Snow Days and Birthdays

I am unappologetic about loving winter.  I love the peace and serenity.  I love the time we get to spend together as a family.  I love the beauty.  I love the warm cozy clothes, heavy covers and the crackling fire.  I love the comforting soups, stews and casseroles that fill both body and soul.  I love it all, and I'm always a little sad when winter is over.

When winter started I was aprehensive about working a part-time job as a ski instructor, but have come to love spending my time there.  Yes, it's made life a little bit crazier at home.  But, mostly it's given me a chance to spend some time doing something I love while getting paid to do so.  With only one more weekend to go, I can say that I'll be back next season without a doubt.

We started the weekend by having a great group of girls spend the night to celebrate our oldest's birthday.  I love all of these girls like they're my own.  They spent a large portion of their evening paiting nails and singing Taylor Swift songs together.  It seems like just yesterday they were playing games of pretend.  There's still a lot of goofy in them though... I hope they hang on to that as they grow up.

Added bonus to them getting older - they make the birthday cake themselves!

We've been blessed with several late winter snow storms, and the last one hit right before the boy's early birthday party.  It wound up being a warm, sunny day perfect for playing outside for several hours.  Then the boys were happy to move inside for cake and games (Minecraft themed and mostly kid created).

A Mooshroom, Pigs, Chickens, Sheep (in several colors) and a Cow created from homemade fondant.  Easier than expected.

Pin the tail on the pig

I tried - it's impossible to get a good picture of ten year old boys.

The Woodsman is not quite as enamored about winter as I am - loading the woodbox and keeping the fire going leaves less time for play.  But me, I'm still hoping for one more good storm.  

"Enduring winter is only a start—embracing winter is what you should strive for."  Garrison Keillor

Read more: http://www.rd.com/culture/garrison-keillor-winter/#ixzz3SWxr2vHe