Having fun with friends in Beaver Creek

What a fun weekend!  We were invited by our good friends Jen and Denny Fish to stay at their condo at the Westin in Beaver Creek.  The weekend was loaded with firsts and a few almost firsts...

Sophia had her 1st lesson of the 2012 season but she also had one last year.  This one was a bit different, she wasn't with anyone she knew for her lesson, including Henry.  She was (and is!) such a strong girl.  When we said good-bye, her lip was trembling...she was trying so hard to hold back the 'I-am-scared-tears' but she did it. Any if you are reading this post, you know me well enough that seeing her hold back her tears made me cry...  Only a couple though, no water works :)  Her lesson went from 9 until 3...long day!  At the end her instructor said that Sophia did a great job.  She accomplished almost everything for that level, she said she listened very well, followed instruction and was very engaged.  Way to go Sophia!

Henry had his first ski lesson ever and he did great too.  I was a bit worried as I would imagine that an all day ski lesson in all of that gear would tire a just-turned 3 year old out.  He too though was great.  His instructor said that he was a bit sad in the beginning but after a bit he found his way and also tried hard and was very engaged in the lesson, very impressive for his first time at such a young age.  Apparently he was hot though as when we went to spy on him, he was without his jacket. Way to go Henry!

First time for them both in a hot tub too which they l-o-v-e-d.  Who wouldn't?  

First time sleeping over with friends.  Sophia and her good friend Reiney were so excited to show each other their pj's and when they came running out of their rooms to show each, they were quite surprised to find that they were wearing the same hello kitty jammies!  Too funny.

Sophia ALMOST had her first sleep on a sofa.  The plan was that Reiney and Sophia were going to have a sleepover on the sofas one night.  Sophia nestled in, as did Reiney.  That lasted about 5 minutes.  Even though it was her idea :), Reiney wanted to go back to her mom and dad.  

It was the first time Cecil and I have been to, and stayed at the Westin in Beaver Creek and it was wonderful!  We had such a great time with our kiddies as well as our friends.  We need to make sure that we go up for family skiing more often.  And we both quickly realized that we cannot WAIT until we can all ski together.  So much fun!

Sophia holding back her tears as we leave her at ski school

 

True friends...they only then realized they had the same pj's!

Loving the long undies!

Happy Birthday Hen Hen...you are 3!

Dear Henry,

Your Dad and I cannot believe you are already 3!  It has been so much fun seeing you go from baby to 3 year old toddler.  

Well, let's just say that it is so much fun when... you are being that cute, fun and adorable little boy.  You have such a lively spirit, you enjoy your days.  You are not shy.  You enjoy people.  You are a ham.  You love to laugh and you love to make others laugh.  You are an incredible share-er for a 'just turned 3 year old'.  You care for other people and their feelings.  You are sensitive.  When you and Sophia are giggling and playing together it warms my heart beyond comprehension.

Now, to be clear, there are also days that you are not so much fun.  You are mischievous (see previous posts).  You seem to pick 'fights' a lot with your sister...I know you love Sophia and just want her attention :)  You have a lot of passion for how you feel.  And this passion goes both ways.  When you are happy, you are so happy!  But boy when you are mad or upset about something...you are crystal clear about how you feel.  No doubt.  You are an easy read my little man.

One seemingly wise grandmother noticed all of this at the school playground one morning and said something that made me have one of those those 'A-ha!' ...It went something like this, "Boy, if you can harness all of that energy, his passion and feelings, he is going to do great things in the future..."  Wow, what insight!  We believe you will do great things in future Henry.   

We love you little man...you are our dear Hen Hen.  Wishing you a wonderful and special 3rd birthday.  Hope you enjoyed your party at Little Monkey Business!  And we believe that yes, you will do great things in the future.

We found the perfect cake!

And who couldn't use the perfect fireman's costume?

Oh Maggie...the first girl to make Henry blush :)

 

Loved the cake!

Karthy and Sam...our friends.

Karthy is a robot and Sophia's class mascot.  Sam is a dog and Henry's class mascot.  Oh how the kiddies love their turn with Karthy and Sam!