Last Week at this Time . . .

I don't know about you but we play this game ALOT in our family. So, last week at this time I was on the road to Bloomington, IN with my hubby for an over night. (My husband planned the trip - He is great!) We had a great 24 hour getaway on my college stomping grounds. We stayed on campus at the Biddle Hotel in the student union. It was such a time warp. When we pulled onto the campus the last reminance of students were scurring to leave for spring break. Many things were shut down like the bowling alley in the union (as seen in the movie Breaking Away) and the movie showings they have there also, but we had a great time walking around and eating downtown and all. It was like I was in another world though cause we past memories on our walk that happened so long ago it almost seemed like they didn't really happen. Ever feel that way? Man, I'm getting old. In a short 4 1/2 years I'll be pulling up to some college campus somewhere to drop off my oldest for college and I know that the time between now and then are going to go FAST! Time, what an interesting concept. Enjoy the hear and now for that is where God has placed you!

Brad and I on our campus walk with the business school in the background.

Campus Chapel Arch

IU Football Stadium

Where I could be found the most on campus.

The Library and I'm not kidding either.

New Kitchen Look

So last week we discovered that our refrigerator was not getting cold and every morning we were smelling the milk to see if it was still good, sooooooo we used our tax money and bought a new frig. And as we were moving out the old one to clean behind it we realized that we never painted behind it and I already had new paint that we were suppose to paint the kitchen this winter and never did. So, two day later we have a new look to our kitchen. It's called brick clay and matches the back wall of our family room. What do you think? My husband helped with the trim but I'm the one that likes to paint and this is a great room cause you don't have ANY full walls!New look!

New refrig that Abby LOVES!

Yes, the OLD color was very bright! It was a pumpkin orange

and brighten up the room but was never quite right.

How we see life

This is Asher's position he decides to take when our black lab is in the kitchen when Asher is eating. If it's not the counter it's the table. And it is not because he is afraid of Buckeye (our dog) but he is defending his food and trying to eat in peace. See Buckeye would put her head in Asher's lap waiting for the food to drop.

Asher has such a interesting point of view with life. It's refreshing. Instead of whining about the dog - he problem sloves. He also enjoys seeing the world in a different way. He explores all of his surroundings with all of his senses. While watching the movie "Facing the Giants" he runs around being tackled and tackling. He often greets people with a nudge instead of a hug. He loves to taste all kinds of this that he shouldn't. And, he sing to a song on the radio while being fully engaged in a movie all at loud volumes. He can be easily distracted in a world of order, silence and direction. I'm wondering what school will bring for such a quizitive little guy. Will he be able to listen to directions, sit still in his seat and even walk in a straight line without talking to his friends? Only time will tell.

Talking about Charlie Brown moments. . .

I know that everyone has those Charlie Brown moments, like putting the milk away in the cabinet or driving away from your house while talking on your land line phone and wondering why your call was dropped. I have quite a few!

I wanted to share one with you that happened last month. We were having a weekend where we were entertaining people at our house both Friday and Saturday night. I wish I could say that I'm a neat freak but I'm not and the kids were off of school so I ask them to help me scower the whole house and clean from top to bottom. It was the coldest day so far like -5 and wind chill of -12. Our dog had smeared her cute little face all over the back door and I asked Caleb to go out and clean it really quick. Well, in my mind I thought he would squirt a little cleaner ( I didn't give him any advice -opps) and wipe really fast but he cleaned like he always does by squirting the cleaner ALL over the door and when he went to wipe the window it has already be frozen to the glass. Needless to say, I got my coat on and helped him by blowing hot air on the cleaner and rubbing like a mad woman. They laughed so hard at the fact that I asked him to clean the window in sub zero temperatures. This is a memory that they will laugh about as they are adults and get together to remember all the silly things Mom and Dad did. Ok, probably just Mom.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Ok, so during the rehearsal that I could tape, I didn't get the best footage. But I will look through it and see if I can pull some out for you to view. Caroline did a fabulous job and the production really was great. They hired an adult orchestra and used our HS auditorium with spot lights, curtains and many props. It flowed wonderfully and the main characters really did a wonderful job - not to mention the amazing dancing and singing of all the ensemble members. I heard many say that it really looked like a high school production not a jr high one. Ok, just a little bit of a proud mama. We had a great family respresented the second night with Caroline's Aunt Beth, Uncle Tim and Aunt Sharon - all from out of town. Here are a few photos from the weekend and I'll wrestle with the video and see what I can do. Now, if we could just stop singing - Happiness is. . .

Stars!

This week at our house two of our four stars have been and will be performing. Caroline is in an ensemble for "Your a Good Man Charlie Brown" for this weekend. So, I post that later. Abby's first grade play was this week and she was Aunt Josie Lou in the country performance they put on. Their class sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Park" - I know but trust me it fit in the program and she had a few cute lines. She did a fabulous job and clearly was not afraid to be on stage. Enjoy!

Brothers!

I wondered and I have to admit I even worried on how Caleb would do with a younger brother. Man, I laugh now that I even thought twice about it. These two are close!!!! I understand on a far deeper level what the term "brother" actually means. It means you ALWAYS stand up for each other. You connect at every level even if it is 7 years beneath you. You help each other and care for each other. You hurt for each other and laugh with the deep belly laughs with each other. You go to sleep with each other to help with the fear and yes, you even have to give in and do it their way sometimes - compromise. You are each others very best cheerleader and you explore things together! It also means you have a shoulder to lean on. I love the term "BROTHERS" and what it means in our house! It's beautiful!

Sorry for the long break

So for the long lag time between posts. I've been sick and just had lots on my mind with kids schedules and some new ideas I'm throwing around. I'll fill you in on that when I get more details. - How's that for a cliff hanger!

We have gotten out an oldie but a goodie in our house. When Caroline was not yet 2 years old she received as a gift from her Aunt and Uncle a sensory table filled with beans and rice. A few years back we tried to convert it to a magnet table for Caleb and we are now bringing it back for Asher. Let the mess, I mean, FUN begin! But this time it is in the basement and not my dining room (play room).

I heard a funny thing on my way to the kitchen

We've been trying to cut down the TV watching. It's something that gets out of hand in the winter time and I find that I let it go because I can be more productive - no excuse. Anyway, we were doing well yesterday and then Asher really wanted to watch Prince of Eygpt. It turned out to be very fun cause we were reading scripture to see where the movie branched off of the Bible. So as I left the room to start dinner I heard from Asher, "Ok, Caleb, you be Moses and I'll be Ramases." It sounded so funny and I thought I'd rather them act out the Bible anyday (even though the movie does distort it some). Then at the end of the movie when Moses parts the Red Sea, I saw my son galantly walk up in front of the TV as his hands are above his head and on cue he drops them like Moses stabbing the rod into the sea for the waters to part. I just may have to watch it again today to see if I can get pictures or a video. :)

Makes you wonder when. . .

you show up at the sledding hill at 10:00am and no one else is around and it is littered with popped blow up toboggins, pieces of plastice saucers and other litter. I was starting to wonder how safe it was to sled ride. BUT, it was great and we had a beautiful time having the hill to ourselves up until the very end. With the ice and then extra layer of snow we had gotten it made for a great ride and fun was had by ALL!

Yes, Asher is being pulled up with the sled.

The bike path behind our house had lots of trees

bent over by the ice making sledding back here a wonderful challenge.

Snow Hedge

When you add extra weight you go further!

The snow crew!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

After 2 days of snow, ice and then snow again, these are some pictures of the snow day fun we've been having lately. We've been sled riding, funnel cake making (and delivering to the neighbors), sewing projects, reading books and yes, even watching some tv. It's been great having everyone home and enjoying some winter fun and God's amazing beauty.

He ate more snow then I've shoveled.

Ice chunks make it hard to create snowmen.

sledding down to the creek

Winter Fun Ewing style

It has been quite cold here for a while and this was the one weekend (maybe we'll get lucky for another) this winter that our local lake froze over and we could go skating. We don't live on this lake but would love to some day. :)

Gotta do the work to prepare the ice

Lots of people were out on the ice

The ice was smooth as glass

Caroline working on her spins.

THANKFUL FOR little things

It sure is cold enough her (windchill below zero) and I LOVE snow but we will be thankful to have a little and even Asher found a few things to do with our dusting. But I'm hanging on the fact that February could be our snow month! - Maybe!

Random lists form the Ewing kids, weather reports and funny pictures

How broad of a post can you get? By the way, this is Caroline.

Funny pictures of Asher and I. Someone gave us a hat from a resturant called "Asher's." Here he is proudly displaying it.

First of all there has been talk of snowdays every day this week especially last night. However, I woke up and saw the above picture. I'm not listening to the public opinoin anymore! :)

Here are some random lists:

Favorite dinner ( in order of favorites)

Caleb- pizza, cheese sticks,mac&cheese,quesidillas, hot dogs

Caroline- chinese, tacos, ethiopian food and any type of chicken, rice, veggies, and potatoes with any kind of sauce.

Abby-pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, mom's chicken

Asher-(these are not in order. just an answer to the question, "do you like...?" brownies, pizza, potatoes, (of all kinds) ice cream, and hot dogs.

_________________________

Favorite Game Shows/T.V. shows (Caroline- bold Caleb-italisized)

Caroline Caleb

1. Cosby Show 1.Amazing Race

2. Deal or no Deal 2.Deal or no deal

3.house hunters (HGTV) 3.Brady Bunch

4. Home Extreme Makeover4.Cosby show

5.Amazing Race 5.American Idol

6. American Idol

7.Brady Bunch

________________________

Asher's Favorite Movies

1.Cars

2.toy Story 2

3.Polar Express

4.Madagascar

5.Kung Fu Panda

6.Madagascar

7.3-2-1 Penguins

Thanks for reading all these random facts!!