Kites

Today we had lots of wind. Mommy got tired of being in the house, so we went to the dollar store.  I persuaded the kids to get kites.

It was a little gusty, so the kites would get up and fly for a little while and then crash. This was very frustrating for each child at one point or another.

Poor Ian

Poor Payton,

Go Ian!

Oh - it's just snow.

Yup, I think this was the 5th time that snow has hit us here in Winston-Salem. Wednesday, school was not cancelled or let out early - it was just a mere brush with the stuff. It melted as it hit the ground. But it was pretty to look at while it lasted.

Payton got to play out in it a little bit during school recess, but it was too wet to play in for too long.

Ian didn't really care much for it. It was almost like it was no big deal.

I thought it was pretty cool because I got to drive in it. I don't get to drive in snow much and this was probably one of the best conditions in which to do it.

All of that aside, we are really ready for all this snow business to be over with.

One day when we couldn't go outside, Payton and Ian decorated a 'stage' and put on their play. My prince and princess....

Spring?

I wish it was spring already. This weekend, a hint of it was in the air, even though there was still a little snow on the ground. The birds are starting to chirp bright and early in the mornings. The buds are visible on the trees. It was sunny and semi-warm - we didn't even need our coats to play outside.

The gardening expert in the paper that if the ground wasn't frozen, now was the time to plant some veggies outside! So Payton helped me plan and design the garden for the Spring. Payton's major contribution to the plan was a walking path right down the middle. We planted snow peas, carrots, broccoli,onions, spinach and some lettuce. We plan on planting some more lettuce and flowers when it gets a bit warmer. We also started some flower seeds indoors so that Payton can have her flower garden.

Ian just dug in the dirt, practiced he golf, and stole my garden hat. He looks a lot cuter in it than I do.

Kids say the darnest things - Part IV

We were getting ready for school one morning and Payton decides it's a good time to practice her ballet dancing. She's wearing her tutu, tries to get Ian in one as well (he declined), and asks me to turn on my musical jewelry box. I oblige and hear Payton giving Ian directions on how to dance. At the end of the dance Payton explains to Ian, 'OK, Ian, now you bow and I Pepsi.'
'What was that?' I call out.
'Ian bows and I Pepsi'
'No, Payton. Sweetie, you curtsy.'  :)

Valentine's Weekend

Scott gave me a fabulous Valentine's present this weekend - time. (ok, and some orchids which I hope I don't kill.)

He gave me Saturday afternoon AND evening off to go do whatever I wanted! Scott's been working long hours and weekends lately, so he knows that the kids have been driving me a little bananas. I went to Starbucks to read a book. When I lived in Phoenix, this time of year I would have gone for a hike on one of the mountain preserves right there in the city. Considering the snow from Friday night was still on the ground and all the hiking trails close to here would have been either covered in snow or muddy, I chose more city-fied things to do. After I finished my book, I went to the mall to wander. I found a sweet pair of lined jeans for only $10 at Eddie Bauer.This is the first pair I've ever owned. I don't even think they sell them in Corpus Christi. It never gets that cold there. (sigh)

After a hamburger, by myself! I picked up my friend Jill, and we saw the movie Avatar in 3D. The movie was great - action, romance, fantastical alien world with half-naked creatures - what's not to like. Special effects were cool. Only drawback was that the 3D glasses started pinching my nose. So, Saturday, was awesome.

But the weekend didn't stop there. Scott took the kids to Charlotte Sunday while I stayed at home! I decided to stay and do laundry, clean, take a nap, etc. Scott went to IKEA, the outlet mall, and Trader Joe's.  At the outlet mall, Scott spent some of his birthday money at the Lego store. He bought all kinds of Legos for the kids (and him). He wanted to get something that he and the kids could do together - isn't that sweet!

So, even though today (Monday) is rainy and dreary, I'm still basking in the glow of my wonderfully relaxing weekend :)

It's exactly what I needed - thanks sweetie!

WWE - Snow Again!

Well, we didn't get a foot of snow like Dallas did, but we were on the northern fringe of the last storm that barreled through the country. We got about 2.5 inches of snow last night.


It was beautiful, light flakes. They piled on the trees and bushes, but didn't stick too much to the road. But, it's still cold and wet enough that Scott and I won't venture out on the roads - at least this morning.

I went out before daylight - because I was up with the kids (of course). I really enjoy this time of day.

I made a big breakfast for us all. Daddy got his in bed.

And then the whole family ventured out.

There was just enough snow for Daddy and I to go sledding a couple of times. The kids, evidently as Payton said, 'are done sledding for the winter.' 

Babysitting Duty

Last night we watched our good friends kids - Samuel and Sarah. We traded off nights so that the Mommies and Daddies could have an adult night together. So this was our payback for a previous night out.

So Samuel and Sarah come over before dinner and the kids were SUPER EXCITED. It was pandemonium. (Jumping, yelling, running, laughing) X 4

I fixed meatballs, noodles, green beans and a fruit salad, knowing that there was at least one thing each kid would eat. I was trying to coax Sarah to eat some green beans.

 I asked her, 'Do you like green beans?'

Sarah: 'Uh-huh'

Me: 'Why don't you eat some?'

Sarah: 'Because we had green beans yesterday, and they're still in here.' As she points to her belly.

I guess she had already had her green beans for the week. So, I left it at that. At least she ate all her meatballs and most of her fruit.

The kids played instruments, ran around with tools, slid down the slide, and were all very good.

By about 7:30 pm they were all getting pretty tired. We rounded out the evening with a little bit of the Cars movie.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

This posting originated on Feb. 7 (Scott's actual birthday), but I didn't get around to it again till today.

Today is Scott's birthday. I won't mention how old he is because I'm turning the same age next....

We've already celebrated some by going out to eat at his favorite wing-place. The kids went to the dollar store and used their own money to buy him something. Payton picked out gummy bears - which she REALLY wants Daddy to share with her. Ian picked out black licorice.

Daddy has to work today, but hopefully he'll be home in time to watch the Super Bowl.

I made Scott his favorite foods - cheesecake, deviled eggs, pizza, and chicken wings. Hmmmm.

WWE Results

We dodged the bullet on this last WWE. We had a couple of inches of snow Friday morning, but then we just had cold rain the rest of the day. Scott went into the hospital Thursday night because he didn't want to brave the poor road conditions that were expected Friday morning. Scott had his grand rounds presentation based on his research, and he didn't want anything screwing that up. I don't blame him. I slept easier knowing he wouldn't have to worry about slipping off the road into a ditch Friday morning.

The snow Friday morning actually looked beautiful. It was very wet, so it stuck to everything. I took some pictures before the sun was officially up.

WWE

Well, this is the second week in a row that we have a Winter Weather Event (WWE) heading our way tonight. Most people are not looking forward to another one. The snow is great fun, but today was the first day this week that Forsyth County schools were in session - and they had a delayed start. This next storm is suppose to bring us a little snow, but it sounds like it's also going to be icy - yuck!

But, what can you do about it. I've stocked up on all the essentials. We have enough food, water and whatever to last us a month ;)

My favorite way to worry away the anticipation of such a weather even is to check the weather channel's website - often. It's become an addiction. The hour to hour forecasts are my favorite. They seem to updated hourly. How do I know this? Because I probably check it hourly.

I need to get over this weather addiction.

But, I don't think it's my fault. I grew up talking about the weather. I come from a family of farmers whose lively-hood depends upon the weather.

It doesn't help that I have a computer in my kitchen where I can check the weather as often as my little hear desires.

So we'll see what the night and morrow brings.....

In the meantime, here are some pics of the kids. Payton decided to jump around in her Halloween costume this afternoon. She convinced Ian to do the same. (This actually didn't take much convincing. Ian was an eager participant.) Even lion got involved.

Major Winter Weather Event!

I love how the meteorologists use this phrase - winter weather event - because it sounds all official. To us it meant - SNOW! (and a little freezing rain and sleet). We got 7 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday early. Then Saturday morning the sleet started for a couple of hours.

The first venture out didn't last very long because there still was some freezing precipitation stinging the little ones' faces. And it was just downright COLD. But in the afternoon, things calmed down and bit and we sled and played outside a while.

Payton had a great time sledding with Mommy and Daddy.

It took Ian a little while to get warmed up, but Daddy helped.

I shoveled some of the driveway - we had to leave a path for sledding. It was not fun. This time there was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice under the snow. And the snow was fluffly, but heavy because of the sleet layer. UH! I worked for at least an hour and I still didn't get all the ice off.