Keeping busy during snowy weather...

I have been trying hard to 2 things. 1. be a slightly better mom - you know, get creative with Henry.... rather then spend most of our snowed in days in front of the disney channel that Grandma Snow so graciously provides, and while I do think there is a lot of really adorable shows made for my sweet 3 year old, we really can only stand so much ya know.... and 2. I dont remember now what 2 was.... maybe I combined 1 & 2... anyway, here are some of the things we have done the last week or so....

Painting Snow- Henry LOVED this. We did it twice, and he spent a little over an hour in the tub painting the snow. It would be so much more fun outside, but we just didnt have it in us.... we brought snow in, and painted with colored water in a variety of water bottles.

We made playdough today! Sparkly Green and blue. I will never pay for playdough. Henry LOVED it.

On Sunday we made "fake" snow and put it in a 9x13 pan. Henry got his little tractors out and played in it for hours and hours during the week last week. He LOVED it. The recipe was just baking soda and white hair conditioner. Whodda thunk? 

Playing MORE catchup

Henry and I spent an afternoon making cupcakes one day. He had SO much fun! We made chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting (because you know I love anything peanut butter...) And yes, Henry has been asking for spiky hair quite a bit lately. 

Can you tell which ones Henry decorated and which ones mommy decorated?

We rode the train into SLC early in December to see the lights at Temple Square. As always they were beautiful and there is always something so peaceful about being on Temple grounds. 

Candy Windows are BACK! I remember these fondly as a child. They were in the ZCMI windows each year when I was little. I remember one year they did scenes from the Nutcracker all made out of candy. They were amazing. Well, they haven't been done in years, and to my surprise.... They were back this year! They were all ornaments and done very well. Excuse my poor quality pictures. It was VERY crowded that night.....

Baby Love

I haven't talked much about how Henry feels about the baby we are getting ready to welcome into our family. While it took him several weeks to even care, I believe he now understands he is going to have a sibling, and Henry has become the most affectionate little boy. It is so sweet. It started out small. His little kisses went from a quick peck when he wasnt even really looking at you, to puckering up those adorable little lips and layin' one on ya like he meant it! And of course now a kiss cant go without a hug, and a kiss and a hug for mom can't go without a kiss and a hug for baby. Henry LOVES to hug and kiss baby, and asks frequently "Mom, does the baby like hugs and kisses?" Followed by "Mom, does the baby like me?" And of course my answer to both is "Yes sweet boy. Baby ADORES you and your hugs and kisses." This happens SEVERAL times a day and I don't mind it one bit. Henry also wants to make I understand that he is  going to be a great helper and sharer. He seems to already know the routine. At least in theory.
Mom: Henry what do we do if the baby cries?
Henry: We rub the baby's back mom, or wrap the baby up if he's (somedays it's she) cold, or feed the baby, or MOM! I'll get you a new diaper. Maybe the baby needs a new diaper, or get the baby a toy mom. Or maybe he's tired.....
He seems to know all the answers, and I try to make it clear that yes, the baby will cry sometimes. I dont know yet, exactly how my little 3 year old will respond to our new addition and I actually believe that sharing his daddy is going to be his greatest trial when the big change happens, but I am sure he is going to be a wonderful brother, and we are trying not to wish away these next 5 months.
Henry also spends the day asking this question over, and over and over and over and over and over.... (well you get the idea) and over again
"Mom does the baby like ________________________" fill in the blank however you choose. It is often times whatever I am eating, or what Henry is playing with, or a color, or movie, or a cousin of his, or a treat.... Mostly I tell him the baby LOVES it, especially the veggies :) however it hasn't made Henry want to try anything new. Bummer.

View on Heaven
Henry recently lost his Grandpa Snow and mentions him often. Last night as we were on our way to the store he said "Dad, I miss Grandpa Snow" Josh mentioned that he missed him too. Henry then went one to explain that it was probably Grandpa's bedtime in Heaven, and Josh explained that he thought Grandpa might not get tired in Heaven and didn't need to sleep, and he was running and playing in Heaven. Well, Henry had a rather strong opinion about this and told his dad the following about his view on Heaven.
"No dad, they don't run in Heaven. They just walk in the offices quietly" When we asked about the offices and what Grandpa did there he just explained that you are quiet there, and push buttons on computers and work.
Hmm... okay? I thought.

Snowy Day

Have I mentioned in this blog yet how much of a Daddy's boy Henry is?  He LOVES to spend time with his daddy. It doesnt matter what he is doing, if Henry can help, in any small way he loves to. It snowed all day yesterday. Josh shoveled the driveway 3 times! 2 of which Henry assisted and mostly those 2 times were done just to occupy him.... What a good dad huh? He bundled the little man up twice so they could go work together. 

Henry and Grandpa

We are sad to announce that Henry lost his Grandpa Snow this week. He struggled for many years with several difficult health issues and we will all miss him dearly. We love you Grandpa Snow!

Henry LOVED to spend time with grandpa - No matter the activity

To read more about Grandpa Snow visit snow1snow2.blogspot.com

Big Brother

Look close.... 

A little closer......

Henry is excited to announce that he is going to be a big brother this spring! That is spring of 2013 - Not spring of 2012... Pregnancy brain I guess...

Halloween 2013

Henry greatly looked forward to Halloween this year. We picked out his costume a whole year ago, and he's been practicing his "Trick-or-treat" for weeks! 

Carving pumpkins with Aunt Jessica, and Uncle Cory, and Daddy while mommy made scones. 

Aunt Jessica's, Daddy and Henrys, Uncle Cory's, and Mommy's

Henry and Finn trick or treating at Daddy's work. Finn was a fire chief and Henry a 'flying' dragon - dragon shoes and all. 

We took Henry out this year for the first time. He LOVED this. It wasnt until his last 4 or 5 houses that he would walk all the way up to the door without dad and say loud enough for the neighbor to hear "trick or treat" So.... the nice mommy that I am I begged and pleaded with him to do just a few more houses because I thought his trick or treating was so sweet and so grown up. Love my sweet boy.