Winter Wonderland

One of the best things about the past four or five weeks is that life has returned to normal around our house. Callie's surgery seems to be a distant memory. She got the stent taken out on January 29th early in the morning. And the only lingering issue is that Callie doesn't like anyone to look at her cut. Besides that, all is well. Which means that we are learning to deal with the demands of an energetic two year old who wants to do everything herself and her way.


John learned that lesson big time when Callie's daycare was closed for two days straight because of Snow Watch 2010. In other parts of the country you refer to it as 5-6 inches. Here in the Bluegrass, it's enough to shut things down for quite some time. Fortunately, it also meant that Callie got some time outside.



John is trying to pass on to Callie his tricks of the trade when it comes to snow removal. More to the point, he is passing on his growing obsession with keeping the driveway clear and shoveled. Below you will see Callie learning the broom technique that can work wonders with just a light dusting.



Callie definitely enjoyed helping out and she loved walking around the driveway putting her footprints in the new snow. However, she didn't want to really play in the snow. No snow angels or snowmen yet this year. But it's still February, so you never know.

Because of Callie's lack of interest in playing in the snow for a long period of time, the two snow days were filled with indoor activities. Below we have a video that documents one of the more imaginative escapades of the little one.





It should also be noted that days home with Dad meant not getting out of your pajamas until late afternoon before Mom got home. And definitely no significant time spent on the hair. Hence, Callie pulls off a truly impressive ensemble, including her many accessories.

After about three weeks of cold weather, the sun finally showed through this past weekend. The piles of snow began to melt away and we jumped at the chance to get outside.


On Sunday we headed to the Lexington Arboretum with the Hallorans. It was an amazing day and half the city was walking along the two-mile path with their kids, dogs, or friends. At one, point, though, we had to stop and allow Iain and Callie some time to sit down and rest their weary legs. Or at least have them sit down so that we could take a picture. It is incredible how big these two kids are getting. In just two months he will be two, and it is fun watching them play together.


Callie definitely soaked in the day. Clearly we were not the only ones who needed a thawing out period and a little sunshine. And this picture doesn't really capture all that is going on with her these days. She is always talking and is becoming increasingly independent. "All by myself" is a phrase used extremely often in our household, that's for sure.

So it's a quick post for now. But there are big things to come in the next several months. Sarah and Callie will be heading to LA while John is planning to host a mini-high school reunion here in Lexington. February is almost at an end and we are all looking forward to spring.