a full day of baking

William was in the mood to bake. He picks out a recipe from one of my pioneer woman cookbooks and begins. This happened to be the holiday cookbook so as he is going along he tells me he is making 30 sweet rolls and needs about 5 pie plates. I wasn't really sure what we were going to do with all these rolls and where we were going to put them all. It took him all day to make the dough, let it rise and then bake and make the frosting. They came out absolutely delicious, although he wasn't totally happy with them. We ended up with four plates full. I froze them individually and they are a great snack for when we are skiing.  I love how he is so willing to try new things - and they are usually pretty tricky recipes. He is really a pretty awesome baker and I do hope he continues to bake and maybe one day open up a shop if he still desires too.

crafting at the counter

Harkin really loves our this little corner of our counter. It is right near the fire so it is warm on these cold wintry days. He has gotten into making things. One week it was play dough every day, the next we were collaging bits and pieces. It is so much fun to watch him just have fun with the materials.

sunday smiles

serious play at the library

The boys have been part of a chess club since the middle of December, Each week they go and play about three games each against other kids. This week the top chess player from Vermont came to play all the kids at once. He would make a move and then move onto the next kid so then each kid had a bit if time to think about their move and then move when Dave came back to them.

I was very impressed with my boys. I think each of them surprised themselves a bit. Landon stayed in for a good long while. He came in 11th out of about 25 kids. William was the last one standing. He didn't beat Dave, but no one was going to do that. It was to challenge yourself and to see how long you could stay in the game.

I was never exposed to chess growing up so I think this is pretty awesome that they can play. Eric plays with them on occasion and I have been trying to learn, but too often forget the rules of play. It needs some serious concentration and right now I am a bit short on that. One day perhaps.  For now I will leave it to the boys.

The two little ones spend their time reading books and playing games with Mama while their big brothers play chess.

sunday smiles

at the mountian

Although we are not buried in snow, it is slowly piling up. I am determined to get the boys to the mountain at least once during the week. We have gone twice so far and it is working out really well. Harkin is on skis. William and Landon are a huge help and have taught him how to turn, make a pizza to slow down, french fries to go fast and Harkin can get on the magic carpet all by himself. He even did a jump the last time we went and felt pretty awesome about it. I have Issabelle on my back and when the big boys head off to the upper mountain I ski with Harkin. We are having lots of fun and Izzy is really such a trooper. Once Harkin is pretty sure of himself I think we will be ready to get little miss up on skis.
We don't ski all day and in between there is this great family room we hang out in. We bring toys, books and lots of snacks to make it through the day. It really is pretty awesome to be only 25 minutes from the mountain.  Think Snow!!!!!

girl power

Issabelle came to me with Harkin's  mask and cape and handed it to me, basically asking for me to put it on. It was so darn cute. She was so excited to be wearing it. Harkin was great to share. William will be busy making his little sister her own I do believe. (He made Harkin's for Christmas.)