Sledding Adventure!

This morning Jason suggested we go sledding because it was warm (30 degrees) out.  I thought it sounded like a great idea but responded with my usual, "I have to clean up around here first and do the dishes etc."  As I was running the warm water to fill up the sink and start the dishes I decided, screw it - we're going NOW!

So, I went and told Jason we should go now before I changed my mind and had to straighten the house up.  See, I have this thing about having to come home to a clean house.  Call me crazy but coming home to disarray just isn't my thing.  Today I let that go...

Future luge gold medalist!

Joe's first solo ride...

...he liked it!

Face-plant off the back of the sled!

Swinging :)

Post-sledding ice cream treat at the DQ!  (yes, we never changed out of pajamas...)

What a fun morning!  I didn't get to sled because I haven't had snowpants (that fit) in years.  I'm thinking I will definitely need to invest in a pair for next year!

A Simple Celebration

Yesterday we had a small, family cake and present party for Amelia.  We went smaller this year because we really wanted to have it at our apartment for once.  By smaller I mean we just decided to not have it with a meal involved - only cake :)  

I made her birthday cake for the first time this year (usually my sister makes it.)

My Little Pony birthday cake :)

Amelia with dad's decorations

The four of us!

Joe found himself an (empty) drink!

All in all we think it was a success!  Amelia had fun with everyone over and got a lot of neat new things for her birthday!

Blog Break

I took a little (unplanned) break from this space for the past two weeks! In fact, this is the first time I have opened my computer in that whole time.  I haven't been totally "unplugged" thanks to the fancy smartphone ;)

I've been so drained the past few weeks.  Winter is getting to me this year.  I'm ready for spring.  Work takes so much out of me lately that I have been napping on the couch while Joe sleeps and Amelia watches Netflix or PBS.  Joe has discovered the tantrum and he exhibits it daily.  Amelia's communication is so up and down lately.  Some days she makes perfect sense (to me) and the next day she is speaking "Boo-ese" (gibberish) again.  It's exhausting.   

Thankfully, in the midst of all the chaos there are plenty of heartwarming moments.  

Love those two!

Breaking Cabin Fever

Last week was just, well, horrendous - for me.  Work was slow going but we were busy, busy, busy re-setting mainly the sporting goods department.  It felt like each day was at least two days!  The evenings at home were trying.  I got to listen to screaming, whining, crying, fighting and yelling each night.  By Thursday I joined them in the crying...that was special.  All three of us in tears.  Oh, to have been a fly on our wall!

Jason and I determined that we all, especially the kids, were suffering from "cabin fever" and we needed to get out of the house!  My cousin bought us a Minnesota Children's Museum membership last fall and a new exhibit just opened last month - Dora and Diego, Let's Explore!  We had wanted to wait for the flu to settle down a little before we went but yesterday our sanity won out.  We headed out right after visiting our top choice preschool open house!

Checking out "The Map" of the exhibit

Dora and Boots; Diego and Baby Jaguar

Joey riding Baby Jaguar!

Joey and Daddy as space explorers!

Amelia piloting the space ship to the Purple Planet!

Amelia IN the Purple Planet

Joey sliding out of the Purple Planet

Star activity - they both LOVED this one

Rock climbing in the Rainforest Maze

Joey working hard in Isa's Garden

Climbing a spiderweb in HabiTot

Ice fishing in HabiTot

LIVE rat demonstration

She had a really hard time following the "one finger" rule when touching the rats!

Dad's face paint masterpieces

Trucking!

She was SO colorful!

We left mid-afternoon because mom and dad were getting pretty tired.  We lost both children, separately, about three times.  That was when we decided it was time to leave!  

On our way out to the car we I lost Amelia one more time - in an elevator.  I walked out, not paying attention, and heard the door close and Amelia scream, "mommy!"  That was followed by crying and panic.  Jason stayed on our level and I ran down to the next, went back up when she didn't come, then ran back up and then back down.  When I got down the second time she was stepping off.  Luckily some parents we had seen in the museum, as well as in the skyway, found her and kept her on the elevator when she tried to get off to find us.  Poor thing!  Note to self - always be the last one off the elevator and don't assume she's right behind you!

We had dinner at a favorite spot in St. Paul and got two favorite cookies from a co-op to share on the way home. Things were better around here last night as we hung out and got ready for bed.  Amelia was sweet to Joe again, she had less attitude and Joe was less whiny.  Today will be the true test to see if our "cabin fever" has been broken!

Weekend Moments

Hanging out - waiting for Joe-Joe to wake up from his nap :)

Amelia and Dad's gold mining operation - on the moon!

A rare nap, in mom and dad's bed.

She looks like a little old lady when she sucks up noodles!

"CHEESE!"

Joey reading before bed

Amelia's expanded zoo

Reading/watching the Puppy Bowl

 

 

Two kids in a "washing machine"