Beating the Winter Blues

While this winter had gone quite fast, the Petroeljes are very ready for warmer weather to make its appearance. We're itching to be able to play outside and get some fresh air. We have, however, managed to keep ourselves busy lately.

Chad was on spring break from Penn State last week, so he, Kathi, and Brielle made the trip home to spend some time with family. Yay! We took full advantage and spent time doing many activities to beat the winter blues.

We played around the house.

Dressing up in tutus (minus Grant) and spinning in circles until they fell over!

Making a fort (love, love, love Brielle's face here sticking out of the fort!! so funny!)

We took a trip to the G.R. Children's Museum.

Unfortunately, poor Brooke got knocked off of the ramp leading to the "barn" at the museum by a little girl who was running wildly and took a very hard fall to the ground below. Needless to say, the fun time she was having was quickly squashed and she clung to me for almost half of the visit. And eventually fell asleep (if you know anything about my daughter, you would know this is completely uncharacteristic of her)
Finally, back to normal after the nap.

Kathi, Brielle, Brooke, and I ventured to Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes Friday night. What an adorable show!! Brooke had an absolute blast. I just loved watching her yell to the princesses and wave.

Can we maybe get a real smile?? (gotta love that about this age!)

Unfortunately, Brielle, on the other hand, was not as enthused. Let's just say that her face became one with Kathi's shoulder for the entire evening with the exception of intermission.

Can you sense the love in Kathi's expression?
Our attempt at a group shot - still no luck getting Brielle to look forward.
A peek at that cute face during intermission - before returning back to the shoulder for the 2nd half of the show.

On Saturday night we went roller skating with our church. Last year, Grant used the skates that you strap to your tennis shoes that don't roll very fast. This year, he tried regular roller skates. Despite the fact that it took a bit for him to get used to them, and he took plenty of spills, the kid was a trooper and caught on, rolling around the rink all by himself for the latter half of the evening. It was so precious watching his beaming face as he did it all by himself!

Does he not look proud as a peacock here?! Look at my little man!
Trent and Grant - big buddies

Brooke, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about riding in the stroller on the rink again this year. However, she didn't want to roller skate either (as we tried the strap ons)! What she really wanted was to be able to run onto the rink, and Eric and I spent plenty of time chasing her around!

Grant has kept himself occupied this winter by coming up with different lego creations. The other day I got a big kick out of his latest masterpiece. He came upstairs with lego numbers he'd created - for the ages of each person in our family! He has always had a knack for numbers (for instance, he can do mental math and add double digits), and keeps fabulous track of everyone's age (not that I'm so excited about that the older I get!). I had to quick snag a picture before it was obsolete and the 31 went up a number!
And, to end this post on a random note - Marcy and Eric, this picture is for you! It's our attempt to commemorate your move to China! Gotta love "authentic" (NOT) Chinese food from a box! (Actually, Wanchai Ferry is very good!) Miss you guys already!