Cerveza Mas Fina

Another wicked week at work. Rewarded myself for surviving with some Dos Equis. Muchas gracias, Self. I needed that! Gracias a Dios hoy es Viernes!

Smiling Coffee (March 4)

Had an early morning work function today and didn't have time for coffee at home before I left. I stopped at the Burger King drive-thru for a cuppa joe. When I got ready to get a sip, I looked down and my cup was winking and smiling at me. Made me giggle.

Treasures from Oma (March 3)

The kids got a big package from Oma and Opa (my grandparents) today in celebration of their birthdays this year. Max got one of Opa's old hard hats, some rocks and a book about Columbus. Natalie got some clay figurines that Opa bought in Chile from his work travels back in the 70's, a silver necklace and a pearl bracelet. Ella got a hat, two purses and a scarf for dress up. These kiddos were so excited and had such a great time with Oma and Opa's treasures.

Breakfast for Dinner

Comfort food was in order for dinner tonight as this day sucked like no other. All healthful eating habits and preparation are thrown to the side with reckless abandon as I fried up farm fresh eggs, threw some hash browns in the skillet and baked off some Pillsbury crescent rolls. As I put the plates together, I gave no thought to the presentation. When I got to the table, Natalie had made a few creative adjustments to her plate. "Mom! I've got your photo of the day right here!" Her breakfast "face" made me smile and suddenly that sucky day seemed a bit further away as the table talk turned to other more important things that happened in the lives of the Wohlgemuths today. Breakfast for dinner is a beautiful thing.

Busy Calendar

So you think your calendar is busy? We have two of these dry erase calendars in our kitchen area. One is filled out for the current month and the other is filled out for the following month. This has been so helpful in coordinating two working parents' schedules as well as three kids in school, sports, etc. Since today was the first of March, we took down February and erased it so we could fill out the calendar for April. I usually do this when little people are sleeping, but tonight decided to do it right after dinner. I had lots of helpers while filling out the calendar. I really liked how it turned out. I think this will be a regular event now. Every time I look at it, I smile.

Spring??

Could this be photographic evidence that Spring is on its way? It warmed up above freezing today and the sun was out. We were coaxed out of doors for a brisk walk around the block at an attempt to blow off some of the couped up grumpiness we all have been experiencing for the past several weeks. When what to my wandering eyes should appear, but the fuzzy buds on our Bradford pear tree in the front yard. Does this mean that there actually could be a spring this year? I had pretty much given up all hope since February was so cold and gray and awful. Seeing this branch really brightened my outlook and put a bit of a spring in my step. Pun definitely intended!

Stress Relief (February 27)

I needed to de-stress from this past week at work and wanted a quick project to sink my teeth into. It needed to be something that I could actually finish and it had to be something completely non-computer related. Here they are! My first attempt at amiguri, or crochet animals, these are weird little creatures from a free pattern I picked up at Michael's. The kids picked out their yarn colors from my stash and in a couple of hours, the first guy was done. I made him for Natalie. Max liked hers so much, he wanted one, too. I am currently working on Ella's - she didn't want to be left out. Hers will be completely pink. So thankful to have a creative outlet when things get stressful! I'm going to be making a lot of these critters in the next couple of months!!!

Car Wash (February 26)

I took this picture from inside the car at the car wash. I am always facinated by the water beading up on the newly cleaned surface of the windshield and for once, I had my handy camera at my side.

Working Hard or Hardly Working

I have a great job. Today, I got to spend some quality time with some fantastic volunteers who are working hard to raise money for the chamber of commerce. This week, when we all got together to celebrate their successes, we enjoyed a beer tasting contest. What a rough job I have!

Candle Sticks

I come from a long line of extremely creative people. My crafty nerdiness is actually wired into my DNA. We've got photographers, quilters, potters, jewelry makers, miniature masters, painters, seamstresses, knitters, crocheters, sketchers, scrapbookers and more. The most recent addition to this list of skills has been my dad's woodworking. He took an interest a few years ago and is a natural. We have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of some pretty cool pieces, including these super cool candle sticks. It is an amazing talent to take a log of wood that, to me looks like fire fuel, and turn it into a beautiful piece of functional art. Thanks again, Dad, for the candle sticks and the DNA.

Working Late (February 23)

I am in a busy time at work these days and have been logging some computer time after the ol' 8-5 to try and catch up. As I was working away last night, I realized at 11:45 PM that I hadn't yet taken a photo, so I snapped this of my home "office." Sitting on comfy couch in jammies with fuzzy socks and a fire place. I guess if I have to work at home, this isn't such a bad set up. Now if I could just wear jammies during the 8-5 office time...

Fun With Foot Prints

This was what the bridge looked like this morning when I got to work. Somebody had a good time doing this. I hated to walk across it. By the time I came out at 10:30 a.m., it was gone.

Gummy Worms

Why are these things so tempting? I'm not usually much of a candy person, but I can eat a handful of these stupid things. The kids always want to get them and I finally caved and then ended up eating as many if not more than they did. Good thing I get dental benefits at work!

Rock and Roll

The kids' rocks are finally finished with their month-long journey in the rock tumbler. Do they look amazing and beautiful? To the kiddos they do. It was pretty interesting to watch how the rocks changed in the process, but they didn't come out like the brightly colored polished rocks that I always coveted when I was a kid. My kids really enjoyed documenting the before and after characteristics of the stones and hypothesizing what they would turn out like in the end. Tomorrow, we're planning some jewelry making to complete our project.

Booches (February 19)

Took a much needed break from the office on Friday and enjoyed a world-famous Booche's cheeseburger, chips and an ice cold Diet Coke. In a perfect world, I would have enjoyed this with an ice cold beer, but I did have to go back to the office.

Couch Tater

It's been a long, long week. I brought home a leftover veggie tray from work and we ate that and some cheese and crackers for dinner. Mom of the Year award selection committee should be knocking on my door any minute now. While we indulged in our fabulous din-din, we watched Olympics (I had to beg because SpongeBob was also on). We watched several ski races and before we knew it, it was WAAAYY past bed time. (Another nod for the Mom of the Year...) So we put the littles to bed and plopped on the couch for some more Olympics. I had to take a shot of the hubs in full on couch potato action. I don't care. It's been a long, long week. We need some down time.

Self Portrait (February 17)

Even though today was a sunny (but cold) day and there were many photo ops, I accidentally left my camera at home so I had to resort to some boring subject matter. The kids always complain that there aren't any pictures of me - now they'll have one. This is what I have looked like to them since their births!

It's Only a Flesh Wound (February 16)

We had an exciting day today. Natalie got clocked at Adventure Club with a wooden block and got her poor head split open. We took her to the ER because there was a LOT of blood as there always is with head wounds, but no stitches were needed. Naturally, I took a picture of it. She asked if her cut could be the picture of the day. Here you go - not for the squeamish!

When Pigs Fly

Another one of my favorite piggies. I can't really remember where he came from, but he helps me remember that sometimes the world can be an absurd place, and even the impossible can be possible. That's my deep thought for the night. As inspired by a flying pig.

The Snowy Hood (February 14)

This was taken off the back deck with the big Canon camera at about 10 p.m. There was enough light reflecting off the snow from the houses to get a decent shot of the neighborhood. I love the peaceful quietness that comes in the evening after a snow. It's almost calming. At least until the next day when you have to get up and drive around in the crap!