All About the 'Stache

Cubby's work holds an annual moustache contest. Here are the "winners" (and I use the term winners very losely here)! Can you spot my two favs?

Best “Fish ‘n’ Chips” Stache

Best "Beer Drinkin'" Stache

Best “I Get Older but the Girls All Stay the Same” Stache

Best “Finger Lickin’ Good” Stache

Best “Eddie Vetter” Stache

Best “Country McGraw” Stache

Best “Country Club Pro” Stache

Best “Chaps on Hog” Stache

Best “Can’t Buy Me Love” Stache

Best “Business on the Right, Party on the Left” Stache

Best “Vivacious V for Vendetta” Stache

Best “I Swear I Didn’t Do It” Stache

Best “Narc” Stache

Best “Syrup Sippin’ Canadian Tuxedo” Stache

Best “My Voice Hasn’t Changed Yet” Stache

Best “Inconspicuously Groucho Marx” Stache

Mommy-Daughter Date

This morning I was able to accompany Emily and her preschool class on a field trip to Fontenell Forest. The weather was LESS than ideal (thunder, lightening, rain and hail!) so we mainly stuck indoors. However, they had two fun little presentations. One, using a puppet show to explain how animals use their five senses. In the other, Emily and the kids got to observe and pet a turtle and rabbit. Watching them learn and react to it all was such a treat!

The kids were also able to go downstairs where they have a little "exploratory" zone--complete with dress up---Emily loved her blue butterfly wings. We were able to go outside for all of 5 mins, and managed to see some wild turkeys! But, then it started to rain again and it was time to head back home. It goes without saying that Emily loved the bus ride. Regardless of the weater, it was a lot of fun to just hang out with my girl!

Peak-a-boo!

Mother Knows Best...

Tonight while I was tucking Emily into bed, we had the following conversation:

Emily: Mommy, I'm really tired.

Me: Yes, you had a big day today, didn't you?

Emily: You were right, I should've taken a nap today. I did need one.

The way she said it was just so darn cute. Hmmm....if only this little piece of wisdom would've clicked into place this afternoon :-). Oh well, all's well that ends well, right?

Our weekend and big get-away!

This is a catch up post so....warning: there's a lot to it! The weekend started out with a bang, or rather, and dumping of snow on Friday! The kids and I shoveled the driveway at noon and then Cubby and Christian were back at it again that afternoon! Crazy stuff--it was really beautiful though.
Valentine's Day was very lovey--the kids had made cards for Daddy and they enjoyed their little surprises as well. My mom came over in the afternoon and we were busy organizing and repurposing the basement and Christian's room--so fun (for us). Cubby made a huge fort in our bedroom and they had fun playing in that. Christian ended up a bit under the weather with his eye teeth coming in. He only wanted Grandma after naps...so sweet.

Then, on Monday, as Emily said it, "The Lindseth's are going on vacation!" My mom treated us to a night at the Great Wolf Lodge. We drove down Monday and hit the waterpark all afternoon. The kids were both weirdly sick (Emily would break out into hives whenever she got upset and Christian developed a horrible cough due to the drainage from his runny nose...from his teething.) So, that night was a rough one, but we still had a good time the next morning before heading back home. On a side note, I had both kids at the doctor's this morning--Emily's hives subside w/meds and hydrocortisone but they're not sure why they suddenly surfaced. Christian is doing better now that he is on meds--both for his cough and, as it turns out, an ear infection. Poor little guy!

Christian's favorite time: snack time!

Emily coming down a big waterslide! (Very humid in there--hence, the foggy picture)

This is the big slide she went down!

Cubby, coming down that same slide :-)

Traveling and "vacationing" with kids isn't exactly relaxing (especially when they're not feeling 100%), but, we still had a fantastic time just getting away. Emily was extremely brave and really surprised me with how much she was willing to try. (She does not like going underwater or getting a lot of water splashed in her face.) She loved going down the big fast waterslides with Cubby and I (in innertubes) and even did one by herself! Good stuff. Christian's favorite thing was this MagicQuest game that they have going through the hotel. Older kids go around playing it and there are big screens w/dragons and stuff on them. He LOVED the dragons and would drag one of us down the hall every 10 mins to see them.

Emily, making her way across the lilly pads!

Fun Timers!

The three hour car trip was just enough for my non-road warrior kids and so we definitely would like to go back again in a year or two for some more fun. Thanks, Mom!

Valentines

Today, Emily's class had their Valentine's Day party. She said it was a fun "ball party" and that she got to throw and blue ball with white polka dots for one of their games. Good stuff. Here are the Valentine's we made together. Yes, I wrote MADE. I'm really trying to be crafty. So, here are two very simple and inexpensive ideas for homemade valentines! (Courtesy of Family Fun magazine.)

Also, Emily got an early Valentine's Day surprise in the mail the other day. A month ago, we checked out the book, "The Lima Bean Monster" from the library. She was a little wary of it at first, but, was very brave and we brought it home. It is now her favorite book. Eventually, we did have to return said book to the library, but she missed it. So, it was decided that it must become a part of our collection and we ordered a copy from Amazon. Needless to say, she was very excited when it arrived! Hurray! (I am hoping that by reading this book over and over again, she'll be more prone to eating her vegetables.)

They call 'em Rainy Mondays...

The kids had some fun putting on their rainboots and jackets today (well, putting on Emily's boots and jacket). Nebraska sure is funny about its weather...maybe this truly is an early spring! (However, I know from growing up here to watch out for the late-March, mid-April snowstorms!)

Also, here are some funny little pictures of Christian eating. I'm not sure what exactly he was trying to do w/his Cheerios (maybe blow them across the table?). However, he did enjoy wearing his yogurt. Such a silly little guy!

What month is it? And, my "major award"

Yes, it's February and I had the windows open! Both yesterday and today were just gorgeous. I hope everyone within its reach was able to get outside!

Also, I finally won a prize! This morning was another "fun run" (I know, an oxymoron) out at the base. This time, Amber and I were joined by Jenn, Jessie, and Hannah. It was a much better run this month and what made it even more fun is that we all won prizes! They had a drawing and gave away gift certificates and such. Mine is to Old Navy. (Great timing too b/c the kids are totally outgrowing their clothes!) Last time, Amber and I didn't win zilch. This time, we all came away with stuff...even Jenn, who was the last one drawn, and "won" a big box of chocolates! Ha!

Two Extremely Simple (and Tasty!) Recipes

Here are two of my favorite recipes...not only are they tasty, they meet the requirements of normal, on-hand ingredients and extremely quick and simple! 'Can't go wrong with that, right?

Main Dish: Lemon-Baked Chicken (EVERYONE in my family eats this...a VERY rare thing!)
-1-1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I split the 3 breasts into halves)
-1/2-1 tsp. softened butter per breast half
-salt
-paprika
-lemon juice

Place chicken in an ungreased baking pan. Spread butter on each piece. Sprinkle pieces with salt and paprika. Drizzle with lemon juice.
Bake, uncovered, for 35-45 mins at 425 degrees. (Optional: sprinkle w/2 T of snipped parsley)

Dessert: Swedish White Brownies
2 eggs, lightly beaten
add: 1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c. flour
1 tsp. Almond extract

Mix together--pour into greased 8" square pan--sprinkle sugar on top. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 min.

Enjoy!

Oh What a Beautiful Morning...

....Oh what a beautiful day! Wow, I so want spring to be here after Saturday! Talk about gorgeous! We took advantage of the warmer temps and headed out to the zoo. Emily has been begging to go for weeks and she was just so excited to go and visit "her" sharks and rays! Here we are, soaking up some of the sun's rays!After Christian's nap (and a Mommy-daughter date to Target for Emily and me), we headed back out for some more fun right in our own driveway! Cubby was a sweetie and vacuumed out all of the cheerios, fishie crackers and fruit snacks (courtesy of Christian) of our van, while Christian "washed" the Cozy Coup and Emily and I played some baseball. I sure hope that Groundhog doesn't see his shadow tomorrow---I want an early spring!