It’s cold outside and vacation was still a long way away, so Mina had to get her sillies out somehow. Dance party!
Actually there’s another explanation for the outfit. She loves these little tutus, but Yen has explained (repeatedly) that they’re too cold to wear during winter. So she manages this by just plopping them on over an entire outfit. Smart, right?
Linus looks impressed for sure!
It’s such a short distance from impressed to outraged.
And I don’t even know what is happening here!
Everyone, meet the newest member of the family, Picky Beans. Her name is NOT Hello Kitty. Mina says her name is Picky Beans because she only wants to eat beans. Also she sleeps in a little bed under Mina’s bed every night.
And here’s a plane!
I believe I’d told you that Mina picks out her own outfits very carefully each day. You can’t see it, but even the underwear is coordinated. Check out her new shoes! They match the legwarmers perfectly.
Mina is a mixed-media artist. She colors or paints a piece of paper, then she cuts it into a particular shape. Sometimes she then rolls it up and tapes it, and then presents it to the big winner.
Linus has become obsessed with chess. He’s actually quite good at it, I have to say. And yes, that’s a Star Trek chess set. I want you all to know that Yen brought that to our marriage.
Our Thanksgiving dinner spread! Note that sticky notes all over the wall as Linus practices phonics. And the cactus centerpiece was his addition. Not pictured: my box of wine.
I bought an old-school sweatband because… perimenopause. I’ll say no more. But Mina adopted it. She does look a lot better in it than I do.
Our mycologist chose king mushrooms at the grocery store, then wanted to have his photo taken with them.
Several, actually.
And Mina is a unicorn!
Whoa, it’s COLD outside! This is Mina just starting on a trek up Prospect Hill in Waltham.
Actually the trek was more of a run. We hiked all the way up (you’ll see the photos in a moment), and then ran back down. I have to admit the running was really fun. At one point I just started cracking up because it felt so good. What a weirdo.
Here we are at the top!
Guys! Stop walking on the ice! Stop it! Your shoes will get wet! Guys!
Huh? These shoes?
There are all manner of artifacts on the hill. I have no idea what they are, but Linus really enjoyed the tour.
Back at home, we warmed up with soup! It’s the easiest thing every, and the kids go crazy: broth, diced chicken, diced carrots, and pasta. They eat it three bowls at a time!
And then… the snow came. Why did winter come so early this year? I have a friend who is moving back to India next week, and he said, “Kate, I thought leaving before January would mean we’d miss the worst of it. What’s going on?” I wish I knew.
We woke one morning to a total of 11 inches! Doesn’t the house look nice in the snow?
Mina, that’s not what a sled is for…
I do love how bright the kids’ clothes are so they really stand out against the snow.
Whatever the weather, the kids have each other. And their animals. And the fireplace.
