Fun in the Snow

Marino loves the snow. Presumably most kids like snow, but Marino REALLY likes it. He can't pass snow with out touching it. Or kicking it. Or stepping on it. No matter how many days we have snow on the ground. He just loves it.

The last 2 winters we had almost no snow, at least not enough to go sledding. This year we've had a couple of big snow storms, including one where we got 22 inches of snow! Marino was loving it. We headed over to the lake to go sledding after the snow stopped. Marino was so happy!

One of our neighbors made a "jump" on this hill for snowboarding. I went down the hill with Marino the first time we did this jump and, ouch! I'm too old to land that hard on my butt. Marino loved it though. 

                          

His thoughts on this jump? "That was EPIC!"

We finally made it to Whitetail Ski Resort to go snow tubing.  We went in the evening (6-8) and it was cold, but thankfully Evan and I invested in snowpants this year (why did we not do this before??) so we were all nice and toasty.  Our good buddies Jen, Matt, Sydney and Noah came with us.  Marino and Noah LOVED the tubing.  Sydney was not a fan.  I liked it but it was a bit scarier than I imagined! 

Looking down at the tubing lanes

Looking up at the tubing lanes. That's Evan finishing a run on his belly (scary!). 

After tubing we took the kids out to eat. These 3 are sooo silly together! 

We're enjoying the snow, but still ready for Spring.

Marino keeps asking when we can go to the pool! 

Back at the Playground

Its been too hot lately to hit the playground (we're talking heat index of 105+) but today we had a beautiful day, so we hit the park after camp with some buddies.

Team Super Fast Sharks

On Saturday, my friend Jen brought her kids over for a sleepover. I took the 3 kids to the playground and I told them since there was 3 of them and 1 of me, they had to stick together at the playground. "We're a team," I said. "What should our team name be?" Sydney said "Team Super Fast Sharks!" and so we were so named. Anytime the kids split up, I'd say "Where's your team?" and they would find each other. It was really cute. These three always have a great time together. 

Park Days Are Back!

After a super long winter (a rarity in Maryland), we're finally getting some warm weather! Last night we met up with some friends at the park. The boys were red-faced and sweaty, but happy to be outdoors!

Easter 2013

Our Easter started on Saturday this year. I did a Springtime Storytime at the bookstore and we did an egg hunt after stories. Egg hunt + bookstore = fun!

After storytime, we headed to Gramma Debbie's house. Aunt RiRi was home from school and Aunt Chelle put together a fun egg hunt for Marino. An hour later he asked if we could do it again! We were fortunate to have a beautiful day. 

Krissy, Aunt Rianne, Sammy, Marino, Aunt Richelle and Gisele, post-egg hunt. 

We finished the day with a great meal. 

Easter morning, Marino woke up to this:

He was super excited to see the Easter bunny came! Favorites from his Easter basket:  Melissa & Doug Firefly Flashlight, the book Creepy Carrots, and Lindt Chocolate Carrots. 

Later that morning, Aunt Chelle and Aunt RiRi took Marino to see The Croods, which he loved!

That evening, my friend Chandra came for dinner with her daughter, Hannah. They live in Atlanta and I haven't seen them in a couple years. Marino generally needs a while to warm up to people, but not Chandra and Hannah! He immediately showed them all his toys, was jumping on them, hugging them, sitting on them, etc. It was nice to see him so open! He and Hannah had a great time - she even played cars, Transformers and super heroes with him. 

This morning he said "I wish them could visit again every day." 

Great weekend, great friends, great family! 

Lunch Date

After storytime a couple weeks ago, we headed to the new Benningan's in Clarksburg for lunch with our buddies Jace and Alex and Ryan. It took forever to get lunch, but the boys were well behaved and posed for some cute photos. 

Jace, Alex & Marino - 3 amigos

Snowy Playdate

During winter break, Marino's buddy Jace came over for a playdate. We actually got (a tiny bit of) snow! The boys were pretty excited about it.  Of course, they did ask "Where is the snow going?" once we got out there.  It was already melting by the time the snow stopped!

I thought this was so cute - the two boys snuggling and watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates!

Marshmallow Snowmen with Alex

We had a super fun playdate with our buddies Alex, Ryan & Amie on Thursday.
I helped the boys make marshmallow snowmen, although they were hungry and the snowmen didn't last long!

love these guys!

Catching Up

We've been busy as usual, enjoying the holiday season and visiting with friends. 

A couple weeks ago, we got a chance to visit with Sydney and Noah and the kids had a lot of fun baking and decorating gingerbread "mans". 

Last week was Parent's Night at Marino's preschool. He goes to Montessori school and it was really interesting to see what and how they learn there. 

As you can see, he was very serious in explaining his lessons to us.

One of his favorites - the land and water forms

Marino enjoying a gift from Aunt Sonia - Batman underwear.

Fun winter storytime, including a "snowball fight" and marshmallow snowmen