Little Happies: January 2012

(Please click play below to hear music to accompany the read.)

.....we got snow! After an unseasonably warm winter Mother Nature finally decided to deliver the goods. Over 6 inches of them too.

Daddy didn't let the snow stop his Saturday morning run. He was off by 7:45 after a quick powder stripping of his car.

Best part of his run? This bet he won. (Trust me--you will not regret clicking on that link and watching the short video. Keep in mind, the temps were a mere 20.)

After Daddy arrived back home, more snow was falling so he shoveled the driveway. Sissy loved watching him and trying to figure out just what he was doing.

For a little girl who can't sit through a ten minute DVD, she watched in awe through the entire event.

After Hunter woke up he came down to find the coin table I had set up for him. The grin that spread across his face combined with his yelling, "coooooiiiinnnssss!" told me he was pretty pleased.

(I purchased these perforated coins and labels from one of my favorite stores,

Educational Warehouse, and then had them laminated for good wear and tear.)

Hunter has played with them non-stop, carries them around in a brownie pan everywhere he goes and even sleeps with them. Yes, sleeps with them.

He loves to put on his sunglasses and sing his favorite coin diddy:

"Four quarters are, super-duper cool.
Makes one dollar, that's the rule!"

Breakfast eaten and coin playing over we dressed the kids for outdoor adventures.

My girl walked right out into that snow feeling no fear at all.

Sissy loved when I pulled her in the tube around the driveway. She would lay there like a frozen doll and just giggle with delight.

It took an army to pull the boy away from his new money but, after many tears and a little feet dragging, he wasn't sorry.

Once Daddy was in charge of pulling the sled, the fun definitely went up a few notches. (Mommy can only go so fast with her belly bump).

After fully exhausting the hills and snow of our own yard, we ventured to a nearby elementary school that is known for its killer hill.

Daddy tested the hill to make sure it was good enough for the Menonis.

He seemed pleased.

While Hunter opted to stay in the warm car and away from the windy snow, Sissy enjoyed watching the big kids and prepped for her big sled.

She was fine until she looked at the bottom of the hill. We decided to go for it anyway.

My fearless girl did it!

And, although there were tears and "I want Mommmmmy" at the bottom, she smiled with pleasure when I told her how brave she had been to try something new. Because that's what its all about--facing your fears, following through and then finding you can do it.

After sledding we went to our favorite diner and ate a big, fat pancake lunch. What's better than warm pancakes on a snowy day?

Reflecting on finally getting the snow that is signature to the New England area, caused me to think of some other accomplishments I finally got to:

1) Making my Dad his favorite Tres Leches Cake (in cupcake form) after 6+ years of saying I would. And, I was pretty pleased with the results....

...as was he.

....not to mention one other gal.

(Cute shirt courtesy of Grammy.)

2) Completing this project I had been wanting to do for a long time with the kids.

The kids were a little frightened by the blow dryer so they watched while Mommy did some serious melting of crayons.

Fini! And I LOVE it!

There was only one perfect place in our house to put it.

(Hold tight--this is just a practice round for another one we'll be creating soon--hopefully with more team participation.)

3) Making a Valentine's Day wreath has also been on a few-years-long to-do list.

Ta-Da! My Chevron Valentine's Day Wreath inspired from this totally cool blog that I adore called Tater Tots and Jell-O. (Don't you just love the name??!!)