Snow snow and sun

The winter is wearing on and we have had two days of warm weather and sun, which has been great. 

Nell had her 1st grade play "the Music of Life" she was a monkey. It was fun and I think she enjoyed it. 

This weekend I took the kids to the Lego movie. Esmé had heard we were going and wanted to come. She did ok, but did not love it. The big kids did and I did too. 

Chris and Zaven took a 20 mile bike ride and the girls and I played in the yard. It was so good to be outside and enjoy some sunshine. 

The work on the rectory is going well. We have been making some decisions about counters and paint colors and lighting fixtures. 

School picture day

An excerpt from a day in the life of the mommy and Nell clothes drama!

Well I let spring picture day sneak up on me. So I had to deal with the big "what to wear" question in the morning. 

Nell and Zav were sleeping in a little and I decided I would grab some clothes and get them ironed. Nell woke up as I was getting her things and happily came in while I ironed. I showed he what I had chosen and she said fine!  I was so happy. Zav rarely, if ever, complains about his clothes. So I thought I was on the path the success. 

I am not sure what happened but all the sudden Nell was talking about skirts and sweaters and leggings and not wanting to be too hot and wearing something no had seen before, she had the worst clothes in the class, everyone was going to wear something so perfect and everything she had was dumb...

Oh no! What went wrong. I stayed calm I tried to talk her through the merits of the outfit I had chosen, other options, not worrying about other people etc. 

It did not work. We could settle on a top but not a bottom. The day before her favorite jeans were the ones with the hole on the knee today she could not possibly wear jeans with a rip. I was at a loss. Round and round we went. 

Finally I gave her three outfit choices, told her the merits of each and told her I did not want to talk about it anymore. She made her choice. I did her hair and left for work. 

When I got to school to pic her up her sweater was on backwards. So, that either means she wore it backwards all day and the cute little bow detail at the neckline will not be seen in the photo or she had it right and at some point in the day she took off her sweater and had on only her camisole, having gotten too hot. Only time will tell. 

That Nell! 

Oh,

yes Zaven woke up and out on his shirt and button down- the pink one. Though he tells me they had him do odd poses so he thinks his photos will not turn out well. 

Esmé did not have photos but when her school did photos I asked her how it went and she said "I didn't wycick, everybody wooking and me". She continues to say that about all sorta of things. It cracks me up. 

Winter Weather School Break

What a strange two weeks!

The kids have only been to school two partial days in the last two weeks!

Between planned teacher work days and snow days it has been a lot. It seems that January has been a loss in terms of schooling. But there has been lots of fun. 

Last week we did some great sledding. Steep hill in a little plastic chair Esmé got for Christmas. We had lunch at Cannon's house and endured some very cold weather. 

Saturday we had the Newell's and the O'Neills over for dinner and had a great time. Zaven and Cannon had their 2nd cotillion dance and Zaven got a ribbon for good manners. 

We went ice skating again on the last day of the season. It was fun. Although Zaven started to feel bad and we cut it short. By that evening we were to go to Isabel's to celebrate Lilly's birthday, Zaven said he did not feel well enough to go. We went on without him and had a nice time. Esmé and I sang the song that we song about Splash and Lilly. 

"Splash and Lilly are fluffy pups, they love the play and have bupbups. They love Esmé and the play. Splash and Lilly come back". 

Isabel gave Esmé a stuffed Portuguese Water Dog for Christmas and she calls it "SplashandLilly" 

Anyway, Zaven had a fever. The next day he was super floppy and still had a fever. By Tuesday I decided it was time for the dr. They tested his for strep and flu and he was positive for flu. So we started tamiflu and by Wednesday morning his fever had broken and he was feeling better. We layed low. All staying home because of another round of snow. About 4 inches. 

Thursday we had Katie come and stay with the kids and went on to work and Esmé to her school. 

Today things had warmed up and the trend conitinues for the weekend. 

2014!

Wow! We had a great Christmas and New Year. I can't think of the last time I posted. Do I need to say we had a great Thanksgiving too. I think so. And we did. We went to TN and celebrated Nell's 7th birthday. We helped out with Grammy's hurt foot. We loved seeing cousins. 

Christmas time was great. Zav sang and had a piano recital. Nell and Zaven sang in the choir and participated in the pageant. Milla and poppy came for Christmas. Chris and I celebrated 17 years of marriage. Esmé started school. And now Zaven got a haircut. Here are some pics 

7, sweatshirts, turkey etc

We had a great time traveling to Chattanooga/Cleveland for Thanksgiving.
Our first order of business was to celebrate Nell's 7th birthday! I can't believe she is 7. We had a good day. Went to see a movie with Zav and Uncle Brice be then dinner at Grammy's house with Milla and Poppy and Ella. Nell loved her cake, iced in pink with a turquoise peace sign.
She loves hearing the story of her birthday. Born at high noon, destined to be a bright spot in our lives.

Good Reports

Well we have been getting lots if good reports here at the Epperson house. 

Zaven and Nell had dentist appointments and no cavities! So, we went and got froyo to celebrate 

Then we had teacher conferences last night and both kids got glowing reviews and Zaven got straight A's. He is happy and we are pleased that he met his goal. 

Sunday we had a funny morning getting ready for church that ended in Esmé wearing an outfit that was mine when I was little , but that happened to be an outfit that was quite small. Then somewhere along the way she found a harmonica. I wanted to get some pictures, she was just dancing around it was such a fun moment. 

I also got exciting news that I have been offered and accepted a job as a production manager for Colonial Williamsburg. I start on Dec 5th. Should be a fun new chapter. 

Funny daddy, funny baby

On Friday Chris stayed home with Esmé in the morning so that I could play tennis. When I got home Esmé went about telling me what she and Chris had been doing. And then she said that he would not give her the bagel and cream cheese she had asked for. So I asked Chris why he did not think she should have it. And he said "she did not ask for a bagel and cream cheese"

To which Esmé replied "burger cheese". Chris' face changed and he said "well, she did say that, I thought she wanted a cheese burger and I told her we did not have one". I guess you have to know the coded language of the toddler for smooth time together. It was really funny.