A nice quiet week around here. We had a visit from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom and Aunt Kelly on Tuesday. On Thursday was Lily's piano lesson. On Friday night we had movie night - Night at the Museum 2.
On Saturday morning Lily and Jack had ice skating lessons. They are both coming along well and Jack is getting very stable on his feet. In the afternoon, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the zoo. Since it was so nice, all the animals were out. Both kids brought their cameras and were busy shooting pictures of all of the animals.
Sunday we had a relaxing day and finished out the weekend with a showing of Kung Fu Panda. A two movie weekend!
A quiet weekend at home and not much to report. Lily and Jack got back into rhythm last week once Jack got back from Colorado. Before we knew it, the weekend was on us.
On Friday night, we visited with friends and had dinner at Debbie, Bill, Fisher and Stuart's house. Greg, Annemarie, Madeline, Claire and Eliza were there as well. The kids had a good time and got to watch a movie while the grownups chowed down.
On Saturday there were skating lessons in the morning and then Jack had a birthday party in the afternoon. On Sunday we had a nice brunch out and ran some errands in the morning. We had a lazy afternoon at home and watched some football.
That is all for now. Here are few pictures from the week.
With all the bounce toys, Jack wanted to play in the car.
He got into the swing of things pretty quickly.
That blur is Jack sliding down.
Playing with dough at brunch.
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No school today so Lily went to nature camp with her friend Pierce.
Two separate blog posts in one. Jack and Marcy spent the week in Colorado and Lily and I stayed home and held down the fort. This was the first time that Lily has really been away from her brother and she definitely missed Jack (and her mom). After Marcy and Jack left, we kept busy to make the time fly.
Wednesday after school Lily had her first day of this session's after school activity - a cooking type class. They made crepes last week but Lily did not really like them. We will see what week two has in store.
On Thursday, Lily had an after school play date with her friend Madeleine. On Friday, there was a play date with her friend Marley and then she and I went off to her first Washington Capital's game. Lily had a great time and the Caps won 4-3 and she got to see what happens when a player scores a hat trick!
On Saturday we had a nice lunch out and then went to see the latest Alvin and Chipmunks movie. Thumbs up from Lil and no vote from me. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon visiting friends Hayley and Cole. The girls had a good time playing and catching up.
Sunday we headed off for some skiing at a local mountain. Although there is no natural snow around here, the artificial snow was pretty good and we had a good time hitting the slopes.
On Monday we ran some errands, visited Dave and Busters for a couple of hours and went ice skating. We finished up the holiday with dinner and a movie at home. I had a great weekend with Lil and I think she had some fun too.
Half way across the country, Marcy and Jack were busy as well visiting with Tracy, Stan, Casey and Garrett.
Day 1, we visited the local indoor pool where Jack and Casey plunged down a large water slide (with Mom/Aunt Marcy) and swam in the kids pool. Later we went to the Ullr Festival Parade which celebrates the God of Snow - there were lots of funny floats and lots of candy gathering.
Day 2, Jack and Casey went to ski school at A-Basin, and the moms took some runs in the afternoon - Tracy's first snowboard run post-baby. Let's just say, Jack needs some more lessons...while his instructor said he was working on pizza/stopping, he had bouts of crying and missing mom. Since then he has talked excitedly about going to ski school but generally talks about his instructor, what he ate, what he saw, and then announces that he already knows how to ski and does not need to go back to ski school...
Day 3, Tracy and I took Jack and Casey for a half day of skiing at Keystone. We took the gondola up the mountain to the bunny slope with a magic carpet which ended up being completely packed with skiers/snowboarders/snow bikes, so we eventually made our way over to a green run and Jack rode his first ski lift. Casey was great going down the mountain - she has weekly lessons so she is working on turns now and is able to slow down/stop pretty well. Jack, on the other hand, relied on Mom to hold the handle on his backpack and do most of the work - he did great keeping his skis straight and getting on and off the lift, but he struggled to put snow plow. We went down the short green run 4 times and it was fun for the kids. I then suggested that we could all ski down to the bottom of the mountain, rather than take the gondola down - Tracy was hesitant but eventually agreed - we now see the error of our ways. We proceeded to ski down Schoolmarm which is a green run but as Tracy told me is three miles long. It would probably take an average skier about 15 minutes to ski down, it took us about an hour! Casey pretty much skied by herself for about half of it with a few falls here and there but then got tired so Tracy pretty much had to hold her - and if you recall Tracy also had a baby 8 weeks ago and this was her first time on skis in years. I had to hold onto Jack's strap on his backpack the entire way down and while I snowplowed he did french fries. Needless to say, we were so happy to reach the bottom of the mountain and were all completely exhausted, Tracy and I more than the kids. I think I will be banned from making any further decisions about skiing with the kids. ;)
Day 4, it was absolutely gorgeous weather in Dillon, sunny and warm - I think it was in the 30's but it felt like more in the 50's or 60's. We took a walk to the local playground and then I walked out on Lake Dillon with Jack and Casey and they played with the ice and watched the people that were flying kites on the ice. Jack and Casey then took a long nap, much needed from their two days of skiing.
Day 5, Tracy and I took Jack, Casey, and Garrett to an alpine roller coaster at Breckenridge, the kids had a blast on the roller coaster and on the gondola ride (Garrett did not ride the roller coaster ;)).
Overall, we had a great time in Colorado hanging out playing with toys and hot tubbing. Garrett was very cute and snuggly, and at times smiley, and is a great eater and sleeper. Thanks Tracy and Stan for everything!! See you for Spring Break!
Not too many pictures this week but a few to peruse.
After a Monday traveling back from Florida, things were back to normal this past week. Tuesday we had a visit from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom - Lily was particularly excited as this visit coincided with the delivery of her Barbie Dream House.
On Thursday Lily had her piano lessons. She is doing very well with her piano and it is amazing how quick she has been able to pick it up. Jack was back to his usual school schedule and was excited to be back with all his school friends.
On Saturday the kids had their first ice skating lessons. They both did very well but about half way through Jack fell (for about the 20th time - they were working on getting back up after falling) and he decided he was done for the day. Lily, who had previously had lessons, was a bit more comfortable and did very well. After skating, Jack had his friend Jack's superhero birthday party and then we ran a few errands to finish out the day.
Sunday was a lazy day around the house. We put away all the holiday stuff and Lily and Jack played with a bunch of their new toys from birthday and holidays. All around a nice weekend.
Here are some pictures and video.
Working on crawling on the ice.
Getting his sea legs.
Jack was really god at getting up when he fell down! That was one of things they were really working on in lesson one. Now we just have to get more forward movement with less falling!
Working on gliding.
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It was in the 60s on Saturday so the new soccer nets got a try out.
An epic new post to start of the new year, our first post of 2012 and our first post int two weeks ... we have a lot to cover ...
Lily and Jack had a short week at school the week before Christmas as they both played hooky for a few days in order to spend some time with cousins Casey and Garret who were in town for the holidays. They had their picture taken, visited the Natural History Museum, the Capitol building and the train display at the National Arboretum. We also finished our celebration of Hanukkah with fun presents from Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis and Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen.
As usual, we all spent Christmas Eve at Grandpa Tom and Grandma Gail's house. The kids had quality time with Aunty Kelly, Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan and Casey and Garrett. On Sunday morning, the little ones woke up early to see what Santa had brought them. Lily and Jack did very well - a guitar and Millenium Falcon for Jack and Lily got an enormous Barbie dream house! There were tons of other gifts from the rest of the family and there are plenty of toys to play with for months to come! In addition, there were visits from Great Uncle Carlton, Aunt Jenny, cousin Alex and Great Uncle Chris, Great Aunt Imelda and cousin Sara (who Lily had not seen for a while but they were reacquainted quite quickly.) It was an excellent holiday and everyone had a really nice time together.
After Christmas celebrations wound down, we headed home to pack for our week long trip down to Florida. We got to Florida on Monday and spent a week visiting family and relaxing. The entire week featured absolutely glorious weather - the kind that keeps you coming back to Florida. We spent lots of time with Aunt Donna, Uncle Stephen, cousins Emilie and Stephanie and, of course, Bubbie. We also made a trip a little further south to see Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis and to visit with Uncle Jerry, Aunt Eve and cousin Graeme who were in town.
Lily and Jack spent a lot of time at the pool while on Florida. Lily also took four mornings of golf lessons and really liked it. Jack can't wait to do it next year. The kids also got to see their second hockey game - a New Year's matchup between the Canadiens and Panthers. We broke our allegiance to the Capitals for one night an pulled for the Canadiens but to no avail as they lost 3-2. Everyone had a great time. We went home after the game and the kids were allowed to stay up to ring in the new year - I think they thought it was a bit anti-climactic!
On to the pictures - over 30 of them! We got a new camera and we are still trying to figure out the video so no video this week.
Lastly, thanks to all our family for a great ten days. We all loved seeing you and spending time with you over the holidays. We are so lucky to have such a large group of people that care about us and vice versa. Best wishes to everyone for a great 2012 - much happiness and health and success for the year to come.
Garrett making his Christmas Eve appearance and blog debut. Welcome!
Christmas morning - checking out the bounty.
Stockings.
Arranging deck chairs on the third floor.
Reviewing a present from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.
Practicing.
Playing with his Star Wars Land Cruiser from Lily.
Reading to Daisy.
More practice.
Putting together Power Rangers with Grandpa Tom.
Sara, Jack Lily and Casey.
Playing a game with Uncle Stephen.
"Lighting" the Menorah with Aunt Donna and Bubbie.
Checking out an awesome pop-up Star Wars book with Cousin Steph. (Jack did take those pjs off on occasion.)
At mini-golf.
The dynamic duo.
All dressed up for dinner (this is after dinner, his shirt was tucked in before). He still likes dressing up in a jacket and tie!
Having lunch with Grandpa Maurice.
Rolling around on the beach in Highland Beach. We spent a couple of hours there and there were lots of jellyfish visiting as well!
