Tip Top

Six days ago we haphazardly threw things in the car and headed north - itching to get out of the rain and into the snow.  We left the house with no thought and no plan - but we did leave with shoes for Henni.  Once we got to Maine the snow kept on falling and falling and falling - we had entered a winter wonderland and so we stayed (maybe even overstayed) and had a super fun, unexpected, vacation.

Our time away, again, highlighted the difference between Oliver and Henni.  Oliver does not attempt something until he knows he can do it - flawlessly.  For example, he announced he wanted to be diaper-free and he was potty-trained.  He decided he would ride a two-wheeler - and he did, without falling once.  And swimming, he decided he wanted to swim without a bubble - and he swam off, like a fish, and now swims with a mask and snorkel - even diving to the bottom of the pool.  Henni, on the other hand, just jumps.  The girl does not even think to look before she leaps.

The other day we went to the climbing wall at the YMCA and the woman asked who wanted to go first.  Henni yelled "me," at the same time gOliver pushed her forward.  And Henni took to the wall like a goat.  She declared she was climbing to the top and she did a pretty amazing job.

Once again, totally inappropriate clothing - diaper and skirt for a climb.

Once Henni had finished Oliver climbed.  Oliver too proved to be a goat.

Over the past couple days Oliver perfected skiing.  He spent a day gaining his balance and being roped - and then announced he was done with the rope and was ready to ski - and he skied!  We spent the last couple days skiing, from the very tip top of the Snowbowl.  Every time we reached the bottom he raced to the line so he could go up again.  He is a true skier now.  Able to stop, turn, and just plain ski on his own.

Henni also went to the top and gave me thighs a work out - between riding the T-bar up, and skiing down with her between my legs I essentially spent a couple hours in a squat.  Skiing is hard work for a two year old though.  On her last run yesterday she managed to take off her skis on the lift and then proceed to fall asleep as I carried her (and Davis carried her skis) down the mountain.

In addition to skiing we also dug a tunnel,

 Climbed snow banks,

 And made snow angels.

Back at home tonight, with little snow in sight, it was tea party time.

We are looking forward to the new year - and to many more days of skiing, snow fun, and time together.