Hmmm... Is this Winter?

When the weatherman says it is going to be in the 60's in January, you hi-tale it to your favorite park and play like there is no tomorrow. Blue skies, warm sun and a giggles from kids stuck in the house for too long. Stretching legs and running free....

 City Lake Park has special memories for us as a family. It was the first park we went to when we were wondering if we should move up to North Carolina. I was about to pop with Jake - in actuality, I think I still had a month or so to go! Oy!

And we were lovestruck with the beautiful fall color and view of the lake...

So when the kids said they wanted to go to the park with the "zip line" we had to go.

I am thinking this needs to be on my bucket list of things to do. Kayak, still lake, cool breezes, what is there not to like?

Well, while I contemplated the quiet, the kids made up for being indoors for the past few days. They ran, yelled, played and were well, kids at a park. We needed some family time out of the house for sure. I equate these outings as sort of hitting the reset button on our life. Just makes everything ok and right again.

Love static hair in a slide - but not the shock it gives you!

These two together are a mess!

Remember what I said about hitting the reset button? I guess as a homeschool family, we are used to being around eachother 24/7. I love that it creates many opportunities to have to work things out since there are no opportunities for respite. As a parent, I need to foster creative ways to teach them to resolve conflict in a healthy way. Also when the kids spend a lot of time divided with friends, I can see their attitudes change drastically.  While I think that time with friends is so important and needed, it does effect their relationships together as siblings. When we take time away I see more of this - helping. 

And this - laughing from sister chasing...

And this - wide eyes of wonder, watching brother on another plaything. While it isn't always perfect, I make time to allow them to be together. Just us. I know other parents see us as a bit unusual, but pulling away really does make a difference. For us all...

As we were getting ready to leave I heard this fwap, fwap, fwap each step I took and Kylie made a quick comment, "I didn't know they made boot flip flops?" Yep, I didn't either...

My oh so comfortable yet not stylish boots had given up. I can't tell you how old they are, most likely from my college years which was about oh, 16 years ago? So sad...

But we moved on and fwap, fwaped our way out of the park. Luke was laughing hysterically at me and my dysfunction... Then Jake caught a glimpse of these berries. I was loving the contrast and totally missed that he was wanting to eat them but thankfully he didn't. 

One last quick climb on the old fire engine...

The next morning it wasn't as sunny out so we decided to do something artsy. Anything! I told the kids, quick! Run outside and get some rocks. So they did, and throw in some paint and it is a winner for all. 

What is it with paint and mixing everything into black?

Moving on from his rock to paper. Wait, isn't that a game??

If you give a toddler some paint and paper, you are bound to get it on hands...

And if it gets on hands, it must be on sisters  hands too!

I loved the care and focus he had while he painted Kylie. They had a blast. 

Day wrapped up with a nice hot bath for all and clean clothes! I am reminded that when I schedule time for play and creativity, the days really do become a lot smoother. 

Enjoy your day!

A Little Game of Catch Up!

Ever since I was in college and had a car of my own, I have wrangled some friends together and set off north in search for snow. Most of the time we would have about 30 minutes to pack, grab some semi warm things (not that much as we lived in Georgia at the time) and head off with no planning. The most we would do is a quick check with the Weather Channel, grab a bunch of tapes (no CDs back in the day) and go. 

My sweet husband shakes his head every winter about this time as he knows what is on it's way... When I heard that snow was just an hour and a half away, he figured he might as well get the road trip over with and be a part of it as well! How he spoke my love language when he said, LOAD UP! A quick run around the house to grab some quick kid snacks, a peek at weather.com and off we went. 

It was totally sunny the whole way there and I was getting nervous that we wouldn't get any snow. I mean we traveled all the way there and no snow? But then we went over a hill and I saw this in the distance.

In about 10 minutes time we were in the thick of it and the flakes were coming down.

Had to roll down the window so Jake could enjoy the snow. Brrrr!

I had Googled sledding spots near Boone and up popped a free slope right near Boone at Beech Mountain. It was in front of the Town Hall and had an area with restrooms and heat to warm up in between sledding.

It wasn't too big of a hill but it served its purpose of cold, snow and fast thrills! We were happy!

Up we went...

Ready to go down!

Jake was fearless!

I couldn't let Jon have all the fun.

We took a break but Jake wasn't too agreeable on that. He tried to go up the hill with his own saucer. 

Luke was a sledding pro.

Taking a break for a quick snow angel.

Look, another Snow Angel!

Then on our way back we happened upon this nice little house for sale. Turns out it is quite a bit of acreage with 3 nice quaint ponds. 

***

In other news, Jake has taken to sleeping on the bottom bunk quite nicely. He loves his "vroommm vroommmm" sheets that was once Luke's and thinks it is pretty cool that his brother sleeps up above him. 

Nothing better than a sweet sleeping toddler.

Notice his cheeks are all red. They have been blotchy for weeks now. Two appointments with a Doctor in the local practice said it might be eczema and while I have been putting cremes on it, it hasn't gone away. On his 2 year well visit, my regular PA said it might be a food allergy so we are going to go to a Dermatologist in a few weeks. I can't wait to get Jake's pretty baby skin back!

Well, that is a quick rundown of what has been going on around here. School, laundry, cooking and spending time with friends is what makes our days. Wouldn't mind if we could have a snow day at home soon but are content with our wild road trip. Love the changes in seasons!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Funny how a year changes things... This is my sweet Jakers on his First Birthday. Notice that brown chocolate hair? That soon was buzzed to reveal bright blonde hair underneath. 

While we have no idea how that ever happened, we are used to his blonde hair and the spunk it gives him. 

Usually most people chill and relax after Christmas but for us, the party continues! We are so blessed to celebrate Jake and all he adds to this family. It was unanimous that Jakes birthday dinner would be spaghetti and meatballs as it is definitely his favorite. If anyone has been around this boy for oh, more than a minute, you know that when he likes something he starts yelling its name. So one day he wanted more meatballs in his dish and started yelling MEATBALLS!!! He can be a bit demanding... So I made sure his bowl was full and we had a nice quiet dinner.

Note to self: Never make blue icing again. I swear we all looked like Smurfs after eating these!

And then, note to all gift givers: Please pool your money together and purchase Photoshop for me because clearly I was the only one looking at the camera. And why was I the only one with a silly hat? Oh yeah, the other kids were smart enough not to be wearing them during any photo...

Finally I am paying attention to the boy with the flame thrower..

Ok, Jon did alright...

Attempting to get the birthday boy to look joyous. He had just woken up from his nap (yes, it was uber late to be waking up but that is how he rolls).

Can we take this picture please?

Yum!

Brothers...

Now on to the presents. Thankful we had just trained Jake to open presents at Christmas, he didn't have any problem diving into these. Have I mentioned he is obsessed with Thomas? Well, this boy is in heaven. 

At any given time during the day I can hear the words Choo Choo coming from any given room he is in. Never have we had kids who were so attached to a theme!

He knew just what to do!

More Thomas!

Giving sweet hugs to Gambi - or Meemee as he likes to call her.

Off to go play again...

But wait, that isn't all! A new (to him) train table in his room! Whoah!!!

Um, should we buy some Thomas things for Kylie and Luke? They seemed to hog the table while Jon was putting together the track. Funny kids!

To cap off the evening, Jake slept peacefully in his big boy bed. Bittersweet for sure as our boy is growing but thankful to get the crib out of his room!

Jacob Lance, we are all so happy you have joined our family. Every day you give us so many smiles and reasons to laugh. Happy Birthday!