School and Birthdays

Life has been moving at a faster pace since we returned.  The days are more filled with activities:  school, piano, skating, skiing and violin.  Science fair projects and math homework are taking up time in the evenings.  Hanna and Leif are happy in their new classrooms and enjoying catching up with friends.

Elisabet has turned a corner and declared that she LOVES preschool because it is "so boring to stay at home".  We celebrated her 5th birthday on Friday and she has been wearing her fairy costume nearly every day this week.  Her inspiration came from attending the Children's Theater production of "Cinderella" with Papa and Nona.

We had a family reunion over the weekend to celebrate the birthdays of Elisabet and Papa (65!) and also a baby shower for Kate and Matt.  It was fun to think about how we were all together 5 years ago the weekend Elisabet was born in Washington.  And definitely exciting to think about the new little cousin that will be with us shortly.

More birthday pics here:
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Elisabet's birthday weekend

Settling In

Minnesota has greeted us our first week back with a deep freeze.  The last two nights were -14 F and today was a balmy 8 degrees.  I actually heard the weather announced on the radio as "a high of zero- not too bad".  It's all a matter of perspective.  I've been wearing my ski hit indoors to stave off the shivers.  The positive part is that it is beautiful and sunny.

Tomorrow the kids return to school.  Leif and Hanna to Capitol Hill and Elisabet to Jean Lyle preschool.  Elisabet is not thrilled and wondered several times today why adults get to stay home.

Our house is cozy and welcoming.  Here are some shots of the new arrangements and the snow piled outside.  It's impressively high.  Maybe if we get more I will lose my new white van in a snow bank?

Returning home