February 29th, Michigan Nordic Fire Festival

The actual highest temperature that we saw today was 35F.  That was 2 degrees higher than the estimate, which was nice, since we spent approximately four hours outside at the Viking fest!  We saw no precipitation, but lots of sunshine!

Before we left, Juliet dressed up like her doll, Blaire.

Alice tried to crash the photo.

We left around 9:15, stopping for breakfast at the Potterville McDonalds.

This year we opted to park across the street versus taking the shuttle, and I'm split on whether or not it was an improvement.  We were not waiting in the cold for the bus, but it was muddy and snowy and busy in the park, plus we had to cross a busy street.  We'll see how we feel next year, since both have their drawbacks.

They have improved so much since last year!  This year there were four tents, a trailer ticket booth, more port-a-potty groups and food everywhere!

Everyone loved their capes!  I wore mine for a short while, but having the backpack on my stomach was uncomfortable, so I switched to my coat fairly quickly.

Billy, Alice and I tried out the axe throwing.  Alice was the only one who actually landed a 'stuck' axe!

Mine kind of stuck, then fell.  This was before I lost my gloves. = (

William found the warm spot:

Each of our children had $10 to spend as they saw fit.  William picked a hammer of Thor.  He was happy to show off his skills. = )

Face painting was a little more themed this year.

Alice picked a fox tail, and was excited to show it off.

Emily passed on the face painting and sword fighting.

After three hours in the cold, we were all ready to go. = )

We stopped at Dairy queen for hotdogs and hamburgers, but my memory was faulty* and they don't serve hamburgers (or chicken tenders) at the Michigan Dairy Queens. = 0  So, we settled for some hot dogs and nachos, and then went to Wendy's for those who weren't yet fed.

After walking around in the snow (and mud) for hours, all of our cloaks needed a good washing.  For the most part we just spent a relaxing evening home.

For dinner we had a crock pot beef, potato and carrot meal.  It smelled divine when we walked in the door!

later days

*our first year up here my mom and I went to the Dairy Queen in Charlotte** for some chicken tenders and white gravy because I wanted a taste of home so bad, but all they had were hamburgers and hot dogs and lots and lots of ice cream. = (

**Because the other Dairy Queen I know of in Lansing closes for the winter season.  It is strictly an ice cream place.

January 20th

Today the expected high was 25F.  It was bitterly cold all day long. Our thermostat is set to a low 63F during weekdays (since it's usually just me and I'm not usually home) and it kept kicking on! = 0  The unheated mudroom has frost formed on the windows.

I got up with Billy this morning, so I had almost an hour to myself before the kids woke up!  While I was out shoveling the snow that fell overnight, they were getting ready and knocking out their piano practice time.

I finished around 9 am, and from that point on it was a rush to try to get out the door.  Michigan doesn't do early, so if you can make it anywhere before 10, there are fewer people and it is just a more enjoyable experience. = )  Sadly, we were loaded and had just passed the village limit when Grace reminded me that we were going to take in her glasses, and they were still hanging on our door. = (

So, 20 minutes behind schedule we arrived at sam's right at 10am.  There was no wait for gas, and inside wasn't too bad.  The longer we were there though, the worse it became.  Grace whined the entire way through the store because I wouldn't let her ride in the baby seat.  The other four were wonderful!

They brought quarters for the gumball machine and I treated everyone to their very own soda.  This is one of their favorite things about Sam's.  Alice was a tremendous help in pushing carts and unloading the groceries into the car.  She also put away the flatbed for me.

We stopped by the bank, then the eyeglasses shop.  Grace's glasses were still under warranty, so she's getting a new pair and her old ones are taped up for the time being.

At home we had a bucket brigade going to unload the car, since I did not clear the driveway by the mudroom.  It took very little time, and soon we were all inside warming up.  Emily helped me put things away inside.

For lunch we ate the rotisserie chicken the kids picked out. = )

Emily and Grace brave the cold and played in the backyard for about an hour!  They had plenty of snow to traipse through. = )

The afternoon flew by, but I did finish the ties on Grace & Juliet's capes. They are loving them so far.  Grace keeps saying "I'm a wizard!"  They also enjoy spinning in them and fluttering the sides like wings.

When taking Grace's picture, I realized that she didn't have her glasses.  When  I asked her where they were, she said her jacket pocket.  Sadly, they were no longer there.  So, the two of us went out to find them in the yard, in the dark.  Luckily, we were able to trace their tracks from earlier and found them within the first minute.

 
Cold glasses!

For dinner we had some chicken and cheese tacos, with oranges.

It was a pleasant day, and I'm at least a little rested before we head back to the normal routine tomorrow.

later days

January 18th

Today was a very snowy 37F degree day!  I started my morning with the snowplow and shovel, clearing 6-8 inches of snow out of the way, while the trees sprinkled water on my head.

Billy braved the cold and roads to pick up some pizza for lunch.

Sarah bought the bag that I wanted for Emily's cape, for twice what I would have paid for it (hmm.) I added the clasp to Emily's cover.  I also found out that Netflix updated on my tablet and is no longer working . = (  So, I was watching supernatural on my phone while I worked.

After the snow and lunch and sewing, I took a nap.  = )

When I got up it was time for chores (laundry, dishes, and other) and making up dinner.  I heated up leftovers for everyone to pick.

It was absolutely the best kind of slow Saturday!

later days

January 16th

The high today was 31F and we hit it before we woke up this morning. = (  The trend was steadily downward, and the light 'mist' we would have had were tiny snowflakes almost all day.  The wind was particularly cold.

I had a letter to drop in the mailbox. Since I was already in the parking lot, I went by Carl's and bought Billy some of the ice cream sandwiches he's been after.

After dropping off my little ones, I came home to sew.  Sadly, I had a notification from Alice's teacher that their library day was moved up to today, so I grabbed all the library books to bring up.  Alice, Grace and Juliet all went today.  Sadly, William's schedule did not fit into the move, so he did not go today.

I started with Alice's cape.  Her fabric sewed like a dream!  I was able to put decorative stitching on the hems and had more than enough fabric to work with.  Then I started on mine.

I fought the velour fabric for hours...……..  it is so strange, it managed to shrink and stretch on each piece.  ugh.  It came out a little smaller than I would have liked, but the fabric is just sooooooooo pretty, I really do love it!  Here's a before picture of the first piece on top of one of the original Pottery Barn Teen curtains:

When the kids came home they were excited to try on their capes and by all the goodies that Aunt Rocky brought over.

I still need to make Grace and Juliet some capes, and Billy if I can find the fabric!

Juliet was super excited to show me her library book when she got home. It has a picture of a butt in it, which is hilarious when you are 5. lol.

For dinner we had spaghetti and meatballs.

After dinner I took out the trash, and worked on the ties of my cape.  I am waiting until Sunday before procuring the strap for Emily and I need to find some gold colored D rings for Alice's.  So as of right now only mine and William's are finished products.

We also added some songs to our summer playlist.  = )

later days