Lauren Learns to Like the Snow

Last year, Lauren didn't like winter much at all. She refused to keep her mittens on, so her hands were always cold, she couldn't walk in the snow because she was so tiny, and pretty much, we were stuck inside all winter. This year has been a bit better in that at least she keeps her mittens on for the most part, but has still struggled to walk in the snow, preferring instead to be carried in arms or on my back. However, she discovered the joy of playing in the snow during our last storm, throwing snowballs, goofing off, and having fun, though she did eventually get cold and ask to go in. She still takes her mittens off some of the time.

Future Musicians?

The kids love music, playing it, dancing to it, singing with it. They often fight over the piano, but here is a rare moment where they are sharing and getting along.

Let it Snow

We have been getting snow this year, which has been a lot of fun for the kids (though not for Josh on Thursday when it took him close to three hours to drive home from work). We have had three decent storms already this year (one that is going on right now). The first was the perfect snowman snow, and Max and I took full advantage. Grandma saw these pictures and sent one of Max's presents along early, which is good, because the next storm brought about a foot of snow, and it is good that his new snowpants don't end mid calf like the ones he wore with the snowman. Today, we went out and did some snowshoeing.

The snow is a bit too deep for Lauren, and she can't really walk in it yet, but she doesn't take her mittens off this year, so she stays pretty warm. She loves a good sled pull, too.

The dogs are equally happy, running and playing in the snow, though they keep losing their toys. We have no more balls. I hope they sniff them out, rather than having to wait for it to melt.

I dont' want to jinx us, but it might actually be a white Christmas this year for the first time in ages. (For us)

Hunting the Perfect Tree

Why pick out a Christmas tree in the summer or on a warm fall day when you can wait for it to be bitterly cold and windy to do it?

Lessons for the day.

1. 4YOs look for different things in a tree than adults.
   
   
2. While it makes sense to buy mittens for the kids, buying some for the adults isn't a bad plan, either.



3. A cup of hot cocoa and a tree wrapper is all it takes to make a 4YO forget about the cold.



4. If you are going to put a second layer under the child's clothing, maybe you should think about doing it for yourself as well.



5. While decorating a house for Christmas in a methodical way has its pleasure, nothing can beat watching the joy that small children get out of it, even if it means you end up with blinking lights and stockings that are "out of order."
   

All that being said, Max picked out a great tree and we had a lovely time doing it, though it might have been just a little bit more lovely last weekend when it was in the 40s with no wind.