Armchair napper

Henry hasn't napped at home in many, many weeks. He sleeps after lunch like clockwork both at his M-Th day care and at his Friday babysitter's. But on weekends, no dice. He will fall asleep if we really tire him out and then drive or take public transportation somewhere (yesterday this led to a hilarious nap, complete with unseemly loud snoring, in the optician's shop where Ken was picking out glasses), but don't even try getting him to lie down at home.
Today, we went nowhere. By 1pm I had fed him lunch but we were both still in our pajamas. So, remarkably, he did not object to the suggestion of a nap. Who was I to complain about his choice of location?

Making bread

Helping Ken knead bread.

Kneading his tummy?

Still more snow

This was last weekend, Jan 17. Our street.

Henry's stroller, earning its keep.

Playdate with Sean and Gretchen and Philip...

... and Veronica. The kids were thigh-deep in snow but gamely stayed out there for about half an hour.

Henry is sitting on my lap and just asked to "put in some letters." Here he goes: HHHWWWWWWWWWWWNN,,,,,,,,; oooooooooooooooooookids oooooooooooooooooooooooooo. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ice cream shop

Harvard Square, Sunday afternoon. Henry orders cherry ice cream, then pilfers freely from my hot chocolate also.

More snow

Another weekend, yet another blizzard. Ridiculous! Ken says he doesn't remember the last time he's shoveled so much. This is Mass Ave in the background - idyllic, no?

Our downstairs neighbors were planning to rent a car and drive down to DC for the inauguration festivities - envy them the trip, but definitely not the drive! Still, Henry seemed happier to be outside in it this time.

Experimenting with a snowball.

Taking a walk in Harvard Square.

Sledding at Waldo Park

After a lengthy battle we finally got the kid on a sled. He liked it well enough...

...especially the part where Ken fell off and they both went flying. Whee!

Getting a free ride back up the hill:

Going down with Mommy (who actually stayed on the sled).

Then he got some snow in his mitten and that was that: time to go home. Too bad, we were just getting started. But he's so small. Another mom who was sledding at the park with her kids said they hadn't started to enjoy it till they were older, like four or five.

Return of Mr. Fussypants

This has been the snowiest winter ever. (I think that's true -- although it's also only our first winter in Boston, after living in points south for long enough to forget what it's like in Chicago.) We returned from New Haven last weekend to a fresh powdery snowfall: prime sledding weather. Unfortunately, Henry did not like the idea of changing his striped pajama pants for snowpants and going outside. (He's averse to clothing in general.) So, here is the new improved Mr. Fussypants:

Hiding in a corner from his fate:

More Kidneybean pics

The Bean family has more photos of our brief, snowy visit last weekend (and many other cute pics besides) over on their Kidneybean blog: http://isaiahgrisha.blogspot.com/2009/01/pants-family-visits.html

Visit with Anya and Nick and... Isaiah

Quick visit to New Haven (last hurrah before classes start). Isaiah Grisha is five weeks old. Still not holding up his head (though he tries heroically) or sleeping more than three hours at a stretch, but already very human-looking and cute.

Ken was overjoyed at the chance to hold a newborn again.

But Henry, it must be said, was not interested in little Isaiah at all. Didn't want to hold him, touch him, notice the smallness of his toes, or anything. Preferred to pretend he was a fish and swim around in the "acquarium" under the table. Hmmm...

Making soup

Back home. Helping Mommy make bean soup.

He was actually pretty good at it.

New Year's Day

Back in Madison again (this was a very ambulatory vacation). On New Year's Day we visited with our friends Rob and Missy and their kids, Maya (7) and Augie (5).

We tried to go out for a walk -- freezing!

With Grandpa Ken

Back in Richland Center

Those hardy hens kept laying even as the thermometer dipped below zero (Farenheit!). Fresh eggs for us.

Hello, biddy!

Presents and pie

Helping deliver presents.

Cherry pie homemade by Roman's mom Lisa. (How's that for service?)

And an episode of "playing with Jess's iPhone." (I think three-year-olds get comfortable with these things way faster than grownups.)

In Madison

Uncle Joe did a great job entertaining Henry and his step-cousin, Roman (age 3.5). What a relief for all concerned to have another little kid around.