Super Bowl Parties are a Very Bad Idea

Lily showing her Seahawks pride...
or Monster High...they kinda look the same

While just 28 days, we packed enough into February to make them feel like 31+.  It all started with the Super Bowl.  To say that Seattle going to the Super Bowl was a big deal would be the greatest of understatements and Lily was far from immune to the excitement, even begging us for a jersey and then insisting on wearing it almost daily.  Since we missed the final playoff game, I'd told Lily that if the Seahawks made it to the big show she could have her friends over.  What seemed like a good idea turned into pure bedlam - 14 kids aged 5 - 8 plus Lily and a thoroughly confused Matteo running amok for 4+ hours in our house.  Within 30 seconds of the game it became clear it would be a looooong day when Doug declared "I don't actually like football" and all the other kids (each clad head-to-toe in Seahawks gear) agreed.  Chris and I looked at each other and quickly formed what ended up being the plan for the day - one parent upstairs, one parent down for the duration of the game to referee the bedlam and minimize the damage.  Even with this strategy we weren't able to stop juice boxes from being stepped on, Lily's closet rod from being broken off, a few emotional flare-ups and one treadmill accident (said mill was unplugged, but still proved a hazard).  Despite this, the party was declared a success, in part due to the ridiculous victory delivered by the 'Hawks.  Oh, and the kids decided they DID like football after all when the entire block took to the street in celebration.  Needless to say, I'm hoping it's a looooong time till they make it to the Bowl again.

(John Richard's playlist the next morning on KEXP also sums it up well, both the game and my home experience: New Order's Blue Monday, David Bowie's Heroes, REM's Orange Crush, Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terror Dome....)

The only snow we saw this winter

While Lily was causing mayhem, Matteo was asserting is independence.  He's increasingly vocal and that means he is ready to make his needs and wants KNOWN....loudly.  Whether it is dismay that his favorite tractor video on YouTube isn't loading quickly enough ("iPad not working!!!!") or his dismay with Lily for playing with the dome light in the car ("NO!! Turn off lights, Lily!") or even requesting to go to Walter's when it's not a Friday ("I want Julie! DONUTS!!!"), he isn't shy about using his ever-growing vocabulary. 

This month Lily also showed a new maturity that really blew me away.  She's always loved spending her allowance, and often times buys things she's not super excited about, because once she is at the store with her little purse she is NOT leaving empty-handed.  Grandma had sent her money for Valentine's Day and she was thrilled to pick out something new.  She went with me to Target, but not finding Monster High (shudder) or My Little Pony, she (for the first time) decided to wait and not get anything.  Later, at Fred Meyer, she carefully considered her options, picked out a Monster High doll on sale (she even declared it a "good deal") and left a Shutterfly doll she could also afford behind for another time, wanting to instead save her remaining money.  I couldn't have been prouder - the value of saving is a lesson I've been trying to impart and if it's starting to stick at age 7, she's on her way to being a very financially responsible adult.

X-wing and Paco.  He wasn't impressed.

So what else did we do in February?  Had a great 3-day weekend for President's Day, complete with Chris teaching Lily how to make an X-wing from office supplies, had the one and only day of snow on
the ground this entire winter, a sweet Valentine's Day (the mailboxes I made with Lily's class were a big hit), lots of homework, some work travel (sigh) and lots of funny quotes.  Here are the notables:

Lily:  I always wanted my own microscope because they make you all science-y

Matteo: I hurt my arm!!!
Me: (loudly kiss arm all over)
Matteo: THANK yoooooooou! (all smiles, toddles off)
Me: *heart melting*

Lily: Is that kale salad?  I want some!
Me: Ok, but don't eat it all, that's my dinner
Matteo: (rushing over, grabbing bowl) It's not funny Lily, that's mama's dinner! 

Matteo: (being my helper at Trader Joe's) Yogurt for Lily...red one, brown one, green one (picking Zbars)...and for Daddy! (picking out Kind bars)...his vocabulary has expoded and he's determined to show it off, including narrating our grocery runs.

Lily: (playing with her new blow-up globe) I punched the whole world! (sweet sister then proceeded to pick up Matteo so he could as well)

Matteo: Woof, woof! (pointing puppy at me)
Me: Hi, Puppy! (giving puppy a hug)
Matteo: (hugs us both)*
*Yes, this kid is REALLY turning the sweetness and charm up to 11

Me: (trying to remove Matteo from my lap) I need to put you down, buddy

Chris: Can I watch Monster trucks w you?

Matteo: Nope!

Me: Well, I need to go to the pet store and get dog food for Paco

Matteo: I go with you! I help!**

** See what I mean?  Such a mama’s boy and lovey love

Matteo: (trying to unsuccessfully make himself a plate of food) "uh oh - clean up!"

Mayhem, cuteness, a snow day and Valentine's - what more could we want?

Sweet Lily decorated the steps for
Valentine's Day - it went all the way down
to include Daddy, Matteo and Mr P