We headed out to Wasilla on Saturday for what is becoming an annual tradition -- the March for Babies on the Finally Pure team (a friend here in Anchorage owns the company). We were expecting to wake up to blizzard conditions but we barely received a dusting. However, as we made it closer to the valley we found the rumored snow and some very slick roads. Thanks to 4wd and careful driving we were soon happily walking along the track and visiting with friends. Henry ended up heading home with close to a dozen helium balloons that were worth their weight in gold as far as he was concerned. I don't know if he learned anything about hair and static electricity, but he did learn to laugh as the balloon mysteriously kept following him through the house.



It's probably a little more precise than reading tea leaves. When Hank's appetite is high and his sleep length increases, you can bet he's getting ready to sprout another 1/16 of an inch. After a 2.5 hour nap Becky decided that despite the allure of a quiet house, enough was enough. She opened his windows and made some noise, only to still watch him peacefully sawing logs. She snapped a few pictures for the heck of it before really rousting him. The guy needs his sleep.

It always happens this way each year. The Iditarod begins, we enjoy the race as it progresses over the next 7-9 days, and then upon its conclusion we quickly declare that we are ready for spring. The weather will remain very much winter for the next 4+ weeks, but the increasing daylight is undeniable. Aside from that, things are just plain quiet around here.

Henry heads to toddler time at the Spenard Rec Center on some days and then the library for story time on others. He wants to hear stories as often as possible, enjoys coloring more and more, loves grabbing his jacket to accompany Daddy to the mailbox and trashcan, and has been introduced to finger paints.



Sorry for the sluggish posting lately, but our little home is busy being quiet, healthy, and happy.

This year's Iditarod plans were much lower key -- fewer attendees and no tailgating. We did a quick assessment of our gear, confirmed that Lesley and co. were in, and decided that a strategic attack with minimal gear was possible. I would carry Henry in the backpack and Becky would handle a small backpack with Hank snacks. We'd get there early as usual in order to snag the free, close parking, enjoy the first 20 or so mushers, and then hit the road before everyone else started to leave -- no traffic either way.

And that's the way it went. It was in the high 20's, very sunny, and Henry loved it. Granted, Henry was more interested in the news helicopters zipping around the lake, but he had a wonderful time seeing the dogs. He shouted "Go! Go!" at the dogs as the teams mushed by, so mission accomplished. A pretty day, a happy boy, and I got to wear my bunny boots.



Iditarod pictures here.