February Activities

We have all found a "latent passion" for new things this month. (It has not included salsa dancing, however.)
Ruthie has discovered her toes and her voice. She spends much of the day rolling around and playing with her piggies. She also babbles and blows raspberries and drools like there is no tomorrow. When she greets someone, she beams up at you and then has to touch your face. It is just a Ruthie thing, a little bizarre.
Seth has discovered a new love. Puzzles are always number one, but Play-Doh is the new fad. Seth played with Play-Doh for five hours straight one day this week. He didn't stop for a snack, a show, a puzzle, or even a potty break--which doesn't really matter since he is clueless on this concept anyway. He only stopped to show you his new creation and then he was right back and the counter making something new. (Anna enjoyed it as well--notice her pink flamingo--but got bored after the first hour.)
Anna and I have shared the same passion this month: High School Musical and High School Musical 2. Yes, we are late comers to the fan-mania, but we have spent all month singing the songs at the top of our lungs and learning all of the dance moves. I'm so glad I have a five-year-old to share my hidden desire with of being the next American Idol/Dancing with the Stars hit singer/dancer. With Anna, I can just let it all go and she thinks I'm wonderful. The second Rob walks in the door, I mute up. (By the way, Hannah Montana is also a huge favorite around here.)
Rob has been into economics and politics. (How exciting!) Actually, we both completely ignored the kids on Super Tuesday and watched the polls come in. We also watched the State of the Union. When Seth came in and saw George W. on the TV he exclaimed, "That's my cowboy!" I guess they share a common background, both being Texans. I won't bore you with the economics details. However, Rob did get accepted to BYU's EMBA program and will be starting this summer. I guess we'll be having more economics discussions around here for the next two years. (Yeah, me.)

Snowed In

I finally decided to get into the whole blogspot thing. I've been waiting for Rob to update our site, but after a very boring, very cold month, I figured I should find something productive to do with my time.

We returned from our marvelous trip in Mexico over the holidays to a very snowy and depressing winter. Vacation is wonderful, but it is always hard to come back to real life. Luckily we had a few things to look forward to. We celebrated Rob's 29th Birthday (next year is a big one), and Seth's 3rd Birthday. Rob's birthday wouldn't have been complete without a dark chocolate cake.
Seth's Birthday was quite the riot--a Backyardigans theme. We played musical spots and had a treasure hunt to find puzzle pieces. The puzzle, of course, made it a big hit in Seth's case. Grandma and Grandpa Tidwell were very good sports. As Seth was blowing out his candles, he began getting frustrated. The harder he blew the more spit he let fly. He finally yelled out, "Look out below!" and succeeded not only in blowing out the final candle but leaving a nice puddle on the cake as well. I don't know who started this marvelous tradition, but obviously it was not someone with children under the age of five. Next year we will be making two separate cakes.

Seth at Three Years Old

My only accomplishment for the month was to finish my snowman quilt, a project I started four years ago. It actually has been rather relaxing--a good break from the exercising and strain that my uncle Shane has been putting us all through. Despite the dreary winter, it has been nice to have an excuse to stay in my pajamas, stay home, watch shows with the kids (High School Musical has been the big hit around here) and just do nothing. Spring better come soon, however. I am not one to sit idle for too long.