Is it time?

The other day, Ryan waved at a fellow Trader Joe's shopper from his seat in the cart. "Hiii," he said softly. She smiled and approached him.

"Well, hello there little girl," she said. Then, she turned to me, "She is a girl, isn't she?"

"He is a boy," I said, gesturing to his entirely blue wardrobe and wondering how she could possibly make the mistake.

"Well, I just wasn't sure because of THAT HAIR," she said, with heavy emphasis on that hair.

Hmm. I did a double-take at Ryan's hair. I wondered if this older lady was half-blind. I ruffled his sweet head, smiled, and continued shopping.

Then I began wondering if I was wearing those infamous mama-goggles. You know, the blinders that we unknowingly don in order to mask the less-than-desirable realities of our babies growing older. The ones that help our sweet little babies stay that way for just a little longer. Maybe so, I decided. Maybe it's time for those locks to be snipped. Then I immediately shuddered at the thought of my baby being old enough to go to a barber shop for a trim. Perhaps those mama-goggles have me unable to see the situation clearly.

So, with this photo as your guide, I am going to leave it to my blog readers to determine....is it time for Ryan's first haircut? Comment away...

Weekend Update

Or more accurately, Two Month Update. I've ignored the blog for far too long. So, here's a recap. In captions. But not in all caps (that would be annoying).

We found a hidden heart in our pb&js for Valentine's Day. (True story...no cookie cutters or photoshopping.)

We won goldfish at the St. Paddy's festival. This is St. Patrick, who is doing swimmingly well in Papa's pond.

We got snuggles and giggles from Bemily during a long layover at PDX. 

We got the flu. And we slept. A lot. 

We learned all about Amelia Earhart, flying pioneer, for Mary's Important Person report and speech. 

We enjoyed popsicles on a surprisingly warm February day. 

We tried to catch a leprechaun with our "This is NOT a trap" trap! 

We hiked on the new Oaks Bottom trail. Don't let those little legs fool you. This boy is speedy. 

Reading...and a little math

Lest anyone worry that Ryan is only infatuated with balls and trucks, you'll be relieved to know about his latest hobby: books! This kid loves paging through the dozens of board books scattered around the house. I often find him in the corner, surrounded by books, "reading" them to himself and giggling.

His love of books first began when I would hand him one or two (sometimes a half dozen) to placate him while in the stroller during volleyball practice, soccer practice, or the afternoon walk to school to get our girls. Reading was a great way to occupy the time, and eliminated some of the boredom and crying from being strapped in. Over the months, it's become one of his favorite pastimes.

Today I took Ryan for a short run before school pick-up in the much-utilized BOB stroller. As I shuffled along the sidewalk and watched through the peek-a-boo window as he read one of his favorite books, I did a little math. I calculated that Ryan spends approximately eight hours a week in the stroller, as a modest estimate. Eight hours a week is more than 10% of his awake time in any given week. No wonder he has developed a love for books!

In Ryan's case, it's not Read 'em and Weep. It's Read 'em OR Weep. So glad he's chosen the "Read 'em" option!

Frozen Rose

One of the most amazing surprises of January has been this incredible rose that bloomed in our back yard, despite the frosty temperatures we've had for weeks on end. 

The perfect equation

A weekend of sun + snow + skiing + sledding + smiling with our dear friends= the best way ever to celebrate my birthday. (And three more birthdays in the group, too!)

Christmas Merriment

We had an incredible Christmas week of family and fun-- from snowshoeing to sleigh rides to dinners out to cousin gatherings. It's been a week full of joy and activity and togetherness.

The kids loved time with family. Lucy summed it up best with this conversation in the car on Saturday.

Lucy: "Do you know who my favorite people are?"

Us: "Who?"

Lucy: "Aunts and Uncles!"

Yep, they are lucky to be surrounded by such awesome grown-ups.

Ryan in the snow during an expedition at Frog Lake. 

Mary and Lucy in a snow-cave, right after spotting moose (or rather...jack rabbit?) tracks. 

Ryan in his chariot. 

Papa and Gram with all of the grandkids for a sleigh ride. 

In a two-horse open sleigh... 

Uncle Tom scooped Ryan up, and then said, "So THIS is why all of your pictures of Ryan have somebody holding him  like this. He's HEAVY!" Yes, he is. 

Snow bunnies. 

Ryan opening a gift on Christmas Eve from Grandma and Papa Loeb.  

He loves opening gifts! 

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care... 

Christmas morning under the tree.  

Playmobil extravaganza... 

Ryan and his first hoop.

What a great collection of memories we have from this Christmas.

Snowy snowshoeing

A snowshoe with Ryan and Nikki was the perfect way to kick off Christmas week. Gorgeous soft flakes fell on us during the entire journey, but nobody minded. We were all much too busy enjoying the adventure- and a few snowball fights. Even the long journey home along snowy, busy roads was a hoot with Ryan sitting in the "way back" between the girls and singing Christmas carols with them.

Nikki claimed favorite auntie status as she pulled the sled for two tired girls. 

Snow angel smiles. 

Family shot. Immediately after this was taken, Mary knocked me off balance and I tipped backward, Lucy fell into Curtis, and we all collapsed into a snowy heap. Poor little Ryan took the brunt of the fall. Glad this is the happy image we can show Ryan when he grows up. 

If you hit Ryan with a snowball, there will be retribution. Here, Ryan sacks Mary into the snow. 

Mary and her super fabulous, very fun, amazing godparents.