Snow hike

Motivating the little one to complete the 1.78 mile out and back was a bit of challenge but we made it and have this family selfie at the top of a hill to show for it (couldn't get the dog in the frame but rest assured she's there and covered in snow).

 

Week 40!

In an attempt to see family this holiday season, we took B out of school (big kids were already remote last week) and got covid tested (negative for us and my parents!)  Taking B out of school while the big kids are in online school AND we are trying to stay away from people, is always challenging.  But I made a bag for each day with a full days activities.   Despite quarantining, we had a pretty full fun week.

We did a lot of holiday activities.  Above, strings of lights in patterns to decorate the santa village.

Still had plenty of time to visit and play with brothers.

B wanted  a picture to help him draw his self portrait.

They are still proud of their gingerbread houses from last week.

Lots of Lexi snuggles.

Some geometry magnets for math.

A quick 30 minute Outschool My Little Pony storytime and cookie decorating class.

Math and practicing Letter H.

Our elf, Ellie, tested positive for Covid on December 1st so she was in a jar in quarantine for 14 days, but was freed this week.

Painting penne to make a holiday necklace.

A cotton ball Christmas tree with watercolor.

Learning a little about insects.

The annual holiday performance at the school was a little different this year, but leave it to the creative teachers and zoom to recreate a pretty fun event.

This kid will whittle wood all day if he could.

A pipe cleaner Christmas tree.

More cookie decorating.

While the cookies were drying, we took the kids and dog on a pretty big winter hike.  

And not the same, but one of my book clubs held our annual white elephant gift party via zoom.  Not pictured was my other bookclub zoom holiday party and a Lets Roam with my dinner club.  Again, not the same, but it all felt festive with ugly sweaters or holiday festive outfits.

Egg carton holiday ornaments.

And Brian and I have found bringing Hello Fresh meals up to the mountains to work well (everything needed is in one box so we don't have to worry about not having ingredients or needing to shop up here.  We also found that science kits and art kids from Kiwi Crate or Green Craft Kids to work well up here for the same reason.  Today is a big kid science kit on fire. 

 

The puppy

This little girl has been with us for about six weeks now and has made herself an integral part of the family already. Other than the visit from her sister, I've fallen behind on pictures of her. So here are a bunch of pictures going back to the day she arrived. She definitely loves the snow (I assume that comes from the mountain dog half) and likes sleeping in odd positions. 

She and I go on an early morning walk most days.

She had an unfortunate run of bathroom troubles with her crate at night, which resulted in a number of midnight showers. This pic is actually kind of cute but mostly she looks like a drowned rat when she's wet, which is not a good look.

First trip to the coffee shop and stayed outside tied to the railing just like the big dogs do.

She got in on the game of freeze dance with mom and brother.