February 2016

February 2016

Now that the girls are now getting older, we are understanding the battle parents have had for years with the winter months when it is too cold or too dark to go outside and how stir-crazy everyone can become by the time February & March rolls around.  We have had a fortunate warmer February than usual, but for every time we get to get outside and play, those are offset by several days inside which is starting to take a toll! 

I started off the month going on a trip to Florida with my sisters.  For the previous 3 years, Beth and Laura have gone to Florida in February for a quick get-a-way.  I’ve always joked about not being invited, so they graciously allowed me to come this year.  I arrived on a Wednesday night and needless to say, they had a very fun day of partying and the best place for all of us was to just eat pizza and have some beers at the hotel.  The next day, we took a great walk in the morning and enjoyed a morning cocktail at a local bar (daily tradition).  Afterwards, we enjoyed the Florida sun and hung out in the pool.  After an afternoon nap, Beth and I did a small pub crawl for while Laura got ready for dinner.  We enjoyed dinner that evening at a local bar with a very outgoing bartender who really had no filter.  We enjoyed pretty much the same agenda on Friday with Mom, Pat and Paul visiting for dinner since they were also in Florida.  Of course if you get all 3 of us together, we are rarely quiet and the stories are usually hilarious (or they are to us).  However, the rules are “what happens in Florida stays in Florida” so I can’t write much else!  I’m glad we went home on Saturday, because I couldn’t have handled another day trying to keep up with Beth and Laura!  While I was gone Deb took the girls to the Children’s museum.  They especially loved the chocolate slide and the princess exhibit on this visit.  As usual the carousel was a big hit. 

We started off the Valentine’s weekend by decorating cookies with the girls at their school.  They enjoyed the afternoon snack and all the sprinkles!  That weekend, I got Allison and Sarah each a small pot with some flowers in it and Deb some flowers.  We enjoyed our usual heart shaped pizza and a few beers on Valentine day. 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            The girls went to the dentist this month and Sarah was very good.  Deb said it was very impressive how well-behaved she was at the office.  We are working on training Sarah on how to stay in her bed and sleep a little later into the morning, but it took us awhile with Allison for her to stay in bed all night. 

Allison’s Things of the Month

            We have started being invited to more and more birthday parties for her classmates.  Allison went to Recreation Unlimited for a birthday party this month and it sure is raising her expectations for what kind of party she wants in April! 

A few more items from this month:

• Both girls are enjoying soccer at their school each Monday evening and swimming lessons at a local indoor pool each Tuesday afternoon.  We are really excited for this summer when we are hoping they will be able to handle themselves in the water even better than last year.
• Deb went out with some co-workers for a girl’s night at Rock Bottom.
• I went out with the guys to watch the Purdue vs. IU game at Scotty’s. 
• We went to a fish fry at our church with the Sniadecki’s.  We enjoyed a fun dinner and then went to their house for a few more beers and let the kids play around. 
• Deb has had some evening meetings at work this month to move forward with a project of implementing a new EMR system. 
• This marks the first month since June that I haven’t travelled to Minnesota for work. 
• We are currently in the middle of refinancing our house.  The savings are good and since we don’t plan on moving for a long time, any savings is worth it.