Only snow in over two years

The kids have been missing out on snow the past few winters. Quite frankly, I’ve missed it too. 

We finally got a good 6-8 inches which lasted a couple days. They enjoyed sledding and just being out in the snow. Thank goodness for the joys of childhood!

The sweetest little angle puts me to bed

I get tired before Clair most nights. My girl still loves to spend time with me before bed. Often we are playing games and sometimes we are snuggling or talking or watching something. For years she’s liked if she has the chance to tuck me in. I think this started when I would return from Poland and be wrecked and in bed by 8. It used to be rare, but I give into the idea more often now that I know she really can’t get to sleep before 10 pm or so. 

Last night was one of these nights. We were downstairs and she knew I was wrecked. She grabbed me by the hand and said “come on Mommy let’s put you to bed.”  We stopped to get water and she made sure I had everything I needed and walked me up the stairs. After I brushed my teeth and used the bathroom she tucked me into bed. She made sure all my devices were turned down and far enough away they would not distract me. She got me ice for my burnt finger and she tucked me under the covers. She snuggled me for a bit. We said prayers. Then she gets up, turns out the lights and sing a me a couple songs whilst rubbing my arm. 

She was an angle and I think I was asleep right after she left me. She’s the sweetest little thing. 

I’m so grateful. 

One on one time is the best

 This year for Christmas we gave each of the kids trips. Max and Ellie went with David for the long January weekend to see Grannie in Scotland. Clair got a trip to Universal to live out her dreams of going to Hogwarts. Everyone had a great time. 

I didn't get too much details about what happened in Scotland other then a lot of movie watching and some shopping. The boys were also spoiled with a lot of good quality meat such as Max's new favorite - Wagyu Beef stake. Ellie was spoiled by jewelry and came home with many pairs of earrings, some new and some inherited, as well as several very special rings. 

Clair and I had a great trip. Travel down went smoothly and most of the logistics were great, except the delayed return. The parks were a lot of fun. We thought it might rain us out, but turned out to be manageable. We used the fast pass on day 1 to make the most of seeing all the rights. There were 5 Harry Potter rides. It was hard to get Clair out of Harry Potter land to enjoy the rest of the park, but I pushed it anyway. My favorite ride was ET and she enjoyed it enough that we even watched the movie at night while we were gone. Universal is very cool. I am grateful we were there on the off season, because I could not image int during the busy, hot summer season. 

Clair enjoyed all the special Harry Potter events such as getting selected to have a wand picked out for her and then going around both sides of the park casting the spells at all the spell spots. She really enjoyed this part of the adventure. 

Clair is such a joy to spend time with. She is thoughtful and kind. She is also adventurous and patient. She did get upset with the number of bathroom trips I required, but otherwise, she was in good spirits the whole time. We ended up making a joke about it. I also told her when she's 47 to think back to this experience and see if she needs this little girls room more then, than now. 

I'm really grateful for our family to have this experience. We missed the others and were excited to see them in the airport on Wednesday and travel home as a family. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Clair ran to hug Max. It was so sweet.