It’s been nothing but winter fun for us this January including plenty of ski time, outdoor play, hot cocoa and you better believe my crockpot’s been working overtime. We’ve even been commuting to school via snow sled - a great workout for me in the morning! And the kids had their first snow day of the year where they lived their best lives toasting with neighbor friends thanks to Miss Emily next door.
The magic of winter was on full display on Pontiac a few weekends ago with an outdoor fire pit, s’mores and toddies. The highlight of the afternoon was when the kids found a frozen dead bird and held a burial ceremony for it. It now rests in one of my front planters outside the main entrance to our house.
We had a blast with neighbors last weekend at The Kok Classic Shuffle Board Tournament. Jon and Becky Kok hosted a farewell party to their antique shuffle board before they renovate their basement. It was perfectly fitting that the Kok’s were in the championship game winning first place over Jared and Elizabeth Van Vels, who, put up a solid fight.
The kids began ski lessons at Cannonsburg in January and are doing fantastic. We are on week three and it’s been super fun to watch them gain confidence and skill with every run. Natalie is able to, without fear!, ride the chair lift all by herself - which makes one of us because I still get tight in the chest each time she does it. Thomas is a champion at pizza-french fries and has been working on his big turns going down the hill. This month we’re planning a day trip to Caberfea to ski as a family. Probably going to bring the crockpot!
Jeff and I got our mountain fix three weeks ago in Big Sky, Montana for our annual (adults only) ski trip with the Van Vels and the DeWittes. This was our fourth year traveling together and at this point we’ve got our daily routine down pat: w'e’re on the mountain at first run stopping only for a quick bite and a beer or bubbly for lunch, ski until the 4 o’clock run just in time for ski apres, a long dip in the hot tub and a fun dinner night out. Then repeat! Big Sky is such a fun (smaller) ski town with less crowds but with all the acreage. The downtown area was very cute with a bit of shopping, a good variety of restaurants and our AirBnb was within walking distance. Jeff and I both agree Big Sky will be a great place to take the kids when they’re ready for the big hills. But this year with the kids back at home, my Mom ran the ship while we were away along with an assist by neighbor Keri who got the kids off to school for us (along with her own FOUR kids) so we could make our early flight out. It takes a village and we are extremely grateful for ours.
Twice last month we sat court side with friends at the Deltaplex watching the Grand Rapids Gold - formerly the Drive. It was both our first time at a G League game and my first time (ever!) at the Deltaplex. Being at a professional basketball game brought me right back to my days working for the Detroit Pistons - a big space filled with lots of energy and wafting smells of elephant ears. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday night with friends.
Natalie is doing well in school and admits her favorite subjects are art and music. She’s rolling right along with her weekly piano lessons with Miss Haley and is currently learning a few Disney songs from a book she received for Christmas. She celebrated her friend Maxines 7th birthday at her party where she gifted her a collage photo frame of some of their compiled pictures together. Natalie turns 7 in April and she’s already planning her own birthday party - an American Girl Doll Tea Party. We also signed Natalie up for Camp Henry this summer - something we missed out on last year because I was super late to the party - Mom fail. Needless to say, I was all over it this year and Nat is pumped for summer camp this June.
Thomas is a ball of energy, always, and it’s funny to hear from his teachers at both school and church that he’s a man of few words when in the classroom. Thomas is signed up for soccer in the spring and he recently told us he’s going to play football at Michigan… but we’re kind of hoping it will be golf instead. The photo below is Thomas in a nutshell: wearing football gear, but holding a tennis ball, rolling it on the putting green with his weapon of choice not too far from his grasp.
Last month I shared our new year resolutions and we are crushing it! Family game night is a big hit and happens weekly each Tuesday night. We actually need more games so it’s a good thing that both kids birthdays hit in March and April - got recommendations? Flossing has become a regular thing - why I’ve waited this long I’ll never know. As for learning to drive the boats… we’ve got a lot more of winter to enjoy before we start thinking about summer!!
We welcome February and all there is to come including more skiing, celebrating my Mom’s 60th birthday and Princess Night at the Griffins Game. Let’s get wild!
POSTSCRIPT… things worth mentioning…
Matchbox - We love this neighborhood spot located in Eastown. It’s one of the few restaurants I follow on Instagram because everything they post I want to eat! Their brunch is fantastic.
Only Murders In The Building on Hulu - Jeff works out of town once a week and on those evenings I partake in my own video series. The latest is Only Murders In The Building with Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short - it’s hilarious and clever. I cannot wait for the next season.
CandyGrams for Grace’s Table Moms - Feel like spreading the love this Valentines’s Day? Consider sending a candy gram through Grace’s Table for $15 to one of our young Moms.
Kathryn Chaplow Collect - Obsessed with K. Chaplows latest online store where she curates the most fantastic home items available for purchase. I recently added a super cool snake glass matchbox cover to the shelves in our kitchen nook. Sexiest matchbox ever.
Judes Barber Shop - Did you know they cut women’s hair? I took Thomas in for his regular cut and decided it was time for a trim! The stylist wasn’t sure at first but I convinced her I wasn’t high maintenance and just needed her to cut a straight line. Success!
