Let Him Eat Snow

Two Tuesdays in a row with lots of snow and nowhere to go? I feel like I won the lottery with my work schedule lately! 

Today, Cal and I enjoyed another snow day at home. We lounged in our pajamas, read books, and watched the snow fall for much of the morning. I had every intention of getting Cal into his sled for an afternoon of fun in the snow but laziness got the best of me. Instead, I decided to bring a little of the outside in. Calvin thoroughly enjoyed playing in the snow. So much so that he became unreasonably upset when I took his beloved snow away after thirty minutes of endless tasting and scooping with fingers so frozen I'm sure he couldn't feel them. Needless to say, we will enjoy our new favorite activity as much as we can before spring comes and melts the beautiful stuff away (and by spring, I mean Friday- when it's supposed to be 50 degree outside!)

 

Snow Day

It just so happens that we have had non-stop snow since the moment I hit "publish" on the last post. I'm loving it! 

Today, Calvin and his girlfriend Matilda patiently stood at the window staring out at the falling snow. They spoke to each other in a language they both obviously understood (although I could not make out a word) and pointed out every single car that passed by to one another- such buddies!

Adorable.

Calvin has become so social lately. This weekend he spent some time hanging out with the "older kids" at church. (I say "older kids" in quotes because the cutoff for being an "older kid" is 18 months.. haha!) The school-aged kids were playing tag and running around in circles for much of the morning. At one point, Calvin found himself standing in the eye of the chaotic circle, carefully taking it all in, totally mesmerized by the running children. I wanted to cry as I watched him muster up the courage to toddle after them- unsteadily running as quickly as I've ever seen him go- in an effort to run in their circle and join the crowd. 

My heart was so happy. 

My boy is getting so big. 

Most days I wish that Calvin would grow up a little more slowly. It hurts a little to see less and less baby in him as he enters the toddler world. On the other hand, I must say that this new stage of exploration and curiosity is one I am so excited to enter. I find myself laughing at him daily as he talks my head off and looks at me waiting for my response to his latest inquiry. He's such a joy to be around lately (let's be honest- he wasn't the world's easiest baby!) and I must say that watching him socialize with others and make new friends has got to be one of my favorite parenting highlights to date!

Hope you are enjoying winter- now that it's FINALLY here!!

Longing for Spring

I've said it many times before, I am a winter girl. But a winter without snow? That's not winter! While several cities across the country are experiencing record high snowfalls this winter, Chicago is the opposite. This is the least amount of snow Chicago has EVER experienced in a winter! 

We have enjoyed the snow-less sub-zero temperatures for weeks now and are downright sick of it! Forget it winter, you have let us down, bring on spring! My new walker is dying to get outside and run! 

Our freezing yet sunny days inside have given Calvin plenty of time to discover his shadow. What's better than chasing your shadow indoors? Chasing your shadow outdoors!! ..preferably at the park.. in my flip flops.. with an iced-tea in tow..

Let's go spring- We're ready for you!

Cal's Red Sled

Calvin's Grandpa Ruhl has been dying to get him in the snow ever since he saw a video of him squealing with delight during his first sledding experience in New York last month. As soon as we made it to Minnesota and recovered from our crazy blizzard adventure we headed out to pick up the perfect Christmas sled for Cal. And what day in the cold would be complete without a new winter coat and snow pants? Needless to say, by the time we bundled him up appropriately for the sub zero temperatures and got him into his sled he could no longer move. Hilarious for us, for him- not so much.

And while we all had huge expectations for our day outside, Cal had a different plan. The kid would not crack a smile to save his life. He wasn't upset, there were no tears, just a frozen wide-eyed little face taking it all in. 

As for Grandpa, he was perfectly happy pulling his grandson around the backyard, so proud to introduce Cal to his first Minnesota winter.

Thankfully, we brought Cal's new sled home with us and Chicago took the hint. The snow is falling as we speak and someone has a BIRTHDAY tomorrow.. I'm thinking we will celebrate outside in the sled!

Merry Christmas

Hoping your Christmas was

Merry & Bright! 

Ours was lovely.

We had a great time in Minnesota relaxing and enjoying

our favorite holiday traditions with our family. 

Millions of photos of Cal's first Christmas to come!

Winter Wonderland: Part II

Just as I had hoped, our little boy LOVES the snow! 

We had a great time playing in the fresh snow this past Saturday. Cal licked snowflakes off his face, covered his mittens in the cold stuff and squealed with joy as he was pulled around in the sled (see video at the end of the post). Tipping over and landing face first in the snow ain't no big deal for this baby! 

Cal and cousin Sawyer loved going up and down the "hill" in the backyard.

So happy to enjoy the first snowfall of the year with the whole family!

We finally took him in right around the time when his formerly pink face took on a purpley hue and what did he do? He cried at the patio door wanting to go back outside. Hah! I love my winter boy!!

Winter Wonderland

Calvin woke up to his very first snow this morning. 

The snow fell quietly throughout the evening and into the night last night and is covering the ground this morning. It goes without saying that I'm in heaven. I'm hoping Calvin learns to love a cold, snowy day as much as his mama. We are enjoying a quiet day in Jamestown- sipping on coffee, listening to Christmas music, and visiting with family. A red sled is sitting in the corner of the living room waiting for Cal and Sawyer this afternoon.. I think I am more excited than the boys!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Happy New Year!!

The countdown is over.

Another great year is now history. A graduation, a new home, a new school, a new nephew, several weddings, the list goes on...

A fresh new year full of possibilities.

Resolutions will come later.

Right now I can't find a reason to get out of my pajamas!

Gotta LOVE a lazy weekend!! 2011 is shaping up to be a great one.. I can just feel it!

Someone Must Have Been Good This Year

I asked Santa for a snowy Christmas.. looks like I must have been a very good girl this year! Santa really delivered and then some!!

See for yourself...

We had a great time in chilly SNOWY Minnesota. With 3 feet of snow on the ground I was in my own personal paradise!

The Reason for the Season

I LOVE Christmas time, the whole season makes me giddy! I live for the excitement of decorating and preparing. The craziness of shopping and looking for that perfect gift. The joy of listening to your favorite Christmas songs and baking your favorite treats. A chance to carry on old family traditions while creating new memories with friends.

I must admit, while the hustle and bustle of the holidays make my heart sing, the rare quiet moments of the Christmas season are what I truly love most. I love the quiet candlelit nights where there is silence and a chance to step back and remember what we are really celebrating. Moments where there are no distractions and time to reflect on the quiet night of His birth.

This is what I have been preparing for. The wait is over. Christmas is here!

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!

Baby It's Cold Outside

When this is going on outside...

This is going on inside...

I absolutely love winter!! Will I be saying that still in March? Actually, yes!! I really do LOVE winter! I clearly understand winter's downfalls. It can be freezing, slushy, and a royal pain to get around in. On the other hand, winter can be exceptionally beautiful and warm. There is nothing I love more than a quiet winter day at home. It's lazy days like today where I am happy to sleep in, cozy up on the couch, sip a hot cider, and sit in front of a crackling fire while watching a Harry Potter marathon. What gets accomplished today? Absolutely nothing... and I am totally fine with that! It may be cold outside, but baby it's warm in here!!