every [single] day when you're in kindergarten, to which Fisher responded by crinkling up his nose and saying, But I will miss you! I don't want to go to Pinewood.

10. Trying to think of a poignant and enchanting and perfect book for Alla's sixth birthday...stay tuned.

Kids at the counter.

They're up there for lots of different reasons. To help assemble muffin tins. To play with water and cups and spoons spread across dish towels. To bake muffins or cookies or cakes. To make Pizza Friday.

I'm just glad they're up there with me.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. This shall be my last Ten on Tuesday for March 2011. Let it be stated for the record that we still have plenty of snow on the ground, 2-3 feet on our driveway corner, but it's thinning elsewhere and we can see bits of mushy grass. I even saw daylilies shooting out of the ground this afternoon, poor things. 2. I do believe we have a birthday party theme for Miss Alla - we've been hard at work since February. She takes a long time to decide things. 3. I am really good at making sure the kids have nice-looking clothes. I am really horrible at making sure I have the same. 4. I despise shopping. Perhaps that has something to do with #3. 5. The kiddos started swim class last week and couldn't be more opposite in their attitudes toward it. Alla has no fear, jumps right in. Fisher sobbed for the entire 30-minute lesson. This week, however, he only cried for ten minutes before appearing to actually enjoy himself. 6. We tend to have breakfast foods for dinner these days, what with one of us running on each weekend day. Tonight: Dutch Baby. Put 1/4 cup butter in a glass pie pan in a 425 degree oven. Put three eggs and 1/2 cup milk in a blender. Blend. After it's mixed up, add in 1/4 cup flour and blend again. Once butter is melted, pour in flour-egg-milk mixture and bake for 18 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup. Good for Mother's Day. No one can mess this up. 7. This afternoon Fisher asked me if I was wearing my "work-it" clothes. Yes, buddy, I'm going to work it. 8. Last night we had taquitos for dinner. Alla loved them so much she decided she'd like those for her birthday. She also decided that last night's dinner would be the topic for her writing journal today. Something about how much she liked the 'dkeetos.' 9. Spied on Pinterest: "You're my favorite reason to lose sleep." Have to remind myself of that next time I'm changing pee-pee sheets at 12:14 am. 10. Fisher spied a picture of three-year-old Alla at the Mall of America, when she met Dora the Explorer, and he told me he can't wait to meet the real Dora, too.

Spring break activities.

The beginning of spring break around here was super exciting, let me tell you. I mean, little stuff like the library and an oil change really fired these kids up. So a mini-outing to our local nature center was almost over the top. Easy to please kiddos. This nature center is nothing special. I hadn't been since Alla was two, and it was clear that nothing had changed. No matter. She didn't remember it, and Fisher hadn't been. So it was awesome. Fisher busied himself with the doctor kit, giving shots to stuffed animal foxes.

Alla tamed an eagle.

They told me knock-knock jokes while I took their picture.

Apparently they were hilarious, because the next thing I knew, Alla was knocking down an adult-sized skeleton.We headed off to the carwash then, you know the kind where you get to stay in your car.

I tell you, they thought this was super-duper and asked to go again.

We didn't, of course, but I have that one filed away and we'll revisit it again. A pretty good thrill for $2.99.

First sleepover.

Lest you think the firsts come to a close after the first three or four years, I have another for you: first sleepover.

Lily (the Bear) was packed into Alla's arms, and her Mystery Machine suitcase was loaded into the car for our five minute drive to her dear friend Leigha's house. Of course, Leigha. Leigha, who was Alla's first friend here in Minnesota. They truly hold special places in their hearts for one another. That Leigha. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that she was ready and thrilled. (I missed her, I feel that must be said. Her bed was too empty.) This was all the photo I could capture, she was so quick to begin the thing.Fisher didn't quite know what to do with himself. He said to her as she hugged him goodbye, Sleep good so you can play with me [tomorrow].

And then to me, with all that love in his heart, I'm really happy.

Ten on Tuesday: Fisher's third birthday.

1. My son, my youngest babe, turned three on Saturday. As soon as someone would wish him a Happy Birthday, he would say the same to them.

2. My daughter, my oldest, has the warmest,kindest spirit. She gets just as excited for his birthday as he does. She can't wait for him to see what the day holds. 3. It held his very own CAT front-wheeler. Come spring, this little boy is going to be digging and dumping.

4. Alla chose her most festive outfit for the special occasion.

5. We had some special guests! Nana and Pappi, Aunt Jenn, Uncle John, and cousin Ashton.

6. It's hard to resist finding a moment for a photo with my sweet son.

7. He had all of us watch the Mighty Machines DVD he opened.

8. My girl again, so happy that it's time to sing to her little brother. She made sure all of the important stuff happened for him on his big day.

9. Fisher was super excited about singing time, too, until he saw that thing on his cupcake, that candle, and once he blew it out, he promptly asked us to get it off. And then ate half the cupcake before deciding he didn't really like it. You're picky about desserts, little man.

10. I'd post his official 5:46 pm photo here, but as it turns out, at 5:45 pm he got up from the dinner table and ran to the potty, so that when the clock struck the official minute of his birth, he was mid-pee. That's my boy.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Fisher and Alla both asked for milk. Alla told Fisher he was allergic to her milk, and I clarified that his milk was called soymilk. Alla then asked if it came from "soycows."

2. We are in the midst of spring break here - and what a fun time we are having. I'm so glad my kids are easy to please. Day one: Fisher's three-year check-up, get gas, then spend an hour at Half-Price Books. Day two: meet friends at a different libray, then get an oil change. And, no kidding, they are telling me all the time - That was fun! Tomorrow we're getting a car wash. Hold onto your hats.

3. It is raining here. While that might not seem like news to some, we haven't seen rain since probably early November. So it's news here.

4. Fisher weighs 37 pounds and is 38 inches this week before his third birthday.

5. Everyone has their own idea of what signals spring. For me, seeing daffodils at Trader Joe's is a significant sign. For Alla, apparently, it's bugs. Yesterday she ran in the house shouting that she'd found the first box elder of spring!!!! And it's now living in her bug jar on her nightstand.

6. I'm telling you, it is non-stop fun around here.

7. I dread being awakened in the middle of the night because it can be hours til I can get back to sleep. And I'll almost certainly have to get up and have a bowl of cereal.

8. I love days when dinner is in the crockpot. If the rain lets up I may get to run later, and I won't have to worry about dinner!

9. Fisher is expanding his interests to Diego now, which I suppose isn't that big of a stretch from Dora, but still.

10. Next time I do a Ten on Tuesday post, I'll have a big three year old. Sigh.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. Every week at school, Fisher chooses a toy and a book from the library to borrow. Every week he chooses a backhoe or dump truck or loader, and a book about diggers.

2. Alla asked for piggies this morning, and I was so happy that my almost-six-year-old wanted pigtails in her hair. And a headband. That girl doesn't go anywhere without a headband.

3. We went to her school for conferences last night and her teacher told us that Alla is "colorful" and "free-spirited," and if you know Alla at all, you know these descriptors to be spot-on. She actually told us that she looks forward to seeing what Alla will be wearing when she walks in the room each morning. This is most certainly because she could be wearing three different shirts, all in different colors, a dress, tights, a pair of socks, and among all of this there will likely be at least three different patterns.

4. Alla and I went to a friend's roller-skating party Saturday morning and had a BLAST!

5. Oh, yes, my good friends the Army Wives are back!

6. That means Friday Night Lights won't be far behind.

7. Our family eats so much granola that I have to make it at least once a week!

8. I have three books on my nightstand: Belong to Me, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting. I was on a roll, and then got busy thinking about the upcoming birthday.

9. The upcoming birthday also means a visit from Uncle John, Aunt Jenn, and cousin Ashton!

10. It also means that pretty soon there will be a three year old in the house.

Mornings.

This is where I like to start our mornings. Me and the kids all snuggled up together.

School has a way of getting in the way of that, what with it having a designated start time and all.

I should add here that it could work, if my daughter wasn't the complete opposite of a morning person, having to be completely dragged out of each bed she flops into.
Somehow, she does wind up with clothes on her body, and food in her belly, before the bus shows up. And when the weekend rolls around, I try to stockpile a few extra snuggles to get me through the week.