Snowed In

This has certainly been the week for ice and snow. I must admit that during weeks like this when Rod talks about how he had to drive to work going 10 miles an hour and he’s been getting in late every day, I am glad that I don’t have to drive out in it. The down side to not driving in the ice and snow is being stuck at home. Leah’s school was cancelled on both Tuesday and today. She did have dance on Tuesday night, but we’ve been in the house since. It’s supposed to be really cold out today, (not that I have been out) but I think that I may get the kids bundled up and let them run off some pent up energy.

In order to keep themselves entertained the kids have been getting into everything that they can around the house. The favorite thing these days is to get all of their pillows and blankets off their beds and throw them down the stairs. I wasn’t sure why I was always finding their bedding on the steps, but then I saw them jumping off the steps into them. It does make going up and down the steps very interesting for me especially when I am carrying Alissa. They also like to take their time bringing them back up the steps when I tell them that they need their bedding for nap time.

In order to pass the time, the TV has been on with cartoons more than normal too. Yesterday after the ice storm the satellite wasn’t working. Luckily, I was still able to get the local channels through the antenna, but after I got tired of listening to Barney on PBS, I decided to go out and chip the ice off of the satellite dish and it began working again. Caleb did enjoy Barney and he sat in his new favorite TV watching seat. For some reason, Caleb thinks that sitting in Alissa’s excersaucer is a great way to watch TV. To me, it looks very uncomfortable, but apparently not for him.

Alissa started saying uh-oh and she is enjoying all the attention she is getting from it. It is so cute when she says it and she always gets a reaction. She is also keeping herself busy chasing after the bigger kids and getting into things that she’s not supposed to like mommy’s plants when mommy’s not looking. (Don’t worry, Alexis, they aren’t your plants, I have them up high protected from all the hazards of this home).

The good news is that Leah and Rod never did come down with the sickness that Caleb and I had. We think that Alissa had a touch of it, but nothing too bad.

Last week I held up my end of the bargain and took the kids outside to play. I, of course, picked the day that it was 50 degrees to take them all out. By the time I got everyone dressed, including myself and everyone out the door, Alissa had already had about enough. However, since she wasn’t included in the first snow outing pictures, I figure that I would post a couple of pictures from her first snow outing.

Alissa wasn't so happy with her outfit. I think she felt trapped, but she decided later it wasn't so bad.

Alissa had to make a snow angel too. It was the cutest little angel!

Alissa's favorite part was a snowball. She thought it was very nice to eat, but she started crying when her hand started to get cold. She refused to put it down and when I took it away she was really mad.

Leah and Caleb found that the slide was super fast with snow pants on. They loved it!

Thankful for Daddy and Snow

The snow started falling on Wednesday and the kids wanted to go out in it all weekend. It was just way to cold outside for them to go out or for the parents to go out. After we got home from church on Sunday, the kids got out of the van and wanted to go right into the snow. We told them that they could go out after lunch.

Cabin fever had really been setting in around here. Leah and Caleb had been fighting all the time. No matter what the other one had, they each wanted the exact same thing. It didn’t help that Rod had been working late in the evenings at the end of last week. Daddy really helps them unwind by planning rough with them. I was about at my wits end with all the fighting so it was good that they were able to have the time outside.

Rod and the kids got all bundled up and headed out. This is why I have titled thankful for daddy and snow because he is much more willing than I am to trounce around in the snow. Of course, someone had to stay in the nice warm house with Alissa who was sleeping.

The first thing on the kids agenda was to make snow angels, so they all laid in the snow and made beautiful snow angels, even Rod. Caleb refused to lay his head back in the snow so he made a headless angel, but he was still very proud!

Next it was time for the building of the snowman, but the snow was to dry and wouldn’t stick together to make a ball. Rod decided to get a bucket out and pack the snow in like you do sand. It worked great and the kids loved filling the buckets over and over again. The snowman is pretty small, but he’s the perfect size for them.

It was so funny to watch Leah and Caleb. They just loved rolling around and crawling in the snow. Leah decided to scoot on her butt down the small hill beside our house. I guess it’s about time I buy a sled!

After Rod got the side walk cleared, he decided it was time for a snowball fight. By this time, Alissa woke up and we stood and watched out the window. They had so much fun getting daddy and he was very into the snow ball fight as well.

Finally it was time to come in. Neither Leah nor Caleb wanted to come in, but their faces were so red and Leah didn’t have boots. We’ll have to have another play time in the snow soon and Rod says that I have to go out next time! We’ll also have to let Alissa see what it’s all about next time.