Trying to keep busy, and things

Well- its still winter. Where most of my friends live between Idaho and Utah, there is plenty of snow going around. It actually sounds like a more extreme winter for some. Here is PA, things are kind of normal-ish. I've only lived here for 3+ years, so I don't know if I can really declare what is normal for here.

-The first year was kind of like this year. Lots of snow, melts every once in awhile. Nothing too bad.

-Second year it snowed and snowed and snowed, and it never melted. That was intense.

-Third year, hardly any snow. I guess this was a fluke year according to some. It was nice.

And now we are in 2013 winter. It hasn't been terrible, but we get slammed with some intense storm every once in awhile where everyone acts like its the end of the world, and then it melts a couple weeks later on a freakishly warm day for winter. Yesterday's high was 63 degrees, and all the snow melted. It was great. But we woke up today to crazy blowing snow (and for the next 4 days too). It actually looks like the snow that shoots out of a snow blower. Its awesome, unless you are driving.

Here's the thing about winter and snow. Its not so bad, most of the time. I grew up in Oregon where snow was a rarity, and was pretty much the end of the world when it did happen. School would be canceled for just a couple inches because no one knows how to drive in it. (I've since gotten my driving in the snow badge, you have to here.) So I've always liked snow because it was always a fun and welcome sight. I still like it here in PA, even though it isn't a rarity. It is SO pretty. You can actually see snow flakes. I'd never seen them before we moved here. I sometimes go on cold afternoon walks and observe all the beautiful tiny flakes. It makes me feel like I am walking in a poem, or that I'm Anne of Green Gables.

Anyway- so the snow is beautiful. But it is making it very difficult for Deric to get to his new job on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He leaves super early in the morning, and arrives 3 hours later right before his class begins. The roads are terrible when it is snowing this hard, and in the morning in general. He comes home so frazzled, its very scary driving when its a complete white out.

So in conclusion to this tangent about snow that I never meant to write, its been great and all, but we are ready for spring.

OH! I remember why I mentioned snow in the first place. All the pictures that I currently have are of how we've been trying to keep ourselves busy inside.

We paint a lot. It is one of Bladen's favorites. Any time I get out his little apron her got for Christmas from Aunt Stephy, he knows something awesome is going to happen.

 

We tried some variations to mix things up.

This one was fun, dipping and stamping. Bladen seemed to like it too.

This is Bladen's art wall in his room. Every morning when he wakes up, I can hear him over the monitor  softly talking to himself identifying things on his pictures. "Dumbo, choo choo, square, heart, circle, yellow..." Its pretty cute.

My mom gave me a preschool toddler activity book for Christmas last year and we have been trying a couple different things in it. One day we decided to try some SCIENCE!

And seriously, what is better than vinegar and baking soda? Probably nothing.

It took me 20 minutes to get everything set up and "toddler ready".

Then it took less than 5 minutes to complete and entertain. Dang.

You don't have to watch this. But I thought it might be fun to capture our experience on camera.

We also have spent some time camping. Camping in the winter? YES.

I'm pretty sure Bladen remembers when we went camping in our backyard this last summer. He kept snoring, which means everyone needs to sleep by the way, and he would get upset when I wouldn't let him take naps in the tent. (It would have been too short of a nap, no good.) The puppy had fun camping with us too. I love this picture of my buddy boys.

I love my puppy Scout. We miss Tucker all the time, but it sure has been a lot of fun (and easier) having one dog. Scout is always upstairs with us, and loves to lay around and join in the fun. He in particular loved tent day and kept going inside like it was his own personal dog house. I thought it was hilariously cute.

Then my attendance was demanded.

You can't see the dog, but we were all in there. Very squished.

This is my getting trampled and squished face. Bladen crawling and sitting on my hair, dog sitting on my lap. I don't think this tent is bigger than 3 feet by 3 feet. Maybe. Oh, and we had every stuffed animal that we own in there with us. Squish!

We've also had a few play dates with some friends. Bladen is constantly asking for "Ne-ne" (Lynlee).

They are best friends.

Yes we've tried to stay busy, but its hard. It gets so boring sometimes. We try not to watch too many movies, but I'm going to quit making myself feel bad and letting all the world make me feel bad for my child watching a Disney movie every once in awhile. Personally I love it. So stick it world!

Bladen's latest favorite movie is Wall-E. I couldn't be happier.

-Its the cutest movie ever

-There is hardly any talking

-The music is great

-Its totaly wholesome

-Bladen laughs and laughs when Wall-E and Eva are spinning in space with the fire extinguisher. Bladen thinks its snow.

-Its super cute how Bladen says Wall-E and "E-ha!" (Eva).

-I love Disney

I personally have been trying to stay busy by starting P90X. Oy. I think its hard for everyone to start working out when they haven't in a long time. This HAS been the case for me. I wake up early in the morning or try to work out while Bladen is eating breakfast and is strapped in a chair. I watch the dude show how to do the move on the DVD, and I just grimace and laugh to myself. I probably look nothing like the way I'm supposed to while doing the moves, and I can't do nearly as many as is required at the moment. I'm not necessarily doing the P90X work out challenge, I just need a good DVD I can do at home and a friend lent them to me. So work out I will, when I can. I have 2 days out of 3 under my belt, and my butt and abs and ribs area kill. I can't sneeze without doubling over because I know I would break something if I sneezed normal.

The snow is beautiful, but I am ready to go to the park. =) In a couple months, we'll be there!

p.s. Thank you to everyone who gave recommendations on what to do with my meal time frustrations. I've considered it all and taken bits and pieces. My sister sent me an email that opened my eyes a bit to my problem. My son is growing up and has his own opinions, and I need to try and acknowledge those. I have been giving him choices, and he has been eating better. I also have stopped feeding himself, I'm trying anyway. So things are starting to go better. Thanks thanks.