Wholly snowdays!!! Super cold weather

wanting nothing to do with anything but the swings!

So in the past week, we were able to be home a lot!  Monday holiday, Tuesday sent home at noon, Wednesday snow day, Thursday worked, Friday snow day!  We might be in school through July but it sure is fun to be home with the kids now!



We played mostly inside but I was able to take Tuck out when Brooklyn was sleeping a few times.  On Wednesday it was in the 40's and a wet snow so we all went outside for about an hour.  Brooklyn hung out in the sled at first and then once I put her on the swings, that's all she wanted to do.  So we would push her and then Tuck and I would roll snowballs.  He enjoyed making snowballs and we built a couple big ones.  I also filled up a bottle full of water and blue food coloring so Tuck could "paint' his snowmen.  We added a big T and B on them and then he set off making designs.  This lasted well until he decided to start spraying random things, luckily Casco moves pretty quickly.

Mimi's helper!

I drove the kids to Oakland on Friday and we stayed there Friday night.  The snowstorm dropped a lot of snow and Tuck and I got to ride with Poppi in his plow truck.  What fun!  Then Tuck really wanted to shovel and helped Mimi shovel the decks.  He loves to be a helper!  They were excited to see Mimi and Poppi and wanted to play there.  Jay and I drove to Sugarloaf early Saturday morning for some excellent skiing while the kids hung in Oakland and got lots of Grammy/Grampy time.  Then I drove back to pick them up and head back to Sugarloaf for the rest of the weekend. Uncle Jeffy and Danielle came up as well so Tuck and Brooke were in heaven getting lots of attention!

our new shed at camp

It was right around 0 degrees all weekend so it was not skiing weather for Tuck.  I got to ski with Maine Handicapped Skiing on Sunday and then we drove back to Oakland after to pick up Tucky who left with everyone earlier in the day.  Of course they wanted to keep playing so we ended up having super fun bathtime in Mimi's jacuzzi tub, eating leftovers and crashing in the car.  Luckily they both fell asleep instantly and transferred okay into the house.  We're hoping for some warmer weather next weekend!

Skiing - outdoor fun at the house with FieldRoy's

 It was a super cold weekend so we spent most of our time next to the warm fire up at Sugarloaf. We did get a chance to get out and get some runs in on Sunday though.

Tuck has been skiing the bunny slopes really well independently so with his improving turning and stopping skills, we decided to try out Skidway, just above the base.  We had a talk on the lift about making sure we using our turns and looking out for people.  He did so well!  Skied it from top to bottom, making turns and then throwing in a big stop on the way down!  I was so impressed and luckily, Jay and Brooklyn were in the lodge and came out to watch as well.  Daddy hadn't seen Tuck ski in a couple days so he was quite proud of his little man!

We drove home Sunday afternoon so we could spend Monday at home.  Daddy had to work anyway.  Aunt Meacy and the kids came up to play with us on this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  The kids were excited to get together, Tuck's been wanting to play trains with Spencer ever since they got to over the holidays!

We played inside for awhile and then had some lunch before getting dressed to go outside.  Brooklyn took a nap shortly after we ate which made going out easier.  I've been taking it easy on her and trying to keep her out of the cold as much as possible.

Derek, our neighbor, stopped by and joined in as well.  We made a little sledding path out back and then built a barrier in the front yard to have a snowball fight.  We decided to teach kids how to throw snowballs but only hit the body, no faces or anything like that.  They had a ball!  At one point the kids were climbing up the wall and sliding down.  We stayed out for awhile and then came in for hot cocoa and cookies.

Peekaboo Center on our Mommy Friday!

Mommy Day!!  It was a short week but with all the cold weather and snow, we decided to visit the Peekaboo Children's Center again.  We haven't been since Brooklyn was a couple months old so it was brand new to them both again.

I tried to get some others to come with us but everyone was busy so we went anyway.  It was a super crowded day, which was nice, so the kids got lots of play time in!  We started out at the trampoline and ball centers.  It was great because I could watch Tuck and Brooklyn at the same time and they were both happy.

Tucky bounced, played dough, found the huge train table and then hit everything else in the place a few times.  Brooklyn was happy with the ball pit, playing peekaboo in the mats and riding around the fire trucks.  There's really a lot for the kids to do and there's a snack room as well.  After some serious playing, we ate lunch and then hit a few more stations before heading out.

I hoped to make it back home before the kids fell asleep, but Brooklyn crashed immediately and I tried a transfer to her crib...not the easiest but I was able to get her napping after some serious rocking.  It was a fun day!

While the kids laid low at home, I finished packing for the Loaf and then we waited for Daddy to get home so we could head north for the weekend.

Snow day with kids!!! close to 18" of snow!

 Snow Day!!!

First one we've had this year and we welcomed it!  We had heard we were supposed to get some snow, anywhere from 6-10" and when I got the call at 5:30am, the ground was clear.  But by the time we all got up closer to 7ish, it was a full blown blizzard out and the snow was amounting already.

Brooklyn, Tuck and I had breakfast and then set off playing in the living room, watching the snow come down hard.  It was too cold and blustery to go outside so we played with just about everything we could inside.  Brooklyn was trying to be mobile and was walking around the room by holding onto furniture.  At one point she scooted around the corner to the stairs and slipped out of view, all by holding onto the walls and bracing.  She's getting closer for sure!

 Tuck wanted to paint today so we started with finger paints and then moved on to watercolors.  He loves to paint although he doesn't really like getting his hands too dirty.  Then he helped me load sliced strawberries, bananas and apples into the food dehydrator and then make a pear/blueberry puree for fruit leather.  It looked so good and we were excited to try it out.

Naptime wasn't great, Tuck didn't take one and Brooke took way too long to go down but at least they both did get some down time.  While Brooklyn was napping though, Tuck and I headed outside to check out the snow and were totally surprised! 

 There was well over a foot and it was still snowing hard.  He got stuck a few times but was loving it!  The winds blew so hard though and we decided to stay out only ten minutes because it was nasty.  Luckily Daddy came home shortly after and we all went outside to help clear the driveway.  The winds started to die out a little and Brooklyn was bundled.  It was fun to finally be able to have all four of us outside playing in the snow.  Our neighbor Danny came over for dinner and then a quick bath before two sleepy children hit the hay.

Brooklyn's 1 year check up - flu hits hard...

Brooklyn - the big 1 year old!!!

Brooklyn had her one year check-up on Wednesday and is doing very well!  She is right where she needs to be and has actually started gaining a little weight.  I didn't realize how long she is, although I have noticed that her pants seem a bit tight/short lately.  Both her weight and length have gone up, we already know she's got a big head, Tucky did too!  haha  Here are her current numbers:

Weight: 22lbs. 3 oz. (68%ile)
Length: 30 3/4" (92%ile)
Head: 47 1/4cm (95%ile)

The "Josh-mobile" pulling Tuck, Sage, skis, etc up the bunny slopes-no magic carpet

Brooklyn sporting her goggles

Meaghan and Sammy

Sage and her Daddy

Normally after a shot or two, she might have a slight fever, nothing crazy though.  Well, I went in to pick her up on Thursday morning and her room stunk!  The poor thing was covered in vomit...she never cried or anything and I felt so awful, it was nasty!  I gave her a long shower and figured it was because of the shots.  Well, Cindy called school less than an hour after I dropped her off to let me know she had lost all her breakfast and then some.  I left school and brought her home, letting her nap all afternoon.  I didn't know why she was so sick but she started to turn around later in the day.

Tuck's friend Sage skiing!

After picking up Tucky at Cindy's later in the day, we came home, had a normal evening and were home on Friday anyway.  The kids seemed to be doing well so I packed up and headed to Sugarloaf with them after an early lunch.  We met up with the Dunn's and drove up to get in a few quick runs with Tuck and Sage.  We didn't realize how cold it was up there, but did manage to get in a few short runs with the kids, plenty considering the temps.  Then we headed up to camp and got it all warmed up.  After getting a quick dinner for the kids, I put Brooklyn down.  Jay got a ride up and met us around 6ish as well.  At some point Tuck started complaining about "a frog in his belly" and was coughing.  A few minutes later he was puking all over the place...poor kid.  Josh and Meaghan quickly packed up and left, and then poor Tucky continued to get sick.  Luckily Brooklyn was down and didn't even notice.

skiing by myself - Tuck 2 3/4

Playing Hide and Seek at camp!!!

I decided to sleep downstairs with Tuck and ended up getting up every couple hours with him because he was sick.  After the second time, Jay and I were both making trips to the bathroom as well.  It was so bizarre but we were all vomiting like crazy.  Off and on all night, we were up, it was horrific.  I had to call Mimi the next day to come watch Brooklyn for us because we were in such bad shape.  Tucky and I didn't leave the couch until later in the afternoon and somehow Jay managed to get up and moving a bit.  By evening I was feeling slightly better, Jay and Brooklyn seemed more in the clear but Tuck was still struggling.  He ended up waking up again every few hours last night but had nothing left in his little system.  Luckily this morning after eating and drinking a little, I got him outside and he seemed to be doing better.  He's made it throughout the day now and has had a few smaller meals.  Luckily no one became too dehydrated and we're all recovering but this was the strangest, most quickly onsetting flu I've ever experienced, hopefully the last for a long time!  Apparently, all of the kiddos at Cindy's had the same thing over the weekend....

Wanting to help Daddy cut down a tree - chainsaw in hand.... cute!

When we got finally got home this afternoon, we spent a little time outside in the yard getting Daddy ready to cut down this large tree.  The kids were feeling much better and fresh air always helps.  I stuffed Brooklyn into the sled and Tuck brought out his "chainsaw" to help.  He wants to be just like Daddy!!!!