some fun

We explored the recreation outlet out here in C-bus and really had a fun time! Completely wore the kids out (and us too!). I think L liked the trampoline the most, because I had to get on the tramp every time to get him off! and mind you, there's a rule about only one jumper at a time, so there's half a dozen moms with their kids waiting in line watching me wrestle with him and awkwardly step out of the netted-in trampoline onto those tiny little slides they use to help the kids in and out. A little embarrassing, but worth it.

lots of lovin'

It's so fun to have family near, because you have a silly excuse to go all out for a holiday that you might not have otherwise. Tara and I thought of a Red/Pink dinner menu, complete with lots of food coloring and it was so fun! I still laugh at how weird pink rice looks with red chicken! She had a table all decorated pretty-like, and part of my half of the night was doing the cupcakes. I tried a few new techniques in decorating and I had so much fun! Thanks guys - it was a great time! 

Enjoy the love!

I am SO grateful for Ry and L. They make love a real, tangible thing for me every day and I learn a lot from them about who it is that I'm trying to be. I have the best valentines in the world. 

questions

I asked myself a lot of questions this morning ... it went something like this:

"I haven't seen L in a while. Where is he?"
{hearing L throw a few things down the stairs ... this is common, and therefore didn't deserve a second thought ... hearing L come down the stairs}

"Why is it so quiet in the living room?"
{a few minutes later}

"I'm glad he's playing by himself for a little bit, but what is L laughing about so much?"
{a few more minutes}

"I wish he could just talk more instead of yelling 'Mmaaa' over and over again. Does he really need me right now?"
{continued giggling and yelling for Mmaaa, so I eventually go see what he is up to}

What a cutie!! I almost had an urge to play in it with him, and then just smiled and went to work cleaning it up. I was breathing in baby powder for quite some time - but it was worth it. Cleans up easy, and it created a very cute, happy little boy.

Maybe this is a step in the right direction: playing with white, powdery stuff. Baby power today, snow tomorrow! We will see!!

friends

It is really nice to live walking distance to friends! I know L is grateful for it too ... it seems he is getting bored of me lately during the long days of staying inside.

I LOVE this picture of these two boys. They are a riot together!
Thank goodness for friends!! 

say it ain't so

This was our experience with the crazy snow storm that hit this past weekend. By far the best storm we've had all year, all things considered: amount of snow, level of snow-clearing in the roads, and the beautiful blue sky the next day. It didn't even feel like we were in Ohio anymore! 

I wanted cute family snow pictures, so R took a break from studying and we got all bundled up. L threw tantrum after tantrum while trying to put snow pants, coat, hat, gloves, and boots on; but we kept saying, "we're going outside and you're going to like it!"  

This is THE only normal looking picture I have to L the entire time. 

This is him not wanting to touch any snow - even with his boots.

He LOVES watching Daddy shovel, so I thought it would make him happy ... didn't really work.

Still didn't work.

Life is miserable!

We tried all sorts of things - especially playing in the snow ourselves - to try to warm him up to the idea. At one point R laid down and started making a snow angel ... 

... and this was L's reaction.

At one point we very firmly planted him on the snow sitting down and proceeded to lightly throw snow on his pants (once again, telling him, "you're going to have fun and you're going to like it!"), and he was just crying the entire time. Talking with a friend a few hours later, she commented on how she saw us playing with L in the snow and how cute we all looked throwing snow on him! I told him how miserable he was and that he was screaming bloody murder through it all, and she was so surprised! Just looking through the window she said it looked like we were having fun! It's amazing how the snow can muffle his screams ... 

In the end it was an exhausting excursion for R and I. Way too much work for what we got out of it. The last, futile attempt to entice L was for R to do a running dive into the snow in our back patio. Do you see the clearance he made? No tracks around him at all! Nevertheless, L continued to scream. 

I took him inside and off came all his clothes. Then he watched Daddy shovel a path to our garbage can, and laughed while watching him. Ooooohhhh it made me mad. 

L may have won this battle, but we will win the war. This kid is going to enjoy snow whether he wants to or not! It just may take a few more tries ... 

one of my comforts

The delicious taste of hot cocoa on a cold day. I could drink this every day. In fact, I practically do. One of those small indulgences that allows me a chance to breathe deep and smooth over any rough spots in my day. I love it.