Mark Your Calendars!

 

The miovie that the girls were extras in (originally called Love is Brewing) will premier on Hallmark Channel on Saturday July 20th! Mark you calendars, set your DVRs, pop some popcorn (and make some hot chocolate) and enjoy! Can't wait to see it! xo 

The Maiden Ride

 

Bindings were put on yesterday and fresh snow today absolutely meant a trip to the moutain was ncessary! xo

7:15am At Wachusett

 

Grace is teaching, Emma is snowboarding and I am hopefuly going to be able to get out holiday cards addressed while we're here! xo

Yesterday At Wachusett

 

One of the perks of having a husband who's a ski patroller is I get these pictures that I wouldn't see otherwise! Here's Grace during ski instructor training class! xo 

Today At Wachusett

 

In which Grace heads to day two of ski instructor training! xo 

Another Winter Sport to Add to the List

 

It was only a matter of time before one of them tried snowboarding...xo 

At Their Winter Home

 

First day at their winter happy place and four hours added to their 1,000 Hours Outside tracker! xo 

On Easter Sunday

 

Our Easter Sunday was absolutely lovely. Since our church is still virtual and we didn't need to be there super early (like non-Covid years) we started with Easter baskets. This as a first as we usually wait to check them out until after we get home from church! 

Our very own Easter bunny really enjoyed seeing what was in the baskets. 

And she looked so cute inside one! 

All dressed up and ready for breakfast (followed by church). 

It should be noted that Grace is wearing my glittery shoes! 

After our yummy breakfast we headed home for church. 

Putting the girls' Easter baskets together every year is one of my most favorite things (right up there with May Day baskets)! And the centerpiece on the table is another favorite too. 

This beautiful bunting was made by my super talented Aunt Gail. It  was for Lily-Rose's house but Emma chose a different house design so could only use one piece. It looks so great in the kitchen so I'm glad she didn't need to use both pieces! 

That afternoon the girls and I headed over to church for the flowering of the cross. It had been over a year since we had seen most of our church family. It was so fabulous to be gathered there, on a gorgeous Easter Sunday participating in one of our most favorite traditions. And though we didn't get to see the cross transform (which is so very powerful and magical) it was special nonetheless and a balm to the soul! 

It felt very weird to take this picture without David. We really missed him/

As he was the one who made the cross it was as if he was still there. 

Meanwhile, at Wachusett....

It was closing day (and Dave's last day as a Ranger as he'll be ski patrol next year)! 

According to Dave spring skiing was in full effect and there weren't many people there but they still had a blast nonetheless! The Rangers and Ski Patrollers grilled and enjoyed treats (I sent along our favorite peanut butter cup cookies and brownies). All in all, a fun filled Easter day for all and a wonderful ending to the ski season! Happy Easter, friends! May this Eastertide be full of blessings and joy! xo

The Ultimate Birthday Surprise

Yesterday we pulled off the ultimate birthday surprise for Emma! With her birthday being a Sunday and Sunday being ski team, we had decided weeks ago that I would come up around 4:30pm and we'd have her birthday dinner there. A few weeks ago David said to me that we should get her skis for her birthday and that after dinner that day we could head to the ski shop and she could choose them and then have them ready to use the following week. A little over a week ago I said that we should do one better and have them ready for her to use ON her birthday. He loved that idea however, we'd need to sneak one of her boots out to make that happen. We decided that we'd run to Wachusett right then, telling the girls that we were off to do errands and we'd be back later.

When we go to the ski shop we found the skis and let the staff in on the plan (which they loved). We paid for the skis, bought two cider doughnuts and set off for home. During that drive we hatched the plan on how to pull this off.

Our plan (and hope) was that she wouldn't figure out any sooner than maybe Saturday night that one of her boots was missing. We would say things like "Emma, how did you loose a boot?!" or "See this is why I am always saying that ya'll need to put things back where they go." It was also decided that I would drive everyone up at 6:30am so that we "didn't have two cars there." We looped Grace in to the plan and began to hope that we could pull this off without a hitch!

Yesterday, we got to the mountain a little after 7:00am. Dave got out, Emma got out, Grace was taking a little longer (not surprising). Dave has a mat that they use for changing in and out of boots that he puts down near the car and they begin to get boots on. All of a sudden Emma says: "How do I only have one boot?!" and Dave replies: "What do you mean you only have one boot?" At this point Grace and I both get out of the car and look at her as her mind is boogled. I said "well, lets see if we can rent ONE boot!" knowing full well we can't. Dave replies that he needs to pick something up at the ski shop before we head to rentals. Emma grabs her skis and she and I head over to put them down and wait for David and Grace. On our walk over, Emma tells me that she really needs new skis for next year because her current ones are way too short. As we stand and wait for the others to arrive she is still perplexed..."I just don't know where that boot went. I know I brought it home. Maybe it's in Daddy's car???"

Dave and Grace arrive, he makes some more "dad comments" tells her to grab her one boot and we head in. He sends her over to go wait as he picks up the thing, then calls her over. She arrives and the staff have the two boots next to each other and the new set of skis. The staff, Dave, Grace and I wish her "happy birthday" and she then realizes what's happened and is blown away! Brand new skis on this gorgeous bluebird day for her thirteenth birthday! What could be better for a skier born in February?!

The pictures at the top of this post have been lightened so that Emma and her smile could be more easily seen. The pictures below are the straight-out-of iPhone ones. I kept them because I love how they show so perfectly how beautifully blue the sky was yesterday! xo

Valentine's Day Skiing

 

Valentine's Day falling on a Sunday means that they spend the day at one of their most beloved places! xo

January Wrap Up

 And just like that January is over. This month went incredibly fast and unfortunately I did not post on here nearly as much I had hoped. Alas, I suppose that is to be expected with our very full days and two older girls!  

One never knows where Gretchen will pop up next! 

Watching Kamala break tat glass ceiling was truly incredible!  We are so grateful that intelligence, kindness an compassion are back in the White House.  

Grace's art skills never cease to impress. So truly grateful that the girls grew up as Waldorf kids and that they get to be part of Seasons of Seven and continue their Waldorf education. Seasons of Seven is the perfect fit for them and such a lovely community. So grateful that arts are such an important part of the Waldorf world and that our girls get to incorporate them into all aspects of their life and learning. 

Sundays at the mountain are  a wee bit different this year but at least they get to ski. Since ski team isn't 9:00am-3:00pm due to Covid this year, they do not head up with Dave first thing in the morning. Instead, I drop them off so that they have time to get a few runs in before grabbing lunch and then heading to ski team. Today, we had Dave meet up with us during drop off! It's always a treat when he meets them and even more of a treat when he comes to say hello to me! Wishing you all a lovely last night of January and a sweet and love-filled February! xo 

View From The Rear View Mirror

 

Captured this moment as the girls were getting their stuff together to head to ski team. Gorgeous day to be on the mountain (and pretty impressive picture captured by my iPhone through the rearview mirror)! xo