The Snowy Day! Finally there is snow in Switzerland. Strange... who knew I would be happy to see it? I guess I was actually disappointed that I might live in Switzerland for a year and not see snow! No worries... it is here today and it is cold, cold, cold. Now I am ready for the snow to melt and spring to arrive. Do you think I might have a short attention span? Anyway, Lili and I went out for a walk in the snow (just in the backyard). She didn't wear gloves... I wanted her to experience the cold and wet. She did. She did not like it on her hands. Maybe she will not fuss the next time I put mittens on her hands? Yeah. Well, she did enjoy walking in the snow... she loves to be outside anyway. We're just not building snowmen or making snow angels.

In case you are wondering about Lili's fashionable snow attire... the snow suit from REI was a gift from Tia Tanya and Uncle Scott. Her one of a kind wool hat/scarf combo were made with love by her dearest Ela (Edna Guerrero... who else?). We were most grateful to have both today!

Entertaining our busy little toddler when it is very cold outside takes some creativity. Here are two of my best efforts. Last night Lili painted the bath tub orange before we cleaned her up. I found a recipe for homemade finger paints using corn starch and water. It was great! She did some slipping and sliding in the tub, that was the down side, but she enjoyed the experience nonetheless. We'll try different colors this week.
I made Lili some unique blocks to play with. I took our recycled boxes from medicines, tootpaste, etc... and wrapped them in family photos. Then I put a final wrap of packing tape over each block. I also added a little extra sound effect by filling each box with something different (beans, pasta shells, foil balls, etc.). Lili loves to look at the pictures and shake the boxes. She's not stacking or building with them, but maybe she'll get there soon! She is especially fond of the block with India's photo. She points and says "woof" and tries to give it to India. I guess she thinks India should be so proud to be on the box! India wants nothing to do with it when Lili shoves it in her face. Go figure?

Magic Moment!

Yesterday Lili and I had a moment of magic. She had just woken up from a nap. Her warm little head snuggled up to my shoulder as we cuddled for a moment. Then she sat up and looked right at me and she said "Mommy" and her little face lit up. Then she snuggled right back into my shoulder. It was as if at that moment it dawned on her that she has one (a mommy) and I'm it, and it was like she suddenly realized "oh this is what that word means and this is how it feels to have one". She hasn't said it again and probably won't for a while. She says "mama and mom" when she wants me, but she said "mommy" in a different way. That was a moment I will never forget.