In addition to my new job, we rang in the New Year, or as close as we've come in years, at a neighbourhood party! We were supposed to skate on our neighbour-friend's rink, but the weather didn't co-operate. Instead, the neighbourhood gang, kids included, got together for some low-key fun. Most folks had other plans, but our hosts, Erin and Allie's parents encouraged us to stick around. We ended up putting Roddie to bed in their Pack'n'Play and Norah and the girls watched movies on the big screen until they fell asleep. We played games with Erin and Allie's parents and our other neighbour-friend Megan, having a few drinks and a lot of laughs until about 11:30. We carried both sleeping kids home and straight to bed while Megan followed with our wagon full of left overs. It was so nice to be local and comfortable enough to just let the kids do their thing and not have to pay a babysitter.
New Years Day was cool but clear and sunny, so we took the kids to the playground. It was a real treat, as it was virtually deserted, and it is the first time the four of us have gone there together. Roddie is getting big enough to really play, and Norah is getting bigger and stronger (and braver!), taking on new challenges and becoming more sure-footed.
After my first week of work, the weatherman was calling for unseasonably warm weather, and I was looking forward to having everyone healthy for a change and spending some time outside with the kids. Saturday afternoon we took them to a local conservation area, that has a half mile walking trail around a pond. With temps near 50 degrees, we were surprised to see a group of grown men playing hockey on the pond! It was easy to forget that temps had only been in the 20's during the previous week and the pond got a good freeze on! We walked around the pond - Rod made it all by himself - stopping here and there to look at rocks and twigs and the like. Both kids, and Matt and I, were so happy to be spending time outside, together. It was so warm out that we sat by the side of the trail to have a snack, and ended up beginning construction of a "tent for the squirrels".
We had so much fun, and the kids were so fascinated with the skating, that we went back the next day - to skate, and to finish the tent. We had mixed results with the skating - Rod loved it, Norah tolerated it. IT was Rod's first time on his double blades and Norah's first time on 'real' skates, so that may have had something to do with it. Regardless, we had a great time again, followed by great naps, again!
The last Foto Friday pics were from these days, but here are a few more!
 |
| Here's Roddie, on his first "hike" on his own steam! |
 |
| Roddie, checking out the ice on Saturday |
 |
| Norah, wondering what this frozen pond is all about... |
 |
| Roddie's first try at skating - he loves it! |
 |
| Norah, not so sure, but giving it a go! |
 |
| Norah and her squirrel tent |
No comments:
Post a Comment