I hate to tempt the Weather Gods by saying anything, but boy, this winter has been SO MUCH better than last winter. We've don't have to worry about getting frostbite walking from the house to the car! We can play outside! I don't have to wear two sweaters and a pair of mittens inside the house!
We've taken Clare ice skating several times. (Christopher came once. He rode around the ice in his stroller. He was not impressed.) Clare, however, cannot get enough time on the ice. She's getting pretty good at skating, too. She can skate backwards and spin around in circles. Not gracefully, mind you, but she is still doing it. We met some friends at the rink a few weekends ago, and then went to Snuffy's for lunch afterwards. A fun winter Saturday. Oh, and can I just say how great it is that Groveland Rec Center lends out skates for free? For free!
Last weekend, we went down to the St. Paul Winter Carnival. We rode the bus, which I think was the highlight of the trip for the kids. Even Christopher was into it. It was such a beautiful, warm day. The ice sculptures looked a little worse for wear, but it was so nice to be able to get out and do something as a family.
Our other news for the month is that we are now minivan owners. I feel like such a stereotype. All we are missing is the dog. However, I have to say that the minivan is nice. It is comfortable and it will be wonderful for camping trips this summer.
With nights out with friends, book club, dinner parties and family time, it has been a fun month. The winter blahs still come and go, but for the most part things are good. Now that I've said I am enjoying winter, we'll probably get a huge blizzard next week. I can handle it, though, since we have so many good days in the bank.
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| Waiting for his milkshake at Snuffy's. |
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| At the Winter Carnival. |
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| Christopher was also not impressed by the Winter Carnival. |
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| Clare on one of our many trips to the aquarium at MOA. |
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| Saying goodbye to our old Prius. I didn't even like that car much, but it still felt a bit sad to leave it behind. It was the car we used to bring Christopher home from the hospital, after all. |
I feel like minivan also means: Third Kid. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis winter has been so much better - KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD. Last year I think we could play outside like once. This year with the backyard and at school and temps above 0, Mason gets out nearly every day. I'm glad the winter blahs are staying away more than usual.
Clare can skate?! That is SO COOL. We have brought the boys ice skating exactly ONE TIME in their entire lives (and Adam is SEVEN!!!), and when we brought them (last winter) it was to the Groveland Rec Center. It was freeeezing that day, so probably not the best time to try to learn, but all I kept thinking was "This is SO MUCH WORK." Like anything in life, practice makes perfect, but I'm sort of dreading bringing them again. Adam was all spaghetti legs and Ben had a false sense of confidence when he was holding onto the chair for support (and went way too fast). I sound old, don't I? But maybe hockey just won't be their sport.
ReplyDeleteCute photos!!! It does make a world of difference when you're able to get out of the house during the winter. My sister-in-law, who does daycare, said she's always looking for things to do on the weekend because she's at her house all day every day, and I imagine you feel a little bit like that, too.
Fwiw, it sounds like you've "found your groove" (minivan and all) and seeing you so happy makes me happy.