Snow Day with Friend- Picture it!

Jules here-

As I am resolving to post a bit more, and I have a new laptop :) - no more excuses! This is the first Christmas since I moved to New Hampshire eleven years ago that wasn't white.  I was quite thrilled with the mild fall; however, our ski mountains and tourism industry has suffered.  Tuesday, the "true" winter has begun with our first 5-6 inches of snow.   The children gleefully watched as the lawn (and driveway...) filled with fluffy white snow. 

We had a sleepover guest- Grace's best friend- for TWO nights due to snowy weather! She got to partake in our annual tradition of snowman pancakes.  I simply make 3 different sized pancakes and give them a variety of toppings to make their own snowman.  James's turned out a bit like a Picasso snowman, but it still tasted delicious.

 

Later in the day, I suited up to snow blow and snow shovel my driveway-- AHHH! It was quite cold, and I am not in snow-shoveling-shape. My sore muscles ache today, but I did a thorough enough job to get my minivan out!

This is the "Before" picture... before it felt as if the wind had frozen off my face.

The children wanted to go outside too- and after 25 minutes of suiting them up, they lasted only 15 minutes outside in the 17 degree day....

I was so cold after my outdoor endeavors, that I had to bake a ton when I got back inside. I made the classic easiest pumpkin muffins and an apple pie muffin to help warm my house.

For dinner, I made some quick homemade pizza using the Betty Crocker dough recipe and the kids were able to add the toppings. Yummy and fun!

We were blessed with a plethora of board games for Christmas, including my favorite Bananagrams! Grace and Sophie played for hours; though they needed some "Is this a real word?" help they did great!  

It was a challenge to keep the little ones from knocking the puzzles...

We also could not have a sleepover-snow day without a movie night! We watched the classic Balto which is a snowy tale about sled-dogs. Quite entertaining and also safe for all ages- it's hard to find a movie to entertain all kiddos.

Cozy kiddos watching a film

 Having four kids on a snow day made it TONS of fun! We loved having a "best friend" who experienced sledding, pancakes, games, toys, and movies with us- thanks for loaning her to us Chrissy!

Side note- Yes, I am blogging on New Year's Eve-I lead a crazy wild life here!!! Hope everyone has a blessed, safe, healthy, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Easy Rule #41321- Even though snow can be a bit daunting for a homeowner- it can be lovely to experience through the eyes of the children.

Easy Rule #4324- You can always take a hot shower and bake muffins when you're recovering from the cold.

Bonus picture- Took this from my car window on my way to work- seriously-- New Hampshire is gorgeous!!

Annual Reunion Time- Picture it!

Jules here-

 Once again, we hosted an annual reunion for our family in New Hampshire! Though our brother and his family couldn't make it this year (boo!!) the rest of us gathered for a week of cousin time!  It truly amazes me that the children can see each other only two times a year, and yet they fit together seamlessly.  Grace, Josephine, and Felicity jumped right in to vivid imagination play, a crafty sleepover, and hours of "plotting" against the boy cousins...

We spent the week playing games, hiking mountains, going to water parks, and eating lots of food of course (thanks Mom!!).  I have NO pictures from the water park- why? I was in survival mode and in bathing suit, so that's not going to happen on the internet.  Watching ELEVEN children under the age of 12 at a water park in the full sun was quite exhausting!! I will definitely wait until my three kids are strong swimmers to return so I would feel more secure at the park. 

My sister and her brood stayed with my parents, but visited me for a day to go to all my new-favorite local places. The kids LOVE Funspot which touts itself as the largest arcade in the world (it is quite big with an arcade game museum too...). Everyone loves winning tickets, riding bumper cars, and eating pizza!

Pop-pop on a little car....

Thirteen years until this guy is behind the wheel of a real car...

Mini-ferris wheel with Tad!

My darling Charlie :)

 We also headed to our local beach to enjoy a barbecue, swimming, and sunshine.  I loved showing them our favorite summer hang out and having the kids cool off in the lake!

Hanging out with my older nephews fills me with hope... I got to play Scrabble and Boggle with them, and they were quite good!  It gives me hope that I will survive the Candyland and Chutes & Ladders years and game nights will progressively be more fun!

Side Note- I brought the younger ones up "Zingo" to play.. and from Simona on up- they all LOVED it.  It's a picture matching, speed bingo-esque game.  We have played it for years and my children all still love it.  Highly recommended for smart 2 year olds up to ages 6 or 7.

You can buy it here....

Of course no trip to New Hampshire would be complete without a view from a mountain top, we hiked up the local Rattlesnake Mountain for some great views over the Pemi-Baker Valley; Brian and I hiked with 8 kids from ages 3-12. Not bad :)

And finally... my favorite part of the trip was meeting my newest niece- GEMMA! She is the post precious, happy, jovial child I have ever met! She will be held by everyone and she smiles easily- fantastic for a family reunion!

Easy Rule #35532- Nothing beats family. Even miles away, meeting few times a year--the bond is incredible!

Easy Rule #6345- Even the shyest, most mommy-centered kid can succumb to Aunt Julia's goofy style... HA! I won over Simona!! Woo-Hoo!!

7 Quick Takes

Jules here-

Thought I would do a classic 7 Quick Takes Blog this Friday as I have more random elements to discuss....

- 1- 

We have just returned from a trip to Delaware this past weekend!  8 Hours each way- no DVD player- and we survived! We ate plenty of snacks, listened to hours of books on CD, and sang an innumerate amount of nursery rhymes.  It had been three YEARS since I had visited Delaware, and it was so wonderful returning to my childhood state!  And, we happened to arrive on my nephew's TENTH birthday-- I moved from Delaware to New Hampshire shortly after his birth, so this will be my tenth year in New England too!

-2-

If you have never been to Delaware or near-by Pennsylvania, make a special trip to Longwood Gardens!  It is internationally ranked as one of the top ten gardens in the WORLD!  I forgot how spectacular the acres of manicured flowers, trees, shrubs, and water fountains are! We had such a fantastic time!

If you do plan on going to acres and acres of walking-- you may want to pack a stroller.  My two youngest were QUITE exhausted after the afternoon.

At the entrance, before the walking...

This was not a posed shot. This is back at the entrance AFTER the walking.

-3-

As soon as you are out of New England- don't forget to stop for a Rita's Water Ice- though the prices are ASTRONOMICAL since I was last there.... it was fantastically refreshing on a hot day. 

-4-

I also had the opportunity to attend a childhood friend's wedding, meet up with a high school friend, and stay with my brother and sister-in-law.  It's always amazing with certain friends no matter how long it has been, it feels as if no time has passed. 

All dolled up for wedding! James's jacket lasted two minutes....

High school best friend, Joanna!! Loved seeing her darling girls!

-5-

James is still obsessed with golf:  he enjoys watching golf on TV, playing golf in our backyard, and he even insists on wearing "golf shirts".  We had the opportunity to sneak onto a golf course adjacent to my brother's home.  We had to play the hole QUICKLY while the "paying" golfers got closer to us...

-6-

You may be saying to yourself, "Oh, Jules has been traveling so much, that's why she hasn't blogged!" Go ahead, think that. It's not really because a coworker of mine gave me her kids' old Nintendo DS with MARIO on it for my kids......  I can't stop playing.....

Blurry photo courtesy of Lissie... I am bleary eyed and playing Mario....

-7-

And in the worst news of all, James's final pacifier broke.  I am sure some of you are calculating how old James is-- well, 3 1/2.  Yes, most moms wish for a child to give up a pacifier- but James, he still naps. I treasure those 1-2 hours of peace and quiet. And today, he is not napping. I hear him stomping around his room and getting into trouble (and, no, I am not checking on him...).  It took him 2 hours to go to bed last night, and the previous night he fell right to sleep with his pacifier! (albeit, it was at the top of the stairs...)

Easy Rules #23498-  Returning to the place you grew up can fill you with reminiscing and longing, but it also rekindles old friendships!

Easy Rules #453234- Addictions can be anything that stop you from completing your daily activities: smoking, alcohol, Mario.  Be careful what you choose. At least you can clean and drink at the same time.