Far Away Family

One tender mercy of the pandemic has been getting to connect with far away family using digital means. This Sunday we were able to participate in the family Christmas party for Bryan's mom's side. We loved it so much! It was wonderful to spend time with them, even though we weren't together in person. Bryan snapped this picture of his grandma, aunt, and uncle, with lots of other family members in little pictures up on top.

Whatchya' Readin'?

All the Snow

We had a major snowstorm last week. More snow fell in about a twelve hour period than fell during the entire last winter. The forecast predicted anywhere from 12" to 30" of snow. We ended up getting at least a foot. 

The kids were so excited about the snow, especially Topher. He wanted to go out in it as soon as it started to fall. He exhibited great two-year-old patience and waited an entire day.

On Thursday I hauled the winter clothes back out (since I had quickly put them away from our recent snow day) and we spent at least thirty minutes bundling up. Bryan and Peter joined us this time, so it was a much more fun adventure. Plus, the kids were in awe of Bryan's snowball-throwing ability.

Topher dropped down almost immediately for a snow angel.

Cooper got to work on a snow fort while Sophie attempted a snowman.

She did take time for some angels of her own.

Phoebe let Topher help with her snowman. No, she's not wearing snow pants, but some should be here on Wednesday.

Look, a rare sighting of a Bryan in the wild.

Topher's gloves, which fit, kept coming off. Then, right before he and I came inside to start some hot chocolate, I noticed that he was pulling them off at least some of the time so he could feel the snow.

This is a picture I took of my foot in an attempt to show how deep the snow was. I'm not sure if I was all the way through the snow or if more was packed under me.

Bryan managed to catch all six of us from his vantage point on the sidewalk. Peter was borrowing Bryan's snow boots (we've held off on buying Peter his own boots until his feet mostly stop growing, and I suspect we're nearly there, because man-size snow boots are expensive) since it was his turn to shovel the walk, so Bryan was staying safe on mostly dry ground in his regular shoes. But he was still throwing snow balls that reached the middle of the street.

It was a fun day.

Art Supplies

I noticed Topher was at the window today, his lips smack against the glass, walking back and forth and going up and down on his toes, leaving a trail of saliva in his wake. I asked, "What are you doing buddy?"

He pulled his mouth away enough to answer, "I'm makin' a rollercoaster."

And then he went right back to his task. It was both adorable and super gross.

Hey Mr. DJ

Topher: Hey Google! Play Phineas and Ferb music!

Google: Okay, playing Notorious B.I.G. on YouTube Music.

Me: Cancel! Cancel! Hey Google, cancel!!!

Princess Academy

 Sometimes Sophie does school as a princess, because why not?

Cookie Baking: A Full Contact Sport

 

Big Shoes to Fill

 

Polar Bear, Polar Bear

Part of Topher's naptime/bedtime routine is reading three books. We pick out the three books before bedtime on Sunday and read them twice each day for the next seven days, then pick out a new batch the following Sunday. It appears Topher has a knack for memorization because he's committed several of the books to memory. Here is his two-and-a-half-year-old variation of Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Eric Carle.

A key to understanding Topher: his Ls sound like Ws and his Rs aren't crisp yet, so leopard will sound like wepode.

The Snowy Day

We had our first snow of the year yesterday. The kids grew increasingly more excited as we watched it fall throughout the day. They were anxious to get outside. I was not at all excited about that prospect, but when Topher woke up from his nap I started gathering the snow gear from various boxes in the basement. After we were bundled, we braved the out of doors.

Peter and Bryan opted to stay inside.

The others had a ball.

Topher, who can't say his s-blends, kept exclaiming variations of "I love the 'no!" and "'No is so fun!"