March is a good place to start the new year of blogging, especially when today was the first real wintery day of the year, so it's not quite spring yet. As I shoveled the driveway, I realized that I couldn't remember the last time I had shoveled the driveway, it had been so long.
2015 has seen three birthdays already, as well as a family trip to Disneyworld, unwelcome sick days, fantastic ski days, basketball games, play rehearsals, piano Federation, and even a new car.
We'll begin with January. The major event was the Florida trip, which was made possible in part by the airline vouchers we earned last spring on our trip to Virginia. We did three days of Disney: Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom (on Thomas' birthday!), and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
It's a good thing TEC was all over getting things figured out for the Disney part of the trip--as if he had time on top of work and other responsibilities to arrange tickets, lay out itineraries, research meal plans, fast passes, and all the rest--because we had a great time. It was the in-your-dreams magical experience of getting there when it opens and staying till it closes. He was the dad that carrying one kid on his shoulders while pushing another in a stroller clear across the park just to let one of his kids go on their favorite ride one last time, or remembering his promise to let the kids fill up their mugs at the soda fountain, or somehow sneaking away in the craziness of the day at Epcot to buy a beloved birthday soccer ball for his boy.
He was also the dad stayed with C and M and gave me and the three big kids a day at another Florida theme park: Universal Studios. After Tom, Sarah (and Rachel for a second time) had flown through the series last summer, they were very excited to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was really fantastic. Despite it being a Monday holiday (MLK Jr. Day), we were fortunate to avoid too horrible of lines. It was mostly walking around and feeling a part of the book, even while in line for the rides. And, of course, we had a few indulgences like butter beer and unusually flavored ice cream (strawberry-peanut butter!). It was a treat for me to spend time with my big kids, who not only made it fun, but were even mature enough to not complain about us not spending ridiculous amounts of money on wands and other Harry Potter souvenir items.
TLC turned ten on our trip. It was quite the birthday celebration, with not just a few birthday party guests. Actually, this year was supposed to be our "party" year for birthdays, so between being gone for our trip and then getting sick a couple of weeks after, it was mid-February before he finally got to have some friends over for a movie night. And then it was even after that when I finally made his birthday cake. Hopefully he forgives me. We've had a few fun outings with this great kid so far this year. He and I had a blast skiing a few weekends ago, exploring many runs at Solitude that we haven't done before. TEC and I were also able to go on the 4th grade snow shoeing field trip and hang out with TLC and his classmates up Big Cottonwood Canyon for a fun morning. He's doing well in school, setting crazy reading goals, progressing at the piano and in Cub Scouts with the Webelos. His feet are huge and he's pretty much stronger than me.
Another birthday happened at our house just one week ago: MEC turned two on the 24th of February. He is a fun and happy kid. He's definitely our most particular child, who likes things "just so" and simply cannot be rushed. How do I forget this so often??? You'd think I'd have learned to plan ample time in our schedule to allow for his ways. I'm doing my best to think of ways to help him become a bit more flexible...we'll see. His current favorites are (still) Thomas the Train, Curious George, Cars, Wild Krats... He also loves Primary and some of his buddies there, particularly Bridger. He goes to tumbling class on Wednesdays with his cousin Andrew, and Kindermusik on Fridays, where Miss Marilee tells me that he is a wonderful singer. One of my favorite things to watch is MEC stand in line with his siblings in front of the computer to sing and dance along with a "Just Dance" video like he's one of the big kids.
MEC's last day as a three year-old included a very appropriate adventure, considering his love of all things transportation. We got up and got the kids off to school, stopped at the credit union, and then drove "down to town" to drop the car off at Dad's work. We then began our train ride adventure. First we took TRAX (or, the "electric train") to the Frontrunner station, where we boarded a train that would take us up to Layton. That's all MEC understood, but he was in heaven. He payed close attention to every detail--the name of each station, whether our train was going north or south. He wore his hat (it was cold that day) tight over his ears just in case the train whistles were too loud. It was great. Our purpose in going to Layton, though, was to purchase a new car. TEC and I had decided on it over the weekend and just needed to do the paperwork and pick it up. So, we are now a Suburban family. We sold our van and and getting adjusted to this fancy new (and big!) set of wheels that barely fits into our garage. The kids love it and have decided on a Narnia-inspired name: Ramandu.
And there we have it. Up next for 2015: two kids perform in the Rosecrest play, Alice in Wonderland, Jr., Girls on the Run for SCC, soccer for three, a quick trip for Mom and Dad, and a fairly significant running adventure for me come May.
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