Thursday, February 24, 2011

Our Days in the Snow

My thoughts on the current season of our Boston Experience...
If we are going to endure a cold winter, we might as well endure one of the coldest.  no harm in breaking a record!  As of last Sunday's "light dusting", this season is #10 in recorded Boston snowy winters .
You know... ?  I'm not so happy with #10.  I 'd like to move ahead on this list, and I am confident there will be more "dustings" to nudge us ahead in the record books.
(in the instance of our 'days in the snow', my competitive nature has shaped things positively)

Certainly snow does create difficulty...

 - Running is more of a challenge.  So much of one, I traded in my running shoes for an entire month.  The final run before my hiatus was more of an ice skating fiasco in tennis shoes.  Step, step, STOP - there's ice, now walk.  This was the drill until reaching the Esplanade which was an uninterrupted sheet of ice.  Last week, temps were on the rise and the ice/snow began melting.  I vowed to return to the roads.  So far, pretty good.  


  - Shoveling...  ahhhh - well, we just don't do it.  But, our neighbor does.  Look at him go!  Actually all responsible people in the North East do some form of shoveling.
Fortunately we were blessed with an amazing landlord who enjoyed the art of shoveling.  One morning I awoke to yet another 'nor'easter,' no Jeff - he had left early for the hospital via "T" transit, and the reality we would spend yet another day at home.  This was until I saw sweet Alex shoveling our car out of the driveway.  Blessings come in all forms, and we were certainly thankful.  Unfortunately Alex moved to Philly, and we anxiously await the next 'opportunity' to try our hands at that shovel.


  - Many a 'homebound' day
A snow day is a great day the first day, and possibly the second, but after two we're done.  The house is done; cooking - done; dress-up fun - done; candy land - done; thomas the train, angelina the ballerina, word world - done; fun playing in a box - all DONE!



this is too cute
maybe box fun is not done
 - and, transportation can be tricky
Off to ballet
School pick-up
Little man is sound asleep in there
grocery trip
 BUT...
There are other aspects of our days in the snow that have been glorious


namely, it is the time spent with Langston and Edward I am so so grateful for.  People ask all the time - "aren't you going crazy with no time to yourself?"  Well, yes.  There are moments (as I have said) where I long for a cup of coffee - solo, a run alone on a Tuesday, or a matinee showing.  But, the many precious moments with my children afford for such absences.  Snowy days have allowed even more time together, and it is with these days I remind myself this season will only last so long.  Next year begins the 5 day school week for Langston, and Edward will participate in some form of Mothers Day Out.  This time, our time together, is indeed glorious.




apres snow at the local coffee shop
I have noticed in our homebound days both kids actively playing together.  Be it trains, watching the same shows side by side, coloring, playing with dolls...  whatever activity one chooses, the other is eager to participate.  These are certainly sweet times where it is evident our kids adore and enjoy each other.  Yes, I know this won't last - for at this moment I hear an eruption.  Boom Boom (Edward) hit Langston with a hair brush.  Ahhhh, these moments are fleeting. 





This day was actually one of those 'stir crazy' homebound days.  Everybody's dressed, and it's just too cold and snowy to play outdoors.  Well, what do we do?  Pictures anyone?







Monday, February 21, 2011

Who's Afraid of a Little Nor'Easter

Not him
 maybe her?
 and, the verdict's still out...
Our first Nor'Easter hit days following our return from the Christmas Break in Memphis.  This was Jeff's second, for he had experienced his first bout with a Boston snow the week before on the very day of his return.  (a very nervous Jeff actually doubled his ticket price to fly home ahead of the impending snow, and he beat it 'barely!')  Possibly this is an explanation for his brave face and eagerness to tackle this experience head on.


shovel, shovel
this is something we will never excel at, or frankly attempt




i'm done
 not me
this is nothing

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Christmas, Part II
















 Liberty Bowl "Fun"
we didn't however make it past the 'tailgate'
stadium rules didn't allow strollers

New Years Eve with the Coffeys
poor Jordan was on call, but we lured him into our fun
Langston and Caroline
Sweet Thomas

Precious Ella

sweet times!

"Gather around kids"
like father, like daughter

it would be tough convincing people this guy wasn't having fun:)
i love this!

Happy New Years!