Closing down the ski hill

We said goodbye to the 2013/2014 skiing season yesterday. It was a fabulous day with clear blue skies and about 40 degrees. Over time the snow got a bit soggy but as long as you don't fall down it's OK.... Mathias enjoyed taking a few spins in the Giant Slalom track that was set up.  Johan is getting better each time we go out.  We'll be back again next year! 

Getting wet

In the last (?) hurrah of winter the boys and I built a snow man. 

We also built a fort, just in case the neighbors were planning on invading our yard. Probably a good thing they had no such intentions because the walls collapsed pretty soon after it was completed.  But it was a good way to spend an evening playing with very soggy snow!

The celebration

Mathias, along with his brother and 12 of his closest friends celebrated his birthday today. Like last year we rented the local school gym for the festivities.  The kids played floor hockey, climbed on the walls, played various games, and ran around being kids. Mathias invited 12 friends and they all came. It was a very nice bunch of kids and they all played nicely together. 

After all that running around; how about some ice cream cake? 

8

It's March 14 again... Happy Birthday, Mathias! This time it's the 8th. 

It's a reminder that time runs at a speed of its own. There is nothing you can but try to hold on to the years as best as you can and make the most of it.  Now as an 8-year old first grader Mathias is becoming more independent by the day. He enjoys making things, whether it be drawing, painting, making rubber band bracelets,  or building Lego creations. While it is wonderful to see him growing up, it is not without a sting to see his childhood chipped away at, in search for something more grown up. It's coming at us fast - quick, let's play cars while it lasts! 

Johan skiing

After having spent most of the visits to the local ski hill this winter falling down, yesterday was the day Johan took off skiing. It might have helped that it was a warm day with soggy snow that didn't make for particularly fast speeds going down the hill. He was very proud of himself. But I think big brother was even more excited for the prospect of a new skiing buddy. 

Fat Wednesday

Ok, it was supposed to be Fat Tuesday.  But I thought of it too late.  We baked the buns on Tuesday but the boys were asleep by the time they were done  So we made our Semlor, or fat Tuesday buns, today instead.  The boys got to scoop out the bun and put in the marzipan/breadcrumb/milk mix themselves and top if off with whipped cream.  It always tastes better when you made it yourself, right?!