February 7th

Today the highest temperature that my car registered was 33F.  We had a ton of snow last night, and when the plows came through (and we hadn't received the welcomed "school is cancelled" phone call) I woke up.  I had about 45 minutes before my alarm, so I shoveled the sidewalk and both driveways.

The sun did eventually come out and melted all the residual snow that I had left on the cement. = )  Then, after school we had would I would have called a "summer storm" but it was snow.  It was fast and hard, but blew over quickly.  Look at that dark sky!

I subbed for a third grade class this morning, but not Emily's.

I was almost finished with my half day job when the office called that they had Grace running a 101F fever. = (  This afternoon she partied and acted completely normal, but she crashed right before dinner and hasn't moved. = /

While Grace and I were home for the afternoon, I sorted through some games and books to part with and pulled out William's costume from 3 Halloweens ago that doesn't really fit anymore, but of course once it is seen in the pile, it is the most desired and beloved object in the world.

He looks pretty convincing if you ask me. = )  So, we're keeping it for 6 months, but if it doesn't see some use, it's gone.

For dinner I heated up leftovers from the week, and peeled some tart oranges as a side.

Grace still has 2 days left on her antibiotic, I hope she gets to feeling better.

later days

Halloween & First Snow

Halloween was celebrated over the course of several days, since the school celebrates it the Friday before and this year it fell on a Wednesday.

I bounced around for an hour or so between 4 classrooms, helping with costume changes and setting up for parties.

When they made an announcement to head outside, I waited in my nice warm car for my little ones to pass.

Grace declined my jacket when I offered it to her on the outbound path, but accepted it when she was on the return trip. brrrr!

After the parade were class parties.  I spent more time bouncing around, then hurriedly collected my crew for a quick run home for homework & dinner.  Then it was back to the fall fest once Billy got home!

Inside was just to exciting to pose for a picture.  They enjoyed the trick or treating, trips to the book fair and dancing in the dark. = )

Grace and Juliet might be a bit small for the favors they got from their party. = )

Alice decorated her pumpkin with the wooden/metal stick pieces.  Emily took a more classic approach and carved hers out.

For Halloween, they each got a glow stick for trick or treating, some robux and a new toothbrush.  And of course some seasonal cereal!

By the time we were heading out, it was raining/snowing. In October. Ew.

We left Billy on the porch to pass out candy, while we braved the weather with Abby and her family.

About halfway through the night, everyone was cold, and wet, and miserable.  We started to head back through all the tears and puddles. = (

So here it is, the first snow of the year, on Halloween night.

At least it went away quickly.

later days

Halloween Parade & Party

Yesterday, the big kids had their school Halloween parties!  The families were invited for the parade up and down the street, so the twins and I parked to watch the parade.  As I unloaded Grace, she indicated that she needed to use the restroom.  So, despite the fact that we had parked at the end of the road, we quickly headed for the school to use the facilities.

When we came out of the stall, a little girl took one look at the twins and said "they look just like Alice!"  Considering that Alice didn't even know we were in the building, it stands to reason that the twins bear a striking resemblance to their biggest sister. = )

We stopped in each of the big kid's rooms to say hello, and tell them where we were sitting on the parade route.

We then headed back to the car, where we waited, and waited and waited.  Then finally the big kids came down the path!

William was showing off his ninja moves:

Emily spotted us right away!

I practically had to chase down my dragon Alice, who was in her own little world.

Then, last night we headed back up to the school for trunk-or-treat and a dance, and dinner!

I didn't get a before picture, but they were some excited kids after all the events.  Being a kid during this season is the best!

The twins have their parade at school next week, so look forward to those pictures coming soon!

later days