Back at the cottage for my (early) birthday weekend. Where else would I go for my birthday? I'm a simple man. Grandpa cleared a rink and a little loop for us. Theo just wanted dig in the snow. Meanwhile Meadow and I went cross country skiing on the Anvil Ski Trail. Meadow said she would only go with me if we did a trail with hills. We hiked this a few years ago and it was quite hilly.  She was an old pro on the hills while I wiped out.  We didn't make it too far as Meadow complained her boots were too tight. I made her check the fit a few weeks ago and she claimed they were fine... Was a beautiful trail in the Nicolet National Forest.

It's ice skating season, but that doesn't mean we spent the whole weekend out on the backyard rink. During the week Meadow and I got a chance to rollerblade at the Vikings stadium. She's way faster than me. I thought it would be like ice skating, it is but also not. I thought I didn't do too bad having not skated in 20 years.  The kids are back into doing crafts again. Theo claimed the potholder loom too hard so Meadow took over. 

Somehow we never made Christmas cookies this December. So the kids and Brooke made 'em in January instead. Theo reminded me this week that we never made Christmas cookies this year. I brought out all our cookie cutters and let them pick whatever shape they wanted.  I'm glad I did a half recipe. Theo rarely lays on the couch like this. I should have noticed his odd behavior.  I made waffles for breakfast, a true rarity these days, since Brooke took over weekend breakfasts.

Every once and a while Theo remembers I got them Switch Sports as a reward. No one ever wants to play as a family. 😭 I was out late the night before and feeling it this morning. It must be time to go to a random Hennepin County Library. I can only be lazy for so long.  This return pile is small compared to normal. We also needed to get Theo a helmet for skating, so even I tagged along.

After our stop in Dunbar for lunch, we drove the last hour to Three Lakes for Northwood New Year's Eve.  When we arrived we were greeted by Rudolph.  I love the addition to the Christmas decor this year. It was time for Second Christmas after all.   Grandpa must like playing with fire. Theo will not lose even if he lost. Deer pancakes for our first morning at the cottage. At least for Theo. The rest of us just got plain old pancakes. I'm not sure why, but they're always better when Grandpa makes them. I recently read that you should take a 30 minute walk after eating. Scott and I didn't bother getting dressed and headed outside. That was just my sister talking, but oddly I think it makes my reflux worse.    Another New Years with no snow. There was a tiny bit in the shade. Theo got to cut down the tree this year.