Grandpa Dada brings the ice

We have seemingly brought an earthquake, a hurricane, and a blizzard with us to Long Island in the past few years- every time we head down that way some natural disaster seems to befall the area upon our arrival.  This week it was payback time.  Grandpa Dada made the trip up from L.I. on Thursday, and on Friday we awoke to a quarter inch of ice covering every outdoor surface.  Power was out by 8AM, and by noon that quarter inch had turned into at least a half inch of crystalline coating.  Very pretty, but a total disaster for trees and powerlines.  Two big branches chunked off of a big pine hanging over our driveway in the afternoon, one of them hanging on the wires leading to our house.  Needless to say, it was a nerve-wracking day between power outages, falling limbs, and trying to keep the kids happy cooped up inside.  It was great to have Grandpa Dada's help, actually.  By the next morning, all the ice was still intact, but the power was back and it promised to be sunny and warm enough to melt it away by afternoon.  In our travels around the area on Saturday, it was crazy to see that the ice was restricted only to a very small area that included most of New London (probably due to our slightly higher elevation compared to surrounding towns) and a few other higher pockets in Grantham and Springfield.  Lucky us!

Our street

Despite the natural disaster, we were able to get out an enjoy some activities during Grandpa Dada's stay- we went to the planetarium in Concord, splash park for Aiden's swim lessons, had a korean/japanese lunch at Yama, and even scoped two bald eagles at Wilder Dam in VT.  That was the first time that Aiden or Grandpa Dada had ever seen a bald eagle, so it was a treat to be able to show them both our very cool national bird (though he's more of a stealing scavenger than a noble hunter) at the same time.  I don't think Haley can quite count the eagle on her life list..they were difficult to spot without the scope or binoculars, and she still insists on looking through her binoculars at the wrong end.  Does she want help?  NOOOOOO!! We also went for a nice hike to Clark's Lookout and topped the weekend off with breakfast at Ellie's.

Haley and Grandpa heading to Wilder Dam to look for eagles

Aiden scoping one of the two eagles we spotted

Wilder Dam

Haley and Aiden thoroughly enjoyed their Grandpa time.  By the end of the weekend Haley was screaming "Hi Grandpa Dada!" and running over for impromptu leg hugs (her badge of true approval) every time she ran into the same room as the adults, and Grandpa Dada knew all Aiden's lego EVO guys by heart, including which ones were the good guys and which ones bad.  The kids' happiness was topped only possibly by Kimball's - if such a thing were possible, I think Kimball would like to be tucked into Grandpa Dada's pocket to ride around with him everywhere, getting belly scritches and kisses all the day long.  It's putting it mildly to say that Grandpa Dada is Kimball's favorite person on earth.  So we'll forgive him for the ice storm, this time ;)   Now that the ice is gone and things are back to normal, we can relax and chalk the whole thing up to a big adventure for the family archives.  Hopefully we are even now?  Somehow I'm afraid not...

In an ultralight at the planetarium

Icy walk to Clark's Lookout

What's to do in Winter?

It's midwinter alright.  We've all got the chapped red cheeks and runny noses to prove it.  We're dreaming of warm breezes and aquamarine waters and sinking our toes into the sand (even Aiden is counting the days and hours til our annual trip to the keys), but have to settle for a two mile snowshoe across a frozen lake, an adventure nonetheless.  There was an island to explore, completely devoid of coconut palms and sea grapes, but it was still cool to explore.

Then inside for some football and snacks.  Haley is a little fiend for salt and vinegar chips, and now that she  can say "Go Giants" she's officially part of the family cheering squad.  Aiden loves to be contrary and root for whatever team his dad can't stand.  Andy's always told Aiden he has to make up his own mind about things and not follow the other lemmings off a cliff...I guess he asked for this, in a way.  It's funny to watch his face contort when Aiden says "Dad, I really love the Ravens! I hope they win the superbowl!" and then he composes himself and says "Buddy... it's a free country...you can love whatever teams you want."  So diplomatic.  Plus he's still got time to win over Little Doo.  

Haley's favorite new game is to get dressed for outside whenever the fancy strikes her, and in all kinds of creative arrangements.  Hat on feet, backwards jacket, one boot, mittens as socks, you name it.  Would you like to take your jacket off, Haley?  Nooooooooo!  Would you like help with that boot?  NOOOOOOO!  Okay, fine.  Suit yourself.  Literally.

 

  

Andy and I had a rare day off while the kids' school was open last week and we took the opportunity to clean out the garage attic and brew a new beer, a brown ale called Caribou Slobber.  It doesn't sound very appetizing but if it's potable it will at least make for interesting conversation.  It was about 3 degrees out while we were cleaning and sorting and brewing (all outside) so we huddled over the brew occasionally to keep our fingers working.  When we picked the kids up that afternoon I know we smelled strongly of hops and malt, but no one said anything.  

Return of Jack Frost

Okay, so the snow is back and the cold too... I guess all I had to do was complain a little on here and voila! all back to normal for mid-January.  We had a nice visit from Micah, Becky, Phoebe and Fisher this weekend, almost thwarted twice due to vomiting (Haley) and fever (Phoebe), but when both girls were feeling fine late Saturday morning they decided to make the trip up.  Fisher is growing like crazy and has the eat-sleep-poop routine down like he's been doing it all his life ;)  He slept pretty much the entire time he was at our house, save for the twenty minutes that we dragged him outside in 15 degree weather to watch the older kids sled.  Aiden could have stayed out for hours, but Fisher and even Haley and Phoebe were definitely over the novelty of frozen snot and mittens that wouldn't stay on right after 20 minutes.  We headed inside to get hot drinks and play Wii Fishing for exercise instead.

Haley and Phoebe are starting to really enjoy each other now- they ran around chasing each other through the house, squealing and doing little waggle-tap dances together - it was beyond cute.  Aiden is more fascinated by Fisher than by Pheebs and his sister playing together.  He stole every chance he could get to scrutinize Fisher way up close...hey, he opened an eye!  Hey, he stuck out his tongue!  I guess he has already blocked Haley's infanthood from his memory, only 1.5 years ago (which is OK, i think Andy and I have also- Haley was not an easy baby!)  He's also proud to have a boy cousin with all these crazy girls running around.

I took Kimball XC skiing for the first time this weekend, too.  That was a challenge.  Kimball is not a brave dog, so I expected her to be timid about the skis for awhile, but she was downright paranoid.  I still don't know if it's the noise of the skis on snow that scares her, or the ski poles, or what, but she wanted to stay 100 feet behind me or 100 yards ahead of me at all times.  It was like pulling teeth to get her to come to me too, even when totally stopped.  In the photo below I had finally coaxed her within a few feet of me, only to have someone come past me going the other direction (on skis) which completely blew her mind.  Finally I passed a friend who suggested I try keeping her on a leash to make her get used to it.  I kind of knew this might be a dumb idea, but I had a leash so I said what the heck... what happened next was a cross between a Nantucket sleigh ride and a demolition derby.  She pulled me, forward at first, and fast, and then started darting left and right all over the place until I had completely wiped and was being dragged by my fat mitten (caught on the leash so I couldn't let go) over the snow.  I tried different variations after that, so I could let go of her when she went whacko, but ended up spread-eagle at least two more times before making it back to the car.  Don't think I'll be taking Kimball out skiing again soon.  

Anybody Seen Winter?

Warm and soggy winter day

What a strange winter so far!  We had that dump of snow in October, a bit more in mid-November, and then... nothing.  Now we're edging into mid-January and there's no white stuff of note in the 10-day forecast either.  And not only that, but it's been warm too... not the "too cold to snow" that happens some winters when it's 20 below for weeks on end.  For every day that it's 15 or 20 when we wake up, the next two days are hovering around 40.  We've been ice skating (on the town rink, the pond ice is too iffy for my taste yet) in shirtsleeves; skateboarding and riding bikes in the driveway.  I'm actually jonesing for a flake or two.  We did make it to Mt. Sunapee this past weekend, finally, since they've been making snow like crazy whenever it is cold enough and many of their trails are open.  It was slushy, and under the ski lifts is dead bare grass, but at least it was skiing.

I can see Haley at 13 in this photo.  Just needs some legwarmers (i'm sure they'll be back in style by then)

One of Aiden's newest passions: learning to blow bubbles

Not much is happening as we start this new year- we're laying low after our busy holiday and are consumed with the daily grind of work, kids, school, after-school activities, dinnertime, bathtime, and bedtime.  It's enough to keep four people and one dog very busy.  Aiden says "Hey, can I tell you something?" to preface every single remark that comes out of his mouth these days (and there are a lot of them) and Haley is a little spitfire.  She is finally able to sit down on our laps through an entire board book now, a major accomplishment for our Little Doo, a girl who has just two speeds:  crazy (on) and asleep (off).  She's got a golden heart though...lots of kisses and run-by huggings for everyone, including (and especially) Kimball.  Life is good, and the year is new.  Happy New Year everyone!

Skating over the xmas break (Grandma Chris took the photo)

Molly trying to mix football and hockey

Little doo on the ice

Kimball tolerating one of many squeeze hugs

The 16 Days of Christmas

The kids' school is closed for two weeks.  That's what happens when they go to a private pre-school/kindergarten that is attached to a university and operates on a university schedule.  I suppose we should be grateful it's not a whole month between semesters!  Any way you slice it, this is a rough time of year for us and the other Windy Hill parents who don't work at the college.  We can't realistically take two whole weeks of vacation or sick time to cover the weekdays, so it's time to get creative.  Last year we swapped kids around the block on different days to be watched by different parents, but that was when Haley was at the hospital daycare (open 355 days/yr) and now we have two kids to pass around to others.  This year, we were saved by grandparents.

Making a real feather pen with HaPa

Walk in the woods

  New London Ice Rink with Molly

My parents arrived for the first shift, up to and including Christmas Day.  Then Andy's mom arrived on Christmas Day to cover the following week.  We're very grateful that they were all able to come for so long, and the kids clearly enjoy the time with their grandparents very much.  This stretch has been one constant Christmas Holiday as far as they are concerned- the 16 days of Christmas!  The first week was the build-up, with presents mounting under the tree, a diminishing advent calendar, visits to cousins in Mass, and that perky little elf-on-the-shelf to find each morning.  On Christmas Eve we made oyster stew (after my dad regaled us with stories about having oyster stew every xmas eve growing up in upstate NY...apparently this is a real tradition in the northeast because we got the last container of shucked oysters after lining up at the Hannafords fish counter at 8:30am!) and bundled up to spread magic reindeer oats on the front lawn just before turning in to bed.  Santa arrived right on schedule and Christmas morning was a flurry of tissue paper and boxes as the kids dove into their stockings and presents under the tree.  Then, in case anyone was feeling post-present stress disorder, Grandma Chris arrived with a whole car-load more of gifts for the kids.  Amazing.  Week two has been the methodical opening and enjoyment of each one of the toys and gifts the kids received, starting with the most exciting (video games! remote control shark! 110-piece art set!) then to the semi-exciting (board games! new books!) and finally working their way towards those addition/subtraction flash cards and the set of new toothbrushes and flossers.  So it goes.  When it's all said and done next Tuesday morning, I think they'll be ready to get back into the groove with their friends at school.  I'm sure the grandparents will be ready too!

Xmas morning

Getting to the good stuff

Haley with a vienna sausage (stocking tradition in the Dean family, along with a jar of green olives)

making Hylunkens (danish donuts) 

finished hylunkens- stuffed with jam and berries

Haley's new doll is getting a rough ride

xmas elves

Fisher John

Fisher John Dean made his arrival on December 22nd.  A new cousin for Aiden and Haley, and a beautiful Christmas present for Micah, Becky and big sister Phoebe.  So far he's got my dad's hair, Micah's eyes and brows, and Becky's mouth.  But put together, he's a little guy all of his own.  Fisher seemed remarkably peaceful and quiet for someone who had only a few hours early been dragged from his warm watery environment into the cold air, kicking and screaming.  He slept for the duration of our visit, and only scrunched a nose once or twice as he was passed from Grandma to Grandpa to Aiden to me.  When it was my turn to hold Fisher, little Haley-doo took it as a personal affront and howled "no no no no no no no.." while trying to scale my pant leg.  After that performance Andy didn't dare try his luck with Fisher since our little "daddy's girl" is even more attached to him.  Hopefully Phoebe will be more accepting!

We're so happy to welcome little Fisher into the family!   Even if he doesn't end up liking fish. ;)