A Dobbins' Day

We went to another fun activity at the library for Valentines Day.  The librarians had set up a "restraunt" for us.  We got to pick 3 items from the menu and then they served us.  We didn't know what we were getting because the menu had items like: The Cat's Meow (milk), Frosty's Delight (icecream) and Mouse's Treat (a cookie: like the book If you give a Mouse a Cookie).  Hunter chose ice cream but didn't choose a spoon!  It was a lot of fun!

The kids started their Valentine morning with cards and treats from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Rebecca.  After dinner they got a box of chocolates from Mom and Dad.  It was so hard to capture a picture of all of them!  Either somebody wasn't looking at me or else they were being silly and it ruined the picture! Audrey and Hunter made valentine boxes for their class parties.  Hunter made and i-pod and Audrey made this robot.  Cannon also had a party at school, but didn't need to bring a decorated box.  They all said that they had fun and way too much sugar!  We made cards that said "I hope your Valentines is colorful"  We made colorful crayons by taking our old crayons and chopping them up and remelting them in a mini muffin tin.  So their friends would have a fun crayon to color with and I didn't have to buy candy (which they obviously got too much of anyway!) My Sweetheart was in Las Vegas visting with Isaac, but I had a fun day wi...

We went to storytime at the library one afternoon because the kids were out of school.  They were celebrating Clifford's birthday.  I couldn't believe that he is 50!  Crazy!  They read some Clifford books, played some games and had some cupcakes.

 Hunter loves to hold Maggie and just (gently) squeeze her and love on her.  While I took their picture, Cannon popped over the top of the chair and peek-a-boo'ed them!  Not sure about his smile, but he didn't want to be left out, so I snapped his picture too!  These kids are a lot of fun.

I've started a "Biggest Loser" contest with some friends from church.  So far I haven't seen much change, but I do feel a small difference in the way I can move my body.  My goal, besides losing weight is to have a healthier lifestyle.  I'm doing things that work for me and my life at this stage.  I don't enjoy exercising, but I've been doing it.  I've found that I like yoga a little.  I can stretch and move and feel stonger.  I've done some strengthening exercises I found online and I've also done some cardio videos on youtube.  A lady in our group teaches Zumba and I did that, it wasn't completly horrible, so I've done and will do it again.  Mostly I'm just trying things that will get me moving without feeling like I'm dying.  I've also been working on my diet.  Smaller portions, less sweets, more water and fruits and veggies.  I'm going slow because I really want this to by a lifestyle change, and not something that ...

We got an amazing package of  theatre tickets for kids shows as a Christmas present.  Because of our two small girls that aren't able to go we only got one adult ticket to go with the other 3 kids. The first show was an orchestra that did fun things for the kids to watch as they listened to the music.  Before the show they did some crafts.  Russell took Audrey and Cannon, unfortunately Hunter wasn't able to go because of his basketball games. Russell said it didn't really capture their attention.  I'm hoping that the next show will go better.  I think its a play so it should be more animated and interesting for them. It was a beautiful day in downtown Des Moines.  I think overall they enjoyed themselves.  I'm grateful that they get the opportunity to be exposed to some cultural events.

Russell's birthday was nice and relaxing.  Church was cancelled due to the bad ice storm, so we all got to stay in jammies and just chill.  The kids helped me make breakfast in bed.  We did french toast with fruit.  Cannon could hardly wait to open presents so we did that right away.  Then Russ just got to read in bed for awhile.  We watched movies and enjoyed spending the day together at home.  For dinner I attempted chicken parmesan.  It was good, but not great like my MIL's.  I guess I'll have to try again.  We ended the night with a yummy cake.  Happy Happy Birthday Russell!

We went to lunch group this week and they went to a cafe in Winterset, IA.  It is in Madison County, which was made famous from the movie The Bridges of Madison County.  The cafe we went to was even in the movie!  I watched the movie in college but wasn't impressed, I don't even think I finished it.  BUT I was very excited to learn the Madison County is the county right next to us and Winterset is only like a half hour away. The town of Winterset was really cute and I want to go back and explore some of the shops and things to do there.  They had a beautiful courthouse that Coral insisted was her castle.  The rest of the day she was a princess and wanted to go to her castle.  She even said there was a froggy in the pond!  When Russell came home she told him that he was the prince and that he should take her to the castle.  Where does she come up with this?  Can't wait to go back! After lunch we stopped at a covered bridge on o...