Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia

We really get into the OLYMPICS around here.  I think it’s so fun to watch the athletes succeed and see all their personal stories of hard work and triumph – no matter what country they are from.  My kids say that we cheer for United States, Canada and Germany… plus all of the countries that we’ve ever visited so we had a pretty good shot that ‘our teams’ were going to medal. 

I printed out these cute official Russian Olympic icons and put them up on the wall by the kitchen.   Whenever a new event came on the TV, the boys would notice the icon on the screen and immediately run to our wall and show me what was on.  It turned out to be a fun way for the little boys to connect to the Olympics.

We enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies.  I had printed out flags of all the participating countries and as we watched each country come into the arena we found their flag and added it to a massive garland that stretched all the way down the hall.  (Katie fell asleep on the couch.)

Emily and Megan pointing to one of their favorite Olympic Events.

Luke’s cute Olympic Rings Kindergarten Art Project.

Our Responsibility Charts with a little Olympic Flare.   I printed their charts this month in Red White and Blue.  With zero or one responsibility missed – GOLD medal at the end of the week.  Two or three responsibilities missed – SILVER medal… four responsibilities missed – BRONZE.  More than that… no medal. 

At the end of two weeks we had a Medal Ceremony.  Chris did the announcing and called up each kid giving them a country.  Fun stuff.  This is the first time Luke has been motivated to make things off on his chart and complete his responsibilities.  He wanted GOLD!!   Ryan doesn’t use his chart on a daily basis but he is definitely chart oriented.  Instead he keeps his to-do list on his phone and then at the end of the week marks it all off.  He and Katie are good sports to take part in all the Medal Ceremony fun for the little kids.   All my kids like a little something new to make boring charts a little more exciting.  Oh, I forgot to mention,  GOLD medal winners also got to pick from my CANDY basket filled with $1 boxes of candy.

Closing ceremonies… I thought it was so clever when the dancers formed the Olympic rings and mimicked the malfunction from the opening night.  So funny!      Sad it’s all over!!!

Silvas for the Weekend

We were lucky to get Amy, Chris, Jane and Peter here for President’s Day Weekend.  We were tied to the area because of a soccer tournament in Denver and they courageously braved the treacherous weather through the I70 pass to get here late Thursday night safely.  My kids could hardly wait for them to get here.  They absolutely love their cousins – the littler the better, it seems.  Jane had no free time at all… she had a group of followers ready to make her laugh, entertain her, and be entertained by her every second she was there – and I think mostly she enjoyed it.  As for Peter, Chris held him as much as possible.  He’s such a baby dad… he just loves those newborns.  Fun for the whole family to meet him for the first time.

Friday we enjoyed the day at home.  Chris was working but the kids had the day off.  We played mid-day games of 7Wonders and Settlers, and watched lots of Olympics.  Since Friday was Valentine’s Day  we left all the kids at home for a couples only dinner at Biaggi’s. (And Peter who slept the entire time).  Butter squash ravioli again.  My favorite.  Then home for more games and root beer floats.

Saturday morning we headed to Denver for Ryan to play in a pre-season soccer tournament with his Pride Club team.  For most of the time we stayed warm in the car parked so we could watch the game.  But for awhile we decided to venture out and get some fresh, albeit cold, air.  Between games we grabbed lunch at Café Rio and headed down to the Park Meadows mall to look around.  Chris ran to Ikea with Megan to check out desks for his new office.  After Amy and Chris headed home, Katie, Emily, Megan and I decided to stay at the mall while Chris headed back for Ryan’s second game.  We fully enjoyed the American Girl Store!!  Love that place.  Long day!

Matt thought it was super fun to roll down the hill over and over again.  Crazy kid.

Sunday we went to church and then spent another afternoon playing games.

We are trying to soak up all the Silva time we can get.  Who knows where they’ll be this summer when Chris graduates from MBA school.    Thanks for coming, you guys.  Always fun to be with you!!

Valentine’s Day Celebrations

We had a couple good snow days the week before Valentine’s Day and spent a good chunk of them making Valentine’s for all of our cousins.  I found these cute envelopes online and we filled them with Valentines and candy. Fun snow day activities – especially for my girls, who love a little crafting and adore their cousins.

Thursday, the 13th was the official Valentine Party Day at the elementary school because of no school on the 14th.  First, Megan’s class.  I manned the ‘decorating Valentine bags table’.  They also played a cute ‘collect the Conversation hearts’ with chopsticks game and ate treats.

Handing out Valentines was pure pandemonium but I got their attention for a quick wave before they finished. 

In Luke’s Kindergarten class, they did the handing out Valentine’s first.  It took longer since the kids had to sound out everyone’s names and then find it.

Next, they made cool pipe cleaner creations with a fun pencil.  Luke made a mustache and then an ocular.

Lastly I headed up to 5th grade to hang out with Emily and her class.  Just as much pandemonium.  They kids decorated Valentine bags, ate treats, handed out Valentines and just chatted.  Fun to see her and her friends.

When the kids got home they dumped everything out to have a look.  Matt was pretty excited to check out Luke’s things.  Soon, Matthew, soon!

On Friday, Valentine’s Day we let the kids open up a little Valentine’s present from Chris and I.

We also got cute Valentine’s from Megan.  She is such a sweetheart.  I found a few of them and had to write them down…

To Luke:  Happy Valentine's Day.  I love you so so so much.  You are such a wonderful brother.  I’m so happy to have you as my brother.  You are adorable, and irresistible.  I love your songs and love to be around you.  Love your amazing sister, Megan.

To Matthew: Matt, I love you so much.  Happy Valentine's day!  I love to be around you.  I love to play with you, especially the game ‘house’ when you’re my little boy.  You are so cute.  I adore you and I love your hugs.  I am so happy that you are my fabulous younger brother.  I wish you happy days.  Love your amazing older sister, Megan.

To Mom:  Happy Valentine’s Day.  I love you amazingly so much.  I am so glad to be your daughter.  You are beautiful and I like when I look at you.  I think you are one of the best mom’s ever.  And a great, great, great cook.  I love you and your style!  Love your marvelous daughter, Megan.

Isn’t she the cutest?  Love that letter writing girl!

After some Valentine love with the kids we left them home and went out to Biaggi’s with Amy and Chris – who were visiting for the weekend.  A great Valentine’s Day.