a little snow fun...

I know it's only one...but I love this shot... been playing with some new techniques!

We took the kids sledding for the first time Saturday --- Quinn loved it! Keira liked it too, but was a bit more cautious. She doesn't seem to love the winter the way Quinn did, almost as though she doesn't quite know what to do with herself out there! And as Billy says, "She's got Meditrainean blood, of coure she doesn't like the cold!"

love, hugs and kisses --- the gullickson's

Princess Mary.....?

This morning Quinn climbed into bed with me a few minutes before 7. He's been in a talk -talk -talk -talk-talk phase lately :) so the rambling began! I can't quite remember how it came up, but all of a sudden he was talking about princess Mary - when asked who she is - he responded he didn't know but that he thought maybe she watches us when we're sleeping - he went on to describe that she was wearing a long pretty dress, and dancing.... I asked him what she looked like, and if she had blonde hair or red...he looked at me quite confidently and said "no Mommy, she has black hair like you, and eyebrows like you too..." as he stroked my hair :) A bit later in the morning he told me she was pretty, and that "she never met me before, and I never met her either!".... so some of you are probably wondering what this is all about...and we aren't really sure...but we don't know of any book/movie with a princess Mary - and have never heard him use the name even in play...nor do we currently know a Mary....still confused? My Grandmother's name that passed away Christmas morning...... Mary..... Now of course this could all be coincidental....but she does/did have black hair, and was strikingly gorgeoous in her youth....and to picture her in a long dress....wouldn't be at all surprising as fashion was her thing...

No way to know...but too closely matched to not acknowledge the very real chance that she has reached out to her great-grandson. What makes this all the more interesting, is that something very similar happened shortly after my Papa died --- with Quinn sounding like he was playing peek-a-boo with someone in his room...not once, but over and over ---- scared me is an understatement.... the next night rocking him, singing a song my papa sang and made up with his first born daughter --- Quinn said "papa" --- we don't call anyone Papa....I brought him to my room without saying a word, gave him my papa's hat, which he smelled and said...."PAPA!!!!!!!!"

What to make of this new "Mary" story.....? I just don't know, but I keep finding a smile creeping across my face, at the wonderful idea that life goes on, we continue to exist, that my Grandma is at peace, and happy....

xxoo genine

how is it the middle of Feb. already??? I just can't get over how fast time is going....



So, billy and I are heading to Cali. to visit with Ann and Patty in just over a week! It'll be our first trip without the kids.... Billy is very excited, I am too, but also a bit reserved....i know i'm going to miss them --- and still have the lingering guilt --- especially for Keira as she just doesn't and can't understand. We've been talking to Quinn about it for a while, he can spit back where we're going, and that Grandma/Grandpa and Nona will be watching them while we're gone. Keira is incredibly clingy to me ---- which i love, so it breaks my heart to think of her upset. I'm hoping that out of sight - out of mind to a degree with take over! Tempted to video ourselves for a few minutes to leave for them to view!!!

What we've been up to...

*I take the kids swimming 2x's a week at a family rec. center that has an indoor water play park! It's adorable with fountains, dumping buckets, a waterslide, a lazy river, and zero entry in the shallow end. They both love it --- Keira is getting more and more comforable, and Quinn is advacing his pre-swimming skills ---- he loves to jump forward plunging into the water - full submerges, and attempts to swim a bit underwater! So cute --- the head life guard "Leo" is a sweetheart - older, retired man...who loves kids. He's always taking time to show Quinn a thing or two, high fiving and praising all of his efforts! Kind of reminds me of my grandfather.... :) my papa taught us all how to swim in the pool they had in their backyard for years. On the weekends Billy and I have ventured up together, and take the two of them in the deeper end --- still under 4 ft. but my deeper than the shallow play area. They love jumping off the side to us, and again Quinn loves going under and showing us how good of a swimmer he's becoming! Keira loves to follow suit --- and when mommy let her go under on her jumps she wasn't quite sure what to make of it. After a few times, she came up, caught her breath, and said Daddy! reaching for him to save her from the dunks!!! lol


The weather is still so cold, awaiting Spring - desperately!! We did head out for a walk today - Quinn road his bike as the streets are clear --- and it was cold!!! I hate it...warm weather couldn't come soon enough for me!

Will need to take a quick pic. of them for you to post later! Hope you're all well, happy and healthy!

xxoo genine