It's not spring yet!

We had a great day on Sunday. We had one of Ian's little friends over while his mom enjoyed a beautiful ski day.

We had lunch.
We played with trains and cars.

We don't use FedEx's tubes much anymore, but they make great tunnel-ramps for cars and they're free!

We went snowshoeing and skiing.

Ian got to try out his buddy's snowshoes!

At first, he thought that his feet should glide with something on them in the snow. We made up a song about "picking up your feet!" and it went perfectly after that! They're great snowshoes for a little person, and have very adjustable bindings. They were 7"x16" Yukon Charlie's. We'll be on the lookout for toddler/small person snowshoes on the clearance rack this time of year!

We came back, Ian was out for a wonderful nap, and Jen came back to pick up her guy. Fun stuff!

Bath Time Conversation with a 20 Month Old

Conversations have gotten far more interesting as since Ian has been going to play with kids while Mommy and Daddy work some days. He's been putting together little sentences.

Bath time yesterday:
Ian: Ducky! Ducky Away!
Me: Are you going to throw the ducky away?
Ian: Ducky Away! (throws ducky to the other end of the tub).
Me: You threw the ducky away from you!
Ian: Ducky?
Me: Do you want your ducky back? Do you want help? Can you ask, nicely please?
Ian: Mama hep? Peese? Ducky?
Me: Sure. I'll get your ducky.
Ian: Ducky! Ducky Away!
Me: Are you going to throw the ducky away?
Ian: Ducky Away! (Throws ducky.)
Me: You threw your ducky!
Ian: Mama hep? Ducky pees?
Me: Sure. Here's your ducky.
Ian: Ducky! Away!
...

Ian also talks about the birds. When the feeder needed to be filled the other day, he reported to me, "Blue Jay! Eat!"

We're hoping to get outside and back on the skis shortly! Maybe Sunday!

In other news:
No wet or dirty diapers today, one accident. That's pretty amazing!

More Outdoor Fun

Scooting along

Oopsie!

Ian is saying "Ouchie" as Daddy puts his mittens back on (Ouchie for bare hands in the snow).

How much fun was that? Big fun!

We carved a bit of a new path after these photos were taken. FYI, that's kind of painful in deep snow with a wagon. Just so you know. :)

Mountain Dell

On Sunday we took Ian to watch somewhat older kids learn to ski. We got there at the end of the lesson, but he got to watch kids scooting around on skis and he and I got to ski together some. It was very fun.

This little outing was nestled between a short-ish nap and a busy afternoon in the big city. But I took a couple of laps too, and it felt so good. It was a perfect day out there!

While I skied, Ian and John went sledding. It's the busiest weekend of the year for Mountain Dell and it was just perfect. The temperature, snow, and people were all great!

Skiing Fun!

Today on our walk, as usual, Ian got to get out of the wagon and walk some too. We wait for flatter parts on quiet roads. He loves these parts of the walk.

When we got to an even flatter place, we got him onto the skis.

We helped him shuffle some at first, and slid him along for a bit too. He had the biggest grin on his face! Then we started letting him just go on his own, and he did so well!

He got back into the wagon for more steep areas, then on the flats again we asked him if he wanted to walk or ski. He said "SKI!" We really need to get a skiing trail to and from home built so we don't need to bring the wagon, maybe just a sled. Such fun! Here's a short video.

All that fun and you had no idea it's in the single digits outside! Ian came very close to falling asleep on the way back, and we worked hard at keeping him awake. Back at the ranch, we had chicken noodle soup, fruit, and leftover rice and veggies for lunch, then Ian was down for the count! A family skiing outing is next!