Skiing Butternut

One of our winter traditions has been to go skiing at Jay Peak.  With COVID increasing and the changes in travel restrictions in MA and VT, making our way there was not a possibility.  We therefore looked to more local places and traveled west to the Berkshires.  We spent two days skiing at Butternut which was a perfect fit for the levels we are currently at. 

We spent time in the learning area for a refresher.  Izzy was such a wonderful help in coaching Micah.  I was very proud of both Micah and Victoria for not giving up when they got frustrated.

Our next stop was to the ski lift.  This was Victoria's least favorite part and never mastered getting off of it without falling down or taking me with her.  But she kept going.  Micah, on the other hand, never needed my help.  In fact, Izzy and him went off on their own.

One of the reasons we chose Butternut was their tubing course.  None of us have gone tubing and were thrilled to try.  We went back a second time to go tubing at night under the lights.  This was a bit more of a rambunctious group as families with younger children were not present.  We were told by one of the employees if you tube in the last group of the day, the final 30 minutes is a free for all without rules.  I'm not sure what that might look like but was glad we were not present.

While I made a deal with Izzy that we had to spend time on the learner course for her brother and sister, I promised her that we would head to the mountain the second day.  Given that Micah improved dramatically from last year, these two headed off together.  It's only a matter of time before the both of them head off to more challenging courses.  Victoria and I were paired to make our way down which was slow going.  After taking a hard tumble, she was done resulting in walking down the rest of the way.

We heard through the rumor mill from several local folks that there was a whimsical candy store down town.  The rumors turned out to be very much true.  My favorite was Victoria's find; a ginormous ring pop which should be called a bracelet pop. 

 

Go Pixel Yourself

Looking for a fun holiday activity in December that also social distanced appropriately lead us to Go Pixel Yourself.  For anyone into taking selfies, this would be your heaven.  There was 11 themed rooms that you could take as many pictures or videos you wished.  Santa being one of the themed room was a gem!

Several rooms had changing, interactive backgrounds.  This one allowed you to be in your own comedy.

None of us could get over how many quarters were used to create this chaise lounge.

 

Santa Came!

Christmas eve can be nerve racking for any child.  This is compounded for my children on the years they are with their father.  They are always nervous that Santa will forget them or not be able to find them.  I can always gauge where they are at by the letter Izzy writes Santa.  This year she requested that I not read it.  I was saved from her sealing it in an envelope by her time for the shower.  I snapped a quick picture for posterity and put it back for her to seal and place in her stocking.

Victoria's letter was a bit more bubbly just like her personality.  Micah simply put his entire toy list in his stocking.  He was a bit mad to find his list taken on Christmas morning.  I guess he's now learned to write a letter and keep his list for future needs (i.e. birthdays).

Santa and his reindeer always get a treat.  I'm so glad they picked out two of the biggest cookies from the ones we decorated!

The girls are always crafting.  After a running some errands, they picked up items to create stocking for our guinea pigs which were hung right beside their stockings.

All the kids were excited to see that Snickers and Twix were remembered by Santa.  And boy did they enjoy the treats he left them. 

Our favorites from Santa; Micah - Sonic amiibo, Izzy - OMG Ice Queen, Victoria - OMG Elvis.  Both girls wanted OMG dolls.  Victoria didn't care which one she was given.  She simply wanted one.  Izzy on the other hand was desperate to have the ice queen.  Santa had to look far and wide but managed to come through.  I guess her letter to him was influential.

One of my favorites was Micah's magic 8 ball.  All of us have been asking a variety of questions.  Let's hope the 8 ball is a bit off as some of the responses were not desired!

 

Merry COVID Christmas

Christmas this year had some resemblance of Christmases of years past and yet looked so different.  Keeping to familiar traditions kept this holiday special for 

The kids decided on what color theme we were going for this year.  Each of them picked out their outfits.  Unfortunately Izzy's arrived 2 hours late thanks for the exceptional delay in shipping.  Thus she created an outfit out of items in my closet.  She was definitely bumped but made the best out of the scenario.  Micah received the most complements in his ensemble from strangers on the street and at the restaurant.  That made him feel like a million bucks!

To make Christmas a bit special, we dinned out at Abe and Louie's.  On the holiday menu was a cut of steak from Nebraska!  Our waiter was lovely and humored my kids by answering all of their questions.  Izzy was in heaven with escargot for an appetizer followed by Alaskan King Crab bisque with her entrée.  Micah and I took in some delightful seafood while Victoria stuck with a familiar staple, mac 'n cheese.

After eating, we headed off to church for Christmas ever service.  Four services were scattered throughout the day to accommodate worshipers while social distancing.  There was a total of 15 who attended which was a bit surreal compared to years past.  Keeping with the candlelight signing brought smiles to all of our faces.... underneath the masks of course!

On Christmas morning after returning from their father's, we sat down to open presents from the family.  It was so hard to wait the entire month of December but it was worth it.  We all received gifts we wanted, we needed, and some that were pleasantly surprising. 

The kids worked together to buy me presents one weekend.  They were given a budget and searched on Amazon together.  In the end, they all decided to gift me their own gifts and one gift from all three of them.  I was touched by how thoughtful they were when thinking about what I might like.  Micah picked out a glass lizard.

This past fall Izzy left her favorite hoodie on a rock but forgot to pick it up on after we left.  She was not a happy camper that day.  I bought her two hoodies in replacement which was much to her delight.

Earlier this year I had given Victoria's baby blanket to my cousin in order to create a custom memory bear.  She has been racking her brain trying to figure out where blankie had gone.  When she opened the box, they were reunited.  Blankie has not left her side at bedtime since.

Micah was stoked to get a Mahomes jersey, gloves, and a football.  He has really gotten into the sport this year and is hoping to play flag football once we are able to be back together in person again.

This summer Izzy worked on shooting baskets as this is something they do at recess and gym frequently even if she isn't going to play basketball.  Oma and Opa gave her the coolest holographic basketball.  She can't wait to take it out in the evening under the lights to the park with her friends.

Victoria received a few Barbies from family which was high on her list.  She completed her Barbie family by adding Skipper and Stacey to her collection.

Crinkle ribbon has always been one of Coco's favorite "toys" this time of the year.  She was not at a loss for play.

Izzy gave me this wine glass after searching for "gifts for a single mom".  I must have picked up on drinking wine more often during the pandemic as she commented on needing my own special glass.

Handmade gifts are always special.  The kids borrowed some of their Halloween candy to create a sweet Christmas sleigh.

The pets had their own presents as well.  Thinking Coco would love the laser light, it turns out that Nala is enthralled by it.