Adventures on Ice

Papa suggested taking the grandkids ice skating on Friday. Minimal arm twisting was involved for me to agree to join. Matt declined the offer, but the other two were on board.

A 3-year-old, 4-year-old and 50 something year old on ice went a little something like this:

Tickets purchased. Not quite sure what to expect, but excited nonetheless

Laced up! Excitement prevailing at this point, though hesitation begins to set in.

Practicing 

It' go time!

 Ann's strategy from start to finish.

Margaret follows suit initially...

...then ventures from the wall, clenching to Papa's hands.

Then, boom and meltdown.

Ann keeps true to her technique of "wall clinging" from start to finish.

The girls trade in their skates for dip n' dots, and all is right in the world.

Our fearless leader is left to skate solo. We hear the Redwings are recruiting him:)

Yay for Ann for making it around the rink her first time on ice! Maybe Margaret will give it another try next year? 

Happy New Year! Here's to venturing out of our comfort zone in 2012:)

Happy Ho, Ho, Ho to You

This week has been a blur. There are three days until Christmas, and I've hardly stopped to appreciate some of the most important happenings around here. So, here's to slowing down and taking in what's been going on the past few weeks. 


It's been really fulfilling watching the girls get into the Christmas spirit...

Our elf, who goes by the name of "Mistletoe," has made his highly anticipated appearance daily:

The warm Louisiana "winter" has brought us out to the playground this week: 

We ventured to the library to meet Mrs. Claus and her elf, on what happened to be school field trip day. We tagged along. Margaret's red bow was a dead give away:

Margaret is bursting with Christmas spirit, and it's contagious. It's the first Christmas in years where the magic of Christmas is radiating in the house again. I'm realizing now that there was a series of Christmases that lacked excitement (though still meaningful). This year, the excitement is back! When there is someone in your house who is fully confident that Santa is making his list and checking it twice, it's magical! This week especially, we're preparing for Christmas, each of us in our own way, whether it be preparing spiritually or by sending holiday cards or wrapping gifts or decorating cookies with new friends and school friends. 

This year, Margaret wins the award for most enthusiastic. Usually, I'd be an easy second, but this year, Josh and I are neck n' neck for the runner up spot. Louise is enthusiastic, too, but mostly about pulling ornaments off the tree or bolting to Josh when he walks in the door from work. I can only imagine the level of enegry that will come when both girls fully understand what's going on. Our house just might explode.

This season, we're passing some Christmas spirit on to you: