Maria's New Haircut

As you can see from all the pictures, Maria's hair has grown really long. Every morning has become more and more of a fight, keeping her still while I brush it and braid it. I always tell her that if she doesn't let me brush it every day, I'll have to cut it, and that has always worked. However, yesterday she told me that she wanted me to cut it (unfortunately for her, I'll still have to brush it every day). She was actually really excited about it.

I think she looks a lot older (I'm not so happy about that).

Thanks, Nana!

Your little nipolta loves the stickers, Nana.

Ash Wednesday

Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.

Lent, of course, means that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are especially in season; but for us at least, it also means that pretzels are in season! On a related note (related to eternal salvation, that is, not to pretzels), we received some pictures taken by a friend who was at Thomas' Baptism, and we've made a web album for them here.

Oh, and one more thing: the Tigers opened Spring Training play with a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Go Tigers!

Shrove Tuesday

From the Fish Eaters' fine website:

The Tuesday of Shrovetide is a particularly big party day known as "Mardi Gras" (French for "Fat Tuesday") - or "Pancake Tuesday" because fats, eggs, and butter in the house had to be used up before Lent began, and making pancakes or waffles was a good way to do it. In many places, especially in England, pancake races became popular and remain popular today. In these races, women must run while flipping a pancake so many times, and whoever crosses the finish line first wins. The largest pancake race in England is in Olney, in Buckinghamshire. There, the women must wear a dress, apron, and bonnet, and flip the pancake three times -- while ensuring it is intact after they cross the finish line, of course. The story told to explain the origins of this race is that in 1445, a homemaker heard the shriving bell (the bell rung to summon people to confession on this day) as she was busy working in her kitchen. Not wanting to be late, she rushed about and ran off with her skillet still in hand.

At Westminster School in London, the "Pancake Grease" is held, an event during which the schoolmaster tosses a very large pancake over a bar that's set to about 15 feet high. The children make a mad scramble for it, and whoever emerges with the largest piece is the winner.

A Sad Farewell

Three weeks have gone by all too quickly,

but we had a great time!

P.S. The snow is up to 60 cm (c. 2 feet) and shows no sign of letting up.

One Last, "Prost!"

Mice and Mozart Balls

Above: Maria was pretty excited about the idea of eating a chocolate Mozart Ball; below: she loves the playdough that her grandparents brought for her.

More Snow

It's been snowing almost non-stop for the past couple of days. This morning it measured 31 cm (just over a foot) on the roof of the Spar behind us.

Maria Taking Care of Her Baby

More Pictures of Baby Thomas

We're featuring this first photo to show you all how fat our little porker is getting. This little guy is not like Maria! He eats constantly. Check out those cheeks, and the protruding belly. Also unlike Maria, we've found that he doesn't mind baths too much.

Commemoration of St. Valentine

Priest, Martyr

This holy Roman priest assisted with other pious Christians a great number of martyrs. He was beheaded under Aurelian in 270. 

Happy birthday and happy Valentine's day to my lovely wife.

We made Lisa (well, mostly Katie made it) omelets and hash browns for breakfast, with Irish coffee. When we all had our backs turned after breakfast, Maria made her move for the whipped cream.

Cute Kids