Leap Day 2020

Four years ago for Leap Day I wrote a post to mark the moment ~ and here we are at another Leap Day and another snapshot memory post.

Lisbeth is days away from being 12; crazy about corgis by day and dragons by night.  A wonderful student, she recently performed a solo in the Variety Show. Minecraft and drawing are her favorite things to do with free-time, with Wings of Fire her go-to book series. Gymnastics and Math are faves sport and subject wise.  Has taken a break from biking to school for the winter but enjoys biking when the weather allows to meet up with friends at the local Rita.  Currently wants to be a math teacher career-wise.

Liam is 9 1/2; a foodie who loves Pokemon, BattleClaw, and BeyBlades.  Has a good circle of friends to make 3rd grade a bit more fun though would prefer a bit less handwriting. Still loves to run whenever possible, played soccer in the fall and is considering Little League for the spring.  As a Bear Cub he had fun competing in the Pine Box Derby and is looking forward to earning is pocket knife card.  Recently big into Duck Tales and Looney Tunes; treasuring the times when he and Dad can watch some videos together. Currently wants to be a carpenter (specifically cabinet builder) when he grows up.

Caitie is 7; having fun in first grade learning to spell all the words and read all the books.  Enjoying her ballet/tap class, she is also contemplating learning to ride her bike without training wheels this spring.  Loves painting, drawing and playing with Kinetic sand.  As a co-owner of a new iPad when it is her turn to watch she likes Youtube kids and short clips from a wide variety of shows from old favorites to new finds.  Career plans in flux, but largely focused around art and animals.

We have been in this house for a 5 1/2 years and are in the midst of construction of an addition adding a much needed first floor bathroom. While growing tired of the dust and confusion, am looking forward to an added bathroom hopefully before too long.

Happy Leap Day 2020!!

Open Book ~ Feb'20

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is the story of Count Alexander Rostov who in 1922 was placed on 'house arrest' in the Hotel Metropolis.  The book tells the story of the next forty years of his life and the changing tides in Moscow.  While a bit slow to start as the author is world-building; it is the most lovely story of community and unexpectedly a life well lived.

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain is based on the life of Beryl Markham an English child raised in Kenya early in the twentieth century.  A real life trail blazer who broke barriers, first becoming a top horse trainer and later a pilot.  While choppy in places I really enjoyed the author's take on this fascinating time and place; including people familiar to anyone who has read or seen 'Out of Africa'.  

Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book!

What is currently Saving My Life ~ Winter '20

Happy February! After a crazy couple of weeks filled with Scouting and School activities I'm happily linking up with  Modern Mrs Darcy and sharing what is keeping me smiling and the blues at bay.

• Reading always and forever Amen! Joining challenges and stretching my reading muscles, revisiting old favorites and finding them welcoming; and following book blogs where I find suggestions and companionship amongst the virtual bookshelves.
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• Journaling prayers, gratitude and daily occurrences not to be lost in the craziness.
• Seeking out a good series to binge and watching a couple episodes with Dr Daddy in the evenings once the kiddos are tucked.  Currently Doc Martin and Good Bones.
• Lighting a candle or two in the evening.
• Weekly visit to a local coffee shop and making a cup of tea as we start homework.
• And seeking out 'what makes it better' for my people.  For example, finding a warm Chai waiting makes the winter morning a bit easier to face for the resident tween: which in turn makes the getting out the door routine smoother for everyone.

What is saving your life this winter?