Snow Day

We got snow!  Two weeks ago we got snow dumped on us.  Enough for sledding and snowmen and snow boots.  The kids were stoked.  I looked at the weather and saw it was supposed to warm up in a couple of days and melt the stuff so I declared a snow day.  We went to a tiny local park and went sledding.  I have no pictures of the babies because they were not impressed.  They both went down a couple of times on my lap and then retreated to the van.  Ethan and Libby would have kept going forever but I was finally able to lure them home with the promise of a hot lunch.

The next day there was still snow!  They created a wonderful snowy friend.  Then they DESTROYED him.  Not sure what this says about my children - go to town, Freud.  Also, for the record, I did suggest Libby put on a coat but she assured me she was quite warm.  She is a little strange about wearing a coat.

Imagine our surprise when the next day there was still snow, plus a whole lot more.  Area schools were canceled because of slick roads.  The children rejoiced.  That is until I reminded them they already had a snow day.  They had difficulty grasping my argument that slick roads have no effect on their ability to do their math at the kitchen table.  We did put the babies on the sled and pull them over slick side streets on a quest for violin books.  Grace and Sam, Sam especially, made it quite clear they still weren't enamored of the snow.

This is the only white fluffy stuff they had any interest in playing in.

It's two weeks later and the snow is still hanging around.  It has been too cold to melt.  Today the temperature climbed to the teens and it felt like a tropical heat wave.  I secretly agreed with Ethan when he said, "I've had enough snow for the year.  I don't think I will wish for it next year, either."

Christmas Day!

 Hanging the stockings with care.

The children were told they couldn't get out of bed until 7:00.  Here we are at 7:00 plus one second.

 

What Santa had in store...

 

New dresses and a tambourine (and maracas, and a triangle, and clapper, and a...what was Santa thinking?).

The girls in their dresses.

Everyone willingly humoring mom with getting a Christmas photo (be sure and read the last sentence with the required amount of sarcasm).

Then we headed out to celebrate with Michael's family.  Grace with the elephant Grandma gave her.  She named it Matilda.

We finished up the day with my family.  Both the little ones fell asleep while we were there.  It was a long day.

Finally headed home.   My sister gave Grace a giant bear (save me from giant stuffed animals!).  She named it...Matilda.  She is so creative.  She has since changed the name of the bear and elephant.  They are both now named Maggie Jean.

 One quick tea party with the pretty new dishes and then it was off to bed. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

This Boy of Mine

This boy of mine has the audacity to keep getting bigger.  He is now nine years old.  That means we are half-way done raising him.  That is a truly scary thought.  How is it possible to make sure he knows what he needs before leaving home?  How can I prepare him for the world?  How can I teach him without nagging or lecturing?  Sigh.  Back to the birthday fun.

 

Ethan loves books.  He received the Percy Jackson series from us and lots of other books from his aunts and uncles.  He is constantly telling me what books to read and then I read them.  And I enjoy them.  I never thought I would be taking book recommendations from a nine year old.

 

He has been asking for an analog watch for over a year now and we finally found him one.  Rest assured the time is now reported every eight minutes or so.

Not pictured, but truly loved, is a compound bow his aunt got him.  He hasn't had a chance to shoot it yet as it is too cold to haul him out to the archery range.  Sometimes it's tough being a city kid.  What I wouldn't give to let him shoot out in a pasture or something.

Christmas Countdown

Putting up the tree: three weeks to go.

The ornaments are no longer so evenly spaced.  They are all clumped on the top third.  It's a good look.

The kids had to check the blog to see who's turn it was to put the angel on.  Libby also realized she was wearing the same shirt as last year.

Making gingerbread houses: two weeks to go.

Libby was kind enough to take pictures of the finished houses as I got distracted.  I didn't manage a single picture of the decorating process.

Everyone down with the flu: one week to go.

Hanging the stockings: just 12 more hours.

 And now all the children are tucked in their beds, ready for Christmas morning.

I'm a Princess!