Another Year

Leah celebrated her thirty-fifth birthday this week - how in the world did the number grow so high, so fast?  With the Watson girls birthdays falling so close together, Clara was convinced all the candles, cake and presents were for her too. Clara's card to Leah read:  "Choo-Choo!  Mommy I love you." and Ben's:  "Mommy I love you for always being with me."  What more could a girl ask for?  

Well, add in two nights in a row out with her husband, lots of family fun time, chocolate cake (which Clara decided to pick up her slice whole and stuff her face-why waste time with forks?), gorgeous flowers, goodies and this thirty-five year old felt love, encouragement and excitement to begin another year.  

Just to keep her humble, the day after her birthday Ben proclaimed, "Mommy, even when you are driving me crazy, I still love you."  Same goes for you little man.

Jukebox Hero

We had to post these pictures of Ben rocking out.  He put his "rock star" outfit together all on his own.  Beemer loves using our bed as his stage and has mastered just where to position the full length mirror so he can watch his moves.  These photos capture his jam session to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."  Oh, silly boy, how we love you.

Clara is in the middle of cutting her two-year molars and hasn't been in much of a picture mood.  In honor of her approaching 2nd birthday, here are a couple of photos from the archives.  Can you believe how much she has grown in just one year?  Love you baby girl!

And here she is...almost two!  Wow.

How It Goes

For the last week, we have been passing a stomach bug around the house.  There is nothing amusing or pleasurable about being sick, but there is something about hanging in there and taking care of each other in our weakest moments that is sweet and tender.  Clara is the trooper of the family, she just pushes through the pain with a whimper and sigh and moves on.  Ben is more like his mom, terrified of sick germs and anything "yucky."  He handled his fears with grace and was the one making sure that whoever was currently in the sick rotation always had a bowl nearby, just in case (apologies for the over share).  He also brought Leah one of his beloved blankies and a Pooh Bear book when she was bedridden.  At press time, Mark still had managed to escape the full wrath of "Spring Fever Stomach Flu."  We are all keeping fingers crossed that his super Scottish genes will defend him and we can start over with a new week filled with sunshine and healthy people.  In typical Casa Watson fashion, we managed to snap some cute pictures on the good days.   In sickness and in health we are blessed, but if we have a choice, we pick health.

Favorite Things

When is comes to our favorite things around here the list is pretty simple.  We love music, food, trains, cuddles, books, laughing and being goofy together.  Oh, and dogs, the kids really want a dog. Yep...that sums it up.

A Little Bit Country

Our family had a blast last night at Claire's 8th birthday party, held at Sim's Country BBQ.  Way out in the country, Sim's is an authentic taste of some down home country cooking, music and fun.  The place is pretty much one big barn, with a stage at the end, ready for some mighty fine bluegrass music.  After indulging in some tasty BBQ, corn fritters and coleslaw the kids (and Mark and Leah!) were ready to dance.  Clara left it all on the dance floor, she was shaking and grooving non-stop.  Ben was a happy cowboy, beaming anytime Claire was by his side (she is his long-time love, who he has in the #1 spot to become his wife).  We can't wait to go back for another round, yee-haw!

Waiting for Spring

The countdown is on- we are ready for some bright, warm weather, for the landscape to morph from dull gray to lush, lavish green, for wind chapped skin to be kissed by the sun, to trade slippers on hardwood floors for bare toes in damp grass and to put away the hot cocoa mugs for popsicles on the porch.  

Until then, we continue to keep ourselves entertained.  Clara is talking in full sentences and loves to repeat anything Ben says.  If she is away from Leah for more than a couple of minutes, she will rush to her with a cuddle and exclaim, "I missed you, Mommy!."  Ben is a skilled conversationalist, with opinions on what is a "good song" or a "bad song," what our plan of action should be for the day, what socks are "rock star" socks and how much he has grown overnight (a lot).    

Mark has become the lead engine in the Watson Choo-Choo Express- laundry baskets tied together with towels that Mark pulls around the house (good Daddy).  Leah takes charge of the afternoon dance parties (which she would be totally embarrassed for anyone to peek in on) and kids in the kitchen projects.  

So, we continue to anticipate spring and do our best to not grow apathetic to swirling snow, little hands stuffed into mittens, comfort food and cuddles.  But visions of picnics, sundresses and sunshine do help the cold days move along.