Snow Day Two and Three

Clearly I had no idea the gridlock our city would be in just a few short hours after I wrote my last post on Tuesday afternoon.  I have to admit I feel the teeniest bit guilty ranting about my wee 1 hour and 43 minute drive home after hearing what others went through.  I suppose it's all relative though.  It was certainly a traumatizing experience on my end and one I don't care to go through again.

However, the evening news and various other social media outlets did a fine job of putting my day into perspective.  Since then, I am happy to hear of all the families that have been safely reunited, the streets that are clearing, and the students and teachers who have finally made it home.  With that being said, I was mighty thankful to have my kiddos and hubby safe and snug at home with me.

I can't lie and say that snow day two and three were solely spent having joyous family bonding time.  There was certainly a lot of that intermittent with bouts of whining and complaining.  I heard a few, 'I'm so cold', 'my feet itch', 'mama mama mama', 'my clothes are wet', and the most impressive, 'I wish I were at school'.

But somewhere in between all of that we have had fun in the snow.

Jack was an absolute maniac on the sled.  Daddy walked him two hills over to play with school friends so sadly I missed out on a lot of it.  But I did get to view some great video footage.  There were definitely some helmet worthy moments.  Jack spent most of day two inside with "itching feet" which I finally concluded as a bit of frost bite.  {it appears we don't have the proper snow foot gear around here} He finally recovered and was able to enjoy the great outdoors once again.

My Maggie pulled a typical diva move.  She said in her sweetest sing song voice, "I would love to go outside when it stops snowing" {of course it had quit snowing, but there was still snow on the ground}.  After checking the window she, so nonchalantly, said, "it's still snowing, I don't want to go".  It seems she needs a lesson on verbage and weather.

But happily she did come around.  I've got many pictures and many many snow angels in my yard to prove it.

And then there is my dearest Lucy.  Anytime someone headed to the mudroom to robe themselves in snow gear you better believe Lucy was on their tail trying to do the same.  Any mention of the words 'play' or 'snow' and she has been at the door staring out the panes.  Lu most definitely has had her fair share of fun in the snow.  She has been in precious awe of it all.

Her favorite activities have included watching our snowman come to life and sledding down the hill in Mommy's arms {she was flying and giggling all the while}.  The only pitfall we've encountered with littlest Lu and the snow was her obstinance with mittens.  We've made several hand warming trips inside over the past couple of days.

When we haven't been playing in the snow {which has been often}, we've occupied ourselves with Lego building, Valentine goody assembly, more screen time than I care to admit, lots of wardrobe changes, reading books with Mommy, snuggles by the fire, several snacks and some whining and complaining {just keeping it real folks}.

With all of that, I must say, I do love a good old fashioned snow day.  And I just got word that tomorrow will be snow day number 4 for both Jack and Maggie.  Wish me luck.

Yes, she did choose a dress to play in the snow.

Should've Been A Snow Day

I have just completed my most hectic day of snow ever.  Normally I anticipate these days all winter long considering they are so few and far between.   But, normally {and appropriately} school and all other activities are canceled. 

So it started a little something like this, just a normal Tuesday...get Jack off to school, drop Maggie at pre-school, and take Lucy to music class.  The snow started falling on our way to music and Lu and I both admired it from the car window.  She was in sweet awe.  It was truly beautiful.

By the time Lucy and I headed out the music class door it was really falling.  My car did a little slippy slide in the parking lot {I was not expecting that so soon}.  So, I decided to pick Maggie up from school early and head home.  And I am so glad I did.  

Now here is when it got crazy.  Just trying to get to Mags was insane.   Lines of cars and fender benders everywhere.  My getting Maggie early turned into 20 minutes late. Lucy and I slipped in the parking lot {and not in the car this time}.  Still feeling the pain from that one.  

4 miles and one hour and 43 minutes later we made it home safely.  Yes, I watched the clock...and the ice all over the road and the spinning out of control cars to the left and right of me.  I must admit I'm not a seasoned snow driver, but I must also note that driving in weather related conditions rarely bothers me.  Well, this time it surely did. 

Let me draw you a mental picture.  Lucy is screaming bloody murder because she is nearly 2 hours over due for nap by this point, I am hitting ice every 50 feet and losing control of the car on the curviest road in the whole city, Maggie is repeatedly asking, "Mommy are we going to make it home?",  Elmo is singing 'la la la la la la la la' on DVD {it was all I could do to keep the girls at bay},  and all the while I'm getting calls, texts, and emails that Jack's school is being dismissed early.  

I prayed a lot.  And in between the prayers I would brace Maggie for an upcoming crash.  It went something like this, "Maggie I don't want you to get scared but our car is about to hit that {fill in the blank with tree, fire hydrant, bumper, etc}, but we are going very slow and we will be just fine.  Mommy loves you"  Then I prayed some more.

More than once I hit the nav button to see exactly how many miles we were from home.  When we got down to 1.2, I was certain that I could park my rig on the side of the road and walk these girls home.  Maggie talked me out of it.

And thankfully with the help of our guardian angel {whom we prayed out loud to several times} we made it home safely.

I have never been so happy to see my driveway in my entire life and boy was I tempted to call  both of my kid's schools and give them my thoughts on what I think, "should've been a snow day".  What were they thinking?

So the majority of my day was spent looking at this in front of me {compliments of Maggie and the iphone}

And these sweet things behind me {snowman get up and all}.

And although that was the bulk of my day and the bulk of my stress, getting home and seeing Lucy experience snow for the first time, Maggie taste snow flakes on her tongue, and knowing Jack was home safely {via a gracious neighbor who actually had to walk the boys home after parking her car}, I was finally at peace and ready to enjoy the gift of snow.

And now that those fools at the county office have come to their senses and called for a real snow day tomorrow, I plan to enjoy the day the with my kids...OUT of the car and IN the snow.

100th Day

Jack celebrated his 100th day of school today.  The week preceding this much anticipated celebration, was spent working on his project.

As I've had to learn to do, I relinquished all control, set him up at the game table with supplies and let him go to town.

And look at this beaut!  And without a bit of my type A input.  The best part {for me anyway} is that proud boy peering over the top.

I have to admit I was mighty excited about that "cold day" when school got canceled earlier in the month.  This meant the 100th day was moved from a Friday to a Monday and Momma was free to volunteer.

I manned the "Race to 100" game.  Jack, so lovingly, chose me as his first center stop.  I was mighty flattered considering many of the other stations involved food.  That's true love if you ask me.

I was able to grab a few photos of Jack at his other 100 Day stops while my game crews switched out.

Per the request of Ms.S, I had the honors of taking the obligatory 100 Day class picture.  I have to say those K kids did look smarter today.

Especially this one...

100 days smarter and 100 days closer to summer vacation...woo hoo!

A Few Of My Fave

Oh my stars! Andrea Wood sent me the completed CD with Lucy's recent walking session and there are three hundred plus images.

Such a blessing, but what a curse.  I have so many to choose from {which I love}, but I'm finding myself nit picking every single detail.  Mostly myself and sometimes the kiddos.  It goes like this...oh, that one is great, but you can see my wrinkles {ugh}, or Lucy is looking the wrong way, or Maggie is clenching her teeth, or the worse yet...I have a grey hair showing.  By the way, when did that happen?

All in all, I am over the moon with the final images.  Andrea is so incredibly talented.  What a gift I wish I had.  But, how will I ever choose the final shots that make our photo wall.

So, that being said, here are a few of my fave {today anyway}.

I'm gushing over here just looking at them again.  Sweet children.  {Only I really know all the odds that were stacked against us that day}  Happy none of it showed {i.e snotty noses, muddy pants}

Here's to Lucy walking! xoxo beautiful baby girl