G a l v i n F a m i l y . n e t

New Beginning

2010-05-09T21:47:00.001-05:00

Time for a new beginning with our family page. We're going to try using Blogger for awhile. Who knows, maybe Laura will jump in and contribute an entry once in awhile.

You can still find our old site at: http://galvin-family.net/

Tooth lost

2010-05-02T21:48:00.017-05:00

After several weeks of waiting and wiggling, Claire has lost her first tooth yesterday. We were running around town delivering May Baskets to our friends, she was chewing a Tootsie Roll and said "I think a piece of my tooth broke off". Dad looks back at the tooth in her hand and says "Claire, that is your tooth". She was happy to finally have that tooth out. She put the tooth in her little tooth-chest, and the tooth fairy brought her a $2 bill last night. She awoke early and came running to our room, full of excitement that the fairy had come. Now she says she's one-part-grown-up.

Catching up

2010-01-19T21:41:00.005-06:00

We've made it through the Christmas season and have been weathering the extra snowy winter wonderland, and now preparing for a couple rounds of ice. The kids have been enjoying sledding, snow-princess, snow-bear, snow-fort, snow-angels, and plain snow balls. Garrett celebrated his 4th Birthday and says he cannot believe he's 4 already. Neither can we. He had a Transformer party for his friends, 3 boys, 3 girls, and Claire. Thanks to the weather, daycare woes, furloughs, and holiday's I've had plenty of time together with the kids over the last few weeks.

Christmas Break

2009-12-26T21:22:00.002-06:00

The kids have been having a wonderful time on Christmas break! Last night our friends Eric and Lisa came over to play Wii. Garrett rocks at Wii Resort Swordplay and devastated our friends. Today he played the computer for about hour and only lost twice, and is borderline pro status already. Today we played outside in the snow after lunch. The snow princess, bear, and fort we made earlier in the week are all ice. A fact my little man learned the hard way with his face, left side of the poor kid's face is road-rash. Poor guy. Claire had fun staking chunks of ice from the street plow into snowmen in the neighbors yards. Tonight we had plenty of family snuggle time watching movies.

Change of Christmas plans

2009-12-24T21:24:00.001-06:00

Well it's official. Thanks to the weather we're staying put in Ames for Christmas this year. It's difficult because we're on the rainy side of the winter storm. However our destinations are iced and snowed in and we'd be hard pressed to make all 7 hours of our journey without incident. They're talking a foot plus snow just 15 miles from here, so it's tough. Well, the kids still wanted to get out some holiday cheer this year so we made a few quick videos last night that I'm posting here. Hoping everyone is staying put someplace warm and safe this year, and have a very Merry Christmas and celebration of the birth of Christ.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T21:25:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas! Another year as passed and it's time to take a moment to remember the reason behind Christmas and the celebration. It's also a special family time, a time to slow down and reflect on the true gifts we've been given. Claire and Garrett are our greatest joy and they bring smiles to our faces even on the toughest days. Both continue to grow, learn, and always make us proud.

Claire started kindergarten this year, and is starting to read and write. Gone are her imaginary stories of Penny the Dog and Tiger Dragon, now she expresses her artistic side through drawings, crafts, and dancing. She continues to take dance lessons, and has learned to swim in deep water this year. During summer vacation she learned to kayak and ride her bike without training wheels.
Garrett started preschool this fall and absolutely loves it. In a room of peers your realize just how big he's going to become. Garrett took swim and soccer lessons this year and loves riding his bike, playing video games, and solving puzzles.
From our family to your's, may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Walk Through Bethlehem

2009-12-08T21:27:00.001-06:00

What an odd week. Sunday the kids traveled back in time to about 2000bc. There they met Sara and Abraham, then moved forward in time to meet Isaac, then further ahead to meet shepard's, olive farmers, fishermen, wise men, beggars and outcasts overcome with leprosy, overwhelmed inn keepers, market place vendors, and eventually made our way to a couple with a new born child in a manger. Yes, it was the annual Walk Through Bethlehem at our church. What a great event and it continues to improve and evolve over time. The costumes are elaborate, the roll playing well rehearsed, and storyline you must hear. Fast forward from there to current times, 48 hours ago the weather was delightful and we'd seen no significant snow for the season. Today I've shoveled my driveway 4 times, we have 11.4" inches of snow, with more snow on the way. School let out early today and is already canceled for tomorrow. Claire cannot wait for her first snow day. Dad has the next two days of as required furlough so much fun shall be had.

Wizard of Oz

2009-12-01T21:27:00.002-06:00

Tonight we took Claire to the Wizard of Oz show at Stephens Auditorium. On the way in she had the biggest smile on her face. She thoroughly enjoyed the show, which was very well done and geared well toward kids. She loved Dorothy and they used a live dog for Toto that caught her attention every time. The cast was great, I especially enjoyed the Lion. Only problem was the show did not start until 7:30 which makes it tough on kids bedtimes. Garrett got to stay home with one of his favorite babysitters.

Halloween

2009-10-31T21:29:00.004-05:00

Halloween! Spooks and haunts galore this year. Claire picked a witch costume accented with a broom, and Garrett went as a Transformer. Earlier this week Claire drew up a jack-o-lantern design on paper in the morning. That night she drew the face on her pumpkin and cut out the parts by herself. Garrett choose a spider design for his pumpkin, and with a little assistance from dad it turned out pretty cool! The night turned out perfect after a week filled with over 4 inches of rain, cooler temps, and high winds. We set out around the neighborhood to visit friends and neighbors. When the kids tired we returned home to enjoy the bountiful loot, pizza, and share a Halloween movie. Click on the collage bellow for more Halloween pictures!

Wasserbahn Waterpark

2009-10-17T21:31:00.001-05:00

This weekend we took the kids to the Wasserbahn Waterpark while mom was attending a nearby conference. Earlier in the week I told the kids we should secretly surprise mom at her hotel, little did they know the hotel had a waterpark until that morning.The kids had a fantastic time. Both kids quickly worked up the courage to go down the big green body water slide. Garrett was a madman as he enjoyed far more trips than either dad, Claire, or mom could endure. Claire also improved on her swimming skills. She is tall enough to enjoy every part of the pool. When we were not hitting the slides we played catch around the pool, played hide-and-seek with the dive rings, and spun ourselves dizzy in the whirlpool. Click here for pictures of the weekend.

Absence

2009-10-12T21:32:00.004-05:00

Been awhile since I've updated anything here. We've been busy that's for sure. School continues for both kids, though Garrett is far more enthused by preschool than Claire is of kindergarten. Last week Nana Galvin came to visit a few days while our daycare was closed again. Last week was also mom and dad's last week of beginner dance lessons for foxtrot, waltz, swing, and about 5 minutes of polka. The weather has turned cold fast here with a heavy frost this weekend that knocked the leaves off our trees literally overnight. The kids and I reluctantly tore down the veggie garden and potted plants. Snow has been teasing us while it's been accumulating elsewhere. Last night as we were driving back from the Mall of America we'd hit a few flurries and reminds me how much I'm not ready for winter. On the bright side it's apple orchard time and the kids always enjoy those visits.

Birthday

2009-09-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to Laura! The old gal turned +1. The kids surprised mom by baking a cake two days ago, a double chocolate layer cake with chocolate whipped topping, and white pastry accents, and candles of course. Laura said it tasted like a cupcake, whether that's good or bad I don't know. The kids and I bought her gift certificate to a favorite shop in town, and a fancy new bike for her to ride around on. We decorated the house up nice, took mom out for Red Lobster, then surprised her at home with the cake, confetti, and noise makers.

Preschool begins

2009-09-08T21:35:00.002-05:00

Garrett started Preschool today! Claire started the morning out by pumping Garrett full of the exciting things he'll do at school. Garrett was psyched up and ready to go. He described his first preschool experience as "totally awesome!". He played with gears, play dough, and stamps, he raised his hand to ask questions and addressed the teachers by name. He's going to be a teachers pet I suspect.