Snowman in our yard

There were a few really "big" snow days. It snowed so much that they closed school, cancelled every activity around the area, sent everybody off to the store beforehand to buy milk, bread and eggs. French toast must a favorite during snow storms :-)

We were usually not impacted by it that much - except closed schools. 

• Our driveway is not that big, so shoveling it free was good exercise. 
• We live close to the train station, so Ben could still walk to the  train and get to work. 
• Our fridge is usually pretty stocked. 
• So all we had to do was enjoy the snow and build a beautiful snowman in our front yard. He actually lasted for several weeks and the kids were really proud of him.

Finn and Lilly with our snowman in the front yard

Helping shovel the driveway

Beautiful morning sunrise from our kitchen window

Ice Skating on the pond

This year we had enough consecutive days well below freezing that ice skating was allowed on the pond down the street. The town department checked every day and then put out a sign if it is allowed to be on the pond or not.

The kids did not start ice skating yet this year, but we still had a fun time by the pond. We enjoyed walking around, watching the other kids skate and even played some ice hockey. 

The kids asked if they could skate - we will sign up next year! 

Right now we will get ready for summer and do some swimming :-)

Ice Cream in Winter

Even though Lilly was wearing hats, gloves and a snow suit for the past several months - she still had appetite for some ice cream.

Winter in Larchmont

Looking back at all these winter pictures makes me smile. The winter this year in NY was really cold and long. Everybody was complaining about it by the end - even me, the Austria Girl. But as it snowed a lot we also had some fun times. We built snowmen in our yards, went sledding at the golf course down the street and made snow angels. 

Thanks Oma for the great snow suits for Finn and Lilly. They kept them warm and dry!

In our backyard playing in the snow

At the golf course sledding 

Library Time

Our kids love books and they really enjoy going to the library. Especially if there is story time and we can meet up with friends.

On Thursday mornings they have story time for 3-5 year olds and we sometimes go there before school. We play first and read some books. Then we listen to the story time and do a craft afterwards. The only bad part is getting them to leave again :-)

Lilly with her friends giving us a puppet show at the library

Doing crafts after story time

Ski Weekend

Winter was not just bad - even though it was really cold and long. We also took advantage of all the snow we had and went skiing for a long weekend here in NY. After the kids had done ski school in Austria :-)

Ben had found a fun little motel to stay in Windham, NY - the Copper Kettle. We had a big room with 2 big beds. Breakfast was included and they had a lounge/ bar area where we could hang out. It was really nice with the kids: they had a toy box in one corner, a pool table in another corner and other kids from the motel running around. Unfortunately they did not serve dinner there - only wings and beer. We had some drinks there before and after dinner and went for some pizza nearby.

Skiing was actually really nice. We got there Friday night and went just straight to bed. On Saturday morning we had a spring like day: warm and nice weather. We skied at Hunter Mountain. The kids did great on the beginner slopes and the magic carpet. We even went on the chair lift with them. In between kids skiing and having snacks, Ben and I took turns doing some runs. The mountain is nice and great with kids.

We came back that night after dinner to see the fire and laser show and the fireworks. We stayed for a while, but the kids then got cold and we went home to bed.

On Sunday unfortunately it was really cold again and we skied some, but not as much as I had hoped. After our morning runs, we packed up and drove back home. With the kids taking naps in the car.

I thought it was a successful first ski weekend here in NY with the kids and I look forward to many more with them.

Trail map

Papa is the lift to the magic carpet

On the magic carpet

Our motel

Warming up by the fireplace in the lodge

Lots to see and do

Finn Pyjama Day at school

At the end of March, Finn had pajama day at school. They were allowed to wear their pjs to school. In the letter to the parents it had said that they were allowed to bring their favorite stuffed animals and that they would be allowed to wear slippers at school. 

Well, I think they were not prepared to see this that day. 

Finn is wearing his new dinosaur pjs from Tante Marion, his dino slippers from Oma and he brought his shark from Amy and Ampy.

Finn absolutely loved it!