We have had two super fun weekends in a row. Our first weekend had pretty darn good weather. And the following weekend had mind-blowing good weather. Both are documented below. We took full advantage of the break in cold snowy weather and headed outdoors for some family fun.
Our week of outdoor play started off with some delicious vegetarian slow-cooker chili. The crock pot is a pretty amazing invention. And every week we are finding new uses for it. This was our dinner Friday night. We stuffed ourselves full of protein and fiber, then burned those calories at the park the next day.
Saturday #1.
It was sunny and just beginning to warm up on this day. Probably a little colder than I would have liked. (And it was really windy. Brutally windy.) But we pushed on. This was the first time we had been outside in a long long time. Since pre-Christmas!
We did a little amateur rock climbing.
"Kings of the world!"
Matt tried out the pod spinner. Round and round he goes!
Sage and I did a fast slide together.
So fast is flipped me over on to all fours and I skinned my knee. Action shot!
Did I have fun at the park?
Well...what do you think?
By the time we got home, and put Sage down for nap, the temperature was quickly rising. So Kale and I hit the neighborhood streets for a short stroll in the Ergo.
When Sage woke up, I was in the middle of cooking dinner. I was using lemons to make a vinaigrette. And he helped himself to one.
Sour!
Then we out to the cul-de-sac for some bike time. Sage can FINALLY reach the floor while sitting on his bike. It took 6 months for him to grow that extra inch. And now he can really learn how to coast on the balance bike.
Sage rocked his new Broncos sweatshirt for this first time on this afternoon. Compliments of his Uncle Sam!
(I made the hat myself.)
And then it was Sunday.
We busted out the shades and hat once again for another trip outdoors.
This time we went to our local neighborhood park. While Daddy and Sage played on the equipment, I took advantage of the natural light to have a photo sesh with Kale.
Kale debuted his Bronco's gear this weekend too.
Monday was a University holiday. For me it was a rather typical Monday at home with Kale. We did our grocery shopping and cleaning like usual. But, because it was an official holiday, my "day off" was taken later in the week. I chose Thursday.
(Yahoo for a 3-day work week!)
Thursday was a beautiful day. So you know what I did? I took a jog! My first jog in probably three years!! So overdue. Kale came along. I don't have a jogging stroller. I just used a standard stroller. I felt a little silly. But was so proud of myself for accomplishing real exercise.
After my run, I came back home to do some hobby baking. I received a bundt pan for Christmas and had yet to use it. Kale worked on tummy time, while I prepared the cake.
I made a lemon blueberry bundt cake.
After a lot of lemon zesting, and dirtying more than a dozen different dishes, I had a cake on my hands.
I glazed it... and tried it... and it was awesome!
I've had it for both dessert and breakfast many many times since.
And then the weekend arrived....again!
Cuddle puddle!
Nummy nummy fingers!
We had some small victories on the home front. It's the little things that count, right? With work and two kids, we are barely doing more than surviving. But.... I did manage to get some new photos of the kids on the wall!
And Sage and I had a super productive trip to Target on Sunday. Where we got lots of great new house supplies. Like a mustard yellow lamp for Kales' room. A new garbage can to hold our recyclables. Tupperwares for storing toys. Some new clothes. And a fresh bath mat.
(Yep - we're old. That's obvious now.)
We also discovered a new school-safe nut-free "peanut" butter. This has revolutionized lunch packing for Sage. It's really good! Unlike that stuff made from sunflower seeds. Yuck!
And then a miracle happened...
Summer arrived!
We had two straight days of beautiful amazing summer.
It was seventies in the shade. And eighties in direct sun. The hottest day was Monday - which just happened to be my day off. And I was in heaven!
Kale and I took an hour and a half walk up to the complex. And I was in pure bliss. What a wonderful January it has been so far. It's days like these that help me survive the brutality of winter. One reason I love Colorado!
I stare at Kale quite frequently while he sleeps. I am in love with that perfect profile. And check out the hair! It's slowly starting to grow out. And it's strawberry blond. Sage was the same.
Look at that happy face. And that giant mouth! I think he got my mouth. I've been told I have a big mouth. When I yawn, I de-hinge my jaw. Like a boa constrictor about to eat its prey. And Kale totally does the same thing. When he's happy and excited - he smiles with his mouth wide open. As open as it could be. Gums just a flarin'. It's hilarious. He squeals and squeaks when he gets excited. And he blows raspberries. And has these great deep belly rolling laughs. He's so fun to have in the house! (And one more update... Kale has been rolling over for about two weeks now. He can go in both directions. Not that I want to compare my kids - but Sage learned the same skill at the exact same time. Interesting.)
