Winter 2018

January and February 2018 were no joke in terms of weather. It was super cold, and there was a lot of snow. The girls loved it at first, and we had a couple of days that were excellent for sledding. And then the rest of the winter we hunkered down waiting well into April for spring to finally arrive! 






In mid-January, the girls had a special treat because we managed to see Disney on Ice with the twins utilizing the Mayor's suite. Everyone loves Moana, and Hannah in particular loves spinning lights of any kind. The ice skating and performances were amazing, and the girls had a fantastic time.  





Directly after Disney on Ice finished, we headed about an hour west to a Girl Scout camp for a fun overnight with the girls' troop. They worked on different badges, cooked dinner together, played charades, and all-in-all had a fantastic time. They subsequently sold their Girl Scout cookies at different storefront locations, and I'm impressed every year with how the Girl Scouts really do help Moira and Hannah to grow in their confidence by trying new things and engaging with different people.





Every year, our neighborhood has an ice skating party. Moira has a blast, and Hannah keeps trying to get more comfortable on the ice! I have fun at these things too although the older I get, the more it hurts my ankles! 




In 2018, they brought the teacher dance back to the Winter Carnival, and the girls essentially just disappeared for about two hours to play carnival games, dance, and take silly photos like the one below of Hannah and her friend, Sophia. Also, Moira and Hannah had a fantastic time at the father/daughter dance hosted by the Girl Scouts. I'm pleased that their dad participates--they said they even managed to get him out on the dance floor this time!  







In mid-February, I had a wonderful 40th birthday getaway with my friends from high school. We stayed a few days in Fort Lauderdale. Hannah helped me to prepare my wardrobe, and I couldn't resist the photo below to remind me of how "helpful" the girls can be. Also, another highlight of last year was seeing Michelle Obama speak; Moira came along as well, and I think she was impressed. The quote I found most meaningful was the following: 

"Anybody who has been successful--you grow up with a lot of doubts in your head. A natural drumbeat of doubt. So, practice achieving well above other's low expectations. Get up every day. Just do it. Work hard. Persevere. You learn you are just as smart if not smarting than the people doubting you. Put yourself in the game." 




Valentine's Day 2018. The girls really enjoyed their sweetheart's day breakfast for dinner...it is relatively obvious in the photos below. Also, we had a lovely time at World Thinking Day where Scotland was the country that the girls chose to profile.





In early March, Uncle Scott and Aunt Kate took the girls to Columbus for the day. They had a great time apparently--as evidenced from some of the photos below. We watched the twins while the girls were in Columbus, and they were quite the handful (but so sweet and cute!).





In 2018, the Stacers came for a visit to Indianapolis, and we all went to the Rhythm Discovery Center downtown along with the Eli family too. The impromptu drum circle was a highlight as was having all of the kiddos together.




Below you will find the 3rd quarter Honors breakfasts for both Moira and Hannah. We continue to be proud of both of them and their abilities to persevere at school. 




And last but certainly not least, I was happy to be a part of the field trip to the State Fairgrounds where the 1st graders learned about how to make a pizza and all that goes into the pizza-making--from growing wheat for the crust, to growing tomatoes and basil in the garden, to milking cows and turning that milk into cheese.




Clearly, we had a busy winter and spring. My heart is full of gratitude as I look back at all of the fun we have had together.

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