Sledding

After a fresh snowfall, outdoors was as beautiful as could be. The snow-tubing conditions were perfect.

Ready, Set, ...

Go!

Whee! David instantly took to this new sport.

Joshua loved it, too.

Hi Mom!

That was the bunny slope. Wait until you see the real hill!

Ice Skating

On President's Day weekend, we escaped the throngs in D.C. by seeking winter weather in New York. We stayed with my parents, who happen to have a decent TV so we could actually watch the Inauguration, which we couldn't have done if we had stayed in town (unless we actually went downtown, but we're not that crazy!). In the meantime, falling snow, slick slopes, and smooth ice amply fulfilled our dreams of winter wonderland fun.

Below are some photos of the swamp in our backyard that my dad has spent twenty years turning into this:

This winter was the best and biggest the ice has ever been. It was beautiful, emotional, and thrilling to see my dad's labors and dreams finally fulfilled. A bunch of neighborhood kids have been skating and playing hockey all winter. My dad LOVES it!

Joshua tried it too:

He found it very slippery!

More to come...

Piggers

These two apparitions careened crazily around our upstairs for several minutes.
"Are you bee keepers?" I ask.
"No, we're piggers!" says Joshua.
"Pickles?" I am confused.
"No, piggers!"
"What is a pigger?" I really want to know.
"Well, a pigger is something that puts a laundry bag over its face."
Oh. That doesn't really clear it up.

Later, just to clarify, I began this line of questioning again.
This time, Joshua's definition of "pigger" was this:
"A pigger is someone who puts pigs away on a farm."
Oh. That makes a lot more sense!

Could this all be inspired by Charlotte's Web?
We've been reading the book aloud and at the moment have a Lego farm housing a spider named Charlotte and a little white pig named Wilbur. And now, we have piggers.

How wonderful that imaginations don't get snowed in! And happy pigging, or reading, or whatever it is you do for fun on an icy day.

Let the Music Play

.the Christmas guitar.

.leading carols with Daddy.



.little drummer boy.

And yes, we're still hearing "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Deck the Halls," and other seasonal favorites from our miniature band.