Snow

It doesn't take much snow to get us excited around here.  We've had snow two weeks in a row, which is pretty much unheard of!  Last week, we only got about 1/2 an inch and didn't bother to do much playing, but I did let the boys get out and explore a bit:

Yesterday, we got a little over an inch - just enough to go sledding!  (and, thankfully, to keep Daddy home from work for the morning to assist with sledding!)

 

Ethan, all bundled up and ready to go

Trying out the sled on flat ground to start

Up the hill they go

Best I could do while holding him and the camera... and waiting for the big boys to come down the hill

Think they liked it?

We got Daddy to help with the picture :)

Ethan's turn!

Despite what his face might suggest, he immediately asked for "again" when they stopped

Not a bad view from the top of the hill

Sledding gets a little more extreme when you get to ride with Daddy!

 Of course, hot chocolate is pretty much a requirement after playing outside in the snow:

Next up on the activity list was play dough - we made a big batch of our own, and they played with it for a loooong time.  Even Ethan enjoyed it, but I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy reminding him not to eat it ;-)

The final planned activity of the day was rice krispie treat snowmen.

Eager to get started

Ryan really grasped the concept

Kaeden.... not so much

He called his finished creation, "The monster"

Ryan's decorated snowmen

It was busy, and a little crazy at times, but we had a great snow day.  I'm glad the boys get a little bit of a taste of real winter every now and again :)

feeling old

 This conversation happened with Ryan this morning:

Ryan: when were you born?
Me: what year?
R: yeah
Me: nineteen eighty three
R:  No.  Like two thousand and what?
Me: one thousand nine hundred eighty three.
R: whoa. I didn't know there were one thousands.  I just thought there were two thousands

Celebrating Ethan

On the day before his birthday, we had a little party to celebrate Ethan with our family and friends. 

Even though he napped through the first half of it, the rest of us had a good time :)  We had some crafts for the older kids (cause with a December birthday, playing outside is not always an option!)

Kaeden opting for snuggles with Mommy instead

 Lunch with lots of friends:

And, of course, the cake!  

 

 

Big bros helping to blow out the candle

Ready to explore

He's always been such a big eater and definitely enjoys the sweeter foods that he has tasted thus far (like fruits and graham crackers), so I thought for sure that he would dive right in.  But, no - he showed a good bit of hesitation at first:

 

I had to show him that it was, in fact, food:

 

 He ate a little bit, but mostly just enjoyed smashing it.  At least he was happy, right? :)

Later in the day, we opened presents.  He got the hang of it right away:

 

And definitely enjoyed his ball pit from B & Grandaddy:

Many thanks to all for helping us celebrate Ethan's big day!