A Bit Like Christmas

Although we still haven't put a tree up, winter is most definitely here.  There was the Nutcracker:

 

Molly isn't old enough to actually dance in the production yet, but the older girls that help at her ballet studio were all there.  They were movie stars that night.  And despite falling asleep in my lap during act two, Molly proclaimed it to be her best day ever as I tucked her in bed.

 

We also had the seventh annual torture fest that is sitting on Santa's lap.  I thought this might be the year where everything was finally okay, but this is the best I could get:

 



And!  The opening weekend of our local ski hill.  Fun was had by all.

This month is always so busy with meetings and school plays and holiday parties and everyone getting sick, but it's also a ton of fun.  Cheers all around.

On Skiing and Talking

Porter and Molly are both taking skiing lessons every weekend right now.  Molly is still in the beginning stages of her skiing career, and a lot of it centers around hot chocolate and snow angels.  She does like the actual skiing part, a lot, until all of a sudden she totally doesn't.  And it's all over in a puddle of tears.  It's like this though with little ones, and she's having fun.

Porter however, has made giant strides, I think just in the past couple of months.  He skis a lot with Bryce, and the two of them like to challenge themselves.  Something I'm a little more leery to do.  Porter and I also get a bit of time to go skiing together on occasion, and last Saturday morning was one of those times.  I decided to let him take me on a run, as he knows parts of the mountain better than I do.  And I realized about halfway down that at seven years old, he is definitely better than me.  Before he may have just been more courageous, but now he officially surpasses me in ability too.  I have a feeling that some day, the four other members of my family will be tearing it up together while Mom is enjoying her leisurely ride down the mountain.  But I'm okay with that.

I've also noticed that Porter is way more excited about the whole thing this year.  He always wants to go, barely sits through lunch in the lodge, and begs for one more run at the end of the day.  It's neat to see him so involved in something, and I remarked to Bryce the other day about it.  Then I mentioned that it's also really nice that we both get quality one on one time with Porter too now.  And he said that's probably part of the reason he likes it so much.  Win, win, all around.

On another note, Cedar has finally started talking to us.  Her favorite word is fish.  Often dead fish.  You just never know what they will pick up on.  She also follows me around all day with various articles of clothing (bathing suits, my underwear, dirty socks) demanding dressed, dressed, dressed.  I think my two girls are going to get along famously one day.

Update

Molly came out of the bathroom after being in there for way, way too long.  I noticed her lengthy stay, but I just didn't want to know or deal with it.  She told me, don't worry Mom, the sink will drain I promise.

I went to see an old friend the other day, and we were catching up on my kids.  I told him that Porter was in kindergarten and Molly was in preschool now.  He said, "so you're just staying home with the baby?" 

And I feel like that pretty much sums up life right now.  Constant needs from all corners, and no outside evidence that any progress is being made.

But!  There is also a lot of fun.  I having started skiing again, with Porter and taking women only lessons on the weekends.  It is great to do something for myself, and I'm actually finding that I'm enjoying it even more than I used to.  No longer being concerned with my skills or my ability to keep up with buddies has its benefits I guess.

Molly loves her ballet class.  And it turns out (not surprisingly) that preschool ballet is the home of absolutely unbearable cuteness.  I really can't get enough.

Cedar is almost 10 months old, and still does not crawl, let alone walk.  I thought that being the third child would give her a leg up on physical milestones, but what do I know.  She is content to sit and smile and have us bring her all the entertainment.  She really is a delightful, easy baby that charms us every day.

And Porter and Bryce are on a boys-only road trip to the big city of Alaska.  They have traveled in search of a vehicle that will end my constant cursing of a back seat expertly not designed to hold three car seats.  And they have succeeded!  I am grateful for my chance to be totally functional and very uncool.

Finally, if you want to impress your kids, check this out.  A candle from a Clementine!  It works!  My kids were amazed at my skills.  Porter asked me reverently if I learned that in high school.