January Happenings

 Some years, January is a cold, unwelcome visitor after the excitement and warmth of the holidays, but this year I found it especially nice to roll into regular life. I enjoyed having less on our schedule, getting cleaned up and organized and taking advantage of some indoor fun. 

One thing I didn't enjoy was all our sick days. Between 4 kids it seemed like someone was always home sick. Pierce was more than happy to have company, but it did make it difficult for the boys to rest.

We thoroughly enjoyed a few strangely warm days. We took walks, played basketball outside and were happy as clams. Our whole neighborhood had come out of hibernation for the warm weekend. 

 We ice skated at an indoor area. Pierce ran up and down the ramp as I chased him everywhere. The boys are getting pretty good on skates, though we usually only last one hour. 

We enjoyed the Natural History Museum on the Michigan Campus. It's fun as the boys get older to see them explore things in a new way and equally as fun to watch Pierce discover things for the first time.

We went to comedian Brian Regan at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit with our good friends the Tousas. He was even funnier than I remembered. It was a much needed date night full of great food and lots of laughs. I love frequenting the beautiful, historic areas of Detroit. Date nights are the best.

 

Jace got his Bear! We were so proud of him and all the work he has put into scouts. Way to go buddy!

Pierce decided air drying is preferable to a warm towel and a snuggle. Can someone please tell him he is my last baby and wet, clean baby snuggles are imperative?

 We had a few school holidays and a snow day. Some were welcome breaks, others a real bother, but we usually make the best of things. This time we went swimming at the rec center. So happy to have fun friends here!

We had science night at the elementary school and it was really awesome. I love our schools here. They got to do so many experiments plus see a live animal show (Parker had a birthday party). Pierce was in heaven running through the big, open halls and playing with balloons.

We explored the Detroit Institute of Arts. It is a fantastic museum with a Friday Family Night. It's open late, there are kids crafts, a concert and the whole atmosphere is just incredible. The boys loved seeing all the art and there were even little scavenger hunts to do. They especially loved the armor and weapon exhibit. Mike and I loved each room. The Detroit photography exhibit was put together especially well.

My favorite comment of the night was in the contemporary art wing. All the boys were wandering around looking at what seemed like scribbles to them and Jace said, "Wow. This is NOT art. I could do like every piece in here!" I remember thinking the same thing!

  

Parker could sit forever making his own art. He LOVES art.

Piercey found lots of cool things to dump and put back together. He was kind of a crazy man there. Might find a sitter next time ;)

 

Another of my favorite moments, walking them past a bunch of naked sculptures and paintings. The boys couldn't stop giggling and it was kind of infectious :). 

I also found time to be productive... canning salsa and making bread all in one day. 

 We had a bit of a cultural theme for January. There is a Young People's Theater here that is really fantastic. We went to see their production of Fiddler on the Roof. They did a great job and the boys enjoyed watching a few friends and the entire cast dance, sing and act.

We all loved hanging out with Pierce and watching him learn and grow. He seems so old everyday. He is talking really well, loves to jump, give kisses and hugs and dance and makes us all laugh all the time. He is still a finicky eater and doesn't love food, but everything else with him is great. He has a new, dangerous trick of climbing in the dryer...trying to stop that one.