February

February started with a beautiful snow.  Lucy was already asleep and the rest of us were settled in for bed when I decided that it was a perfect night to have a little fun in the snow.

I'll never forget the look on Charlie's face when I asked if he could get out of his PJ's and put on his snow clothes so we could go outside for awhile.  We walked around our neighborhood, made snow angels and tracked some rabbit trails.  He kept asking if it was so crazy that we were outside at night. I assured him that we were two wild and crazy people.  Unfortunately, the SNL reference was lost on him, but it was one of those nights that I hope to remember for a long time.

We did manage to have some time outside the following day as a family of four but I failed to snap a picture.

 The rest of the month was pretty mundane - we had hair cuts and confirmed that Miss Jenn's hair spray is the best for creating spike-y hair and that even when wearing a toddler-sized cape, Lucy is a shorty.

Post hair-cut looks.  Lucy was amazed at Miss Jenn's use of a curling iron and the end results.  Don't get used to it girlfriend, we keep it real simple here.

We headed to the Quad Cities so that the kids could have some time with Mike, Molly and the girls while I went to a baby shower.  Fun with cousins always makes for a great weekend!

Charlie and Emma sharing a quick snuggle before bedtime.

Checking out the antique car at the Bettendorf Children's Museum, which was awesome!

 Lucy happy to be in the driver's seat and to have Claire as a willing passenger.

 Checking out the farm section of the children's museum.

And checking out at the grocery story.  If you look closely, you'll see that the majority of Charlie's purchases were for cookies and ice cream.  I'm not sure why since I only serve fruits and vegetables at home and the kids happy eat them.

 Fighting fires is tough work but easier with help from Hannah!

 Our Friday night dance party ended as every party should - somebody wearing an empty 18 pack on their head.

 Lucy knows how to party too!

 Charlie and Lucy have their fair share of wrestling matches but luckily most turn into giggles and hugs pretty quickly.

A few funnies that I want to remember:

• Lucy has started saying "actually" pretty regularly.  "Actually, I want purple jelly."  "Actually, I want water."  She sounds very distinguished.
• Lucy is doing pretty well with potty-training.  She tends to be very impressed with any deposit that she makes and will often demand that we all "come here" to see whatever she's left in potty.  Between she and Charlie, I think that 50% of our discussions are about their various bowel movements.  If only Lucy could work in an "actually" reference during those conversations, they may seem more refined.
• Charlie is obsessed about preparing for kindergarten.  Almost every other day he'll ask BJ or I a question about what the routine will be like, how he'll know what the rules are, etc.  We've tried to assure him that there is plenty of time before kindergarten starts and that we'll get to go check everything out in a few months.  He doesn't seem to believe us.  BJ commented that it's like Charlie believes that he'll be escorted out of day care at any moment and sent directly to kindergarten without any warning.  On a positive note, if he starts whining about something we usually tell him that he'll need to do "x" before kindergarten will let him in.  The pressure seems to be working in our favor.  
• Charlie's current favorite song is "Uptown Funk" and he starts singing it at least 3 times a day.  Do you know what word is difficult to pronounce when you're Charlie?  Funk.  Do you have any guesses what his mispronunciation sounds like?  Yup.  I've encouraged him to use other words in place of "funk" but he wants to stay true to the lyrics.  In the meantime, I've requested that he keep the song to the confines of our car and house.  Let's keep it clean at daycare...for the kids.
• Finally, Charlie and I went to church last week and during the homily the priest mentioned something about Jesus dying.  Charlie's jaw dropped and he couldn't help but exclaim in louder-than-necessary-for-church-volume "what?!  Jesus is dead?  Is Jesus dead with Copper?"  I'm frankly not sure where Copper is spending his eternity but I'm certain that he is thrilled that Charlie believes Copper and Jesus are kicking it side-by-side.

February - you were good to us.  March - let's do this!