Rhubarb BBQ

 Year 2 of AIP is in full swing.  This week, I learned to disassemble and prepare a whole beef heart for the first time, but I'm also doing so repeats from last year.  The main seasonal task is making rhubarb barbeque sauce to freeze.  We made a quintuple batch!!  Still, I'm considering if I should make a bit more.  15 jars for 12 months??  

Zoo Day

 We made it to the zoo today.  I got a little extra sleep last night and I think it was just enough (along with the sunshine) to get the idea in my head...and L's!  Being right after lunch, we had the zoo nearly to ourselves.  

Isn't this giraffe beautiful?  We couldn't remember seeing one sitting before.  We didn't see zebras today, but this bongo was in the viewing area.  They must take turns.  

Funny to us that the camels are out, but it's too cold for the penguins.  About the time we got our zoo pass the penguins were finishing up their outdoor time.  The kids have enjoyed watching them out of doors, but I haven't had the pleasure.  Looking forward to that this spring.  (BUT just so you all know!  It's only February.  Not Spring.  Snow will most likely return and be just wonderful.)

Recital

Cousin E.R. was to have a concert tonight and sing a solo, so Auntie C. got us all connected for a zoom "recital".  We had aunts, uncles, cousins, and grands...next time we'll add in a few more families.  L was featured singing and playing (on piano) "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name".  Kj was featured on violin and piano.  After most everyone was off, Anna read a poem from "One Minute 'til Bedtime", and Kevin played "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and asked everyone to join the singing.

Legos

There was getting to be some possessiveness and fighting over different Lego pieces.  So, we made an agreement...they'd finish up what they were building and then get pictures taken.  After that, I'd post the pictures with their explanations.  Here are their pieces.  Mn's wasn't the full and final, but was what he wanted posted.

Mn:  I built a farm and I made 2 cars. That's all.

Kj:  I have a house and a stagecoach. The stagecoach has a barrel on top. There is a man driving and a  man riding. The clear thing behind the man is a suitcase.  

My house has a coat closet, a bathroom with a shower, a kitchen with a stove and sink, a living room with a fireplace, and a dining room. The man is eating salad. In the coat closet, there are skis that fit the Lego man.

L:  I made a Ice Cream shop, a House, and a Dock with a Boat. The Ice Cream shop also sold smoothies, and the Boat was a ferry.

College Friends!

Late this past winter, I had invited my college friends to visit "anytime".  KJ replied with, "Next month looks free, when were you thinking?"  So, we settled on a weekend and KJ&N decided to get up early, drive 3 hours to our home, play hard and leave at bedtime for the return trip.  What a fun day we had!  The weather was cool but not cold and the kids spent most of the day outside.  During naptime the guys had the kids outside and the ladies had the living room to chat and catch up.  Thank you, KJ&N for taking the time to come!!!

Little A (in blue) had just finished a jump-roping competition at school and Kj (green) was able to learn a few things from her friend!  The girls had been given jump ropes for the birthdays and our goal is to learn and become somewhat accomplished this summer.  Here was the start.  It's nice to have an expert around!

Here's our lovely load of kids - about every other!  And the parents...Kevin was grafted in to this lovely friendship through marriage.  Pictures below: photo credits to Kj and L.  :)