Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Snowin' and Growin'



We stayed in a little cabin along the south shore of Lake Tahoe with some of Lucas’ family last week. There was a leisurely drive around the lake with my sister-in-law Zoe, stopping at every thrift store my eagle eye spotted along the way (our favorite was Pass It On Thrift in Tahoe City where I made my one and only find, a gift-to-be, which I unfortunately can‘t tell you about).

We stopped at Sand Harbor where I took a peaceful walk along a beautiful little boardwalk trail loop, winding along the lake through trees and amazing snow covered boulders before ending with a view of the picturesque cove in the first photo.


We experienced the spectacular view of Emerald Bay on a clear sunny day. Clover experienced snow for the first time.

Tracks

Made friends with the most perfect snowman I’ve ever seen. This jolly fella was just steps from the front door of our cabin. Built by previous inhabitants, presumably professional snowman builders.

Our cozy cabin’s big window looked right out at Mr. Happy Snowman with the lake and snowy mountains as his backdrop. It was an incredible view changing drastically from hour to hour and day to day as the light and weather shifted.


Speaking of weather we experienced it all, from fog to sun to snow to rain. On the day that it rained, the sun would peak out from the clouds leaving a gorgeous full rainbow going across the lake. There was even one evening when, as the sun was descending, the mountains off in the distance actually glowed PINK against the darkening sky.

We were also lucky to be in awesome company (love my in-laws), with whom we ate really wonderful meals and played several hilarious and spirited games of Apples to Apples when we weren’t group crossword puzzle solving on Sam’s Nook, ah, the wonders of modern technology.

Ok, so now that I‘ve shown you the pretty pictures and emphasized the positives, I’m gonna level with y’all… this trip was not all rainbows and stunning views… let’s just say three-year-olds can be really tough to deal with, yes, even cute little snow bunnies who like to dress up as adorable characters non-stop.

Clover’s been going through a very clingy phase with me lately, rejecting anyone and everyone (including papa, poor guy) who tries to help out. Grumpy, demanding, super sensitive. It’s true what they say about the “terrible twos” being a myth, it’s the “terrible threes” that are no joke.

Of course it didn’t help that she was sick for part of the trip either. Yeah, so, it ended up being a rough week in which I was surrounded by a winter wonderland that I couldn’t really enjoy, save for the that drive around the lake that Clover slept during most of. Not much relaxation to be had for this mama.

I spent the weekend trying to get back into a normal routine with her, recovering from our “vacation” and she’s actually mellowed out quite a bit since we’ve been home. I think she's going through one of her developmental growth spurts where she gets overwhelmed and it takes her a little while to get used to her newly expanded way of seeing and experiencing the world. That's my take on it anyway.

Mouse 'n Boots

The day after we got home she was off to the hardware store with her papa dressed like a ballerina mouse... and somehow all the exhaustion and frustration seemed pretty worthwhile ;)

P.S. If you're interested, outfit details and a larger view of me and my pal the snowman can be found here.

29 comments:

Milla said...

Clingy moods and colds not withstanding you guys look adorable as always. I'm sorry your getaway was less than relaxing, but I'm glad you're able to look at in a measured, positive light all the same. You're one awesome Momma. Plus extra bonus points to Lucas for taking his daughter to the hardware store. If I had had a papa I sure wish he'd have done that with me. A surefire way to make a self-sufficient gal.

Huuuuugs! Ps. am so freakin' jealous of the snow.

Zohar said...

What a beautif- too bad you didn't enjoy it as much. But you look great :)

And lol at your little ballerina mouse - she always has the best outfits.

Franca said...

It's a shame you could not make the most of your trip, the pictures look amazing! I'm sure she'll be great soon, love the bellerina mouse outfit!

Alexa said...

Those growin' babies are a handful! At least you were able to take some glorious shots, even if you couldn't take full advantage. Take my breath away! And Clover in her mouse ballerina in the hardware store, love that image.

Tera said...

What gorgeous photos, oh what a wonderful place to be too!

I love the one of clover with the rainbow behind her and then reading about the tantrums :> She is so cute though and I'm sorry if I giggle when I read about her giving you a hard time, it's just that she is so cute.

I love your mittens!!!!

Crystal Lee said...

Wow! Tahoe looks beautiful in winter. I haven't been there yet, but I'd like to one day. That truly is a perfect snowman. Clover looks adorable as a ballerina mouse. What a great imagination she has. I'm sure she'll be less clingy soon. Maybe, if you put her in a kid's camp for a weekend or something? Good luck.

Violet Folklore said...

Oh Missa, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see images of you and Clover in my dear beloved hometown heart space. I almost cried (must be that moon thing...)

Do you guys ever go there in the summertime? I'd love to meet up if you do.

Speaking of... let's definitely bring some of our girls' favorite dress up clothes next month, they will have a ball frolicking around like the little elves they are :-)

I am so glad to hear that Clover is mellowing a bit. Being on vacation AND being sick AND being three years old is a sure recipe for clinginess. Here's to you relaxing and taking some breathing space...

Anna said...

Looks beautiful! That rainbow picture is incredible. For a second I thought you had photoshopped it in...
Your mousie ballerina is adorable!

Cel said...

I've never seen mountains in real life, those views look fantastic. How did Clover like snow for the first time?

Jeanette said...

I love Clover's great imagination & dress up capabilities! She is adorable, and quite like every other child going through her developemental stages. Angelina Ballerina not withstanding....she's so stinkin cute! I've enjoyed your blog & thrifty outfit posts for quite sometime now. Thanks!

sally said...

Oh, little Clover! I was so clingy with my mom when I was little too! She says I would hold her leg as she walked and never let go. It's a 2 and 3 year old thing, I guess. I am sure she will grow out of it over time, and it's good that she is getting out with Lucas when she can. When my stepson was 3 it was our most challenging time with him thusfar. Logic still hasn't really hit 'em yet at that age. :) Good thing they are so cute!!

Tahoe looks incredible. I hope to make it there someday -- I can't believe I have never properly been! That rainbow is epic! ;)

flaming hag folkwear said...

My kids still go through go through similar periods of growth that result in moodiness like that, even at 8 and 10. I guess it never ends...until puberty. Gotta love parenting ;)

Glad that you were able to savor a couple moments of the trip, though. And it is nice to see the happy little mouse (angelina ballerina, is that you?) settling back into her routine.

Thrifted Treasure said...

Wow, that looks stunning!!! I would love to visit there someday. I know what you mean about terrible threes, my youngest turned 3 in November and my God the tantrums some days!! Aaaargh!

Bethany Kellen of bunnypicnic said...

while i've never had kids, i've babysat and have three younger siblings so i can understand.
but the trip was still very pretty looking. that snowman is amazing! and i love your gloves!

Teeny said...

okay here is what i have to say...in caps because i am going crazy. I CAN RELATE. I HAVE A MS 3. WHO IS DRIVING ME NUTS. LOOKING INTO DAYCARE OPTIONS. NUFF SAID. (she is also going through separation anxiety stage) And what pretty darling photos of the snow.

bonfire of my vanity said...

ooooh, girl. i feel your pain. travelling with kids can be so hard, especially when they are that age, and my kid always needs to be retrained after spending time with his grandparents and living on vacation schedule. it's normal, you don't have to send her back. my oldest is 4 years now and is suddenly AN ANGEL, so there is hope for clover, yet! now the baby is entering that stage. sigh.

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

oh goodness. My little ones are pretty clingy, mainly the little one so I feel for you. This is the most amazingly beautiful place I think I've ever seen. I want to go there. hehe.

anne said...

such a winter wonderland! absolutely gorgeous photos.

as for the little fellas...i hear ya one terrible 3's. of course shane has been clingy since he was born. our friend has been saying for about a year, "just give it 6 more months, he'll mellow out". now it's just a joke between us:D i guess it's all part of being a mama. lots of sacrifice! your doing great :D

MOUSEVOX VINTAGE said...

Oh, wow. Tahoe is always so stunning. I'll be there at the end of February and these pictures have me even more excited than I already am!

Mrs. Habit said...

Missa,
As friend to Anne & Nicky, I've been a silent, sporatic follower and love every post I've caught of yours. This, however, is beyond belief. These photos look like something from the movie Narnia (which we recently watched and is fresh in my mind) Breathtaking indeed. And little Clover, in spite of her new tantrums, is too cute for words in that ballerina/mouse get up. Ahh, I need a daughter!

Missa said...

Thanks so much ladies for the compliments and encouragements!

Bonus points to Jeanette and Nicole for guessing Clover's actual character too... she was indeed trying to be Angelina Ballerina!

Cel: Clover had mixed reactions toward the snow, I think she liked it but was also a bit freaked out by it. She didn't like sinking into it when she walked, she did however, love eating it! I think in another year or so she'll love playing in it, but she's not quite there yet.

moonshinejunkyard said...

awww missa, how did i miss this??? i've been wondering about your tahoe adventures; it truly looked beautiful while you were there and i hope you caught some snatches of fun at least while she was sleeping ;) poor little dear, i am sure you are right and it was all just a bit much for her. vacations do crazy things to children. can't wait to meet all of you in real life and meanwhile may the rainbows keep shinin on you! that photo of clover on the pier with the rainbow is blowing my mind.

Nicky said...

This is SO lovely!!! I was cracking up over that bigger-than-you snowman!! Professionals indeed! Tahoe looks amazing with that snow and rainbows out over the water! Looks like a dreamy get away spot!

X said...

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Brittney said...

oh, every family needs a ballerina mouse. so glad you have yours. and i love your plaid skirt. like, really love it.
-brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com (my daily outfit blog; come on by if you'd like)

Artfully Awear said...

The photo with the rainbow is incredible! This looks like such a beautiful place, and your little girl is darling! I'm following your blog :)

Rachele said...

your photos are incredible! I've only been to Lake Tahoe once in the summer months but thoroughly enjoyed it. It's beautiful.

xx
rachele

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

You're so beautiful dear Missa.