Grace in small things, perfect weekend edition (February 19, 2017)

This weekend was one of the great ones. Some of the highlights:

1. Zo with her first time on the big mountain (off the bunny hill) Saturday--I was going to take her by herself but she said she wanted her brother with her so I took both kids up on the gondola, and we had a blast skiing down together. Sis did so well! I am just amazed by how well these kids can ski already...
2. And then, Luke had Daddy time this morning and I took Sis to the mountain again...and we rode the chairlift which is a first for me too and I was nervous about it but Sis and I did great, we had 5 chairlift rides with a donut to celebrate and she was racing me to the bottom of Preview all three times we did that run. I want to take Luke by himself on the chairlift first, but I have a plan formulating on how I can take the two of them on the lifts...so we are not tied to the gondola...
3. I told Zo that on the chairlift she had to sit "back to back"--her back to the chair's back. "Mommy," she said. "Where is the chair's belly button?" I could not stop laughing. We decided the belly button is the middle of the safety bar, in case you were wondering...
4. One of the best meals of my life at Laundry last night on date night with my husband, we had such a nice time...
5. Hot springs with the kids today, oh my gosh it was crowded but still fun...
6. Plus a great night's sleep last night (I've been sleeping pretty poorly since I stopped doing Whole 30) and I'm finally feeling on top of my workload and homemade chili for dinner and about to go read stories to my loves who are playing beautifully and giggling like crazy upstairs together while I type and John Oliver with my husband once the kids are down...

Life is so good right now. Loving this time...

XOXO

Grace in small things, February 17, 2017

1. Kids put down their bikes (which they were riding in the driveway) and went with me to the car wash and then for a little walk while the interior of the car got done...so nice to have a clean car and a little extra outdoor time today with my kiddos...
2. Inadvertently went to Spanish story hour at the library today...but I thought it was great...and the kids liked it for the most part although there was some frustration re: not understanding. If we keep going though each time they'll understand more...
3. Zo picked out a book about boa constrictors at the library, which I was a little uneasy about (pretty graphic descriptions of how they kill their prey) but the kids seemed unfazed...they did say we probably should never move to the part of the map where boa constrictors live though, lol...
4. We decided it was warm enough for parfaits at Longs Drug (45 degrees)...kids got rainbow sherbet with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate whipped cream...weird but yum...
5. Got housework somewhat under control today...and new electric blankets ordered...our ones we've had since we moved gave out a few days ago and the porch is too cold to be out there without them!
6. My husband got takeout curry for us on the way home from work and we had a relaxing movie night...lots of snuggles from the kids...

Happy weekend!

XO

Grace in small things, February 16, 2017

1. We've started alternating bath nights so most of the time the kids are taking baths alone...and one of the nice things about that is some focused time with the other kid, like tonight with Sissy playing Jenga...she's so careful and methodical...
2. Ski school at Howelsen this morning...love it there...
3. Preschoolers (including mine) singing songs for their mommies and daddies at a little afternoon school celebration...nothing cuter...
4. Sunshine and fresh air walking the dog...
5. Super clear and starry at night lately after weeks and weeks of clouds...we even saw a shooting star last night...

Grace in small things, February 15, 2017

1. Some fresh air and sunshine today...
2. Learned some big lessons about overcommitting and what's important yesterday...eg everything does not have to be perfect for holidays and all my family really wants is to spend time together...Luke broke my heart yesterday when he said, as I was rushing around stressed and distracted trying to make things nice, "Mama, there's not enough love in this Valentine's Day." Next year (well really, next holiday) I'm going to make sure it's just all about time and love for my husband and kids...
3. Stories before bed are so important to Miss Zo...sometimes I want to skip because it's late but always worth it to indulge her for the happiness it brings...
4. Zo's been sick but is not getting sicker (knock on wood)...
5. Planned the kids' birthday party (which is only a month away) with them and Daddy at dinner tonight...kids are excited and I'm going to plan ahead and keep it simple!! (So the day of is nothing but attention and love from a relaxed mama.)

XO

Valentine's Day 2017

Luke skis Why Not!!

So I was a little nervous about getting off the bunny slope...one kid at a time and Luke went first with me and he just killed it. Within 30 seconds I knew we'd have no problem. So proud of him and so amazed at what a great little skier he is! And there was powder and Luke was hooting and hollering and saying, "I LOVE powder! Powder snow is the best!" And we stopped in the teepees which are so cool and second run Luke was seeking out the bumps on the edges. So fun.

I'm going to take Zo by herself sometime this week and then I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to take them together, especially if we ride up on the gondola. (Getting 2 four-year-olds onto a chairlift is an upcoming challenge.) Loving them skiing so much...

XOXO

Grace in small things, February 13, 2017

1. Luke, hugging me: "Mommy, I'm so glad I have you."
2. Zo doing a complicated hairstyle for me so I can marry the "Charming Prince" (aka, Luke). "Mommy, your hair is done and ready for your Charming Prince. I think your little prince might like it. Oh, I forgot the bows! Hang on Mommy!"
3. Luke and Zo, while doing laundry with me: "We should use Snuggle Plus Super Fresh. So, the green Tide Pods have Snuggle Downey Fabric Conditioner. So it makes things get fresh. It conditions the stuffies. It makes them come to life at night. That's all we know." (Funny, but this is why I try to avoid letting the kids see commercials during cartoons.) 
4. Luke adding using his fingers. And sounding out the letter to read LOVE on our Valentine's banner we hung this morning.
5. Zo writing her name beautifully on the Valentines she did for the kids in her class tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

XO

Grace in small things, February 10, 2017

1. Making pizza with the kids at lunch...and the hug Zo gave Luke when he told her he was making a Minnie Mouse crust for her...
2. Zo to Daddy as we drove out of the driveway this morning: "I love you Daddy! I'll always love you for the rest of my life!"
3. Playing "Super Grover" (where I lay on my back, hold a kids hands, put my feet on their chest and make them fly) on the couch upstairs with Luke and Zo and the giggles that ensued...one of my clearest memories of my little brother Luke is playing that with him when he was little...
4. Zo practicing what she called "Valentine's hairstyles" on me with the "brush-o-matic" (her hairbrush)...essentially a pony with a red ribbon but it was super fun to have her do my hair...
5. Kids are in the bath right now, singing songs to each other...too cute...

Happy weekend!

XO

Grace in small things, February 9, 2017

1. Kids skiing in full winter gear at Howlsen this morning, biking in short sleeves this afternoon...
2. First day of lessons at Howlsen and I love their setup...they have cookies and juice after lessons and the coaches spent quite a bit of time talking with me about how the kids did and also giving me suggestions for things to work on with them...and it was also so cool to go upstairs in the lodge and see all the Olympians (one flag for each) Steamboat's Winter Sports Program has produced...around 100, so impressive...it's so amazing to live here and have the kids have access to this program...
3. One of the coaches relayed to me that she was surprised that Luke and Zo were twins. "How come your sister's taller than you if you're twins?" she told me she asked Luke. "Oh," he replied, "Because she was born first."
4. Snow sculptures on main street as part of Winter Carnival...so cool...
5. So nice to take the dog for a little walk in the warm sun this afternoon...

XO

Grace in small things, February 8, 2017

1. This little guy gets more lovey every day...
2. MOPS this morning...
3. An afternoon with friends...
4. Key lime pie after dinner...yum...it's been so long since I had sugar...if I was going to have a treat this was absolutely the one to have...
5. Stories with the kids before bed, both snuggled up tight...

XO