Notes on January

::On the way to my birthday dinner out at a local restaurant.
Jameson: Mama, how old are you going to be on your birthday?
Me: 34.
J: Oh. Is that older than Alex?
M: Yes, it is definitely older than Alex. But not older than Daddy. He's much older.
J: Yeah, he's even older than Baba!
(Baba is Stefan's Mama, and nothing could convince Jameson that she--naturally--had to be older than Stefan)

::Jameson and I---and all his stuffed animals---had a sleep-over in front of the fire last night. Alex was off at a sleep-over with his friends, and Stefan was out late working on the rental property and visiting some of his friends. Jameson and I talked all week about "our evening" together and planned out every bit---from dinner by the fire through to all the blankets and pillows we'd need to sleep downstairs. My biggest delight in all of his was seeing his delight. In just a short time, cuddling with his Mama in front of the fire won't constitute the perfect Saturday evening. But for now, it was the perfect wintry evening for all us.

::We've had snow on the ground almost constantly in 2011. These Christmas mugs--presents from Uncle Mike and Aunt Jurate--are getting plenty of use as containers of the ever-important-nectar-of-cold-weather, hot chocolate. Stefan has helped the boys build up a small snowy hill down the steps on our deck, and it isn't uncommon that they pile on all their snow gear after dinner and head out for some extra sledding before bed. It also isn't uncommon that, in the same moment, I'm bundled under a few blankets or loading up the wood in the fireplace.