January: 1st Half

January is a crazy unorganized blur, so to that end I present to you January: the 1st half.

First, art work:

Speaking of works of art, Rebekah has been promoted to Sunday night pancake duty. 

What we do when it's cold outside....

Same day. Rebekah did my hair next. And yes, I'm wearing 4 layer - a thermal, shirt, jacket, and heavy jacket. It's so cold! I actually spoke to the doctor concerning this and he says there's no medical reason why I'm cold but suggested a lot of older people complain about being cold... and then he stared at me. Great, thanks. 

Same day, Rebekah's turn for a new do. 

January also provided the experience of an animal using the side area of our house as his own private outhouse. Repeatedly. After posting said poop on facebook ('cause that's what we do with modern technology - post our poop) my cousin suggested it was a deer. A few days later it snowed and we found tracks by the side of our house which lead to the decision, at dusk, to follow them back from whence they came.

Rebekah pointing out the tracks.

They lead back to a path in a forested area way behind our house. We didn't go in. If I've learned anything from TV it's that you don't go into a forested area after dark. 

So we (we meaning Rebekah) made snow angels instead. 

Beautifully done.

My little niece got baptized this month. I was so sad that we missed it. Things like this are why we need to move out west. I am so on it. Eventually. 

One day at school Rebekah found a letter at her desk. She brought it home before she read it. Sweet little friends. 

Speaking of school, homework is hard. Well, actually school is hard, but right now let's focus on homework. I'm at the point of bribing her: one chocolate chip per problem. It's working well so far.

Rebekah was invited to a friend's birthday party. A nice snowfall had come down and they were able to spend the day outside building snowmen. 

And then she came home and built another one. 

And another one. She literally spent all weekend outside. 

We've taken a slight break from swim and are trying to grow other talents. Our latest adventure is ice skating. Rebekah has made quite a lot of progress in just a few lessons. 

After first lesson:

After second:

That girl is so talented at anything she tries. She just has to put forth a little bit of effort - which unfortunately is a difficult thing for her to do.