Rainbow Boots

A couple weeks ago during a pre-spring thaw we took a walk at SPAC and MiniM.E. discovered her love of jumping in puddles.

And I discovered that having a change of clothes (including socks) is definitely worth the space it takes up.

Since that day, I made it my mission to find rain boots for MiniM.E. that weren't more expensive than shoes I would buy myself.  Easier said than done.  I finally found some online at the Children's Place and they were on clearance.  Plus a 20% coupon and I was only out $12.

MiniM.E. kept asking to jump in the puddles.  I told her I ordered her some rain boots and they were coming in the mail.  So all weekend she kept saying "rainbow boots comin mail!" "jump puddles!".  So cute.

She was more than a little excited when they finally arrived.  Since she hated wearing winter boots, I assumed she would be excited to see them but I'd never get them on her (part of the reason I couldn't see spending more than $15 or so on a pair), but as soon as we got them out of the box she insisted on wearing them around the house.  Even with a few nasty spills (they're a bit big and not very flexible) she was still so "'cited!".  I made her a puddle to jump in the backyard.  Not exactly puddle jumping weather, but she didn't seem to mind.

MiniM.E. said "hearing airplane"

"done puddles"

can't go outside with out a ride on the swing!

Just when I thought we were heading for spring and I put the winter coats away and bought rain boots, we got pelted with a huge snowstorm.  When I woke up on Tuesday to a foot of snow, I was a little upset that it wasn't 50 and sunny.  But at least we got one more day to play in the snow.

yum!

huh, that's pretty tasty

too cold!

Just waiting on spring...

The Biggest Snowstorm In 50 Years and Painting

Friday was supposed to be the biggest snowstorm in 50 years.  I wasn't impressed.  We got 6 or so inches.  In all fairness, we had zero snow to start, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting.  Still, it was nice for it to be white again and MiniM.E. had a chance to play out in the snow.

She's still afraid to walk in the snow, but she actually took a few steps!

We rode around in the sled a bit, but her favorite thing to do outside is to swing, even in the middle of the winter.

We did manage to make use of the snow sledding with our friends on Sunday

Other than the disappointing snowstorm, MiniM.E. has started making artwork.  About time!! I've been waiting for her to be old enough for this for about 15 months...

We started with crayons.  We tried finger painting, but failed.  We found success in poster paints on finger paint paper.  I thought we could use the poster paints like finger paints, but somebody doesn't like to get messy.

Seriously, there could be tiny fleck of paint on her finger and she drops whatever she's doing and insists that "finger dirty" and she "need koshkosh (washcloth)".

So we found some fun painting implements- spoons!

Now we've graduated to painting with spoons AND a silicone basting brush.  Who knows what we'll find to paint with next time!

She's making some decent progress!

And just for good measure, a naked baby photo!

So This is Winter...

...with a one-year old.  Not sure I'm loving the winter season as much as I usually do.  Not to say that I really know how much I love winter-- I haven't had a really had a wintery winter in a loooong time.  There was last winter here, in Saratoga, where we hardly had any snow (our sled and snowshoes sat lonely in the garage).  Then there was the winter in Dresden, which had freezing temps and snow for Christmas (about a month of it), but then everything melted and the rest of the winter was mild (it was just enough snow for a ski trip and some sledding).  Then before that we lived in Austin for two years (snow situation there-- pretty obvious).  SO.... long story short, I haven't had a real COLD or SNOWY winter in forever...  Maybe I don't even like winter anymore...

I was actually very excited about this winter.  Lots of snow, lots of snowshoeing, lots of sledding... maybe even some skiing or snowboarding...

BUT, I didn't realize a few key things about having a one-year-old in the winter time.

1.  You can't really bring your one-year-old out to play if it's below freezing.  Maybe you can get in a quick sprint from car to store, but that's about it.

2.  One-year-olds hate snowsuits.

3.  One-year-olds hate boots even more than snowsuits.

4.  It takes at least 15 minutes (usually more) to chase your one-year-old around the house to put on snowsuit, boots, hat, mittens, etc.

5.  One-year-olds will not walk in or on snow.

6.  One-year-olds will only last outdoors HALF the amount of time it took you to get them ready to go there.

7.  Even if you do manage to stay out longer than seven and a half minutes, chances are whatever activity you've chosen is not nearly as exciting as walking on pavement, touching the dirtiest snow in a 4 foot radius, or crying to go "home now".

8.  As soon as you've unbundled your one-year-old (which takes at least 5 minutes of chasing the one-year-old around the house while she waddles around with her snowsuit around her knees dripping dirty snow off the one boot she's swinging like a lasso) she will turn around, bang at the door and ask for "out, snow! PLEASE!"

That said, we have had some successful sledding trips, one great snowshoe adventure, and some fun playing in the yard...

BUT, next week is going to be below freezing... all week... not even an hour of above freezing temps.  I'm going to go crazy...

Looks like there will be a lot of playing inside.  We're getting to be playing inside pros.

And if we get too stir crazy, we can always visit the new baby...

The Last of the Snow

...For a while...

It's been in the 40's and raining, so the foot of fluffy, white snow we used to have is now a few inches of crusty brown snow and will probably be just a few patches by midweek.

So, MiniM.E. and I went out to enjoy the snow while we still could.

On Thursday there was still some snow.  We tried sledding, but MiniM.E. insisted on a walk instead.  Which was fine because there isn't much cuter than a toddler waddling around in a snowsuit.

she even rode the horse statue!

By the time we went out this morning, the snow was almost gone and it was cold and damp.  We still managed a walk because MiniM.E. had been asking for a wagon ride and it's nice to get outside.

She didn't seem to mind the weather.  Note to self: make sure to have rain boots come spring- this kid is a puddle jumper!

First Time Playing in the Snow

Last week Stretchy and I visited my parents and sister in NH.  It's always nice to get away for a couple of days and have someone take care of the both of us.  Usually my day consists of balancing a baby on my hip while trying to move the laundry around and cook dinner (or at least defrost something from the freezer) while intermittenly playing, dancing, singing or some combination of the three.

It was nice to only have to play, dance and sing.  And occasionally rock and burp and feed and change.  But the best part was that there were three other people around who love Stretchy and wanted to take a turn at entertaining her for a while!

We planned on coming home Thursday, but as always, something had to come up to foil our travel plans. This time, it was a snowstorm.  Yes, snow.  There hasn't been snow all winter, but the one day I plan on driving, it snows.  A lot.  Too much to drive in.  I would say I was disappointed, but it was pretty awesome to be stuck in NH for an extra day of TLC.  AND, the following:

The first snowflakes were cold and wet

But soon it was fun... Look at the cute baby snow angel!

Lying on the inner tube was fun... 

We weren't so sure about being pulled around...