Travelingjenny

Navigating the hilly terrain of motherhood

recent posts

about

  • Snow day

    IMG_0039

    Today we had our first snow day, although it wasn't even snowing when we woke up. But apparently those weather forecasters do actually know what they are talking about, because by 8 am it was coming down and it didn't stop until after dark, when the snow turned to rain. 

    IMG_0018

    We busied ourselves playing, creating artwork, reading (a lot!), and getting out the Christmas decorations. Right after breakfast, though, the girls both put on a serious of puppet shows. This means that one of the girls crouches behind the couch and tells a story using a few stuffed animals as puppets. It's actually quite entertaining, although Tess is still working on her storytelling skills. She mostly likes to line the animals up on the back of the couch. That's okay, we'll probably have plenty of snow days this winter for her to practice.

    IMG_0033
     

  • Decorating for Christmas

    IMG_0044

    Yesterday, we stopped at the Christmas tree farm on our street to buy some wreaths. Grace was very helpful as we chose the prettiest ones, and is very excited to go back this weekend to get a tree. It's starting to look slightly festive around here. For several days now, Tess has been asking me if we can get out the Christmas decorations. I keep telling her no, not because I don't want to decorate, but because it feels like a big project and we just haven't had the time. So yesterday, Tess took it upon herself to do some decorating. She removed all of the beautiful artwork from the clips by their art table and replaced it with her own "decorations." It was a very good effort, but now I feel like I really do need to get out the "real" decorations! (And yes, Tess now wears her winter hat all day long, even when napping.)

    IMG_0105

     

  • This morning

    6:50 am: Grace and Tess burst into our bedroom wearing snowsuits, coats, hats, gloves, etc. Completely ready for THE SNOW. (Sorry, no photo of this since I was SOUND ASLEEP.)

    7:04 am: Grace beholds the beauty of the first snowfall.

    IMG_0001

    7:05 am: Grace completes her second snow angel.

    IMG_0002
     
    7:11 am: Tess is still standing at the front door, mentally preparing to step into THE SNOW.

    IMG_0004

    7:49 am: The girls are taking turns being pulled on the sled. Almost ready to leave THE SNOW — briefly! — to warm up and eat breakfast. 

    IMG_0008

    7:55 am: I thank Adam PROFUSELY for going outside with the girls, before the sun was even up, so that I didn't have to.

  • The first flakes

    Photo

    The chicken coop and bee hive are winterized; the leaves are all raked; the fire pit and grill have been put in the garage; the snow pants and winter boots are at the ready. Winter, bring it on.

    {p.s. Today I took Grace to a cool performance today of "Stellaluna," a kids' book about a baby bat that finds itself living with birds. Just in case you were wondering why Grace has a bat on her cheek.}

  • Phone photo Friday: Tooth #2

    Photo

    Grace lost her second tooth this week, and once again, she lost it at school. This time, her teacher found it on the floor and handed it to her. Grace misplaced it within five minutes, but didn't seem to care. We had already decided not to do the tooth fairy thing, so who needs a tiny, useless tooth anyway? 

  • A balmy day in December

    IMG_0040

    IMG_0067

    This morning when the girls went to school, it was raining. Not just raining, but pouring. About mid-morning, though, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and the temperature rose to a whopping 68 degrees!! (By the way, this shattered the previous record high of 55 degrees.) So, when I picked the girls up from school, we headed straight to the park to ride scooters. You see, Grace got a lovely pink 2-wheeler for her birthday, thus providing Tess with her old 3-wheeler. We had fun. A lot of fun. Until Grace tried to ride her scooter through a big, deep puddle (as only Grace would), and crashed and burned. And got completely soaked. And had to ride home in her underwear.

    IMG_0071

     

  • Grace’s special day

    My sweet girl "Six" (as she requested to be called yesterday), started her big day off with some gift opening.

    IMG_0017

    Next came a visit to the art studio (where messes are mandatory — luckily) with her good buddy, Elyse.

    IMG_0095

    Next came brownie sundaes with our next-door neighbors (whom Grace invited all on her own)!

    IMG_0110

    All of this was interspersed with many celebratory calls from relatives, and even from a friend!

    IMG_0159

    Then came the most exciting part of the day — a special horseback riding lesson. Grace was judged in a "show" and won a ribbon (her very first!). The instructor even gave her a birthday cake with a horse on top!

    IMG_0199

    Grace's very full, very special day ended with a special guitar performance. She serenaded us with tunes like, "What are the colors of the rainbow" and "Me and Julio down by the schoolyard," accompanied by some very frenzied strumming. (Thank goodness she starts lessons next week! That kid needs to learn some real chords!)

    IMG_0220

    Phew, that was a GOOD day.

  • To my birthday girl

    IMG_0165_2

    To my big-hearted six-year old,

    How did you get to be so old, and so grown-up? I remember very well how tiny you once were, how you would only sleep if we held you. Your eyes were so bright, as if you were taking everything in and loving every second of it. They're still like that now.

    You brighten everyone's day with your enthusiasm, your smile, and your kindness. You're observant and thoughtful, and full of boundless energy. You love animals, and drawing, and putting on performances. You take care of your little sister, at home and at school, and she looks up to you. You're sensitive and loving, and you give great hugs. You have more friends — of all ages — than anyone I know, and I love that about you. You're amazing, and you make my heart feel happy.

    I love you infinity,
    Mom 

    IMG_0092_2
     

  • More to be thankful for

    One very eager assistant chef, 

    Two sisters who like to play together,

    Three kinds of pie and one delicious gingerbread cake (YUM!),

    And four very adorable Thanksgiving fairies.

    IMG_0038

    Tomorrow, the celebration continues!

  • Thankful

    IMG_0009

    Three things I'm thankful for right now:

    A three-year old with sky-blue eyes, who has requested peanut-butter-and-jelly for Thanksgiving dinner.

    A husband who cleans up my messes (and turns off the smoke alarm) when I leave the stove unattended.

    A very nearly six-year old with a big heart, who drew turkey hands today for everyone she loves.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    IMG_0007