I know, I know – yet another collage!

I just discovered Picasa – I will tire of this soon, bear with me.

The other day Millie and Clara were hanging out in Clara’s room – taking books off the shelf and “reading”.

As I watched them potter about it struck me that this was one of those wonderful moments where they were happy, and enjoying this simple activity together and so I grabbed the camera and did my best to capture it.

(I realize this is a bit on the small side, but if you click on it you can see it bigger and get a better sense of it.)

Dear Chief Guy,

you know who you are where you are and why I am writing this you are not here to see what we have been up to whilst you do your thing miles and miles away from not here – which is where you are and it is irrelevant except for the fact that you are not here – which basically means that you are not with us – and that stinks, full stop

So, what do you think of my Faulkner impersonation? Deep. Right?  I always thought anyone could do what he did – but perhaps I am wrong? It is harder than it looks to not use any punctuation and blather on like there is some hidden meaning to what you are saying.

Hmmm.

What I want to know is, do you think when I try to write like Faulkner I am,

a) brilliant

b) annoying

Just checking.

Now on to the report and the photos.

Here’s what you have been missing:

Man, am I GLAD I bought that new tub of Eucerine! So is Clara.

You lucky dog, you have missed yet another snow storm ENTIRELY.

It has been okay because my mom, aka THE ROCK STAR has been here

And apparently the three Nephites are landscapers for our next door neighbors. They took pity on us poor females and shoveled the drive way with their big bad plow! Can you believe it?! SO KIND!

At any rate the girls were loving the snow

I on the other hand was VERY bummed out by the snow. I had arranged a whole day in the city – just me and the previously mentioned rock star relation – but had to cancel due to the snow.

When the going gets sad I go ahead and make SOUFFLE (thanks to dear AJ’s recipe – some of the sadness was alleviated)

It don’t look super appetizing, but you have had more than one of these so even though the camera on my phone is rummy – you know how good these suckers are.

Let Millie’s reaction be a witness to it’s deliciousness!

That night before bed Grandma, Millie & Clara cooked up a surprise for me.

A PERFORMANCE where the costumes were worn over their jammies, and Grandma provided a curtain which Clara and Millie used to their full advantage!

If you weren’t missing us before, I know you are missing us now!

Today was the Valentine’s party as Millie’s school. We walked through the door and sat down in the entry way to examine her loot.

Later in the day we watched a  romantic movie

Can you tell what it is?

How about now?

It was swell and inspired much mirth and you’ll never believe it –

D A N C I N G!

So that is the news with us.

Clara would like to send you a special message via her balloons,

Read it and weep

because we are weeping without you.

P.S. We hope that despite the fact that you are working very hard that you will stop and take time to

LICK THE FLOWERS!

oxox,

Lize, Millie & Clara

To where we went after we picked Millie up from camp…

free clue: that is NOT a goatee

and he brought the best part of Kansas back with him!

When Millie woke up very early Friday morning – we are talking 3:00 am early. She came into our room and saw her dad and was THRILLED! (How do kids do this, I wonder? How do they have energy and exuberance right after waking up in the wee small hours of the morning?)

“Daddy! You’re back!”

Jan was excited too (but maybe not so exuberant) he hugged Millie and took her back to her room, and re-tucked her into bed. She asked him, “Did you say hi to Dorothy?” and “Was she so beautiful?” For Millie a trip to Kansas did not involve Sprint’s head quarters. All Millie knows of Kansas is the Wizard of OZ.

Because Millie’s dad understands the heart of his little girl. He brought her a special something…

She poked her head around the door to find…

TOTO!!!!!!!

Millie was pleased, but didn’t want to fully celebrate Toto’s arrival until she had tucked her tootsies into these shoes

She wanted to BE Dorothy. But wait, OH, NO!  they no longer fit – which resulted in some serious tears, but mom had an idea

A bow to match Toto’s

(dang it, moms are so awesome!)

Millie then declared, “Now all we need is the rest of the costume.”

Then there were more tears – but not from Millie

Clara woke up and those tears quickly turned to smiles upon seeing dad

She was delighted to be introduced to Toto

WELCOME HOME, DAD! (and welcome to the family, Sir Toto)

Father dearest, Allow me to welcome you home properly with poke in the nose!

We love you, dad!

Love,

The Dawsons