Long, cold week at home

Since coming back from our Christmas trip, we've had very cold weather (like many people around the country getting the Arctic front) and although we haven't had snow or ice, schools have been closed (heating can't keep up), some water pipes froze up, and we've had to stay inside and close to home. The boys have been very content with their new toys - dinosaurs, sticker books and cars - and are playing really well together these days, although there are plenty of loud and wild moments too, because we just need sometimes to use our muscles and get outside!!! I need to problem-solve some more ideas for this winter but there aren't many options in this small town (besides the library and Wal-Mart). Oh, how I wish we had a YMCA or gym. Also baby Hawk got a cold and teething troubles, and he was very fussy all week and not eating much.

Finally today, Tuesday, Timo went back to preschool, Mattias got to ride his bike around the driveway, and Hawk is grinning and playing, so we're feeling more even-keel. Now to sort out a new rental, the stress of which is really starting to weigh on us... Just over two weeks until our lease is up and we're still trying to find something. Or at least a short term backup where we can stay a few weeks until a long term becomes available.

On to some house scenes... Just before this photo below, I overheard Timo say, "I love you, Mattias," and hugged Mattias around the neck.

They love reading together. 

"Wow, these dinosaurs are made in China. They did a really good job. They must really know how to make dinosaurs in China." - Timo

Arranging the new dinosaurs

How to keep Timo happy - stickers and a new audiobook! He spent 3 hours one afternoon listening to it, and after supper returned to keep listening. We had to make him turn it off at bedtime. (The series is called The Land of Stories.)

still in pajamas and doing the stickers

Plus, BrainFlakes from the Welty cousins have been a BIG hit, particularly with Timo, who has created all sorts of vehicles and given them different names, like "M-360 with 800 pounds of thrust and goes 96 miles per hour" etc. They are also Hawk-approved because they are fun to grab and taste. Sorry, bad photo - I couldn't get Timo to hold still for a photo while building, or Hawk.

Finally, my new cookbook is keeping me very happy and inspired for the new year. This (The Minimalist Baker, though 'cook' is more accurate) is my favorite food blog right now (and has been for a couple of years) and Jim wisely gave me the cookbook for Christmas, so I don't have to keep checking recipes on my phone or writing them down on scraps of paper and sticking them to the fridge in mish-mash piles. I love the way that she cooks (although once in a while I tone down the spices)! She uses a lot of ingredients that we love and eat regularly, like chickpeas, butternut, kale, tofu, tempeh, peanut butter, curry, noodles or pasta, beans, tomatoes, and with variations like Thai or Indian or north African or Mexican. Plus they are easy recipes and open for lots of variations. Non-perfectionist-non-recipe-followers, unite!