Wnter Wonderland

This past week we went up skiing to Deer Valley again. And I have a huge complaint---we didn't stay nearly long enough! I didn't want to fly alone w/ the kids, and I was worried that too much skiing at once would burn them out. But we had SUCH a good time I just ended up wanting more of it.

C and D LOVED skiing and we left them begging for more. They did two days of ski school and then skied the third afternoon with us. It was their first two long days of ski school and it was impressive to see how much kids can learn in a full day of skiing. The first morning of lessons was a little hectic and D REALLY wanted a girl teacher. Once they were in an all girls class with a girl teacher they were happy. D was really tired that day and actually spent a little time back on the magic carpet with an instructor who turned out to be "Ron", the now 76 year old instructor who taught all the Dodsons to ski. D was thrilled when she found this out, and it gave her motivation to go back and join her crew. The next day they had a great day in school, with C's only complaint being that she didn't like to follow other skiers because they "didn't ski as fast as her" and she kept running into them.

The last day we skied in the afternoon with C and D and we had an amazing time. It was a little tiring for them to go down a long run, and D struggled a bit in the heavier snow, but they did really well and were so proud of themselves at the end of the day. They are also convinced that they are already better skiers than me.

Aside from skiing, we also went on a sleigh ride through the snow one evening. It was snowing hard by Dilly and Daisy took us on a beautiful, quiet, picturesque ride. Lila was FASCINATED by it all and didn't speak the entire time except to continuously point out that the 'horse had to poop.'

Though lila didn't ski she loved getting a lot of hang time with her grandparents and playing hide and seek over and over.

We also celebrate Sam's birthday...with a race car cake.

I am already trying to figure out how we can get a lot more time in Utah next year.

Torn

Lately I have been torn between two feelings.

The first feeling is that I am in this beautiful stage in my life where I have all my kids at home and we can still spend mornings at the Discovery Museum or the Exploratorium.

The second feeling is that I am in this exhausting phase where I have 3 kids at home each morning, almost no time to myself, not enough time to fit work projects in, too many things to juggle, and I end up getting more frustrated with them than I would like.

I keep telling myself that someday I won't remember the fatigue and the craziness. But I will remember that they looked like this...

we did this... (world's slowest bowling game)

they played this...

and drew this...

Of course, all they will remember is that when Mommy got tired she yelled.

Valentines

(notice the lick 'em sticks--that was more for me and andrew, not sure they ever ate!) btw, i think this is D--why she had ariel on i don't know--but it always messes w/ me when they switch it up)


What is not to love about Valentine's Day?

The Moment You Know...

...which kid is going to cause the most mischief.

When you are trying to manage a 5 minute shower in the morning, and you hear your 5 year old run into the bathroom and yell "Mom, you NEED to get in here now!!!" You fly out of the shower, soaking wet, grab a towel and run towards the yelling, only to see a GIANT plume of smoke coming out of the large front hall closet. You hear a loud shushing noise, and a toddler screaming. Then silence. Then your pudgy two year old calmly emerges from the smoke cloud and images of Backdraft start flashing through your brain. She walks past you--unscathed--without even a glance, you walk into the closet and feel like you just stepped into a chemical snowstorm ("Do know the street value of this stuff?!!") You have no idea how she did it, because you have never done it, but your two year old just set off the fire extinguisher, and from the looks of it she emptied the canister.

While you begin a cleanup that will take days, your daughter moves on to a new project, namely, fixing the 'boo boos' on her 'babies.' (Note to self, put the bandaids back on the top shelf, and get a freaking hook for the new extinguisher).

Yep, she's the one.

Girls Night Out

C in pink, D in green

C and D had their first 'evening' party--and a 'princess' costume one to boot. Friday afternoon can be rough for them as they are tired. The party went from 5:30-8:30--or about an hour and a half after they turn into pumpkins. I was also nervous because I knew they were going to show videos and D is scared by almost everything. But Nutcracker Barbie sounds like it was tame enough, and they seemed to enjoy the night. Note the the chicken in the car--she insisted on wearing a costume to drop off too.

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Tonight is the last Friday Night Lights. We probably won't watch it tonight because we need a night we can really focus on it (read: drink many margaritas and eat queso). I'm not ready to let it go yet anyway. Sometimes watching it, I swear I can hear the crickets outside like I used to in Austin. Best show on tv.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Michael

We were a little late this time but we did make it to the grave. It was a beautiful day, and we even went out for ice cream afterwards (He would have approved :))

C and D would really like to meet him. On the way home from their birthday celebration at school D said something about being so excited her wish was going to come true. I asked her what it was figuring it was something I might have to run out and buy. Then C said "I bet I know what you wished for...did you wish for Grandpa Michael to come down from heaven?" I wasn't expecting the response from the back.. "How did you know?" Then I had to tell two grinning girls that D's wish would never come true. They were crushed, and C protested, "But Daddy says if you work really hard your dreams come true!"

I hated introducing them to the realities of life like that, but I loved them so much for making that wish.