Are you having fun?

We headed back out to do some sledding today, but for some reason it was a no sledding day. Peter and Claudia were in a snowball fight and Juliet was laughing at them. Juliet was wishy washy about the cold. Hence the pacifier - and she resembles Maggie on the Simpsons. :-)

Here's a clip of Claudia working on her french fries and pizza wedges. She had lots of fun. Today was pretty cold with it snowing and blowing.

Dashing through the snow...

After opening gifts, letting the girls play with some new toys, skyping with the Spain/Gerkens and Juliet's nap, we headed outside to do some sledding. It was fairly late in the afternoon by the time we were all suited up and out at the sledding area and it was just starting to snow and the wind was picking up. We borrowed a sled from the resort and headed out. Here was the best run of Peter and the girls; I was trying to figure out the best place to stand so that I could capture them on video well, as well as keep out of their path and any other sledders. The mic really caught the wind; it wasn't as bad as it sounds. It was getting cold though. And Peter forgot his gloves so he was wearing mine and my hands were getting really cold trying to video them. Brrr!! To get the video to fit on the blog I had to trim more than half of it. The first 30 seconds was spent trying to get Claudia to move back further. And I need to learn not to walk when I'm videoing; that's why it gets so jumpy at times...

In fact, Claudia and Peter stayed out at least another 30 minutes. Juliet and I headed inside and went to the kids craft zone. And while I hate seeing any photos or videos of Juliet with her Fifi, we've learned that it's the best way to get her to stay out in the cold. And boy was it getting cold!

Merry Christmas!

The Snow Bunny & The Snow Crab

Claudia spent the morning at ski school. She learned her french fries and pizza slices and skied the mini-hill they had. She really enjoyed it! She's heading back for more on Sunday.

Juliet, however, was our little snow crab. She was terribly terribly unhappy outside. We all went to drop off Claudia at ski school and then headed outside to check out the school area. Juliet was crying lots and we were fighting her to keep her mittens on. At one point she was lying on the ground crying. All I could do was laugh (ok, not the whole time, but she's SO dramatic (some might call it rotten)). I'm sure less sleep, the altitude and the cold (as well as almost being 2) had a lot to do with it.

Peter skied in the morning and picked up Claudia and then he headed back to the slopes. After Juliet finished napping, we headed down to a big room where they have kids crafts set up. So we strung some bead garlands and made some paper ornaments to decorate the 4 ft tree we borrowed from a friend to bring up here. I forgot to bring lights or any other decorations, so that worked out perfect. As well as kept us entertained in the warmth!

Ho Ho Ho

Much like last year, Juliet didn't enjoy the trip to see Santa. But given she is more mobile now than she was this time last year, it was a little struggle. Peter and I weren't supposed to be in the picture, but the closer Peter got to Santa the more Juliet tried to crawl over his shoulder! So I jumped in and click!

This is my 100th post!!!

snowman

For Claudia's holiday party, I volunteered to organize the snowman activity. I had to assemble one to make sure it was doable. Here is one of the models:

I switched to the pipe cleaner earmuffs after Gina got the idea from something online. I was originally trying the felt hat, but that would have required A LOT of cutting and gluing felt. Not so fun/easy!

The wine bottle is to show scale; it's not what I was drinking at the time I was making it. I don't do red.

Ready for your close up, Frosty?

Season's Greetings!

Claudia and I worked on the gingerbread house this weekend. I tried a new way to decorate - instead of icing the roof I sprinkled powdered sugar on it. It worked well, and it simplified the process! Juliet wasn't around to help. Claudia is messy enough, I can't imagine what kind of mess Juliet would have made! In fact, after I took the picture, I turned my back and Juliet tried to pick off something from the roof. When I turned around she was smearing powdered sugar all over the table. I guess that's what happens when you put a toddler 6 inches away from a gingerbread house!!