Darcie | 
01 28th, 2012| 
I think we were so focused on trying to stay upright that we forgot to take photos of our first family ice skating experience. Sylvia has been begging to go ice skating so we decided to try it out tonight at the indoor rink in the Robert Crown Center just a few blocks away. Surprisingly, they had skates that were Reese’s size. Sylvia didn’t seem to mind that her 2 Mississippian parents were attempting to not only hold her upright but were giving her skating instructions. I think this was the 3rd time I’ve ice skated in my life. Reese gave it a go as well. She went around the rink once with Chris and twice with me. Then she decided that eating Pirates Booty, drinking water, and people watching were more her sport. Sylvia was awesome. She skated for an entire hour and was brave enough to step away from the wall every so often and let go of my hand. We ran into a classmate from her school and that seemed to boost her confidence on the ice. She really got out there and managed three good falls with ease. We both managed not to pull each other down. She has a day off from school this week so we may try another go.
Reese is managing a double ear infection. She has a love/hate relationship with taking her antibiotic so she may have the ear infection the rest of her life. Sylvia can sometimes encourage her by pretending to drink medicine out of a similar medicine cup or dropper. I’m not sure what this may be teaching Sylvia about taking pretend medicine, but she really hams it up. Reese gets a kick out of it and seemingly medicine becomes fun again – not sure if this is the message I want to send to Reese either. So, if anyone has any recipes that hide medication but won’t kill its ear infection destroying properties, let me know.
And in other news, Sylvia showed us up as parents when she demonstrated her proper use of profanity. When Chris said, “It’s time for bath,” Sylvia looked him in the eye (in anticipation of his reaction) and said, “Damn it.” For me, it calls to mind, the “No bath” song that she composed around the age of 2. Luckily, she wasn’t using profanity quite that early. I’m hoping she won’t try to impress her teachers with her new vocabulary.
And in other wisdom from Sylvia today, she told me that as kids get bigger their nicknames change. Here are her profound words: “We used to call Reese, Chubs, then Spike, then Honey Bear and sometimes we call her her REESEE, but now we should call her Tender Fingers, cute little Tender Fingers.” Where she got this, I have no idea. I think it is for her great big laugh. She must be trying to get me to say to Reese, “Damn it Tender Fingers take this medicine!”
Photos from sledding at Lovelace. Nate and Sylvia had fun sledding together. Quin and Reese had their first sledding rides on the slopes.
Last weekend, we met up with Nate and Margot, Quin and Elliot, and Olive at Lovelace Park for our first big sledding day of the year. Here is some fun. Reese got to have a go on a small slope and Sylvia had a blast going up and down all the slopes. We are currently getting another 8 inches of snow. It took me 2 and half hours to get back from school today because of the snow! Pop-pop reminded me it was 74 degrees in Mississippi while I crept home. We are planning either some sledding or an ice skating adventure this weekend.
I meant to post this video after Christmas. Here is a fun video of Luke dancing with Elaina and Sylvia.
I need to get them on video at some point, but Reese’s language is exploding right now only to be deciphered by a select few I’m sure. Sylvia is an excellent translator. Some of my favorite words include her use of “my” in front of nearly everything, boots, the number 2, ice (in reference to our current land of ice), juice (ju), almond milk (alme me), tutu, meatball (me ball), and my favorite of all “moonball”.
We read about Laura Ingalls style snow cones – snow with maple syrup. The last photo is Sylvia and Reese sharing their real snow cone.
Finally! Sylvia has been seriously agonizing over our unusually warmish January. Her enthusiasm for all things snow related is highly contagious. Her dream has come true and we are basking in a winter wonderland. We sled around the neighborhood tonight making a stop at Nevins for dinner. Reese enjoyed herself as well. We are hoping to make it to some sledding hills this weekend.
