Snow-day!

Genevieve's first walk in the snow!

Preparing a snow-ball

Wishing her mommy would hurry up and take her back inside.....

Saying a big "CHEEESE!"

Today was our first (and probably only) snow of the year! It was such a sure thing that we told Marielle yesterday evening that when she woke up in the morning there would be snow. We also read books throughout the day involving all things snow; which of course led to her rehearsing all the exciting things we would do in the snow the next day..."put on my snowsuit, put on my boots, make snow angels, throw snowballs...".... the list goes on. As you might have guessed, Marielle woke up at the crack of dawn ready to play. As soon as it was light outside, she and Philip embarked.

Later in the day, Marielle and Genevieve and I went out again and had an even more fun time. I pushed them around on our make-shift sled (a large tupperware container lid), and we threw snowballs for Buck to catch. Even after a gloriously long time, Marielle still had to be convinced that it was time to come inside. All I have to say is that she has more endurance for the cold than me!

Tricycle riding

For many months now, Marielle has enjoyed sitting on her tricycle and pretending to move. But today I realized that her legs were (finally) long enough to push the pedals! So, while Genevieve was napping, we made a trek out to the cul-de-sac to practice riding. As I was pushing Marielle down the hill of our driveway, Marielle in her usual very expressive and outlandish ways said, "Whoah, Mom! This is very CWAZY , and a wittle bit SCA-WY!" (Dont worry, she was having the time of her life.)

Ahh, its amazing how much a little lisping can make a mommy laugh.

a COLD winter's day

It is below freezing here as it has been all weekend, and Marielle is insistent on playing outside. After a bit of cajoling on my part to get her to wear a winter coat, instead of her "cape", she hustles out the door, to be greeted promptly by Buck, our big yellow dog. Meanwhile, Im helping Genevieve finish up her lunch inside, but watching from our big windows in the sunroom into the (fenced-in)backyard. When Marielle vanishes from my sight, I go out to check on her. I find her with her back toward me standing right up next to the fence. Though unable to hear her, I can tell that she is talking to herself, with her hands covering her eyes. Suddenly, she turns around and bolts across the yard, until she finds Buck at his frozen water bowl. After a few minutes of trying to help obtain some water, she returns to her post and begins this canine hide-and-seek game all over again. If only Buck knew how much this girl loves him. If only Marielle knew that playing with a dog all day long wasnt what all her friends were doing. Oh well, at least they are happy together.