Ski Bunnies

For the last couple of years Dave and I have been determined to get our girls on skis.  And for the last couple of years something always prevented that goal from being achieved.  Finally, this past Saturday we headed to Wachusett Mountain and turned yet another dream into a reality!

While the girls were in their lesson, Dave was out getting in as many runs as possible. He had not been skiing since before Grace was born. The weather was incredible on Saturday and he was thrilled to hit the slopes. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if he'd had someone to ski with. Even though I am a born and raised New England girl I am that rare breed of New Englander that doesn't ski. It wasn't until we moved from coastal Connecticut to small town Connecticut that I was even aware of kids learning to ski at such young ages. Needless to say, every family needs a lodge dweller. Someone for the kids to check in with and someone to watch everyone's stuff. I am happy to be that person.  

Finally, the time had come for me to pick up the girls. I waded through the sea of parents and children looking for my two ski bunnies. Finally, I spotted them. As soon as they noticed me the choruses of "Mama, we want our own skis!" began and I don't think it stopped until they fell asleep in the car on the way home. Dave was absolutely beaming at all this! After all, since he has a non-skier for a wife he's been wishing and hoping since the moment we found out I was pregnant with Grace that he'd have kids who skied!  

A Belated Christmas Gathering

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with Dave's parents.  With Christmas falling during the week last month, and Dave having to work, we weren't able to visit with them until this past weekend. They arrived Friday evening, in time for pizza and family movie night, and afterward we opened the gifts that they brought with them. 

Thanks Aunt Donna and Uncle Peter!

Opening her gift from Donna and Peter.  

Opening her gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

A balance beam for McKenna!  And she's wearing the leotard that Donna and Peter sent as Grace's gift.  

Dave's parents with their gifts from us. 

"Mama!  Look!  Princess Celestia looks like she does on the show!"

And a dream come true for the big kid! 

A Dream Realized

I have been dreaming about this cabinet for years.  And even more so from the moment I first laid eyes on it at IKEA. After waiting many moons my dream has finally come true! Gone are the days of having to struggle with a tower of bins to get to the needed supplies for whatever project was being worked on. 

Everything is now beautifully organized, easily seen and (mostly) in easy reach. Right now the girls need to use their stools to open the doors and get things that are on the second and third shelves. Though I imagine that it won't be long before those stools are no longer needed. 

And really, doesn't everything just look so much better in a jar?!

The cabinet has been up since Friday and I have not yet stopped smiling at it every time I walk by.  It is just such a delight to see.  Dave, Grace and Emma all agree that it's just what we needed.  And Sarah, who was the first person outside of our little family to see it, was in awe of how completely perfect it is too.  It just fits so beautifully in our lovely old farmhouse.  Almost like it's been here as long as this house has.  Thanks to my parents and both of my grandfathers for making this dream a reality this Christmas.  It's one of the best gifts we've ever gotten!

{This Moment} Sledding

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We hope your 2013 is off to a great start!

Part Of Today's Adventure

Today we headed to IKEA to pick up the cabinet that I have been dreaming about for the last few years. I was hopeful that the lovely cabinet would be all put together by now so that that could be what I blogged about tonight, but since that's clearly not looking likely I figured I'd share the second half of our adventure with ya'll instead.  On our way back from IKEA we stopped by Patriot Place to see if we could find some SmartWool socks for the girls first ski lesson this weekend. This lead us to the Bass Pro Shop. As we drove up I couldn't help but think it looked an awful like lot Outdoor Man on that show Last Man Standing!

We were so in awe of these fish and how big they were!

And these turtles were absolutely adorable! Sunning themselves and then falling into the water and swimming around.  Too cute!

Feminism is everywhere!

And while there are parts of the Bass Pro Shop that is not my "thing" I have to admit that I  was in awe of how much cool camping stuff there was.  I think it's safe to say that Dave's got a wish list of things for next camping season in mind as a result of our visit today.  

Wordless Wednesday::Boston Children's Museum

Our Hopes For The New Year

Last night we ate Chinese food, had snow cream for dessert, watched "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown", took what seems to have become our annual New Year's Eve picture, and shared our hopes and dreams for the upcoming year.  Sharing our hopes for the upcoming year rather than making resolutions that never get kept is much more us.  And it's really amazing to look back and see how many of the hopes that we set forth last year came true (just about all of them did)!  We also filled out these super cool time capsule sheets (which we'll be doing each year from now on).  It is a simply lovely way to spend the last day of the year and has truly become one of my most favorite days.  

Papa:

"My hope for this coming year is the same as always: to make sure that you and the girls are happy." "And I'd like to learn to make a barrel."

Mama:

In 2013 I hope to:

-master knitting. 

-become better about folding the wash. 

-finally reach my Weight Watchers goal. 

-that we continue to live, love, learn and grow together.

Grace:

"I hope for chickens!"

"I hope to learn to ice skate and ski." 

"I can't wait to become a Brownie Scout!"

Emma:

"I like to read."

"I want to do horse back riding." 

"I love to color."

"I like to hug and carry Albert." (our dog)

This year our watchword is kindness.  We all agreed that our world could use more kindness and we thought that we could help by sending more of it (than we already do) out into the world.  

Happy New Year, friends!  May your year be filled with much love, peace, joy, happiness and kindness.