SNOW DAYS

Because enough hasn’t been said about snow in the past few days…

Our story, however, doesn’t involve traveling in it, bearing it, enduring it. We have been cozied up in our cabin, enjoying a constant fire going in the wood stove, movies atop movies, and the occasional trek to the backyard for a snowball fight – only coming in when we can no longer feel our fingers, our cheeks have reached max rosiness, and Amelia has fallen no less than 36 times.

Zack has been off for a total of three school days now. Last week he had workshops of sorts, so he hasn’t seen his students in 8 days! We thought for sure he would be back at work today but I suppose its too cold and back roads are still icy. The ladies and I sure aren’t complaining!

Today involves projects and more projects, with a possible trip to grab some paint rollers. Right now I am typing by the fire, and can’t see myself moving too far in the near future!

Hope everyone else surrounded by snow gets to enjoy it a little before it goes (More coming this weekend!).

SNOW, FINALLY

Penelope has been begging for snow since summer ended. We just have a small amount barely covering the ground, but we couldn’t let it melt without playing in it! The girls didn’t even leave the deck. Too much excitement!

Amelia didn’t quite get what all the fuss was about, but followed Penelope’s lead despite her confusion.

It was too powdery for snowballs, so they just made snow piles  all over. I let the chickens out of the coop, but only one of them was brave enough to step away from the heat lamps. Black Beauty didn’t even bothered getting out of bed. It seems everyone but Penelope and the birds wanted to stay in bed all winter and wait for spring!

Zack, being a teacher, is desperately hoping for no snow days this year, but I could use a really good snow. A lets-go-build-a-snowman kind of snow. A snow ball fight snow. Just one.

OH, NOVEMBER

With the cold weather taking over and the daylight saying goodnight before supper each day, Zack and I are diving head first into hibernation mode. The girls on the other hand are sleeping less. I’m trying to convince them that sleep is good, but for the first time, their just not interested.

We’re coping with baking a heavy breakfast most mornings (2-3 hours earlier than we had been!), reading books by the fire until Mommy officially wakes up, yoga to warm up before activities (painting, television, games, and schoolwork), and keeping the girls in footy pajamas unless we leave the house – its so cold!!

Amelia and I have been cleaning the house and playing educational games on the iPad together.

Oh, and squeezing in some driving lessons!

The weather has kept the high in the 30s. Burr. I am increasingly grateful for the fall scenery in town. Thanks for sticking around beautiful leaves!

…aaaand,  we experienced the first snow of the season! It is very pretty, but way too cold for my liking.

With the weather getting in the teens at night (and a cat-hungry German Shepard hanging out in our yard all day), we have brought Black beauty inside. He is loving it!!

Penelope and Zack have caught a bug. I believe they are all better now, I am praying Amelia and I don’t get it next! It was hard enough to watch one baby throw up,  :(

November has been full of sickness for the Rogers’ house. Surely we’ve caught enough things that we can start to get well…right?

SNOW QUEEN

We have had quite a bit of snow fall this winter, but it rarely gets up to 30F, so Penelope just gets to look at it through the window. Saturday afternoon I decided to take her out to explore and get some fresh air.

She ate so much snow!!!

Okay, okay, you can tell by these photos, she only ate snow. ;) She was so sweet and funny. I love this lady so much.

JUNIE MOON’S + SNOW

Last Saturday we met Zack’s mom halfway for lunch…or brunch. We managed to sneak our visit in just before a big snow storm landed in our laps!

Grandma came prepared!! Toys, coloring books, sticker books, stick notes, a sweet jingly Christmas tree pen, lip gloss and two types of crayons! OH, and a Hello Kitty coin purse. Waiting for our food flew by!

Showing Grandma her “Sophia the First” watch. Full name required. ;)

Zack and I both chose the spinach + mushroom omelet and Shari and I split an order of pecan waffles. We really could have split a single pancake, as they were twice the size of the faces we were stuffing them into.  - but SO GOOD!

The girls split an order of blueberry pancakes. Can’t go wrong with blueberries!!

Sunday we woke up to a winter wonderland. We couldn’t see far since it was a blizzard, but once it cleared we were left with sparkles and long blue shadows. Worth it. Now if only we could raise these negative temperatures…

Most places we have over a foot of snow. Amelia’s swing filled to the brim within two hours. The pine tree (that is usually above of roof) is hanging down, nearly to the deck floor. Maple has to be forced to take potty breaks and has been taking shelter in the s l I g h t l y warmer living room. Zack is on his second snow day, and we should be getting more snow tomorrow I hear. He actually had to take a trip to “the big city” for some groceries and fire wood.

So cold.

Poor Mia has been bundled to the max, but still sports purple lips, hands and feet. We have been creating obstacle courses in the living room and running them to stay warm, and rotating that with movies from the safety of Mama’s warm…er bed. Ten blankets, ya’ll. Ten. Ten more on the couch, five on P’s bed and the best heater in there room. Making the best of this excuse to snuggle in bed with our ladies!!!

HUMP DAY

Well, it is Wednesday. I woke up with a determination to get. things. done.

I began by cleaning. Dashing from here to there with a certain swiftness, trying my darndest to carry a sense of calm about me all day. I usually wait until they are napping to get my cleaning done, but I was in a mood. You know the one.

Penelope wanted to help, and she did. She completed the mopping, the putting away of toys, the “can you crawl under the table and get that?” chores.

Amelia was asleep and P was feeling much better today, and she was already wearing her “Princess coat,” so I decided we should brave the forty degree chill and go exploring outside.

We gathered some pinecones and other goodies for her box. We will paint them later tonight with Daddy and she will put them to sleep in her special ‘treasure box’.

She trotted around on the snow with her hands behind her back – AGH! I could die from the amount of cuteness.

“Daddy would like this leaf!”

Our fun time outside ended with a trip on a rock and a large amount of screaming and crying. There is no sign of injury, I think it was more of a shock. Missouri doesn’t have dirt. It has rocks covered with grass.

…so much rock…

I sweep the bathroom floor. I exit the bathroom to put the broom away. I look up. Amelia is on the couch. I crumple my brow. “Did you help her?” I ask Penelope. “No, she did it all herself.”

I missed it.

…and that is why you should wait until your children are sound asleep before you clean your house.

If your child has yet to learn a skill – walking, crawling, climbing onto the couch, etc. – dangle an ipad just beyond there reach. Geeez.

Finally, just before lunch + naptime, we played the newly discovered spin-in-Grandpa Shelly’s-chair game until Amelia looked like she was going to get her breakfast on my newly vacuumed carpet.

We have Christmas crafts, leftovers, and possibly a dance party when Zack gets home.

Happy Hump Day!