Team Brrr

Announcing our 2011 Polar Plunge Team!!!

Combining one crazy Logelin, two fruity Fairclough's and a wacky Weber resulted in "Team Brrr".

Please support this wonderful cause by submitting a pledge.

On February 12, 2011, we have committed to grin and "bear" it for the athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota by participating in the Rochester Polar Bear Plunge.

I know — you're probably getting cold just thinking about it! But the cold that I'll feel is only temporary; the positive impact we'll have on the lives of over 7,000 Special Olympics Minnesota athletes with intellectual disabilities will last a lifetime!

We've set a fundraising goal, and need your help to reach it! So no, we're not asking you to take the Plunge (although we'd love you to join us!), but we are asking if you'll make a donation to Special Olympics Minnesota on behalf of our team taking the Plunge. Any amount would be appreciated — it all goes to a wonderful cause, and every little bit gets us get that much closer to our goal.

http://www.plungemn.org/index.php?page=find

Still serious....and other matters

Registered Josie for kindergarten today. Hard to believe that she's almost 5 and will be heading off to school in September. Here's a few pictures of her and I tonight:

And yes, I'm totally serious about the Polar Plunge. I'll have team information (assuming anyone besides Ted and I commit) out by Monday so you can start pledging. Please vote on the blog for the current theme front runners.

Riddle me this

I'm thinking of something that is so white you can lose it in a snowstorm, swims around in cold water and growls when hungry. Any guesses?

For those of you thinking of a polar bear- you're close.

For those of you thinking of Heather doing the Polar Plunge- you win!

Yep, you read that right. I've decided to do the Polar Plunge this year in honor of local law enforcement and to support a great cause. Plus I need to ice my knee anyway so I might as well take care of that in a new and unusual way.

I'm throwing out a challenge for you to join my team. We can raise money, wear costumes, jump in freezing cold water and warm up at Whistle Binkies afterwards. Or if you prefer to stay toasty warm you can come watch me jump or support my fundraising efforts.

More "Support a Plunger" information coming soon........

Hey mom, I have an idea!

 Since I have to take a bath anyway how about some finger painting? Such a smart little girl! 

We both made beautiful masterpieces to be cherished for all time. Or at least until the paint dries!

Princess Breakfast

Somerby hosted a "Disney Princess Breakfast" this weekend so we decided to indulge Josie's princess obsession without having to board a plane to Florida. While it was no breakfast in the castle, Josie certainly had a good time and was pleasantly surprised to be escorted by her Uncle Ted.

 I think we've found our table!

 Yum!

 Nice look Ted

 Give me back my crown Ted!

 Its Belle....sort of

 Snuggle with Ted

 Two beautiful Cinderellas

 Josie, Belle and Cinderella (like I said, not like the breakfast in the castle)

 Go stand by Ted so I can get a good picture

Focus you two!

Perfect! 

Disney 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

The opposite of old

As told by Grandma Kari:
"I had a conversation with Josie a few weeks ago about my Dad, the life process of growing from a baby all the way into old age, which lead to the topic of the end of life or death and she seemed to understand.  Her only comment was that my Dad's wife would be lonely.  Shortly after that she was having dinner with Tim and I, she looked across the table at me and said "Kari, you look old", then leaned over to Tim and said "Tim, you're going to be lonely".  Guess she thinks that I have one foot in the grave - ha. On Monday we talked about opposite New Year words and I asked what's the opposite of old and she said dead.  Sigh."

This should teach Grandma a lesson!

A cough in the night

So Josie is sick....again. But luckily it appears to be more of a cold than a visit by our old pal Ralph. As she went to bed last night she started complaining about "a cough in the night" so we figured she was just being needy. Sure enough, about an hour after bedtime, we heard a barky cough coming from her room. Fast forward another hour and then we heard lots of moaning, whimpering and crying. She was doubled over in pain and complaining about her belly hurting. Lots of bathroom attempts, a bath and some snuggling didn't seem to relieve anything. It got pretty bad between 3-5 AM when she started complaining about her neck hurting too. Just as I was going through all the possible life threatening reasons (which, by the way, was totally acceptable mother behavior given the severe hour and lack of sleep) Josie came up with a one liner that told me everything was going to be ok. It went a little like this-
Josie: Mom, I have "a cough in the night" you know.
Me: Yes honey, I'm sorry you're feeling tough. Try to get some sleep now.
Josie: But mom, I can't sleep if my tummy and neck hurt.
Me: Come snuggle with me and let's try to sleep.
Josie: Mom, I have "toots in the night" too ya know.
Me: I love you honey.