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.

Kids say the darnest things - Part III

Last night, I telling the kids that it was almost time to plant some of spring garden. Peas, onions, radishes and rhubarb can be planted outside. These germinate in low soil temperatures. Payton asked what germinate means.

I tried to describe how the seed opens up and a little bitty plant comes out of the seed.

Payton's response: 'Like poop comes out of your butt?'

No, Payton not quite....

Kids say the darnest things - Part II

On Wednesday, we were almost to school when Payton says, 'Mommy, I miss you. I don't want to go to school. Can I stay with you? I miss you! - and Ian'

Mommy's little heart melted.

'Payton, understand that if you stay with me today, you HAVE to go back to school tomorrow. And next year when you're in kindergarten, we can't do this.'

'Okay, Mommy. Can I stay with you today?'

'Alright, Payton. You can play hooky today.'

Huge grin across Payton's face. So we hang out on Wednesday. (I had to explain what hooky was - she seemed to understand.)

Thursday, Uncle John and Cousin Amy were passing through and we pick them up, and take them to the hospital to have breakfast with Scott. (which was a very nice visit, by the way) I told Payton that we would take her to school after breakfast.

On the way to school, Payton asked, 'Mommy, can I play hockey today?'

Hooky, Payton, not hockey ;)