BFF's.....

Best friends forever, a phrase I thought reserved only for backs of school pictures exchanged and following the classic, "Stay cool, have a great summer" in cheesy yearbook entries. However, after a weekend spent with Melissa, my BFF from STJ, and her two girls, I realized it is a phrase that can be used by a 33 year old woman to describe a friend who she has been lucky enough to have for 25 years. It's funny because Melissa and I live over 150 miles apart from one another, sometimes talk on the phone three times in a week or sometimes once in three weeks but never is there an awkward silence. It always seems we are just picking up right where we left off. So, when the plans were made for her to come visit this weekend, I eagerly anticipated her arrival. Friday night, we sat around the kitchen table with Jes (another great friend), chatting, drinking cheap wine and eating. What better way to spend a night with old friends?

Making a pannekueken on Saturday morning was just like the good old days (minus the tight rolled jeans and sky high bangs held with 1/2 a can of Aqua Net). I can't even count the number of mornings during middle school and high school, Melissa and I made breakfast in Grandma Naida's kitchen, planning (or maybe it was plotting) our day! Although in this case, the plans for the day involved the movie "Hotel for Dogs" and bowling rather than taking whips and going to Fox Lake. After the movie and bowling we made a pit stop at Fryn' Pan (where else?), we were home, in our comfies, ready to just chill out. The girls spent much of their time perfecting the dance for Beyonce's "Single Ladies" (that song is now forever on repeat in my mind), playing house and hiding from each other. Melissa and I spent time catching up, relieving old memories and talking about everything and about nothing.

When it came time for them to leave on Sunday, I was sad but also happy. Happy to know that I have a friend with whom I have a level of comfort that only comes from many hours logged together. Happy to realize this is a friend who has known me through the goods and the bads and still shows up. Happy to see our daughters cultivating friendships and having an ease with one another that is the basis for a long lasting friendship. Happy to know that just because she was leaving, didn't mean that she would be gone. Thank you Melissa, for coming to visit, for always being there and for being my BFF.

"In a friend, you find a second self."~Isabelle Norton

Goodbye old friend, hello new....

Today afterschool it was noticed our old friend, Dorothy the fish had passed away. My poor tenderheart bear, Ella, was quite devasted. She immediately inquired if I had fed her this week at all which I quickly reassured her I had and that it was no one's fault that Dorothy died. She was a good old fish who lived a long and full life. She loved her castle in her aquarium and will be greatly missed. Grace really didn't care and Lily was initially very much in denial but then was thrilled when I informed her we would get a new Dorothy. When she happily relayed this information to Ella, Ella replied, "This is not exciting, Lily. It's sad".

While we are mourning the loss of Dorothy, we are happy to introduce the newest member of the Kolb Family, Poppy the Snowman! Lily and I took advantage of the awesome weather this afternoon and built the snowman Lily has been desperate for since the first snowfall. She was extremely pleased with the end result.

We just performed the ceremonial flushing. Ella excused herself, "Because I don't want to be sad. If I get sad, I will get a red face and I don't want a red face". Grace, Lily and I took care of business. Lily said "Goodbye Dorothy!" and then flushed her down. Tomorrow is a new day and I suppose a trip to Walmart is in order to pick up Dorothy #3.

"Animals are such agreeable friends-they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."

George Eliot

First surf and now turf.....

Sunday had us experiencing the surf and yesterday Jason was determined we experience the turf. Last week, he had already expressed his desire to take the girls sledding. As most of you probably already know, I am really not much of an outdoorsy sort of gal. I was hoping for a typhoon, an earthquake or even just a good old fashioned ice storm to get me out of this sledding expedition he had planned but luck was not on my side. The weather cooperated and so did I.

Don't let this face fool you, she really was excited!

See, I told you!

The original champions of the outing. Ella and I were the reluctant tag alongs!

Once again, as much as I hate to admit it, Jason was right. We all had a fabulous time. Grace went up and down that hill as many times as possible,

In between runs, Grace enjoyed watching another family tubing down the hill. She enjoyed it so much, in fact, she needed a few gentle reminders that she was there to sled also!

Ella took a few rides, exclaiming, "This is awesome." but soon lost interest in the sledding and went off in search of other fun snow related activities.

Such as snow angels....

And writing in the snow with a stick.

Lily alternated between riding the hills, crawling back up like a puppy yelling "Here I come Grace!"

And playing with sticks with Ella!

The girls and I are certainly lucky to have Jason as the man in our lives. He is such a wonderful daddy and husband. He loves taking his girls out to do fun things that I would not normally consider. He is my perfect complement and together we are able to give the girls a well rounded view of life.

Even with my frozen fingers and the snow down the back of my pants, every moment was made worthwhile because of.......

this smile and

this smile and

this smile and even

this smile!

While I firmly remain a "surf" girl, I found out even I can enjoy some "turf" every once in a while. Happy Snow Day to you all!

Surfin' USA.....

Last night was the annual Kolb Family swimming party at the Ramkota! It went swimmingly as expected. Food was plentiful, jokes were in abundance and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves as you can see in the pictures.

A big thanks to John and Connie for a wonderful time, a terrific family and lasting memories!

Gracie Lou.....

Another good weekend at the Kolb residence. Had some friends over Friday night, did a little furniture shopping on Saturday and church on Sunday. Nothing too terribly exciting so I thought I would take this opportunity to celebrate my biggest baby, Grace. Looking at Grace, I often see myself. Her perfectionist nature, her need for routine and her constant quest for control are a few of the characteristics we share. It is my hope she uses these qualities for good rather than evil! Here are the top 10 reasons why I just love her so much.....

10. She just couldn't be a better big sister. Always willing to help, console, teach, tattle, boss and torment just like a big sister should!

9. The cute way she purses her lips when she is playing teacher or mom. Her freckles on her nose. And how she calls toe nails, tony nails.

8. She is so predictable and set in her ways but just when I think I have her figured out, she does something to surprise me.

7. Depending on the day, I can see her as my little girl or my big girl.

6. She likes to arrange matching outfits for herself and Ella all the way down to their rainbow socks.

5. No matter where Daddy is going or what he is doing, she wants to go with. She loves her daddy.

4. Her big huge laugh usually coming at the expense of or as a result of something Ella has done.

3. How well she handles being the guinea pig. Being our first born, everything that happens and everyway we react to something new, is tested on her. She deals with it beautifully (usually). I wonder if that will continue into her teenage years????

2. Her observant nature combined with her memory make her our little radar. She doesn't miss a thing nor does she forget anything. She still talks about going to Schmidt's Bakery with Papa when she was two years old.

1. She made me a mom.

***Of course, there are many, many more reasons why I love Grace. For example, how much she loves games, scaring her sisters and playing tricks on people.

Also, her poker face (especially when Papa is trying to get her wound up). Her tendency to keep her feelings hidden has earned her the well deserved nickname of Stoneface!

I love you so very much, Grace.

Trading up.....

Our little Lily Jane made a big real estate deal this weekend. Goodbye crib.....

Hello big girl bed!

As you can see, there really wasn't any reluctance involved in the move.

She did wake up crying around 11:00PM. When I went in to soothe the savage beast, I couldn't find her. I was just about to panic when I traced the crying to the floor next to the bed. She was slightly dazed and confused. When I asked her, "Did you fall out of bed?" she replied with a very distraught, "Yes, I did". It was almost like she hadn't realized what happened until I put it into words for her. But like a horse, if you fall off, you must climb right back into the saddle so after a few snuggles and a promise that Daddy would come and tuck her back in, she was all set for take two. Right now she is sitting next to me happily viewing her pictures and looking very well rested. Wish you all a terrific day, sweet dreams and soft landings!