Skipping Winter

It seems we have just skipped winter this year.  After having green grass on Christmas day and not much change since then, it seems the Minnesota winter never really arrived this year.  We didn't really ever get bitterly cold like we usually do and the snow was almost non-existent.  I think we probably got about 6 or so inches the whole season and each time, it was 1-2 inches of wet slush that melted within 1-2 days.  We never even got out the snow blower this year!  Unbelievable!  Now spring has arrived in full force and we've been enjoying being outside and shedding the coats and hats.  We've been having so much fun playing that there hasn't been much time for pictures.  I have taken a few photos now and then, so here is a fairly random update...

Sarah posing for me while peeking in at the oven with Grumpy Bear.  The Care Bears have been quite popular lately.  

 Smiley wet girl in the tub.  Austin was not up for smiling for a photo then.

We did get a very small bit of wet snow and though most of it melted on the driveway, the kids were eager to go outside and play in the slushy puddles, so we got our snow gear on (probably the 2nd time they've had snowpants on this whole season!) and headed out to shovel the mush at the bottom of the driveway before going for a walk around the neighborhood.

Austin and Sarah like to read together.  Austin is really quite good at reading and he can be so sweet with Sarah sometimes!  Of course, Grumpy Bear and Tender Heart Bear had to come with.

This week, we've been outside playing without any coats or boots...and certainly no snow shovels.  The weather quickly turned to sunny 60-70 degree days and it has been really great to get out and play and go to the park.   Sarah still doesn't do a great job of pedaling the tricycle, but she wants to jump right to the big kid bike (Austin's old CARS bike).

Since watching a Curious George episode involving a train master controlling the train station to determine which trains arrive in which order, Austin has been really into playing with his train set.  He is getting more and more imaginative and it is really fun to see the games he comes up with.

Sarah has been really into puzzles lately.  She is impressively good at them for her age.  She is doing puzzles that are meant for 3-4 year olds and does a great job carefully trying out pieces in different spots.

She throws her hands up and says "Hooray!" sometimes when she finishes a puzzle or finds a spot for a piece she has been working on.

Then True Heart Bear had to help too.

I got a taste of the sass to come when this one hits her teenage years...an eye roll and exasperated explanation about how she was obviously going to take True Heart Bear for a stroller ride.

Austin and Sarah play well together some of the time...here they are playing trains together and Thomas and Percy are meeting up on the tracks and carrying on a conversation about their game.

We've spent a lot of time at the park this week, but I haven't brought my camera as I intended, as the kids are so eager to get to the park that they pull me out the door and have their bike and stoller out before I have a chance to grab the camera.  This was repeatedly compounded by the malfunctioning of the garage door each day, but only as we attempt to close it on the way to the park (it worked all the other times we wanted it to).  Today, the front door lock decided to break as well.  Ah, the fun!  An expensive evening locksmith visit later, and we've learned our lesson not to get "smart key" locks ever again. Apparently, they break easily and you can't fix them.  Ugh!

Anyway, we're looking forward to the rest of spring.  We're all pretty busy this time of year, so the beautiful weather has been a blessing.  By the time Easter arrives and tax season draws to a close in about a month, we'll have more substantial updates to share, so stay tuned.