Lots of Winter Fun

The Minnesota Zoo

Charlotte and I went to the MN Zoo last week for the first time this winter. While we should have gone closer to 9am, we didn't arrive until 10:30a.m., of course, right?... when all the school groups arrived. That's something I'll have to remember the next time. Nonetheless we did have a great time. Charlotte really enjoyed looking at all of the animals...indoors indoors that is. I think her favorite part was looking at the dolphins and the big fish tank with the shark. She surprisingly stayed in her stroller most of the time, which for her age is pretty darn good. I was also glad to be able to get out of the house and do something different. While we have gone to the zoo in the past, this is the first time Charlotte's been able to understand much more and really get into it. Since she is about at the age of really enjoying the zoo for what it has to offer I decided we might as well get a membership. With the new baby arriving and all it will be really nice to give Charlotte an opportunity to run around and have something fun to do, even if it is just for an hour. That way we don't have to feel guilty if we're only there for an hour and Daddy can bring Charlotte and have some fun time without Mama and the new baby. Although I will make a concerted effort to have some fun Charlotte and Mama time with this new adjustment, which I must say I am a bit nervous for. I know that everyone says you adjust fine to having a new little addition it's just so unfathomable to me that I can love another child as much as I love Charlotte. I know it will all work out fine but now that I'm getting closer to the baby being born I'm starting to think about things I didn't think much about before. Lucky for me Charlotte does have such a good Daddy so she can feel just as important and get lots of attention still while Mama is going to be spending lots of time with the new baby Bellmont.

Sledding: Part 2 and some hockey

After our "Adventure" with our first sledding experience this year with Charlotte we have since realized that although she may not be a big fan of going down the big hill, she doesn't mind going down the small hill in the front yard. Lately though, Charlotte's favorite thing to do outside, which is pretty much every day, is to go for walks on the sled. Charlotte gets all ready in her snow gear, and I must admit she looks pretty darn classic all dressed up, and then she gets right on her tummy on the sled and rests her arms underneath her chin or chest and just enjoys the ride. It looks so cute and reminds me so much of being a little kid. It's funny you know, my bottom can barely fit between the sides of the sled and Charlotte can lay down comfortably and there is still plenty of room behind her and on the sides. It's funny to think that we were all that size at one time. Well, we go for walks around the neighborhood and look at all the Christmas decorations and Charlotte loves to point out the Christmas lights too. Sometimes she really gets into the walk and pretends she's in water and while on her tummy she puts her arms out as if she's in the water and moves her arms like she is swimming. When it works out, we bring the dogs with and they pull Charlotte and I on the sled. Their strengt actually puts me in awe, because honestly, I am not a small girl right now!

Also, we went to play hockey last Sunday at the local outdoor rink. Charlotte LOVES hockey and often plays with her dad in the driveway but this is the first time this year we have been able to get to the rink. Well of course, we weren't thinking that the night before it snowed so the rink would have to be cleared in the morning. Kevin and Charlotte got to skate a little bit (Charlotte on her boots...we'll have to get her first pair of skates next year) but it was pretty tough. She did enjoy Kevin pulling her around the rink on her sled. There are some good pics. of Charlotte and Kevin tossing the puck around but hopefully next time we go, probably this weekend, they'll be able to play more. At the end of our hockey trip I asked Kevin to do a slap shot because I'm always amazed at how fast and hard the puck is shot on slap shots. Well, Kevin gave it a try and because of the packed down snow there was too much resistance and he broke his stick right in half. Normally I would feel bad but being that he has about 10 more sticks in the garage it wasn't such a big deal.

After watching Charlotte and Kevin having fun and me standing on the side lines I realized how anxious I am do get to the end of this pregnancy. I've tried to stay active and do fun stuff but I'm realizing in this last week that my fun will have to be limited until the baby comes. And if any of you are counting, I have have 10 weeks and 4 days left!!!

Samson Family Christmas

The Christmas festivities ended withe a final event at my brother Michael's house in St. Paul. The house looked beautiful and he prepared a great German meal. I particularly like the speatzel. Charlotte had a lot of fun with her Samson cousins. She and Violet and Lydia all got these adorable nightgowns from Sarah and Ben. The cute jammies came with a princess wand and adorable sock/footsies. This Christmas was also fun and loud just like the Bellmont family Christmas. By the end of the day, all of our presents were open though I have to admit I felt a bit sad that Christmas has come and gone. We still have a fun package to open from Aunt Laney in North Carolina that is coming tomorrow. One thing that made Christmas much less stressful then normal is that I began shopping for gifts at the end of October and budgeted for gifts and made well thought out lists. How far I must say I've come because I typically begin Christmas shopping on the 20th of December and spend way more than I should.

One of the most fun parts about Christmas this year was that the Samson side of the family was gracious enough to give a family in need an incredible Christmas to remember. We went through an agency called Armful of Love, sponsored by the Community Action Council of Dakota and Scott counties. It was so much fun buying all the gifts and throwing in lots of surprises in there. The family consisted of a mother and 2 young kids and while their requests were incredibly modest we decided to surprise them by giving them way more than they asked for. I would have loved to see the family enjoy a well deserved Christmas but the anonymous part makes it all worth it as well.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so much fun. Charlotte woke up at an appropriate 6am hour. I could barely sleep that night. I was so excited for her to see what Santa got her for Christmas. As you can see there are a few before pictures and then after pictures. Santa got Charlotte a Kitchen set full with pots and pans and food and a grocery cart. Charlotte was taken a back by what she saw. She was so thrilled she forgot about eating and wanted nothing to do with breakfast. It was so fun to see her enjoy her kitchen and it has been a big hit thus far. It was certainly her favorite gift. Kevin and I also got open our Christmas stockings that Santa left for us. Kevin got lots of little stuff to get ready for work after working out and I got some great gift cards and yummy chocolate.