The Snowy Day

I don't know why, but it always catches me off guard that my kids have personalities... of well their own, something that Jeff and I didn't pass on to them.  Raya has a flair for acting -- she loves to pretend different emotions or different situations... she was pretending to be sleeping on the sled as I was pulling her towards the snow hill:

 Levi.. with his debonair smile and sparkly blue eyes.  -- He stuck mainly to the bunny hill.

Seth loves the snow, and it gladdens my heart... because I hate the snow.  But having Seth around makes it much more tolerable.

I still can't believe Jeff let Raya go down this steep (steep steep steep) hill... twice.

There goes my baby... I was having serious heart palpitations.

And what does Raya say when all is said and done?  "That was fun!" -- "Mommy, your turn.  C'mone Mommy I'll help you."

.... and what was my reply? ... lets just say I stuck with the bunny hills with Levi :) (But next time I'll suck it up, seriously, I can't have my two year old braver than me!)

little mo's

Little moments that I've meant to post earlier:

I think I'm not alone when I state that at times (ok, a lot of times) I have feelings of inadequacies -- especially in regards to parenting. Thoughts like:  Did I read enough to them today?  Did I give each child enough individual attention? Diet? -- and then since I'm around them all.the.time. their little less than perfect quirks seem HUGE at times. --  That's why this little moment after the boys swim lesson meant a lot to me after a particularly challenging week.  Their instructor was praising them with such enthusiasm, not only their swimming skills but how well behaved and how well they listened what good examples they were.  Music to my ears, I must be doing something right (right?).


Splash and Dash.  Seth has been wanting to go to this for a year... ever since his friends at Montessori raved to him how cool it is.  Last Friday we dropped the boys off at the swimming pool and Jeff and I went on a "date" with Raya.  I can't express how much fun it was.  Raya loved the attention.  And going from 3 to 1 kids... It reminded me how much work those other two actually are!  Going out for ice cream and then Hastings with Raya... it was so simple and easy.  We went home and Jeff and I took turns reading to Raya and getting JUST Raya ready for bed.  It was so simple and sweet.  It was a good night.  As for the boys, they've asked every day since if they can go to another splash and dash.


Win some you loose some.  These days don't happen too often, but Saturday was just a bad day.  No ones fault, and no on upset... but everything just off.  Went to the bear exhibit, Seth was so excited to see bears in hibernation, he even brought a notebook and was taking notes... we waited in line and went through the mini-presentations about the bears (we had to go in small groups) and just before we were about to see the bears the director informed us that children are not permitted to see them.  Seth was devastated... an hour investment... no bears.  It was annoying.  -- New plan, I wanted to check out the craft fair in Lewiston -- gps leading us astray, kids laying on the gym floor, no check book, no diapers... and Raya needed one.  1 hour 15 min drive... for 30 minutes of a craft fair (bah!)

Last thought.... The boys' "real" violins are shipped!  I'm so excited for this new venture.

bubble-walden-hockey.

Bubble -- ok, I know that I am out of the loop when it comes to most pop culture related stuff... but really, I just found out Michael Jackson died today. I laughed pretty hard at myself... seriously how did I miss that news headline?? -- and it was like forever ago.. I'm hopeless.

Walden -- Meet our new pet: named after the book I'm currently reading. 

Hockey -- Seth did a try-hockey-for-free-day last Saturday.  He was so adorable:

I was amazed at how fast the kids picked it up too!  Too bad for time conflicts or we would sign him up for the league, definitely something to keep in mind for next year though.

Hey Paul.... Paul Bunyan (Paul Bunyan)

He's 64 ax handles high with his feet on the ground and his head in the sky... hey Paul... Paul Bunyan.  

That's what our Halloween sounded like... Three adorable children prancing around singing Paul Bunyan.  You know Halloween might be my favorite holiday :)

"May the Forest be with you."

"Run Forest, Run!" -- Jeff and I were trees if you haven't figured it out...

Raya was the Paul Bunyans trusty Babe the blue ox. --

So for Halloween, we went to the mall, and to a couple of houses.  The boys especially got so many "ohhs and awws"  They were so cute swiping their axes and swaggering with their snow boots.  Levi actually attempted to chop down a real tree at the mall... I love Levi.

Early on Halloween Levi, Raya and I attended Seth's school party.  I made jello worms... they were so gross, they were  great.  The kids got a big kick out of them.