Today's skating adventure

An absolutely beautiful day. Felt like spring. The girls and I went skating this morning to soak up some rays. I had been apprehensive about taking them both out at the same time, but Lolo has gotten so good so quickly, that I'm pretty comfortable with her on the ice now.

Unlike the other day, there were lots of kids (and dads) out today....many wearing just a short sleeve t-shirt. So here's our Norah, giving skating another try. She ended up wanting to sit in the chair and getting rides more than she actually skated. But I'm hopeful if we keep this up, I'll have her really skating next winter.

Eyes wide open

This morning, we're taking pictures of Lolo with her newest smile. In the first sister picture, Norah's eyes were closed. So I said, "Girls, we need to take another picture. Norah's eyes were closed."

So in picture #2, Norah made sure her eyes were open WIDE.

Today's big news

And for today's big news...tooth #2 is out! A visit from the American tooth fairy tonight.

Our ice skater

We've been doing more skating this year than skiing. Lolo has decided she likes to skate more than ski. As she says, skiing is easier but skating is more fun. (An added bonus for us...skating is free.) Here's Lolo this past thursday. It was still a little chilly and we had the entire rink to ourselves.

Delinquent postings

I've been slightly delinquent about posting. Here's one I tried to post while in Mexico but couldn't get to upload due to a slow internet connection. It's the girls playing us a little serenade before bedtime. They bought these flutes when Jim took them to the market one evening in Cozumel.

Nervous gene

Our Norah appears to have a "nervous" gene when it comes to birds. The cockatoo we met in Cozumel made her nervous. The parrots that the girls met in Cancun made her nervous enough to put her finger in her mouth. Later, I took her to meet a tucan (very neat, I'd never held a tucan before)....nervous again. Norah said to me "that make me nervous." How does a kid learn to be so nervous?

Anyway, we're back to our old schedule. It's still unreasonably cold. Supposedly it was supposed to be 30 today but when it was time to take Norah skiing, we still didn't break the double digit mark. Hopefully, we'll be in double digits tomorrow. Lolo and I are scheduled to go skating.

Cancun Part 4 - the final photo installment

No trip to mexico can be complete without (1) a hammock picture and (2) girls enjoying a treat - in this case, it's chocolate covered strawberries :-)

Cancun Part 3

Cancun pictures - Part 2

The girls experienced their very first "spa" day. Manicures and pedicures. Norah was very very serious throughout the whole experience. Being good was so draining, she was yawning big fake yawns by the end to let us know she was ready to get out of there. LOL!

Cancun Pictures - Part 1

A little schwimming in icy cold waters

Then "warming up" with a strawberry pineapple mixed smoothy.

And finally no trip with Vic is complete without a bubble bath.

Photos courtesy of Vicki and Israel.

From preschool

Thought you might enjoy seeing a picture from Lolo's preschool class. Back to the reality of winter.

We're back

It's too cold to mention. We're back and all still wishing that we could be back in Mexico. Lolo has decided we should live there. I'm kind of thinking she has a good point.

The way mexico should be

We're enjoying beautiful sunshine and warm, wonderful weather. Jim and I went diving this morning and will go again tomorrow. The girls have been enjoying their time with Vic, Israel & Popo. Another exhausting day for the girls. Too stimulated for a proper quiet time. So they didn't get to go out for dinner. We ordered in (Lolo decided she likes flan better than cheesecake for a treat). They're in bed right now. Hopefully, they will get a decent night's rest tonight and be ready to tackle another day of sand and sun. Tough life, I know.

Cancun

We made it to Cancun. It was a puke-inducing ride across from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. Even the girls were complaining that their tummies didn't feel good. I was so surprised....for some reason, I always thought little kids didn't get seasick. Don't know where I got that from. Anyway, the taxi ride to Cancun was uneventful.
It's a gorgeous day today. We spent the entire morning out by the pool. The water is freezing (just like in Cozumel) but we have the brilliant sunshine to warm us up. There's a kiddie pool area at the resort- complete with water slides and "sprayers". The girls are exhausted....actually, Norah's probably a few notches past exhausted. I've got them down for a quiet time right now.

Pesos!

Lolo got 10 pesos from the mexican tooth fairy. The girls came busting into our room in the morning....so excited that the tooth fairy came. Lolo was just beaming. Although, Norah was a little disappointed, she said big-lipped,"the tooth fairy didn't leave me anything."

Waiting

on the Mexican tooth fairy....

Check Out Lolo's Smile!

Finally some sun

We finally got some sun today. It's still windy but the sun is out.

Lolo made a new friend.

Norah decided she doesn't need a new friend.

News from Cozumel

Lolo has another loose tooth. Bottom right center. She's going to have a big gap right in the middle of her smile soon. We were laughing at lunch that when she goes back to school, her teachers are going to wonder what she did in Mexico.
Norah is waivering on the loose tooth issue. One moment she decides that she is not going to loose any teeth. She wants to keep what she's got. The very next moment, she changes her mind and wants to be just like Lolo.

Our little daredevil

The daredevil gene has fully taken root in Lolo. She's all about jumping off bridges. Here's her first documented bridge jump :-)

New tooth

Lolo's tooth is coming in. You can see it right behind her loose tooth. I don't know when, but Lolo is definitely going to get a visit from the mexican tooth fairy.

Loose tooth update

Lolo is working, working, working at her tooth. I think she just may get a visit from the mexican tooth fairy.
In other news, it's been rainy and overcast since we got here. Not a huge deal for me and Jim since we're underwater anyway (and we did manage to get a great look at a splendid toadfish) . But it's been a mild bummer for the girls. Should have brought their surfing wetsuits. Darn. Who would have thought it would be so cold in Mexico?!

Lazy afternoon

We're enjoying a lazy, rainy afternoon. Love the mexican hammocks.

I'm waiting on a conference call at 5:30 and then on to dinner. Life is sweet when you can dive in the morning and work a smidge in the afternoon from Mexico.

Tooth Wiggler

Big News From Mexico

Lolo has her first loose tooth. A real one. Bottom left of center. My little girl is growing up. So, I'm wondering...if she loses a tooth in Mexico, does the tooth fairy leave pesos?

Skating

Lolo and I went skating this afternoon. Had a blast. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. Brought it downstairs and forgot to put it in my pocket. We came home unscathed but for a few minor bruises.
However, upon getting home, Lolo slid in her sock feet and nailed her face against the corner of our handrail...nice bruise on her face. Home is seemingly more dangerous than ice skating.

Skier update part 2

Regarding Norah's ski-ability yesterday, I forgot to add...when she got scared because she started going "fast", she took her mitten hands and covered her eyes. Of course, I'm yelling "Norah, Norah open your eyes! You can't see with your eyes closed!"

Our worrier

Poor Lolo she's completely worried about starting kindergarten....and we're still 9 months away from the start date. We've been talking about kindergarten at home and I knew she wasn't too excited about it. Then I found out from her preschool teacher that she's been worrying at school too. We turned in her immersion school application on monday and will find out February 12 if she gets in. (I think that's what started it.)
There's a children's book about "Wemberly Worried" a little girl who worries and worries about starting school . She reminds me of our sweet Lolo.
I'm not sure the best approach to take about her worries. I think she's a natural worrier and perfectionist...a tough combination. As Jim said, we can't keep her life sugar-coated; but goodness, she's only 5 and still my baby-doll.

And yes...

we did have dinner by candlelight again. Lasagna (or as Lolo likes to call is "DA-sagna"), salad...followed by popsicles. There's just something special about popsicles by candlelight. We highly recommend it.

Ski update

We had a relatively warm day today and it was Norah's turn to go skiing. Our monkey is a natural on the slopes. She really took off today. I was just checking her speed with the leash. She was doing all the skiing. Unfortunately, no video or photos of our girl skiing...I haven't yet grown that third arm.

We skied until Norah said "mama, my legs are wobbly." And, they were. She couldn't stand up. Amazingly, she made it for a little over an hour. Everyone on the slopes was amazed by our little lavender bullet.

Before I forget

This time next monday we'll be on our way to Mexico for a two week trip. First week in Cozumel and then onto Cancun....but most importantly, out of the cold to thaw out for a bit. It's 2 degrees right now. Windchill -9. On the bright side, we've got beautiful snow and it's not melting.

Candlelight dinners

On our anniversary, I decided to have a special candlelight dinner. Looks like I've started something. Ever since then, the girls (especially Lolo) have decided that they REALLY like eating dinner in the dining room by candlelight. There's just something so atmospheric about enjoying a frozen fruit bar (or chocolate chip cookies) for dessert by candlelight with two giggling girls ;-)

Norah

Norah's got another round of a yucky cough.
In more pleasant news...our baby girl had a great time sledding yesterday...she was worn out like Lolo...her short stubby legs have a hard time climbing back up the hill.
When we went sledding earlier this week, she refused to walk and would cry. Wouldn't even try to walk up the hill. I finally carried her back inside the house for hot chocolate.
Yesterday, she got tired. Didn't complain...slowly trudged uphill with baby steps. And so I picked her up to carry her up the hill for more sledding with the other kids who were faster at going uphill. She started howling. "Mama. Mama. Don't take me inside! I not crying!"

Sledding day

Notice Norah making snow angels while Jim and Lolo sled down the hill.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We had friends over for brunch and then sledding down our "private" sled hill. Big big day for the girls. Lolo couldn't keep her eyes open at dinner...of course, she requested dinner by candlelight...I don't think the atmosphere helped her sleepiness.