Random thoughts ...

* So much snow lately.  I don't mind it, though.  'Cause when I look in the backyard at the giant garden and fruit trees that are all buried in snow, I realize how much easier they are to take care of that way than when they are all in full bloom.  Snow-covered is ok by me for now.

Ice has definitely been an issue this year ...

My 2 boys trying to remove said ice from the rain gutters.

* Sitting by my teenage son during a youth fireside last night, sneaking glances at him to see if he was really hearing the fantastic advice from the speaker and praying that he was feeling something -- made my heart happy to see him definitely paying attention and smiling or laughing at the right parts.  Small 'pay day' for a mom.

* My 'Super Bowl' was on last night ... the Oscars.  As Mike will definitely tell you, I'm not a sports kind-of-girl.  But I am a movies kind-of-girl, and the Oscars are my kind of event.  I dvr'd about 5 hours of pre- and post-shows, as well as the actual Oscars.  Good times.  Until my cute husband tried to talk fashion with me, analyzing each actress's dress as they walked the red carpet.  Cute boy.  Stick to sports, babe. :)

* Had a fun date night with my honey and some of his high school friends.  We stopped by their old high school for a walk down Memory Lane, since it will be torn down soon.  His senior year locker ...

I think it's funny that he even remembers which locker he had.  I can't remember which hall my locker was in during my senior year, let alone which number it was.

In the gym where he was quite the legend.  Or so he tells me.

One last shot ...

* Being a grammar nazi myself, this cracked me up.

* My Haley did it again.  She finished in the top of her 6th grade class spelling bee, and then went on to compete in the school spelling bee.  Smarty pants. :)

* My ballerina.  Love their monarch butterfly costumes this year.  And better yet, both Elle & Paige are in the same cast this year so they'll dance the same night.  Hallelujah! Sure love the studio where they dance.

* Saw a fantastic film with my indie-film buddy, Rachel.  Quartet had amazing music, funny old people and Maggie Smith.  How can you go wrong with that combination?

* Missing my mom who is off taking care of her ailing sister.  So glad she's there to help but we miss grandma, too.

* Listening to little voices coming up from the basement.  Elle is happiest when she has friends over to play, and today we have Luke & Tessa.  Their mom is home with full-blown morning sickness.  Yeah for a future baby. :) Boo for morning sickness.

* Just plugging along with life, ya know?  The day-in/day-out of homework, piano, lessons, PTA, etc., etc. keeps us busy, but life is good so I'm not complaining at all.  Being a taxi driver/sideline cheerer/piano teacher/classroom volunteer/homework helper/cook/professional maid/young women's leader/grocery shopper/reader/out to lunch'er/kid cuddler makes me happy.  I love this stage of life where the kids are all home and we're busy.  I'm not wishing it away at all.