You don't even want to know how long it took me to get that one (slightly out-of-focus) shot. Reindogs are very excitable. And they don't really like their antlers.
Travelingjenny
Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood
about
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On Saturday we rode the Candy Cane Train, a 90-minute scenic round-trip ride from Bath to Wiscasset. There were elves (local high school cheerleaders), carolers, and storytellers on the train. But most importantly, SANTA was on board. Grace seemed shy at first, but ended up giving him a big hug. When Santa asked Grace what she wants for Christmas, she told him she was still thinking about it (ah Grace, such an individual). Tess smiled at him as he walked by, then put her head on my shoulder and cried (and cried, and cried). The next time he walked through our train car, she hid her face. But that's okay, Santa understood. And Grace gave him a high-five to make up for it.
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We decorated the tree on Saturday evening, and it was probably the most fun I've had doing it since the girls were born. They were both excited to help, and this year I let them both stand on the stepstool (which is a big deal when you're four). They were given free rein to hang the ornaments wherever they wanted — I've learned to accept the fact that there will always be one part of the tree that has way more ornaments than the rest. But that's okay, because it's their tree, and it looks exactly the way they want it to look. And it's beautiful.
They are also starting to remember some of the ornaments, greeting them like old friends. It was so fun to listen to them talk about their favorites, and to hear Tess discuss how the reindeer should hang by the Santa, who absolutely must also hang by the two Santa puppies. They especially love the frame ornaments, which I started making the year Grace turned one. What a sweet way to remember past good times and for the girls to laugh at how little they used to be. And I laugh along with them, because they're still little. And they're beautiful.
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Nice, most definitely. And pretty stinkin' cute, too.
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Things are starting to feel festive here in the Maine woods. Okay, we've actually been feeling festive for over a week now — ever since we drove a mile down the road to our (very) local tree farm and cut our own tree. It's probably the tallest, most perfect tree we've ever had. In fact, it looks beautiful from every angle.
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On Saturday, the girls' school had their annual craft fair and bake sale. This year was extra special, though, because Grace's class had their very own table. As a class project, they had taken old bike parts (donated by local bike stores) and made them into art. For example, Grace made an elephant out of a hand brake (top photo) and a canoe (which she named Flash). They also painted notecards using bike parts. Pretty creative, right?! Together they assigned a price to each work of art, and then sold it at the fair, using their (still evolving) math skills to make change for people. Of course, Grace signed up for the very first 30-minute time slot at the table, and ended up staying there for two hours. She was proud of what they had created, and proud of the fact that the money was raised was going to benefit the Community Bicycle Center — an educational bike shop for at-risk youth.
A couple of days later, I accompanied Grace's class to the CBC in Biddeford to personally deliver the proceeds from their art sale ($145!). The money will be used to refurbish bikes for kids who can't afford their own. What a great place — and they even have a special bike that powers a blender! The kids got to drink smoothies that they made with their own pedal-power. Awesome.
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When you're seven and in love with horses, there's pretty much nothing better than having your birthday party at the barn. With two of your friends who also love horses. And a scavenger hunt around the barn. And a cake with a horse on it. And playing "Simon Says" and "Red Light, Green Light" on horseback. Oh, and did I mention there were horses?
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Yes, we have a new chicken. Her name is "Cluckstar" (you'll have to ask Adam about that one), and the girls are so excited to have her. She came to us from a coworker of mine, whose little flock had been whittled down to two hens until one day recently, when this one was left all alone. And a lone hen cannot survive the Maine winter. So she came to live with us, and her new sisters gave her a surprisingly warm welcome. After all, she looks just like them (that's her on the far right — I think).
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Okay, so we got less than half an inch. But still, the little ones were beside themselves with joy after school today. First, they had to introduce Penny to the white stuff, which she seemed to like quite a lot. After much running and nose-scooting and playing, she was soaked, but happy.
Next came snow angels. Grace used a stick to make a face on hers. Interesting technique.
The last, most exciting event was jumping on the trampoline. The snow makes it slippery, and I have no idea what else was so fun about it (eating snow, perhaps?), but they stayed out there until it was too dark to see.
And when they finally came in, they were exhausted (and cold). Thank goodness for Christmas specials, warm blankets, and cozy light from the tree (oh, and a sweet dog for warming feet). It's going to be a fun winter.
Travelingjenny 
