Ice skating

This afternoon Piper and I went ice skating. It was her first time and the first time for me in almost ten years. It's amazing that I never went when we lived in New York. In any case, we had a fun time. It was a special parent/preschooler outing so there were cookies and hot chocolate. We skated for about 45 minutes. Piper didn't do too bad but she was tired and crabby near the end so I didn't get any smiley pictures. She did like it though. We'll have to try it again another time; maybe Rick could go with us.

Ready to go home

New arrival - our couch

Hooray! Today was a great day for the Johnsons. After waiting over six weeks we finally are in possession of a couch.

Here's a shot of it; sorry, it's not a great one. It's a Pottery Barn Greenwich couch in caramel brushed canvas.

I'm not sure about the furniture arrangement yet. I'm sure Rick will have somethiing to say about that when he gets home tomorrow.

Now we can all sit on the couch together. And have a place for guests to sit too.

Gingerbread house

Last week Piper and I made and decorated a gingerbread house. I think it was the first time that I had made the entire thing myself. I used my mom's tried-and-true recipes and pattern. I think that it turned out well. Piper enjoyed it too. She's been good about not eating the candy either. She's been really excited whenever someone comes over and she gets to show them the house.

The before shot


The after shot - a proud girl


Another after shot


The back of the house

Happy Anniversary!

Last week Rick and I celebrated our eighth anniversary. He was traveling so we exchanged gifts from a far. Rick sent me these beautiful flowers. Totally unexpected but just gorgeous. I had the hotel send him up half a dozen chocolate chip cookies. We then had a "virtual date," eating our respective dinners in front of the webcams. It was a fun night. Here's to eight and eighty more years together.

More dressing up

Piper found a pair of my pantyhose and put them on her head. I promise there was no coaching from me. It's surprising that she still looks so beautiful and put-together despite the hosiery dangling from her head.

Great Lakes Science Center

A few weeks ago Piper and I went to the Great Lakes Science Center. We had a fun time; Piper's favorite thing by far was the dressing up.

Eh batter, batter. Dressing up as a baseball player


Moo, moo



Snack time!

Folar Fress

Rick's office holds a kid's holiday party every year in addition to the adult one. This year the party was held on the Polar Express. These tickets are very coveted. Apparently you have to get them during the summer or you're out of luck. We watched the movie prior to the party so Piper would have some clue as to what was going on.

Piper was very excited to go on the train. So much so that ever since we've gone on it whenever she hears the train near our house she tells me, "Mommy, Folar Fress." That's Piper's pronunciation of Polar Express. It usually sounds like one word: folarfress.

It had been snowing all day on Saturday so the weather was very picturesque. The train left at 7pm. There were elves on the train that sang songs, read the Polar Express book, and handed out cookies and hot chocolate. All the kids on the train wore their pajamas. The train arrived at the "North Pole" around 7:45 where there were all sorts of elves, animals, and lights outside to entertain us while we waited for Santa to get on the train. Santa then came and gave every kid a bell, like in the book.

We arrived back at the train station at 9:15. Piper was out like a light in the car by 9:25.

What fun!

The tickets that were inadvertently forgotten at home. We still made it on the train.

Piper and me

Enjoying cookies and hot chocolate


Arriving at the "North Pole"


Santa giving Piper her bell. Do you like the snow boot/pajama combo?

Winter gear

Piper's new coat and boots came in the mail last week. She was pleased with both. The coat had looked more red in the catalog but apparently it's pink.

Visit with Santa

Piper's first introduction to the big man was a success.