Finally...Sledding Fun!

We finally had sledding snow back in mid-January! And one more time since. We sure grab these chances pretty fast!

That first snow was quickly followed by a major drop in temperatures, so it actually iced up pretty fast...which made for awesome sledding to be honest! They could really fly down that hill! So fun. Ben took them out that first time, just after they got back from camping as it turns out, and they had a lot of fun. I took them out the next day after school and got more pictures then.

That snow has since melted, but we got another little bit of snow mid last week, just enough for sledding, although powdery, but still- pretty inviting snow for a kid!

You can see how icy it is in this picture!

More snow last week! It was not easy sledding snow, since it was pretty powdery, but once they got some paths made, they were going fast enough.

Annabel made her name in the snow using her sled's edge.

Y Guide Winter Campout 2020

Ben and the kids enjoyed another Y Guide camp out in mid-January. The campsite was the same as their winter camp out last year, so they knew a little more what to expect this time, too, and that helped. Both kids were super excited for their camping weekend! (I was excited for my quiet.) My family left just as the snow was heavily coming down in our area, but they soon got past it and arrived safely Friday. I was hoping all this snow meant they would have another snowy weekend there, like last year, but alas, that did not happen. That's okay though- they still had a great time!

All three of them went horseback riding this time, too! I was beyond thrilled to hear this news! Ben forgot the camera when they went horseback riding that Saturday morning, but I got the news via email along with Ben's hope that he could get them to go again...and they did! This time he got pictures!! I'm SO so proud of Daniel for trying something new. It was so fun to see their pictures!

They did the slides, candle-making, wall climbing, and so much more- both kids did all this, too! Saturday night featured a hike to the "ghost cabin" as well, which Ben and Annabel did, while Daniel stayed back at the cabin with others who opted out. It sounds like they stayed busy all day! Sunday was super cold (like below teens cold- brrr!), but they did a couple things there before heading home. We still had snow here, so the kids were very keen to get home and do some sledding, too! But first I saw pictures and heard some stories and got all my hugs- and then I let them go out again. I'm so glad they love these camping weekends- what fun memories they are making! It warms my heart right up.

Ice Skating

Annabel has been asking for literally years to go ice skating, so when I heard that our Y Guide circle made ice skating plans, I urged Ben to take Annabel and she was beyond THRILLED! Ben, a little less so, but like he said- he's the one who told me about it, so. And I always say that's what we have people in our life for- to get us to do and try new things. This is one part I love about being a parent- learning and growing and adventuring right along with my kids.

Daniel was invited of course, but as predicted, he didn't want to go. Instead he and I enjoyed a really nice afternoon of playing just the two of us, which was much needed (is always much needed- I so crave that time with both of my kids and this season of life has been really trying for me in this way since we're so busy, and the kids now have the giant magnetic pull of Minecraft and other screen games they play with Daddy, though this time is strictly limited; but still- I've struggled to keep up with them lately since that is entirely not my thing and it is entirely their first choice of activity when available- I'm finding more and more that I'm not "it," which is just growing up life, but still bittersweet). I'm always looking for time with each of my kids and this afternoon was the perfect chance for Daniel and I to hang together. So, in a way, I was glad he didn't go. That time with each parent is always so precious, Annabel with Ben, Daniel with me- love it.

Anyway, it was a day of fun for all, really! Annabel loved ice skating. She and Ben had a great time together. I'm told she only fell twice, but not too hard and she just up and kept going, and had smiles on her face the whole time! I'm so glad they went and tried something new! Such fun for them! I'm amazed at how relaxed Annabel looks. She's totally in her element trying new things, that's for sure. She's one brave girl and I love that about her.