The last of the Snow!!??!!

March is trying it's best to make up for the lack of snow in January!  While it's not been particularly cold, we've had 3-4 snow "storms" blow through, dropping enough snow and ice to fit in a couple of snow days!!

This snow hit on 3-3-23, but the picture was taken the next morning 3-4-23.  It was heavy snow and hard to move!!

The snow on 3-10-23 was much fluffier and easier to move!

It was so easy to move, in fact, that the kids played out in the snow as soon as we finished the chore!

A picture from Emily of a snow mermaid?

After William and Grace came in, Emily and Juliet built a massive 1/2 igloo/shelter.  Sadly, my phone died before I was able to get a better perspective picture (Grace took this one) but sadly, we didn't get out to get a better one.

I'm so glad that my children enjoy the snow.  When I was younger my Grandmother (from Massachusetts) always said that growing up with snow is wonderful for children, but as an adult she didn't miss it. = )

The daily temps have been in the 40s&50s so during spring break we're putting away the winter supplies, and fingers crossed we don't get any more snow that has to be moved! 

later days

sNoW DaY!!!

Our first snow day, as far as school being cancelled, happened the Monday after Thanksgiving break!

I was so glad we went on that milk run, when we woke to this:

Sadly, Billy was still expected to go in, so we said our goodbyes, as the snow continued to fall.

William volunteered to shovel the back patio deck, but he didn't get very far.

This picture is sometime after they all went out, and sometime before William knocked Emily in the face with a sled.  Poor girl had a bloody and busted lip.  And, she has another loose [baby] tooth now.

I took the time to shovel off the sidewalk and driveway, then came in for hot cocoa.

It was a heavy, sticky snow, which made it very hard to shovel.  It also stayed on the ground for at least a week before it started to melt.  It all kind of blends together, but we may still have a few small piles left from this snow! = 0  

Right now the grass is out, but we might have white Christmas yet.

later days

Mini Sledding Hill

School was out on Friday, because we had poor road conditions and 3 more days worth of snow coming at us.  It is quite literally the most snow I have ever seen in my life.

Friday Snow:

Saturday Snow:

Sunday Snow:

The truck is still there, just completely covered in snow.

So, Saturday, I spent some extra time outside after clearing our sidewalk/driveway for the second day in a row, and made a pile of snow off of the back deck, for the saucer sled we bought!

Grace was the first to try it out, but we didn't have a camera with us yesterday.  She had an excellent time.

Then, with even more snow overnight, the pile was fresh and ready to go for Emily and William!

I think Emily is the only one who truly enjoys the snow, and will suit up and go play in the cold. = )

Today I had to clear the walk/drive for a third day, and my arms and back are quite sore!  Luckily it's supposed to "warm up" this week.  While I think "warm" is a stretch, it'll be nice to have it climb above freezing for at least a couple of days. = )

later days

A challenge posted at the Twins' School

Last night, when my phone reminded me, I took William's library book out of his book bag and slipped it into his backpack (Emily read hers last night, so it was already by her backpack.) 

This morning, as we were packing up the big kids regular shoes, lunches, waters, etc. I noticed that his library book was not in his bag.  It was unlikely that anyone would have taken it out, since his bag had not moved, and we don't tend to have leisure time in the mornings.

I checked Emily's bag, Alice's bag, my computer, anywhere I thought I might have just set it "right quick," but could not find it.  Since all of the backpacks are in a row, I thought maybe I slipped it into Grace's but they had already left on the bus.

So, at drop off, I asked his teacher what time they went to the library.  I had about two hours to drive (in the snow) to the twins' school to check and see if it were in there and make it back.  [And if not, tear the house apart to find it.]

After a slow, and momentarily frightening trip, I was thankfully met with success.  I retrieved the book and headed back to my car.  On the way out, I found this sign:

Thanks for the "challenge" y'all, but this is an easy one: AEWGJ

Still, I thought I would take a moment and list 5 additional things that I am thankful for today.  Though, I might not make it a practice every day, but probably should.

1.  I am thankful that my husband works so hard everyday, so that I can be home and take care of the kids and household.  I love that I was able to do things like rectify my mistake with William's library book, so that he didn't have to miss out because of me.  Having time before the darkness falls to shovel and salt the sidewalk.  Being able to call to make appointments, even if they don't call me back.^  I am thankful that I get to be the one to get my Grace and Juliet off of the bus, and give my big kids giant hugs when they run out the door.

2. I am thankful for internet shopping, for all the many, many things I buy.  Specifically, it allows me to stay stuck in my ways and order the coffee that I've enjoyed for as long as I can remember, since I can order it from Louisiana and have it shipped to my door.*

3. Shutterfly helped make my day.  When I ordered my cards, I updated my address only to find that on the shipping receipt it was actually the billing address that I changed, not the shipping. = (  I followed my package as it travelled all the way to Waxahachie, and then sat.  I gave it a week (trying to patiently wait, but in a hurry to send out my cards so that people have our new address, and can send cards our way!) but there it sat at the College St. post office.  So I sent customer service an email, and they messaged me back that they were shipping out a reorder to my new address!

I am thankful that they were so accommodating, especially since tt was my fault, and most of my cards were purchased with pampers points.** It was unexpected, and greatly appreciated.

4. I am thankful for friends (near and far) who help make life a little better with pictures and memes and texts in the middle of the day.

5. I am thankful for Christmas and all that it brings.  For that baby in the manger who grew to show us all how to love.

I could go on and on, because I have so very, very much to be thankful for, but I will leave it at five for tonight.

later days

^Seriously. What is wrong with this state?  <- That is a loaded question.
*I know that there were ways of doing this before the internet, but I doubt any of them were as convenient.
**This was my final year to order with those points, since I no longer have diaper wearing babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Week

Last week was very exciting! In addition to celebrating Nikolausstiefel, we had our first snow of the season, and went to the skating rink fundraiser for the big kids' school.

Emily was showing off her new #holidayselfie shirt

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We had our very first snow of the season on Thursday.  The kids were thrilled, and it melted in the afternoon sun.

That night, we ventured back out to the school fundraiser at the roller rink.  Billy met us there, since it was along his commute path.  Since it had snowed earlier in the day, I think most people opted not to go.  Sarah said it was a zoo at their previous one, but we had no trouble parking or ordering the pizza special.

 

I'm almost certain it was the twins first time to skate, and they loved it.

J-G

William spent most of his time out on the floor with two of his friends from school.  I wasn't fast enough to snap a good picture.

I spent one of my twin-less hours making up a secret santa gift for our upcoming MOPs Party.  I used a brand new zipper, though the date on the packaging read 1960. = )

Finished product.

I had an opportunity to help settle an argument afar, by taking pictures of Alice's ears.  We still call her our little elf.

William's homework required him to lay on the floor and make the letter J with his whole body.  The big girls thought it would be fun to join him. = )

Avia brought Grace the McDonald's Hello Kitty teapot from Texas, and my little Hello Kitty super fan had a tea party on the stairs. = )

We got our second, much heavier, snow on Saturday, and Emily was dressed and out the door to play in the snow again. = )

I shoveled our sidewalk, for the first time in my life, and Emily helped me salt.  I did have to get out and drive in it, because Juliet had spent the night with Avia.  But it wasn't as horrible as I had imagined, since it was so late in the day the plows had done their work and the roads were mostly clear.

I'm not looking forward to more snow shoveling, but now that the wait is over (and our carport is working splendidly) I'm ready to buckle down for a long winter.

later days