Leading Off

 If you haven't been following our other social media outlets lately, here is the update: Maine has snow. And lots of it! We got over two feet the second week of December. The snow was a welcome site in the Watkins home. Every one of us loves to be outside playing in it. Finn is just discovering it and really doesn't know what to make of it. It's been a trial to walk in, but he just loves being outside with Madie and Dad when we are shoveling snow to make a fort, or just playing in the sled.

There was a clear difference between Madie and Finn when they were babies. Madie was born in Rexburg, Idaho and lived in a beanie for her first 6 months of life. Finn was born in California, and did not wear one at all. Trying to get this boy to wear one when he goes out to play was extremely frustrating for both parties but he is finally noticing what hats are and has decided to comply. Before he dons his hat, he now gives his head one solid pat and says "ha" (Finnish for 'hat'). 

When Finn goes out, he loves to run up and down the driveway, or climb the stairs to our porch. When he is in the front yard with us, he tends to limit his walking due to frustration of uneven walking surface. Madie is very active in the snow and loves to slide down the snow-covered porch steps, run and fall in fresh powder, or climb snow mounds. Quite the adventurer. 

Madie and I began building a snow fort in our front yard, but then shifted to a snow cave. The cave is still in-progress...more on that later. 

Our kids love books. We love snuggling in a blanket on the couch before bed to read a couple books. Madie and Finn will plop themselves on the couch or in their rocker randomly throughout the day to flip through one of their books. Finn has been quite selective about books he checks out at the library. If it has an animal with four legs or wings, he's sold. Madie is currently working through her first chapter-ish book with us. It would be nice to transition to chapter books sooner than later. I think it will help improve her listening skills. She's still a huge pinkalicious fan and will insist on checking out/renewing the same pinkalicious book from the library. Good thing that book doesn't have a wait list!

Ah yes...Rofi joined out family around the first of December (I know I'm spelling this wrong and Mal is going to give me a hard time, but I'm just too lazy to look it up). That sneaky guy was hiding all over the place playing games while we were sleeping. Madie didn't pay too much attention to him during the day, but looked forward to finding him in the morning. She was also very cautious about making sure none of us touched him so he didn't lose his magic.

Santa came to my Christmas work party this year, and stole the show again. Madie was still a bit freaked out by him and didn't want to get closer than a few feet to him. Finn on the other hand was happy to be plopped right onto his lap to admire his big white beard and the bell on the end of his hat.