Snow Day #5

Well, it was our FIFTH snow day this winter!  Crazy!  Some of those "snow days" have actually been "cold days" where the temps and wind chills are just too low for the safety of kids and families.  We're talking temp -25, windchill -45.  YIKES.  And yes, this was almost the last straw!  I'm getting tired of the interruption to routine.  I sure don't mind getting to spend the day with all the kids (I love it!), but it just kinda messes with everybody's mojo I think.

Tons of snow.  Again.

But this time, we were able to get out in it because the temps weren't too bad!  The masks I got the kids for Christmas were so perfect for this winter!  Helps with those super cold days!!

Logan did some school work at home today (unintentionally).  They have been working on triangles and pyramids and we had just been talking about the day prior when Logan made this and explained it all to me.  I love Montessori for this reason!  Teaching him such great foundational skills to build on.

The boys got to have some Kindle time - a real treat!!

We made sure to do art, bake, and have a special movie...because otherwise Mama might go crazy!!

OLYMPICS!

I decided at the last minute that we should have an Olympic party!  The Olympics started last week and we've been watching pretty diligently, so now that we're into the swing of it, we created our own little Olympic events for the night:

One event was cleaning up before dinner, then the kids got a "medal" (sticker!) for that.  After dinner, we got pjs on and then they got another medal.  Then the main event was decorating Olympic Torch cupcakes!  These are some real winners!!

We had a few more events, like jumping on the trampoline and singing the National Anthem!  It was a fun night!  And a good reminder to me that it doesn't have to take a lot of time and planning to make a fun and special night!

Super BOWL Sunday!

We had a fun Superbowl Sunday!  We typically host 11th and 12th graders at our house for a campaigners-style small group on Sunday evenings.  Its usually around 6-10 kids and we meet after our kids are in bed...usually.  Once in a while, we don't get the kids to sleep in time and then its a but chaotic, but our kids love being able to see the "big kids" when they come.  I always bake cookies, so that's an extra bonus if our kids are awake for one!  For Superbowl Sunday this week, we knew the students would want to watch the game with family or friends, so we opted for our own SuperBOWL party at the bowling alley after church.  Our kids had a great time and it was fun to do something different with the group!

Bowling brothers

Eden had a ramp and she LOVED being a part of the action!!

Then after bowling, we had a special visitor: PAPA!  My mom was away for the week, so we invited Papa over for snacks, pizza and Super Bowl watching!  He came with some treats and goodies for the kids, so they were extra pumped!

Eden is Papa's girl...

and she has him wrapped around her finger!  Look at this scene: Eden directed Papa to lay down with her blanket and a birthday cake on his tummy.  Oh Eden...  Papa was sure a good sport!

We made some flags to cheer on the Broncos and the Seahawks!

Bennett chose the Seahawks and Eden chose the Broncos.  Logan asked for his flag to be double sided (fair-weather fan: if one team was losing, he could switch!).

Before the game was over, we got pjs on and said goodbye to Papa.  It wasn't a very exciting game, so it wasn't too hard to go to bed early.  Thanks for joining us Papa!!  We love you!

Beach Day!

Bennett had BEACH DAY at school this week!  I think we ALL need beach day this year...its been a long, cold winter!  We aren't heading south at all this year, so we would certainly be ready for a break from the cold!  But, at least Bennett got to pretend and wear his swim gear today!

He was wearing a full get-up: life jacket, swim hat, sunglasses at drop off!!  ;)

Its a sign of how far he has come in the last year: at beach day last year, he wore jeans and a long sleeved shirt and refused to change into any beach attire.  This year, he was ready to go!!

January 2014...brrrrr!

All I can really say its that its been a crazy month!!  My parents went to Mexico (jealous!), John went to Colorado, we started watching our friend Emma two days a week, and we had almost every day this month below ZERO temps.  Not kidding.  Its been pretty rough and kinda depressing.  We've been trying to stay positive and we've been keeping busy indoors.  Logan has had a few snow days and several "cold days" because of the -35/-45 wind chills.  Like I said: brrrrrrr!

The boys were playing a hockey game in the living room and Eden and I were instructed to be the audience!!

Nana tries to visit us once a week!  So thankful for that!

Cutest load of laundry ever.

Making silly faces to send to Daddy!!

This girl is growing too fast!  I can't believe she will soon be 2!

Seriously...is this Alaska or something?  I put the kids in the bath a couple times just to warm up!

Teeth are falling out at record pace!

Little Emma and Little Mommy Eden

Logan skiis XC again this year and LOVES it!

Bedtime booktime is a favorite everyday.

Playing with Emma

Bennett is quite the artist this year and I love his imagination so much!

More tennis lessons this winter (because we have to keep moving somehow!)

Eden gets some time on the iPad so I could have a shower at night...don't judge me!

Taking a nap with Jessie

Logan's first love note from a friend at school!  Complete with phone number!

The boys had a night out so the girls had a night "in'!  Eden was super excited for popcorn!

We celebrated Benny's 1/2 birthday at school so then I got to stay for part of his class.  He is a super champ at school this year!

Eden choosing her books.  "I choose bookees, mama"

Play-doh and painting today!!

Bedtime snuggles

I will hold my kids whenever I have the chance.  These moments are fleeting.

We had a couple sick days...we're not often sick (a blessing!) but we've had a couple strings of yuck come through the house this year.

So, we are FREEZING, but we are surviving!!  Ready for warmer temps so we could at least maybe play in the SNOW!

Bring it on 2014!

Happy New Year!  We had a great New Years Eve with a trip to the Children's Museum where we made our annual New Years hats.  We celebrated with a fun dinner and some ice cream sundaes.

And some baking to bring in the New Year today!  Welcome 2014!