Basketball Night

Last night we enjoyed an evening at the men's UND basketball game. A couple from church shares their season tickets with church staff when they cannot attend. Last year we went to quite a few games. This was only our second this year. We only stay until half time, but it is a fun night!

Timothy enjoying the pregame bounce house!  He gets to take a turn at half time too.

Teresa and Troy waiting for the game to start.

Teresa cheered for UND and checked to make sure Troy is clapping too.  She loved to clap and did so whenever she heard anyone clap for anything.

Timothy snuggles with me--all smiles as it is almost time to go to the bounce house again!

International Dinners

A few weeks ago I had an idea.  I warned Troy that the preschool teacher in me was about to come out.  After noticing how much Timothy loves his Disney Cars toys, I wanted to use them as a learning tool.  Many of the toys are from Cars 2 and originate from different countries.  Then I had a inspiration after reading in a Family Fun magazine about trying foods from around the world.  What if we had dinners featuring foods from countries the cars were from?!  Troy liked the idea too and offered to kick it off with an Italian night.  And thus began our weekly international dinners.

So far we have eaten
Italian...a big hit with everyone. (Spaghetti and meatballs)
Japanese...Timothy liked the noodle dish, but wouldn't touch the sushi even though it was a california roll.  Teresa handed her entire meal back to me untouched.  (Udon noodle stir fry and California rolls)
French ... another big hit with everyone.  (Ratatouille, french bread, brie cheese, and crepes for dessert)
German... TImothy liked some of it.  Teresa ate nothing except pretzel sticks. (Brats, German potato salad, muenster cheese, saurkraut, brussel sprouts and black forest brownies)
Israel...(this got thrown in due to Troy's travels to Israel not the Cars movie.)  Timothy liked the pita bread, and Teresa ate bread and a little falafel. (Falafel and pita with salad)

Some upcoming dinners will be Brazilian, English, Spainish.  It has been a very fun family activity.  Troy also tries to find some sort of music to play on his ipod during dinner.  Both kids really enjoy the added music.  Even when we are done with the Cars connection, perhaps we will keep trying some new foods just for fun!

February fun

What adds a little fun to a snowy weekend in February?

 Beautiful flowers from a sweet husband.  His way of saying thanks for watching two kids while he spent two weeks in Israel.

A little indoor tenting.  Timothy and Teresa enjoy there snack in a tent made of blankets and chairs.  Timothy doesn't have much of a smile (as usual) but they both enjoyed the tent all afternoon.

Happy Valentine's Day

It has been a happy heart day for us even though we are missing Troy.  We started the day with some yummy pink heart pancakes and strawberry smoothie.  Timothy was rather intrigued at how the pancakes got the pink in them.  (Food coloring does amazing things!) 

We had Valentine's to open from Troy and Grandmas.  Teresa got three valentine's with dogs on them.  Can you guess who likes dogs?  And she was thrilled with each one.  Grandma Judy had sent a care package and Timothy got a color change car.  So our water has been running a lot today...hot then cold, hot then cold!  And she also sent some window clings with animals.  So we have a very decorated window and a happy little animal lover!

Timothy has his school party this afternoon where he gets to hand out his superhero lollipops and I am sure get a bunch more candy that we do not need.  But it will be a fun day to return to school after a two week absence due to sickness and travel.

Tonight our fun continues.  Troy sent me a pizza gift card and even money to cover delivery.  (Now that is a sweet husband!)  And I promised Timothy we could go get some ice cream from Coldstone and watch a Valentine show after dinner.  Wow..the fun is non-stop!

Valentine Smiles

Coloring pictures from Daddy.

A Valentine package!

Another Valentine package!

Playing with markers while Timothy colors.

It has been a good day.  It could only be better if my Valentine was here with me.