Mid-winter break!

Confession:  I have not worked a full 5-day week since mid-December.

From the beginning of January to the beginning of February, I had 6 snow/cold days off of work, no students on Martin Luther King Jr. day and no students on Records Day (coincidentally on our anniversary this year).

So, where as normally our mid-winter break is a much anticipated four day weekend, this year it was just another couple of days off.  Don't get me wrong!  I'm not complaining.  It just didn't feel as special as it usually does come 6th hour on the last day before break.

But, no worries.  I made sure to plan some really fun and exciting activities with the boys.  Specifically Sean this break.  With Evan on the mend from a cold and then a stomach bug, he stayed home all weekend long and just enjoyed being able to play.  He was spoiled with "Mickey cookies" and Elmo videos, much to his heart's desire.

Sean, on the other hand, was go, go, go!  We started with soccer class on Saturday morning.

He started off real strong, scoring some goals and running after his crazy coach.  But, after they sat in the circle, he was content on just "hanging out".  Translation:  It took multiple trips to the middle of the field for me to bribe, beg, and plead with him to stand up and do what the other kids were doing.  If anything, I feared he would get hurt sitting on the ground while everyone was running and kicking soccer balls around him.

I guess all it really took was him getting to play the "alien in outer space" with the hula hoop.  I guess that's the kind of mood he was in.

A quick stop for lunch and we were off to Gabby's (a friend from school) birthday party at Jungle Java.  I was a little worried that we had to park in the back of the building where the employees probably park.  This place has a tendency to be packed and completely overwhelming.  More so to parents, I think.  But, surprisingly, the full parking lot must have been for the gym next door.

Sean was quite the popular guy at the party.  In fact, he was the only "guy" at the party, but all his little girl friends ran around with him and made him feel quite at home with Doc Mcstuffins cupcakes and princess tiaras.  What a trooper!

Sunday was the day I was worried about the most.  Sean's first ski lesson in ski school.  Did we make the right decision to sign him up at such a young age?  Was a 3 hour lesson too long?  We could only wait and see.

A little unsure of walking in the "heavy" boots, he managed to pose long enough with his skis before parking it on the snow until his class started.

At first it was only him and his buddy, Peyton.  But, 3 other little ones joined in last minute to the lesson.  Five 3 year olds all born in October and 2 instructors.  You do the math.  Chaos.

There he is at the bottom of the hill on the right.

I was shocked that after maybe 15 minutes of getting used to their skis, they were on the "magic carpet" and going down the hill.  And he did it!  Multiple times!  I met up with him about two hours into the lesson as they were going in for hot chocolate and he had reached his limit.  I gave him a big hug, took off his gear, handed him some peanut-butter crackers, and we were on our way.  He told me his favorite part was riding up the "magic carpet" and that next time, he wants me to ski with him.  No problem, buddy!

The rest of our weekend was spent relaxing at home, grocery shopping without kids (oh.my.gosh!), watching the Olympics, and washing piles of laundry.  Scott and I were even able to watch two movies and get caught up on the DVR!  And now we're back to the grind of work with no break in sight until end of April.  And...a dreaded 5 day work week!

In the meantime, we'll just have to load up our weekends with exciting plans like Scott's birthday this upcoming weekend and a night out!  Then we have our overnight trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in a little over two weeks!  Plus, a 40 degree day today really helped cheer us up!  We actually got outside, played in the snow, and took Bailey for a walk.

Spring is getting close....