Really, really, really tired of snow and cold. Ready for sunshine and I know everyone else is too around here.

I am sorting and deleting photos (my computer says I have over 7000 photos....really?). Finding these precious pics of Mieke just makes me smile....big! She has such a personality and energy. We are tired to the bone most days but so blessed with this little girl.

In these two photos yes, she's cute, but they say a lot about her personality. I asked her to hold my cone while I took the photo. Never got that cone back. That water balloon is headed for Papa Ulven's pant leg and cousin Sean knows it! It was rescued by Papa at the last minute. But look at her face! She is 2 in these photos.

Now she reads and rides a bike and still.....she's our teenie weenie!

Even though the temps are in the 70's and the water is freezing, it is 100% better than snow, ice and freezing temps in Iowa! Myrtle Beach, SC, Spring Break 2013.

Just relaxing, eating like pigs and enjoying being together. That middle shot is from Medieval Times, a dinner "theater". We succumbed to tourist trap entertainment but the food was good and the show well-polished. Today we walked along a salt marsh and drove around Pawley's Island.

Not too many spring break folks here which is nice. Quiet and not crowded. And now it's time to decide what to eat for dinner.....vacation is so hard.....

January 7th, 12:35 pm and I have done nothing productive from my list of "productive things to accomplish today". I did volunteer at school this morning, got my glasses adjusted, picked up dinner items for the week and .....I guess that is productive. But not from my list!

So let's blog some fun photos from Christmas instead!

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus! Our tradition of Birthday Cake for Breakfast was a Gingerbread Man shaped cake this year. Mieke has her Bitty Baby in a birthday outfit.

 Off to Grandma's house on Monday, Christmas Eve! Loaded with all the presents opened that morning. Mieke asked for a violin and Matt found one on Amazon (you can buy anything on Amazon!). She also asked for a LeapPad2. It has a camera and a video recorder. Mimi, had a role as camera operator for Mieke's antics. Mieke got a Bitty Baby and lots of clothes for baby to wear. Makes me long for younger days when I spent hours caring for Baby Tender Love.

Mieke and Mimi in the kitchen!

 The cousins were SO excited to be together on Christmas Day. Mimi made pajamas for the kids which required slight adjustment in waistbands and sleeves. Mimi, the seamstress.

Mieke is now 6!! Hard to believe but true. The celebrations began with Mimi coming for a visit. My mom obliges at just about every request. Playing Mieke's game of "What's the Pasword?" which of course only SHE knows. So we lose every time. And it is usually when we are on the way to the bathroom and she blocks us in the hallway. And we lose again.

Mieke insists that it is not a birthday party unless you play games. So Mimi and she are playing Twister. For real.

Mieke and Addy attended a cheer camp with the Hudson cheerleaders. And now all we heart are "cheers" from the back seat. They did get to "cheer" at a Hudson football game, in the rain. Mieke was so excited for her "first game". 

As story hour reader, I get to do some fun stuff with the kids ....and their stuffed animals. They got to play the piano

 Posed with the pumpkin

And watched a movie.

Sara, Matt's sister came to watch Stephen play college soccer. We took Papa Ulven to dinner at a cook your own steak place. 

On Sunday mornings I get to spend a little time with these kiddos! Great bunch and so well-behaved.

This week is catch up and clean up week. Looking forward to no much on the calendar.

Catching up.

Big sigh. Every time I think about blogging I get a little sad and empty. My Dad was a faithful reader and checker of my previous blog. It's hard to get motivated knowing he won't be checking it every day.

But now my Mom has learned to use email and the internet, so I think that is inspiration enough! So here goes.

Mieke is, at the moment, taking a cheerleader camp at the Hudson High School. A two hour, one session, camp. SO excited she was last night "Tomorrow is my first game, mom." Yes, dear. "Do you think they will give us clothes to wear? Like a sweater with a letter on it and one of those skirts that goes red white red white red?" I think you get a free T-shirt. (didn't mention the pompons)

Of course it is drizzly and cold today. We have to get her dressed and to the field by half-time. Not sure I can sit at the game before that. So more later on that.

We got Mieke's school photos back today. She is almost smiling, like the camera took the photo just a second early before her smile was really there. Hair looks great. We had our family photos taken Tuesday with Ashley Schrage (ashleyschragephotography.com) and Mieke was super cooperative and she should get some good pics out of that. By the time we get done with hers and are ready for the family shots, Mieke is hot and sweaty and silly.  Oh well. At least she has her nice smile and those big blue eyes. Who cares what mom and dad look like!

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was the Big Day: Kindergarten!

Mieke tossed and turned for about 20 minutes last night too excited to sleep. I told her to take a deep breath and roll over on her side. She was out.

Up at 6:10 a.m., dressed, hair combed and ready to go by 6:30 a.m. Of course she had to wait. We walked to school at 7:55 a.m. and she announced that she could find her locker and her room all by herself. And that's just what she did:

After school I walked up to pick her up at the classroom door, because that's what the principal told me to do. All browned off, Mieke wanted to walk out to the street to meet me. It's usually a good idea to follow the rules. At least I think so.

Mieke says she had a good day. She is tired and cranky and in a pile on the couch. 

Yesterday we celebrated the last day of summer vacation. We painted pottery and Mieke put her "initials" on her plate. Not the right ones but initials nonetheless.

 Then we strolled downtown Cedar Falls and ate Mexican food for lunch.

And working our way back in time, we went to the Iowa State Fair on Friday for the day. Not too crowded and a nice day. And after that we spent the weekend in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Just needed to relax and be somewhere for a while.

Stack of T-shirts from Land's End.         $50.00
Stick of Super Strength Deoderant         $2.50
Water bill for 2 showers a day                $40.00
Two, 11,000 count Perler Beads             $14.00
One Pair Asics Running Shoes               $80.00
Three cans Coppertone SPF 50 Sunscreen $15.00
50 smiling kids and happy parents        PRICELESS