Swimming Lessons

February is flying by

After watching a 50 second video that popped up on our Facebook news feed that featured how to make Korean Pork Belly Nachos, we gladly gave into the temptation and made some for our Valentines Day dinner. The kids were more than thrilled to have macaroni and cheese 'from a box!' as they call it. We usually make it from scratch, so it was quite the treat for them. We topped the nachos off with a lemon cheese pie. It was good!

Elvis is still putting up with our demanding ownership. And liking it.

Last week was Madie's winter break, which we had circled on our calendar to do some fun family things. We went back and forth on what we ultimately wanted to do. We talked about going to a ski resort for a few days, but we decided the kids should at least learn the basics before we spend a lot of money on a get away like that. We have a few small resorts that are close by that we need to take advantage of. Also, this isn't the best year for snow. It's been very mild, overall compared to the last two years. So, Alexa came down from Dover-Foxcroft and spent a few days with us, and we tried to make the most of the limited winter by going ice skating on our bog. We have ice skates, they mine as well get more proficient with the resources we have here instead of throwing too many new sports at them at one time. Next year, we talked about going to a resort, or staying at a yurt to do some snow shoeing. We'll see what we can get the kids into by next February. We also went to Playland Adventure on Tuesday, since it was 45 degrees and pouring rain all day. The kids loved it! I was particularly impressed with Madie's courage to jump off of a 10 foot wall, down onto an inflated mat. I honestly didn't think she had it in her. Finn had a blast with the jump houses, but I think he liked the coin-operated cars more.

Finn in this pressurized tube. 

On Saturday, we took advantage of the warmer day and spent some time outside. I don't think anyone was more pleased with that than Petranella. She loves walking around in the woods, picking up sticks & tools. 

We also went for a walk down to our beach. The kids loved running around, talking in Elvis' voice, and throwing rocks in the running creek.

The Lady Madeleine

The older Lady Madeleine gets, the more fun I have with her. One thing I have been loving this school year is all the books she's been writing and illustrating. She just brought a bunch of her work home, and I am posting some of them here for you--I'll post one each day for the next few days. The class has been working on informative chapter books. This first one is the one she published for the class's publishing party. 

I give you, All About Hiking by Madeleine Watkins

  
"How to hike introduction. Have you gone on a hike before? Well, if you haven't I will teach about it.

Chapter 1: If it is windy outside, make sure you dress warm because on the top of the mountain it will be very cold.

Oh, and I forgot to say this but I just wanted to tell you why it is important to dress warm: because it is cold on top of the mountain, even in the summertime.

And in the summertime you do not have to wear a jacket. You can just wear a sweat-

shirt. And in the winter you have to wear a sweatshirt, and a winter jacket, and some snow pants, and snow shoes.  

Chapter 2: Choose a mountain and then you hike the mountain that you chose.

And choose which way to go and go the way you chose. Jordan Pond is that way and Dear Meadow is that way.

Chapter 3: And if you get lost find a sign, and then read it.

But you must stay on the trail.

Chapter 4: There can be steep rocks sometimes. To get over that is to find little handholds.

Two for you feet and two for your hands.

And then the most exciting part: climbing. So to do that you have to put one foot in your handhold and your hand in the next handhold and then you do that with the other side of your body and you go.

But not until you get to the top of the mountain. If it takes you to the top of the mountain, okay, do it. But if there is a trail go on the trail.

Chapter 5: If you fall you will be okay, just keep hiking. And if there is another place to climb, do the same thing.

I hope if you have not gone on a hike you get to go on one."

Swim Lessons

I feel like every January, we try to work with the kids on their swim skills. Madie has been in swim lessons since CA when she was 2, and when we first moved to ME. It was also part of her pre-school curriculum. We have also worked with her in multiple occasions. She has always been very cautious when it came to water and swimming. Well yesterday she swam without any floaties of any sort. I couldn't believe it! I mean, I knew she could physically do it, but I didn't know if she would overcome her fears. I had to prove to her that she could do it by challenging her to accomplish little feats. Once she gained confidence in her abilities, she really worked at getting better and didn't want to stop. It's fun to see them conquer their fears! Same thing happened with learning to ride her bike this year. I'm very proud of what she has accomplished. 

Finn has always followed Madies lead and been cautious. He has always clung to me and his floaties, but when he saw Madie swimming without floaties, something clicked. He was pretty daring, and went under water a few times. But he kept getting right back up and wanted to keep pushing himself. He needed a little more help than Madie, but he is now very interested in swimming without floaties. Big strides for these kids. I'm hoping they are swimming strong by the time summer hits. 

I left my heart in San Francisco

I went out to California for a business trip a couple of weeks ago. This is the third year in a row that I have been able to go, and I am always very happy to head out and re-connect with friends and family. I landed in Sacramento on a Sunday afternoon, and was able to connect with Indy. We met up in Vacaville at a hole-in-the-wall tacqueria, which is exactly what I was looking for. I got a super burrito with carnitas. It was great to catch up with Indy. We have literally been friends for 27 years. I have memories of going to each others houses when I was four. We lived down the street from each other, and got together a lot for play, and sleep overs. He moved about four hours away when I was in 4th grade (up to Truckee, near Lake Tahoe), and he was in 3rd grade. We initially kept in touch by faxing each other letters, and calling each other. That was how I learned to use the fax machine, and call long distance. I still have his home number memorized (530-587-8393) from calling all those years. A year after he moved, the internet boomed and we both had email accounts. I learned to use email by keeping in touch with Indy. We would take turns visiting each other every year. We kept this up through the teen years and through college, going snowboarding, surfing, and so many adventures. After my mission, college graduation, and starting my own family, contact has been minimal. We are both busy going down different roads at the moment. But I'm glad we can still get together, reminisce about the old days, and learn about where each others lives are heading. He may come out for a visit on the east coast at some point to see this island we live on that I've been talking about. I'm hoping I can continue to make trips out to California so I can stay connected with him. After all, there aren't many 31 year olds that can celebrate a 27 year friendship. 

After the tacqueria, we headed over to Fentons for ice cream. I got my fix of toasted almond. So good!

I also met up with uncle Paul and aunt Dena. We met at Chili's, in Fulton, then I did a session at the Sacramento Temple. That was probably the roughest temple session I'd ever attempted. It was an 8:00 pm session (translation: 11:00 pm in Maine), and I admittedly slept through most of it. The temple was beautiful though.

At the end of the week, I met up with Pete and Doris for dinner. I was initially going to get together with Pete on Friday for an adventure of some sort. We were thinking a hike somewhere, but hadn't totally decided. But with the impending snowmageddon storm about to hit the east coast, I had to change my itinerary to see if I could get home a day earlier. I'm glad we could still get together on Thursday night for dinner. It was really funny when I was pulling into Benicia, because I called Pete to let him know I was just getting onto the 780 heading into Benicia, and he replied "Woah, me too." But he was coming from a different direction. So as soon as I hung up the phone, I saw a glimpse of his car way up ahead and high-tailed it to get behind him. That couldn't have worked out any better, because I couldn't remember how to get to his home. We grabbed some Indian food, and had a great time. Pete and Doris are probably some of the nicest and most genuine people I've ever met.

As mentioned previously, I was trying to beat the snowmageddon. The storm was supposed to hit Friday afternoon, peaking on Saturday. This was supposed to be one of the biggest storms to hit the DC/Philly/NY area. I didn't expect to make it home because most flights heading through those cities had been cancelled. I was already making contingencies, expecting to get delayed in Arizona. When I showed up to check in at the Sacramento airport, my flight from Phoenix to Philly had been cancelled. So they re-routed me through Dallas, and I made it through. I know a lot of other people that got held up for 3-4 days, so I'm feeling like I dodged a bullet.

De-icing the plane in Philly. This was still a miracle.

My love for California and my friends and family that live there is well-documented. I'm very happy with my family and my life in Maine right now. But when you go back home after time away, there are parts of you that are rekindled and come back to life. Although California is home for me, I feel that there are parts of my life that can be rekindled if I were to head back to Houston or Rexburg as well. The same can be said for Maine if I were ever to leave. Every person and place I've encountered has left a mark of fond memories and even nostalgia.

Finn's First Ever Puzzle

This is the first puzzle Finn has put together himself. It was during quiet time in the other room--I didn't even know he was doing one until he ran out to tell me.

New year, new beginnings

Little Nella is an outdoorsy girl, and really doesn't like it when you make her come inside. This is her typical tantrum after we elected to bring her in after playing outside. She loves to toddle around, pick up and carry sticks (one for each hand, of course). She has a hard time if there are obstructions in her path, but does really well over all. Just don't ask her to come inside, unless you are ready to throw-down.

New Years Eve

We hosted our second New Years Eve party in a row. I don't know if it will become an annual event, but we really enjoy hosting friends. Mal threw together a spinach artichoke dip, nachos, meatballs, snicker doodles, just to name a few things.

Sneaky baby, climbing the step stool (that was left from one of her older siblings helping make cookies) and helping herself to some cookies. I had to capture the moment before I solved the problem.

Mallory's cousin Lincoln and his girlfriend Lindsay came over for the party. Elvis and Lincoln took turns applying mink oil on each others hid, and cuddled in the corner most of the night.

These two made it past midnight, sort of. Finn went down around 9:30, but I don't think he really fell asleep. He joined us for games around 11:00, and we all stayed up to see the new year unfold. Madie was particularly excited to stay up so late. I think it's mostly bragging rights for her friends at school.

The next morning, we went out for breakfast at a local B&B that allows 'outsiders' in for breakfast. Unfortunately, breakfast options are pretty slim in the winter in Bar Harbor. This place was fantastic, though. I can't remember when Nella is eating here, but whatever it was, sure made her a happy girl.

Yes, the annual polar bear plunge at Sand Beach. This happened. Not as cold as it was last year, but it was a respectable 37 degrees. Water temps were probably mid to low 40's. We had some new people join us for the event this year, but a few didn't return after last year. I think it's an official tradition among the Ellsworth Branch now.

Success!

We got our first snow storm! Before the new year! Since the storm, I moved as much snow as I could into a huge pile in the front yard. It's been a huge hit for sledding, snow skating, climbing...you name it.

Finn is officially in Primary, and Madie is officially in senior Primary. Nella isn't too far behind, starting nursery in April. Happy 2016!