My dad has done two heroic things in the last three days.  First, he came over at the last minute on Thursday morning to take the kids to school, while Dwayne and I were at the hospital.  He had to be the grown up to tell the kids that no, they didn’t get to watch TV all day, and yes, they had to go to school.  Right now.  As predicted, the girls were cooperative and Wesley…was not.

On Friday night, my parents had the kids while Dwayne and I were at his work party.  When we came to pick them up the next morning, Grandpa had bravely allowed Wesley and Piper to paint. Piper was working on a wooden coaster, and Wesley was painting a pair of dice….and Grandpa’s workbench.  Sigh.

Keith and Julie had a work party Saturday night so we got to have Parker and Cecily visit us for an overnighter—fun for all! 

Kyla is responsible enough to leave at home, but the other four wanted to go to pool, and by pool, I mean the “hot” tub. I think it helped them all sleep better.

So did the movie and popcorn. It’s a sweet picture that shows all their personalities in a snapshot.

*  *  *  *  *  *

On a slightly more philosophical note, this was the day of the Woman’s March.  I will admit I really needed a day to sleep in, but if that was the only thing going on, I probably would have made it.  But with the kids coming over and a class for Wesley (as well as nursery duty and a promise to visit my aunt), I decided I was too busy “woman-ing” to go to a protest march. And why was I doing all of that?  Because my mom was out of town woman-ing with her other grandchild.  Hmm, forget adulting.  Woman-ing makes the world turn!

He—and I—have survived 7 years together.  And for all the trouble he is, I adore this guy and live for his hugs and sloppy kisses.  He’s the cheerfulest grumpy person, or is it the grumpiest cheerful person? 

Happy Birthday, Wesley!  I really do love you more than the universe!

Just hours from turning 7, we check to see if Wesley is bigger.

Yep!

Hurray!

(In fact, he is 1.5 inches away from being able to ride at Disneyland, when he hits 4 feet.)

Hi-ya!

Leavenworth began transitioning from dying logging town into the I AM CUTE!! Bavarian town it is now about the same time Dwayne and I were born, and from there, the annual festivals it hosts (excuse the pun) snowballed.  We’re pretty sure it’s motto is Let No Weekend Go Unfeted (Or Cheap), but written in Old German so we can’t verify.

However, we go there because it a perfect winter getaway for our family.  For his 7th birthday, Wesley wanted a weekend in Leavenworth, and it just happened to be the Bavarian Ice Fest. The downtown park had ice sculptures,

snow sculptures,

fire breathers,

festive lighting,

and fireworks!

Wesley was in heaven and spent the last few days of being six in cold bliss.

I like the GBC.

Dwayne likes the GBC.

Piper and Wesley enjoy the GBC.

Kyla salivates just thinking about the Gingerbread Café and insists we go every day we are in Leavenworth. 

None of us have actually ever objected.

On this trip, Kyla and I walked on the trails from where we were sledding at Enchanted Park back to downtown, while the others drove.  I had eaten my quiche and cookie before the others showed up, and patient Kyla had tried not to eat all her treats.

 

Occasional conspirators, Wesley and Piper couldn’t decide on a cookie, so decided to share to get twice the choices.

Kyla, in every sense of the phrase, was in her happy place. 

Me, too, Kyla!

I delight Kyla and infuriate the youngers when I play the Mama-card and call “Family Walk!” We had been sledding for a while at a park connected to a trail system when I made my announcement.  Because I prefer peaceful walks, I offered to pull the youngers.

My favorite scenery!

It is unfathomable to be around so much snow and not to attempt lasting physical damage by careening downhill on brittle plastic.  So we packed up our snow gear and headed to Enchantment Park, on the other side of Leavenworth. 

A Piper in three shots:

*  *  *

Wesley in three shots:

*  *  *

Kyla trying to kill Dwayne in 6 shots:

*  *  *

Mama and Wesley taking the plunge together:

*  *  *

Should Piper be a snowboarder?

Final Score:

Wesley………83

Piper…………61

Kyla………….82

Mama……….87

This was a bit hard for Piper, as determination usually overcomes all else in her world, but it was a good lesson for her, especially as she came out completely on top when the kids had their first snowboard lessons.

I did it in 2012, 2013, and 2014, have no record for 2015, stayed in bed when it was 23 degrees in 2016, and pulled myself together for 2017. 

Bringing along my professional photographer (more on him later), the kids, and layers, we headed for Double Bluff Beach once again for the Annual New Year’s Polar Dive. 

It was such a gorgeous day!  If you don’t count wind chill (and really, who does?), it was a balmy 36 degrees.  In the sun.  Wearing snow pants over fleece pajamas.  But it was beautiful, and we were with friends, one who had a flask which may or may not have contained some Red Hot.

We kept our layers on until 11:56.

11: 57

11:58

11:59

Noon up!

12:00

12:00

12:00

(Seriously, the camera must be broken, because we were in there for hours!)

Finally, 12:01

My bear cubs braved the water, sorta. 

Almost all the women were wearing one-pieces, or at least tankinis, but here’s why A Lady Should Always Wear a Bikini When Polar Bearing:

It’s very, very practical.  Even if it shocks your firstborn.

And can I thank my parents again for their genetics?  I had been preparing for this dive by pudging on lots of cookies.  I look at a dozen pictures of myself, and I don’t even feel the need to run to the gym.  The salon, maybe. But the gym not so much.

Ah, I got the t-shirt!

* * * * * * * *

A note about the photographer.  I have very, very few pictures of me during the year.  Mama’s the one who whips out the camera and records our lives for the kids.  But I just figured out how I can get my husband to take pictures of me. Ideally, I wouldn’t always have to wear the Bikini-I-Had-Before-I-Became-A-Mother, but it’s a start.  Love ya, Babe!