Last Day of February

Let's go somewhere!

We went to the indoor play gym.

We'd rather go to a play ground about now but it's still too cold.

Ellie is stronger and braver this year.

She never would have done this last year.

Julia enjoyed herself.

Happy Sisters.

This afternoon we tried sledding.

The snow was too hard and bumpy from last night's rain.

OK this probably sounds crazy but my new attempt at weight loss is going to be a video game for a handheld Nintendo DS game system. So far, I like it.  Seems to be a point system for foods, similar to the weight watchers model.  And there is a plug-in pedometer to encourage walking and exercise.  If it doesn't work, no big loss.  But it's a good step between now and Spring, when I wrap up the ski season and join a gym.  The virtual weight loss coach in the game says that the key is making little steps towards progress.  

This evening: tired family by the fireside.

L.L. Bean in Maine

This morning we drove up into Maine to search out some fabulous shopping deals at L.L. Bean. Their flagship store has a huge retail store, a big outlet store and a big bike and boat store.  In addition to the shopping, there are some interesting features, such as this giant boot.

And this giant fish tank.

With a bubble to see how it feels to be inside with the fish.

I enjoyed the many little vignettes displaying vintage L.L. Bean items.

And the moose.

It was really fun to have a little time to shop for myself. There was a huge kids section but I (barely) managed to skip over it.  Usually I end up buying clothes for the girls and nothing for myself.  Today I found a few incredible bargains on things for me - the mom!  Made me think ahead to summer when we'll be outside everyday again.  I can't wait for swings and walks and the backyard and the beach and everything outdoorsy for kids and moms.

Hopefully my Californian guests enjoyed a good visit to NH this week. Tomorrow they'll head home.  I hope I can even remember how to sew as I get back into my routines next week.

Not Spring

Snow on the sea shore today.

Spring is not here yet.

It was beautiful in its own right.

But I couldn't help remember and compare this spot 

to the summer version.

Nubble Light House, in Maine

Smile because we're freezing cold!

It was quite windy.

The ocean looked forlorn.

It's not meant to be cold and dark.

The gull is a hardy bird. 

But if I were him, I'd head south.

Another tough soul- the tugboat.

Today we visited the sea coast, in Maine and NH.  It was nice in a way; but I could not help compare the views with memories of the same locations during the summer months.  I felt as if I were looking at a rose without its color.  A grey rose, still in bloom but lacking the force of color.  I could not help myself from saying "you should see this sky in the summer, when it sparkles clear blue."  Even as I tried to appreciate the vigor and toughness of the people and creatures who inhabit the coastline year round, I felt disenchanted.  I am a color person.  

Tubing!

Another clear blue day in New Hampshire.

Interesting sign at the Ski Lodge.

The view of Mount Washington,

From the peak at Gunstock.

Me with my Dad at the Ski Lodge today.

Proud Papa says good job to Ellie

After her ski lesson.

She can ride the beginner lift now.

And ski the bunny slopes.

Tom prepares to go tubing.

Weeeeeeee!  Zipping downhill.

Matt and Mary Ellen enjoying tubing today.

Far, far from their California home.

The week continues to grace us with excellent weather and snow conditions. It's fun to have guests because we are at home, yet we are on vacation along with them. 

Today we headed up to Gunstock Ski Area. My Dad and Mary Ellen enjoyed a third day of cross country skiing while I grabbed one nice run downhill, before catching up with Tom and Ellie on the bunny slopes.  It's rewarding to see my daughter become proficient at skiing.  She has come so far this season.  Her progress in skiing reveals deeper evolution she has made during the past year, intellectually, physically and emotionally. 

After a nice lunch, we checked Ellie in for her ski lesson and headed a few steps over to the tubing hill.  We rode giant, inflated tube sleds down a long, fast hill track. This is one of those things you don't get to do that often. The novelty and outdoor setting were enjoyable.

Cross Country Skiing in Jackson Village

Today was a glorious winter day in NH.

After breakfast, we dropped the girls at preschool

and headed to the north country.

The sky was big and the meadows were wide.

Perfect snow conditions lead to cheerful skiers.

All of us in one picture!

After another good home cooked dinner,

the girls enjoyed games and stories before bedtime

Guests and New Snow arrive!

Oh my, the snow!  It snowed 2 feet last night.  Just as I snuggled up with a blanket to watch the Academy Awards, the power blew out.  Luckily our backup generator kicked on and I was able to watch the show.  On the unlucky side, staying up so late made for a very groggy and grouchy morning, especially since we lost heat (and therefore no hot shower) in the storm.

After a big snowfall, there is a lot of work to be done in the snow management department. At this point in the winter, it is a challenge to find any place to stack all the snow.

Digging my way out the backdoor.

Apparently this is interesting to the animals.

This picture does not do justice to the hours of digging I put into the backyard this morning. They don't call me Super Mama for nothing!  I dug a walkway through the deep snow.  Then I dug a stairway, right up the side of the hill.  Then I used my sled and my whole self to form a sledding chute down the hill.  There was no time to sled today but soon, this mom made wonder will delight young and old. 

We have visitors this week! My dad and Mary Ellen are in town. I have camera-envy of his new D90. Our first order of business this afternoon was cross country skiing.

And we're off!

He's down!

He's off again!

Dinner time found Papa out in the icy driveway,

grilling up some chicken to accompany our vegetable dishes.

The kid's request - lego time.

After dinner by the fire.

It's nice to have guests sometimes, to break up my routine. I might not get much sewing done this week but the break will be refreshing and inspiring. It's a delight to get to do some touristy fun things. It's great for the girls to have some quality time with their grandparents.

Family Home All Day, day

This morning was a cleaning fest.

This new mop that twists to wring, is great.

Moms need all the help we can get.

While I sewed, Ellie glued.

Very nice little camera she made today.

When she can sew instead of glue, she'll be a wonder!

I sewed this bunny change purse while Julia napped.

The highlight of the day was eating dinner at the dining room table!  Sounds mundane perhaps but we haven't been able to figure that scene out with little children. Usually our kids eat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and we parents grab food where we can, often while standing up to eat.  Past attempts in the dining room have been wrought with fussing and food dropping, basically every distraction to eating as they could come figure.  But today we did actually sit down and there was definitely some eating involved.  Perhaps this is a glimpse of life to come, now that we approach Julia's second birthday.  Hoorah and yippee.

Another mega busy Mama day

Cold day for a walk

I sewed a yellow thing today. 

Working on this hat...

I would love to see an exhibit

of refrigerators across America

hopefully all showing art and photos