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! 

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week: 

5.  The other day, Marino stood on his trampoline and announced, "I'm a rocious." It took a few minutes to decipher he meant to say "ferocious." 

4. My mom and stepfather came to visit us a couple weeks ago. They asked Marino if he wanted to go to mass with them. "No, they just have peace songs there," he said.  They asked again and he said, "No, it's too fancy."

3. I took Marino to the dentist for a checkup this week. Here's some quotes from that visit: 

"It smells like shots in here. Are you going to give me a shot?" 

::mid-cleaning:: "Can you wait a minute? I just need to breathe." ::takes deep, meditative breaths:: 

"Do you have wifi in here?"  

2. The other day in the car, Marino rolled up his pant leg and showed me his calf. "Check out my leg guns" he said.

1. Evan and Marino have been watching old shows of Voltron and Transformers (from the 80s) on Netflix. They both love it. The other day in the car, Marino said, "Mommy, can you turn down the music? Did you know Voltron is the king of robots? And he defends the galaxy from evil robot shadow menaces, like Laser Beak. Ok, I'm done talking. Turn the music up, please."

Pictures of recent fun times....

Monster Mini-Golf with Jace and Landyn

Marino and Landyn love Chipotle!

Marino and his cousin, Raiden, on Super Bowl Sunday

"Look, Mommy. Take my picture, I'm being cute with Max!"

With Captain Planet at the DC Car Show

Playdate with old pals

Fun with family in New Jersey

These two are double trouble - Marino and Josiah

We went to The Pop Shop - the best restaurant, especially if you are on a gluten-free or vegan diet!!

Visiting with aunties and besties in NJ and celebrating Cat's 6th birthday

Marino adores Sabrina's boyfriend, Steven. He wrestles and punches him every chance he gets. 

Happy Birthday, Cat!

The kids love Sabrina!

My forever friends

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:

5. The other day, Marino asked "Mommy, can you come over here and snuggle with me?" When I came over for snuggles I said, "Aw, you love Mommy! I'm the best Mommy, right?"  He said "Mommy, if you get me a snack, then I will call you that."

4.  Marino has been asking for an umbrella, so I finally got him one (Spider-Man).  He was more excited about this gift than anything I've given him before.  Every day he says "Mommy, I love my umbrella. I can't believe you got this for me. You're the best!" He then said, "Mommy, can you make it rain so I can use this?" I told him no and he said, "Why? You're not a scientist?"

3. At bedtime the other night, Marino said, "Mommy, you're like my life-sized stuffed animal."

2.  The other day I got out of the shower and Marino sniffed me.  He said, "Mommy, you smell like ice cream mixed with grossness."

1.  I go to physical therapy to try and stop some of the inflammation in my neck and shoulders that my neurologist thinks contributes to my migraines.  Marino goes with me sometimes if I have an early morning appointment.  The other day we drove by the PT office while Marino's cousin, Landyn, was with us. "There's the physical therapy building," said Marino.  "That's where I go and watch tv and my mommy lays down and her friend Amy hurts her." I get deep tissue massages there and they often are painful; Amy and I had a good laugh when I told her this story.

One more! In the car the other day, Marino was drawing on his Doodle Pro. "Look, I drew a polar bear wearing the cone of shame" he said!

5 on Friday

I've been so neglectful of the blog...I just can't keep up with blogging about everything anymore.  However, I do want to keep up with the funny moments as best I can, so after a long absence, here is a new list of 5 reasons I am loving my boy this week: 

5.  The other day Marino asked, "Mommy, did you marry Daddy so that I would be gorgeous?"
Me:  "Why, do you think Daddy is gorgeous?"
Marino:  "Well, maybe he was when you married him."

4.  We went to a birthday party at Croydon Creek Nature Center last weekend (very cool).  Some gems from Marino while we were there...

Croydon Creek Staffer:   "Can anyone tell me a kind of reptile?"
Marino:  "A T-Rex!"

Croydon Creek Staffer, brings out a turtle:  "This is Daisy."
Marino:  "Oh, that's the girl turtle that really likes me. No, seriously, she likes me."

Croydon Creek Staffer:  "Ok, I have one more animal to bring out that you can touch."
Marino:  "Please be a snake, please be a snake."

3.  Last week, Marino read his first entire book!  It took 2 days and was not easy, but he did it!  However, this seems to have gone to his head.  Over the weekend, Marino announced to Evan and I that he is the smartest person in our house. "Remember, I read a whole book last week? Hello, smartest one in the house here."

2.  The other day, Max was having a seizure.  Marino was very sweet and comforting him.  He said "It's ok, Max, just calm down. Let your brain reload."

1. Marino came with me to physical therapy yesterday. He asked the therapist,"Can you scoot my chair closer to my mommy so she won't feel alone?"

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to all! 

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:

5. The other day, Marino and I had the following exchange:
Marino:  "Mommy, I'm hungry." 
Me: "Marino, you just ate 3 snacks and dinner. And dessert."
Marino:  "Mommy, why don't you want me to grow healthy and strong?"

4.  On a recent hike, we came across a really adorable dog.  Marino said "Mommy, that dog was so cute it almost exploded my eyeballs!"

3.  Marino started group swim lessons this week. I told him he did a great job. He said "Mommy, when I was doing a good job, I said 'Marino, keep it up. Mommy is going to be so proud of you.'"

2.  The other day Marino said to Evan, "Daddy, can we take Mommy's upsetness and throw it in the trash?"

1.  We woke up one day this week and Marino asked me if I was still tired. I said yes. He said "Okay, listen. I'm going to go do more chores and after I'm done, we can relax on the couch for a little while."

Recent pics of my gorgeous boy

Fall Fun 2013, Part II

The Fall fun continues!

We went to the Eye Spy Train at Cabin John this year with our buddies Jace and Beth. The kids loved it! 

I did a Halloween-themed storytime at Fenton Street Market. Afterwards, the kids went trick or treating at the vendor booths. We did this last year, too, and I love it! 

We made Q-tip skeletons as our craft at storytime. The kids were surprisingly enthusiastic about making these. 

Marino enjoying his candy. 

I really love this picture of Marino and his buddies. 

This market day was also Volunteer Day in the County, so some volunteers coordinated decorating Halloween bags for Meals on Wheels deliveries. Marino was very serious about his. I thought this was such a great idea!

Marino and I got to ring the opening bell for the Market!  Apparently the bell was too loud for Marino. 

Hanging out with my buddy, Uli. 

After lunch in Silver Spring, we headed to the National Air and Space Museum for Air and Scare. 

The boys were very excited to meet a pilot. 

Hanging out with friends at the Air and Space Museum

Meeting "Dark Vader" (Darth Vader)

Marino and I went on a 3 mile hike at Seneca Creek State Park. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes. Marino complained a bit, but he did well. We even ran parts of the trail. His favorite part was seeing a dead crow that had been partially eaten so its bones were exposed. 

The colors were gorgeous! 

Skipping rocks

We've been enjoying the season!