boots boy

These days we are all about the footwear.

ice ice baby

photo via flicker by beige alert

While visiting the homeland a couple weeks ago, Theodore had his very first ice fishing experience . How perfectly Minnesotan, right?! What does one do in the middle of winter? Go ice fishing! He comes from a long line of men who love to fish. When I was younger, my dad went on a big trip each year to Lake of the Woods and we all know Ryan would spend every day on the lake if life would just allow it. Somehow, the fun of hanging out in a snow-covered shack, on a frozen lake, in sub-zero temps didn't allude my little one either, he had a blast!

Rumors circling the area report an excellent fisherman on the rise. Teddy was noted for keeping a close eye on the minnow bucket, always ready to scoop out the bait for an empty hook. Unfortunately a few wiggly swimmers perished upon removal from the net. It seems Teddy's grip was a bit on the firm side. What can I say, the boy doesn't mess around. Thankfully, it didn't take long to get a few sunnies in the bucket.... not so easy to smoosh.

How is it that Teddy is already old enough to go fishing with his Daddy?! Where did my little baby go? Watch your back new mommies, it's true what they say....the first year goes way too fast and the second year....it feels like a split second in time.

I took these photos as Teddy was heading out on his big adventure. When Ryan saw them, he said Theodore looked just like me. A remark that immediately warmed my heart. It must be how dark his eyes appear? Maybe the eyebrows? Not sure, but whatever it is...I like it!

Ry promised to build this ice house for the Alcott trio. We're going to take our minnow-loving son and go camp for a good bit. Maybe my father-in-law will even have the pup to send with us for the weekend?

May Monday rock your snow shoes off little snow angels.

until Easter

* sunset at 20 acre marsh

exuding the purple hues of Lent

02/13/10

Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent and despite the fasting and self-denial associated with the forty days leading up to Easter, it's always been one of my favorite seasons in the Christian calendar. The quietness and reflection are a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of ordinary time.

Growing up, my family participated in most Roman Catholic Lenten traditions. Wednesday evenings were spent at Stations of the Cross and Fridays spent abstaining from meat. We would also "give up" an activity or food for the whole season in remembrance of all Christ gave for us. Twice Johnny and I gave up television, one year it was sleepovers with friends (a penance that left Lindsey devastated), and many years it was sweets. My cousins and I would often babble about whose sacrifices were "tough" and whose were "too easy!" Gossip fueling each of us to abstain from food or festivities that were actually difficult to release.

As I became a young adult, I worried less about impressing my cousins and more about pleasing the Lord. I didn't want my offerings to be effortless, after all, He would know if it was a true sacrifice or something that didn't matter much to me anyway. This year I had a terrible time deciding what to give up for Lent.

Thankfully, since returning to New York our days have been veiled in a peaceful hush allowing for reflection. I decided to "give up" the 2 hours during Teddy's nap to do meaningful, family-focused activities. Typically I tend to waste at least a hour of his nap time on Facebook or browsing Craigslist. That time is now set aside for dinner prep, exercising, cleaning, praying, writing, reading, even napping if that's what my body needs. Only the first few days have passed, but I'm already feeling more connected to my family and my faith. I've finally found the moments to write in Theodore's diary again. I feel like I've regained my evenings with Ryan, with the household chores finished by the time he arrives home, and most importantly I've set aside time to complete whatever my spirit needs.....different and personal each day. The greatness of that hour already seems so evident and I still have 37 days to go! Imagine the possibilities.

So after lots of ideas from my husband, brother, and best friends that is where I landed this year. I'm still eating chocolate, still watching television (how FABULOUS are the Olympics!?!), and still available for a sleepover with my besties (can we continue to have those at 27?)...but I'm no longer on Facebook between 2-4pm. :)

Happy weekend my loves.

magic

Back in New York now. But our week in Minnesota. It was magic.

snowy retreat

We made it to Minnesota! Theodore did beautifully on the plane, despite an early departure, and had a wonderful afternoon with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Alcott's house. While home, we are staying in a new house that my dad and Maria purchased last year. They've yet to move in, so they offered it to us for the week. The gorgeous country setting is the perfect place to hunker down with my boys. It started snowing last night, and is continuing to fall. Curled up with my family, staring out at the snowy world, brings such peace and contentment. There is no where I'd rather be.

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together. - Author Unknown

little of this. little of that.

My boys. Ben Wood Mountain, Adirondack Park Preserve

Last Sunday, Ryan slipped out of work early enough for us to go on a two-hour hike in the Adirondack Mountains. It was heaven. We were craving the stillness and silence of a winter hike, away from the hum drum of machinery at work and neighbors in the apartment community. Ben Wood Mountain, suggested to us by a local outfitter, turned out to be a great fit. A hike just long enough to feel rejuvenated, but not so long that Teddy got achy in the backpack. It was a bright, sunny day. Perhaps not perfect for photos, but perfect for February.

Today, Ryan is at work getting caught up and organized in preparation for his week away. Teddy and I are at home packing, cleaning, and getting Omar and Greta set up with the sitter. There is only one airline that flies non-stop between Albany and Minneapolis, with one flight making the trip daily. It was recently changed from a 5pm flight to a 6am flight. I have no idea how Teddy is going to handle getting up at 4am and heading to the airport, but say a little prayer for us. Compared with his normal rise and shine around 7 or 8am, this is a huge chop out of his sleep time. Yikes! A scary thought for mommy and daddy!

I've been taking lots of video of Theodore this week. A little of this. A little of that. Mostly just the two of us trying to chit chat. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

tuckered out

Bath done, time to hit the hay!

The Aloctt trio has been pretty exhausted this week. We've been on a month long crazy work stint, with Ryan closing out another 90 hour work week last Sunday. Plus all three of us have the inevitable winter cold/sore throat. Needless to say, we're mentally and physically pooped. We've been sound asleep by nine each night. On Sunday though we're coming home to MN. Ryan never used his vacation time last year, so we have 2 weeks worth that needs to be used by April. We're planning on taking one next week, with Ry and I slipping away for a few days up north. Then in March we'll take another week and work on the house we're still in the process of buying.

So despite my urge to curl up and sleep while Teddy takes his nap, I decided to take a moment and tell you what a smarty pants he's been this week! On Monday he literally said about twenty new words in one day! Okay let me think.... pig, backpack, van, hammer, lion, penguin...are just a few that popped out. He also started putting words together, saying things like "Mama's nose or Teddy's mouth." We're so impressed! Another huge accomplishment that just happened was he started saying Greta's name. He has said Omar's name for some time now, but never Greta. He usually just called her Omar too. I wasn't even sure he knew the difference. Nope! He definitely knew because once he got her name to come out, he called her about 50 times, never mixing the two up again. He's obsessed now. When he wakes up, he immediately calls for her. I have to get it on video, the way he says her name is so stinkin' sweet.

Friends for life!

Green-eyed Greta girl.

I can't wait to share him with you all when we're home! Sending lots of love on this mid-week day!