Phew!

Oh it feels good to sit down! Ever have those days where you get to the end and realize that you've not sat down all day?

Daisy and I did get out this morning for a great, long walk--her second since December! It was so much more fun than it's been in the past since I've now joined the rest of the world and have an ipod. It is so cool! Toben has one, the girls have little shuffles, but this is my first. I cranked up the music and bopped through the neighborhood, singing my heart out. What fun! (Of course, I'm sure the neighbors think I'm weird, but oh well!)

Then I cleaned house for HOURS. But I kept plugged in and sang my way through mopping the floors, dusting the furniture, washing windows, and cleaning bathrooms. It was almost fun.

And before I forget to mention it, yesterday FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DECEMBER I could see ground in my front yard. This is huge progress! It's supposed to be warm again tomorrow so maybe even more snow will melt.

This afternoon was Brownies too. We earned the "Ready, Set, Go Camping" try-it. (We're going camping at the end of the month and they are beside themselves with excitement.) It's one Audrey has earned before and Terri and I did for our girls last year, so we breezed right through it. The girls were hilarious in coming up with ideas of how to use bandanas when you're camping, and they laughed and laughed while rolling up sleeping bags in a relay race. They learned how to tie knots and then made "Smart Soup" to have on hand for camp snacks.

Smart Soup (mix in a huge stock pot and have each girl add an ingredient and give it a stir)

box of Cheerios
craisins
raisins
yogurt-covered raisins
M & Ms
mini marshmallows
mini pretzels
peanuts (unless you go to a peanut free school like us!)
chow mein noodles
--and whatever else you can think of (dates, dried apricot chunks, fruit loops, and so on)

The girls love it and it's a great snack for hiking. (And you can tie it up in your bandana along with your water bottle, loop it to your belt and keep your hands free for climbing up rocks!)

We also learned some great camp songs--Waddelacha, Dum Dum, Baby Duck, and The Milk Song. Even though it makes me a little tired to think about it, we're going to have fun!

***

Sorry to have been absent for such a stretch; I've really been trying to rest more and blogging is the thing that got cut out over the weekend. I did put up spring/Easter decorations on Friday while I babysat Ava. She ran all over the house looking for bunnies. I figured that if I can't make it be spring outside, I can at least create spring inside!

P.S. Happy (late) Birthday, Heidi! I can't wait to see you in April... (and the postman took your package today so it should be there in a few days!)

P.P.S. Happy Birthday, Janna! I'm so glad we're friends!

Comments

[Erin S]

Phew is right, you did have a busy day! Yes I love my ipod - actually I have an MP3, but it's the same idea. I find it makes the more mundane things a bit more exciting. A little more bounce in my walk or a little more umph in my cleaning.

[Holly Smith]

Hi Joanne,
OK, I feel inspired to plug my ears with my music and clean...but I really, really don't want to. Thanks for the good idea!

Blessings on ya today!
Holly Smith

PS I went to Buena Vista this weekend for a women's retreat with Tri-Lakes Chapel, our church. It was very beautiful, if you haven't been there before your family would enjoy it-- Daisy too!

[Heidi]

You completely crack me up...I can't even believe that you remember my birthday after all this time! I do have something for your birthday too...needs to find it's way into appropriate shipping packaging and then it will be on it's way....it's good to be 35!!! Really, really good! Can't wait to see you too! :)