Oh joy. For at least four days this week I have been sitting in the living room, mid morning, soaking up sun rays and being warm. And then this weekend, I left my coat in the house and went ran in errands in just my sweater. The girls rode their bikes outside today and played on their friend's swing set. It was releasing. I tried to take a picture of the first bike ride of the year, but I forgot my camera was on video and the memory card was almost full, so I got a nice 9 second video of the event. You can watch it below. With this little warm hiatus, I can make it through February now.

And since all my technology is back in working order, I also posted some pics for your enjoyment. The first three are paper dolls that H drew. One is her, one is K, and one is T---can you tell which is which? Then there is K at the inauguration, and a picture of H and her three missing teeth. She was so pumped to lose a tooth, then two, the natural way, as opposed to having her sister bang them out with her head. H told me she looks like a Jack-O-Lantern. She thinks it is cute and loves to drink with a straw stuck in those funny holes. She also claims she can now curl her tongue (genetically not possible for her) because if she sticks her tongue through the holes, it looks curled, to her.

What to love about February

The moms I know are sick. Sick of winter. Sick of sickness. Sick of cold. Sick of shoveling. Sick of children making giant messes inside all day. So I challenge them to join me in listing the things we can love about February.

• For starters, only 23 days until March. March is when I can start some indoor seedlings.
• February is when several online plant warehouses offer steep discount for ordering early. If you have a perennial you've always wanted, check out www.bluestoneperenniels.com or let me know your favorite gardening site.
• Even if your husband ignores Valentine's day, your kids probably won't.
• This might be the last month you can ice skate outdoors. Go find a rink and start skating.
• Soups are still fabulous in February.
• Ok..I'm having trouble and my list isn't very impressive. What else can you love about February?
• I thought of one more, but it's more personal. My mom is coming. Yippee! She's coming to see H's 1st grade play. It is a weather play and she is a water droplet. I promise to post pictures as first graders dressed as water droplets, rainbows, lightning bolts, clouds, wind sisters, etc. promises to be precious. So only 14 days until the 1st grade play!

Numbers

I hate February. I've usually had enough of winter by February and get angry at the snow and ice that won't stop. So this year I am trying a new approach, only 26 more days to March. And March is the beginning of birthday season at my house (and I love birthdays) and that's when I can start planting seeds indoors for later use in my precious garden. Only 26 days 'til March.
My numbers are a bit better this week, closer to the desired range. Still didn't get a lunch reading. Need to order more test strips...almost out...there might not be many numbers to report next week if I don't get more (have to mail order them in order for insurance to pay)

Sat 1/31 after dinner 124 (toast with PB, cheese and crackers, 1.2 grapefruit, 5 baby carrots, 1/2 cup of mac and cheese with tuna---a hodgepodge dinner)
Sat 1/31 fasting 112
Thurs 1/29 after dinner 91 (A naked tender wrap from Buffalo Bill's and chips)
Wed 1/28 after dinner 127 (can't remember and didn't write it down)
Wed 1/28 fasting 130
Tues 1/26 after dinner 120 (lentil and sausage soup, salad, salatines, apple)
Tues 1/26 fasting 106

Oh and if you have time, head over to my Food Expansion blog to vote about the grains you use. I really do want to know (Laurie T...did you vote?)