Things I have learned so far this year: You cannot be cool and drive a mini van; a mini van is no good at making donuts in the snow; Audrey is too smart for her own good; and Alex is growing up. Perhaps everyone knew these things. I always assumed number one to be true but I never thought it would be me - go figure.

The picture provided today is of Audrey after she fell in the snow and could not get up because of her "A Christmas Story" outerwear. Please let it be known that I did not take the picture while my daughter was having difficulty righting herself. It was her father. That's right, I said it. He took pictures of her misery. Poor kid. She loves the snow. She actually ran from her daddy as he tried to get her back inside as it was very cold out. Well, run may not be an accurate description but you get the picture. Alex loved the snow until he thought of playing Super Mario Galaxy and snow got in his glove.

Alex is a lot like his dad. In fact, today they are both still in bed sawing logs while Audrey and I are up and about. My good parenting skills are showing through as I update this blog (finally) and Audrey is watching a movie. But in my defense, she is watching a very educational movie about letters and the sounds they make. It is pretty much the only movie that she will sit still through the entire thing. She doesn't sit still much at all. AND she requested the "moobie". So that should have me covered in a court of law.

Alex is excited about the new baby (oh, for those of you who don't know - no. 3 is on the way). He is adamant about it being a new, little baby brother for him to teach how to crawl. A brother - not a sister. I think Audrey has ruined that for him. Before we were expecting he would talk about wanting another brother and sister, mostly a sister. But as Audrey grows into herself he is rethinking the sister route and praying for a brother. He says his name will be either Abraham or Isaac and he will be a boy lizard. For those of you who take exception to either of those names don't worry, it won't be either.

Audrey, on the other hand, doesn't grasp the baby thing just yet. I am sure she will as things progress but for now she is content to carry her naked doll baby upside down through the house, telling it she loves it. Now, there are those days when she will use her shopping cart to chauffeur the baby but even then the poor, naked baby sits on its head. I guess it is a good thing we have until August to improve her mothering skills.

Audrey turns 2 the end of this month and Alex turns 4 eight days later. Every time we go into a store they pick out toys for their birthdays. I can put them off now since their birthdays are so close but what happens after that?! We are combining their birthdays this year. Having two birthday parties two separate weekends is a little much for me. So this year Audrey will have a dinosaur party and next year Alex will have a princess party. It's only fair that they trade off. I am just kidding - we are working it out.

So let's see - 0, 2, & 4. I am not sure I can do it but at this point that isn't an option. I am enjoying the first two so this LAST one should be the same! The movie is to the letter Z...