Christmas Update and Thoughts on Snow

Alright, time to play catch up! We had a great 10 day visit to OK over the holidays, and just arrived home on Tuesday. Ben had a fantastic time with all his grandparents and aunts and uncles, and I think he's suffering a little bit from the sudden lack of attention. Christmas already seems like such a long time ago, but here are a few pictures.

Our tree

In keeping with our decision to limit our gifts, Ben received three presents from us. One of them was this cute little wood play kitchen I found at Ross for $25! I was so excited because I really like to have as many wood toys as possible, and I knew we could never afford an elaborate set up, especially one that wasn't plastic.  This one is a little small, but Joel is going to make a riser for it. Plus, it doesn't take up any room, and I can easily move it from place to place. Benjamin really loves it. In fact, I was just realizing that although he didn't get many gifts this Christmas, he absolutely LOVES every single present he received. 

The other two presents were some stinkin' cute little fluffy doggie slippers from LL Bean, and a Richard Scarry book called What Do People Do all Day? This book is already a favorite, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good gift. I don't think Ben will get tired of looking at it until he's 4 or 5.

We left on Christmas day for Oklahoma, and even though Oklahoma City had just had the largest snowfall in 25 years on Christmas Eve, all of our flights were (almost) on time, and the trip was pretty uneventful. When we got to OKC it looked like like a post-apocalyptic movie. There would be 10 abandoned cars on the side of the highway, and then you would drive a mile and see 10 more. I guess the weather changed from rain, to sleet, to white out blizzard conditions pretty quickly. We even saw an abandoned Fed Ex truck on the wrong side of the road! I hope those people eventually got their presents.

Ben got a few things from Mimi and Poppy, including another favorite book called Hands, Hands, Finger, Thumb. In fact, I had to read it 6 times in a row on the way home from the airport, and 5 times already today. If I refuse I'm threatened with an immediate tantrum buildup. Thanks Mimi and Poppy!

Then it was on to Grandma and Grandad's house, where he got his much loved stuffed Elmo. If you think he looks sad in this picture, it's because he was feeling pretty puny. The next morning he woke up with a burning fever and we had to take him to the emergency clinic. We've been lucky to not have too many scary moments with Ben, but I was pretty frightened when I saw the thermometer climb to 104.9. The PA at the clinic diagnosed him with a severe bacterial throat infection, and within 2 days of taking antibiotics he was feeling pretty good. 

Ben got to see his first real snowfall, and even make a few snowballs. I realized after a day or so back in Oklahoma that I'm not really a cold weather person. I don't like hot weather either, but somewhere in between is good for me. The problem with snow is that it melts and turns into ice. And since I have absolutely no coordination or physical prowess, that means I have a greater chance of falling and seriously hurting myself. That's really the main issue for me. I think only athletic people should live in cold climates. I mean, I about had a panic attack in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I just stood there, frozen (haha!) and waited for some invisible hand to guide me to the car. I looked to my left, ICE! I looked to my right, ICE! Finally I just had to suck it up and realize being an adult means you have walk across an icy parking lot. Plus, I realized that other people were easily walking past me, and a large truck wanted the parking space I was blocking. Looking like an idiot in the middle of a parking lot is a stress I don't need in my life. 

I have more to write about my New Year goals, plus a Benjamin update, but this is enough for one post. I hope everyone is staying warm!