The Cook Family

Ezra and I were lucky enough to participate in my friend Merrilee's Halloween Kids Crafternoon. (Ava had soccer practice, which she can't afford to miss :) You can see more pictures and fun craft ideas at her blog MerMag.

I've pretty much neglected this blog due to Instagram, but I'll try to be better about doing both.

Ava did a little bit of Pre-school last year, but this is her first day of her first year of full fledged pre-schooling. She is excited, she loves school.
Can you tell that I had 5 minutes to make this sign on my printer that is almost out of ink and then try to get it all together for a picture?

She also has her first day of soccer today! I practiced with her in the backyard and I think she could be pretty good at it! She has a good kick and good aim.

Today we went up to Uncle Bud & Aunt Linda's house in Park City to go sledding above the inversion. It was 15 degrees here and 40 degrees up there, beautiful clear blue skies, no smog. It was so warm we took off our coats. Ava was her adventurous self, willing to try just about anything. Ezra was a little more reserved but still enjoyed it as long as he didn't get snow in his face from me braking with my feet.


  
We sledded down a snow-packed road for probably 2 hours and had a blast with all the cousins and aunts and uncles. I quickly learned how to steer with my dragging hands. And it sure helps when you have a truck to give you a ride back up to the top every time! We could get going pretty fast on that packed snow, and it was lots of fun. (And no injuries!)

I've already mentioned how everyone says, "He's really active!" (Heard it again today). Add climbing to that and the possibilities for injury are endless.
Here he climbing up the sink to turn on the (hot) water all by himself. I turned down the water heater. He likes to mop with his new short handled Swiffer, so at least he helps clean up his own watery mess.

He climbs up anything and everything. And he will push a step stool or chair around so he can climb up to whatever he's after.
Last night in the car he opened his door as we were on the freeway! We have now turned on the child locks.
Last night he also climbed out of his crib, opened his door (got lucky there), and came flying down the stairs all excited and proud of himself. He climbed out of his crib 3 times, falling the 3rd time (at least I assume that's what that thud was). A few falls won't stop this guy though. So we put a child door knob lock thing on his door so he's at least stuck in his room, but what to do about the crib... Advice anyone? Should I move him to a bed now or is it better to keep him in the crib? Will he get bored of climbing out if it if he's just stuck in his room? Generally he's pretty good about just going to sleep and not fighting it, but I'm afraid this new ability might start to change things.
Did I mention that he loves boots? Loves them.

I tried and tried and tried to get just one family picture. Finally I gave up. So this is it for this year, just a card. Hopefully in the spring we can get some real family pictures done. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Ezra got a new puffy coat for playing in the snow, and Ava said, "It's his life jacket coat!" Ha! It is orange...