Happy Birthday Chunky Monkey

Well, as a family, we are TRYING, and I used that term loosely, to break the habit of having huge, over the top birthday parties for the kids and are, instead, trying to make it smaller and more meaningful with just the family. Chunky Monkey turned 6 this past week and honestly, it felt like Christmas all over again! We kind of told her that the ski trip was her big present but wow, she was a princess for the day & then some!! We took her balloons and cupcakes to school and had lunch with her the day of her birthday. That evening, she chose what we were having for dinner which was. . .a complete ham dinner. . .just like we had on Christmas Eve. . .it's one of my favorite dinners and not all that hard to prepare, so I was good with that. She also chose a cake out of a cookbook she got as a gift one year and I whipped that up while she was at school that day. . .THEN, on Friday, my girlfriend and I took the girls (who have the SAME EXACT BIRTHDAY) to a spa (specifically for kids) for a mani & pedi then out to dinner with our whole families. . .THEN to the country club for some live music and an evening of showing off their glowing nails (feet too) to anyone who would have a look!!! So, as you can see, we've been very successful in scaling back. . .NOT!

Break a Leg!

I used to be a member of the ski club in high school and hadn't realized how much I missed it until we took the kids skiing last weekend. It was incredibly fun and between me not skiing for 25 years, and the kids and hubby pretty much total beginners, we did exceptionall well!

We found out that the waitress we had at dinner at the hotel was a ski instructor, so we were able to book her for a private lesson for Chunky Monkey and Soy Boy said he wanted a 'boy' instructor so the next day, they were unleashed on the slopes for the first time. They each had their own private instructors for 2 hours and by the end of that, they were coming down an 'easy' slope totally unassisted. By that time, Foodie Dad and I had started getting the hang of things,too and we enjoyed skiing together for the next 5 hours! By that time, Foodie Dad and I could barely walk, but the kids cried to have to come off the mountain.

Soy Boy's natural athletic ability didn't let him down on skis, for sure. . .he was whizzing past all of us. . .Chunky Monkey totally blew us away and would go down the mountain, as if standing still. . .singing. . .yes, singing as she went! It was priceless! We are dying to go back and actually considered going this weekend, but the fridgid temps and snowy roads had us reconsider. . .but don't worry. . .WE'LL BE BACK!

The Remains of the (snow) DAY!

Everyone kept themselves occupied all day outside due to the first (and maybe ONLY) snow of the season! Foodie Dad outdid himself and added lights just in time for the neighbors annual party. . .where he was received as quite the celebrity for his handywork! How old is he again!?

The KING and the SHEEP

Soy Boy very excited about being a KING this year. . .a right of passage. . .someone important. . .the sheep. . .not so much! Can you even find Chunky Monkey in the top pic?

Tis the Season!

We made our 2nd annual treck up to the mountains in search of our perfect Christmas Tree(s)~! When we left, it was pouring down rain and was calling for a 'wintry mix'! As we got closer and closer to the tree farm & further up the mountain, the rain turned into snow! The kids were super-excited & it was a very pretty winter wonderland while searching for the trees! It was a really fun day! And. . .goes without saying. . .we found the prettiest tree on the mountain!

Finally, Some PROGRESS!!

All along I was worried that we were going through all this trouble and I was going to end up feeling like it was too small! Well. . .I don't feel like that anymore...here's the latest and greatest!