One of the joys of winter is all the ice and snow. This week, it hit our family hard when Owen slipped and fell on it. He now has a really bad sprain (even the doctor thought it was broken until the x-ray came back) and is slowly recovering. The damage happened Wednesday, and we have been documenting his beautiful colors ever since. We didn't get any good pictures on day one because it was in the brace all day, but other than lots of swelling there really wasn't much to see then anyhow.
*Warning: the following pictures are of a highly bruised foot. Continue at your own discretion. And even as gross as they are, they still don't do justice.*
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Miriam's comment this day was that Dad's foot had a "pretty rainbow." Leave it to a two-year-old to be optimistic about massive bruising!
Day 5
The bruising has now spread to his toes and heel. Even as gross as these pictures are, they still don't do it justice.
I'll be completely honest...I DO NOT ENJOY WINTER! And for me, January is the worst month of all the winter months. So, to get myself through the grind this year, I have tried to be more optimistic (but I'd say I'm doing a pretty lousy job at that even) and have been working on a list of "good stuff" that makes winter at least bearable.
Homemade soup is soooo much yummier when it's actually cold outside. We eat it at least once or twice a week.
When there's a good dump of snow and the trees and everything are covered, it really is quite beautiful...as long as I get to stay inside and only see it from my windows. :)
There seems to be more "time". Probably because I don't feel drawn outdoors. In fact, winter turns me into quite the recluse (not a good thing, I'll admit).
Bugs are nearly nonexistent
Along with the "beauty" of snow, we often get absolutely stunning hoar frost. If you've never experienced this wonder in person, I'm very sorry for you. I hope you see it one day!
It is the norm to have white legs. I swear mine don't tan, ever! They used to, but sometime during my teen years my genes must have mutated and now they stay white, white, white.
Being cold is the perfect excuse to have hot chocolate every. brrrr. freezing. cold. day.!
My (lack 0f) fashion sense is no problem because sweaters and jeans are acceptable all winter long. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Alright, there's my pathetic list. Have something to add?
In 2007 I took a children's literature class as part of my teacher education program. It involved a ton of reading and even more work, but I loved every second of it (at least I do now, but I'm sure I whined my fair share while I was in the class). As part of the class, we read The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. It's fabulous and I think anybody who works with children (parents, teachers, etc.) should be required to read it. As someone who was read to all throughout childhood, I was already sold on reading aloud, but this book still taught me much. One of the interesting statistics from the handbook is the average number of books an adult reads in a year. I'm too lazy to look it up, but I remember it being something ridiculously low like seven. Seven books a year!! And that's the average!!! Shocking, huh? Well, maybe not shocking, but definitely sad.
Anyway, there really is a point to my story. It was around then that I resolved to never fit that average. So far, I have easily succeeded. Then sometime in late 2008 I decided a challenge for myself was in store. I halfheartedly began my new trek at the start of 2009, but it really was unrealistic then. Student teaching is about an 80-hour a week job. Add on a large house to clean, Miriam to tend to and Owen gone nearly every evening working, I was in over my head with just that. Now, I'm committing to it wholeheartedly this time.
The challenge: read a book a week (approximately -- some books take longer and some less). That's all. It's simple, and definitely attainable, but challenging still (for me, at least). I actually started doing the challenge a few months ago, but since it's the new year, I figured 52 books in 52 weeks would be a fun idea. Feel free to chug along with me, or at the very least, promise me you'll read more than 7 books this year!
Miriam is two now and it seems that with the flip of a switch she's decided to act like a two-year-old too. Oh, joy! She is still very much my sweet little girl, but she is quickly developing an I-will-be-in-control attitude. Patience is definitely a virtue that I will be working to strengthen this coming year.
We celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa's house and had a nice low-key party. We opened presents...
Grandma gave her clothes and a very cute bed (with a quilt and everything) for her baby-doll. She loves it and has carried it around all day. She could have cared less about the clothes.
The two-second glance at the clothes.
She hasn't opened Grammy and Grampy's gift yet, or even Mom and Dad's because I left them in Rexburg. Oops! Good thing she's only two and doesn't care yet, huh?! She's getting a Leapster, more clothes and a ColorWonder coloring book. We'll have her open the clothes first when we're home in hopes of a better reaction!
Sang the Happy Birthday song...
Miriam blew her candles out all on her own!
And ate cake...
Miriam was so excited about her cake that all day long she was saying "Happy birthday cake" when we'd try to get her to say "Happy birthday." Funny kid! She loved every last crumb too.
After the "party" we put Miriam to bed so the adults could really party and ring in the new year. You know, drink Martinelli's, make quilts and play games...wild and crazy, for sure. We were even dumb enough to stay up till 12:30 playing "Buy" (a family game) and making sure 2010 really came. We had fun, but I sure regretted it come morning and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too.
Oh and here is a close up of the Chicka Chicka Birthday cake. I think it is fun to make a cake the represents something unique about the birthday child in their particular season of life. Since she loves to read books, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom especially, I thought making a cake that looks like the book would be perfect. I'm happy with how it turned out, but the cake decorating process always ends up being stressful for me, so I'm not sure this is a tradition we will continue...we'll see.
I'm seriously having a hard time wrapping my head around time these days. Owen's 26th birthday was yesterday. It's December now...really?...wow! Before I know it Christmas will have past, my baby will be two (how did that happen?!!), it will be 2010 and I'll have two kids in tow! Here's to hoping I'm still sane after the whirlwind the next three months are bringing my way! Oh, and that I don't have too many emotional breakdowns in the meantime.
