Black is the new blue

Mathias and I took the day off to squeeze the last bit of skiing out of the 2011/2012 season. We drove up to Spirit Mountain in Duluth. It was a fabulous day with the sun was shining, the temperature was comfortable, and there was hardly anyone there. The snow left a bit to be desired but you can't have everything, right?

We spent four hours skiing the green and blue hills at the end of which my feet were aching and I wanted to go home. That's when M discovered that there were more hills, the black ones, available on the other side of the mountain. In my infinite wisdom I thought letting him try the steeper slopes would be the ticket to packing it up for the day and getting back in the car...

But no. We spent 2 hours, right up until they closed the lift and told us it was time to go, in the trails where you need to pay attention to what you are doing. Mathias loved every minute of it.

Last time I wrote about skiing I was just joking about going to Jackson. Now we might have to.

Happy 6th birthday!

On his sixth birthday, Mathias requested an 'army' cake. Up to the challenge, the decorators at Woullet came through as always.

Nothing says happy birthday quite like barb wire and artillery fire. But the birthday boy was happy and it was a yummy cake!

After a party at day care we came home and had his requested birthday dinner: ravioli...

He received tons of presents. Many thanks to all who remembered him, including Aunt Anna, Aunt B, Farmor & Farfar, and, of course, brother Johan.

The birthday party

After the serious gymnasts go home North Shore Gymnastics sits quiet and empty. At least for a while before the kids roll in. Mathias requested to have his birthday party at NSG this weekend. So he, Johan, and eight of his friends invaded Sunday afternoon. Guided by John the gymnastics instructor they had all sorts of fun there.

We're not sure what real gymnasts do with a two-story inflatable slide, but it was quite entertaining!

Skiing - lesson 3

It was 65 and sunny on the day of Mathias' third (and final for the season) skiing lesson. It was so nice that his ski instructor, Colin, skied in a short sleeved t-shirt. Mathias looked like the Michelin Man in comparison. He has now graduated to both the chair lift and the big ski hill (to the extent hills in Minnesota are big).

After the lesson ended he skied with Ericka. Mr. Independent refused any help in the chair lift. At the top of the hill he said "see you at the bottom" and took off.
Next spring break we're going to Jackson!

Learning Chinese the easy way

Well, only basic phrases like Kung Pao. But it's a start. Turns out if you use a little plastic clip to hold the chopsticks together anyone can look like a native of Beijing wile having Chinese for lunch.

Welcome home!

The other day when I came home late from a trip I was greeted by our driveway by a snowman Mathias and Johan (I suspect with help from Mama) had built.

It was nice if perhaps a bit spooky!

With whiskers

In recognition of Dr. Seuss' 108th birthday, Friday, Johan came home from pre-school resembling the Cat in the Hat... He was also proudly proclaiming that he had had Green Eggs & Ham for lunch. There was no word on weather the birthday bird from Katroo showed up. But a good time appears to have been had regardless.