Snow!!

Is there anything better as a kid?

Eli has been anticipating this moment for weeks. Norah, not so much. But she also found the snow delightful-although we discovered that she is absolutely terrified of riding on the sled, or sitting on the sled, or walking next to the sled, or even having the sled within her line of vision...

*I assure you that I was also out here freezing my fingers off for this winter family bonding experience. However, I looked more miserable than delighted in my Kodak moment so you'll have to just take my word for it.*

A Sleep-Over Visit

Eli has this super cheesy book called A Sleep-Over Visit  which is a Little Golden Book that was actually John's from his childhood. It is the story of a little boy named Michael who spends his first night away from home at his friend's house down the street. It is the kind of book that feminists would want to burn with its outdated concepts of high-heeled, hoop-skirt, button down blouse wearing, bacon frying housewives; however, Eli loves it and we read it often. The book was purchased for a whopping 89 cents back in 1986 and it is selling today on Amazon for $25. Hmm, looks like we'd better hold onto it for another 20 years.

All of that information really doesn't have anything to do with this post. But if you were in any way curious as to the current value of a vintage Little Golden Book, then there you have it . 2700% value increase.

Anyhoo, last weekend we had our own sleep-over visit with my nieces Lily and Callie. I was so looking forward to having the girls here and getting some one-on-one time with them. Eli was also pumped and very easily slipped into the role of being "just one of the gals." We played with babies, baked and decorated a giant cookie, took a jacuzzi bubble bath (them, not me), made popcorn, and snuggled in for a fun movie which we started way after their bedtime. It was such a special time to spend with these adorable, giggling girls and I cherished it. Watching the three of them together with their tender hearts and unblemished innocence is such a reminder of God's abundant delight in His children. Thanks Kim and Sarah for letting us steal the girls away for a night. We hope its a tradition we can continue in the future.

Stimulating the Economy

Today we took Eli to get his first professional haircut. My genius plan of getting him into the bathtub and having John distract him with toys and splashing while I evened out his California shag like a super mom ninja was a disaster. I got one good crooked snip in before he freaked out and started thrashing around like a wounded duck. So, despite the fact that it has been nearly 5 months since I've attended to my own hairstyle (or lack thereof) due to budget cuts, it seemed entirely reasonable to pay $15 not including the tip for a new style for our toddler.

I must admit that I was definitely impressed by the kid-friendliness of this place. Eli sat in a race car chair, got to choose which DVD he wanted blaring on his own personal TV (Barney of course), and had a basket full of toys at his disposal. He sat like a perfect angel and I'm pretty sure it's because he thought he was the stuff with all the attention he was getting. And yes, I was that total over-the-top mom clucking over him and taking tons of pictures while the other customers stared at me like I was a nut job. They offered to let us take home a lock or hair with a special certificate and photo op for a slight $2 upgrade, but I had to draw the line somewhere...

Here is the before picture of our shaggy boy

Seated with cape on (backwards of course because Eli did

NOT want his hands covered)


She described his hair as voluminous, and I might have
had a slight twinge of jealousy
Barney, Baby-Bop, and the whole gang were
there for support

And this penguin was his "nervous sucking"

toy of choice

Until that one got too hairy and had to be

replaced by a plastic bear

And the finished result! Looking good my man.

Of course they give out sticky Dum-Dums for good behavior,

and why wouldn't they?

Let it Snow

It has been snowing here steadily for the past several hours and the forecast is calling for more and more throughout the evening. And I am in heaven! Being a natural homebody, I don't mind holing myself up in the house for a day or two and just being with my family. Besides showering (out of necessity from not doing so yesterday), I have not spent a single moment worrying about my appearance. No make-up, no straightener, just sweats and slippers. So let the hot chocolate and cookies abound, and may you enjoy this snowy day with those you love. And don't forget to make a big roaring fire in your hearth...or just flick on that handy gas switch and save yourself the effort.

Our little Eskimo checking out the snow
This is the only smile he cracked before the tears started

10 minutes to put on boots, bibs, gloves, hat, extra socks = 5 minutes of actual snow tolerance before he is so done. Totally worth it though just to see him waddle around like penguin.