Snow-venture

Who knew we'd get to have another big adventure so soon? Thanks to our snow days we got to go back into DC, and take Grandma F with us! This time we headed to the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. The kids have been to the big one near Dulles several times, but never this one. They were in with no problem when I said the word "Metro." They would go anywhere on that thing! 

Off we go! It was coooold and windy - brrrr!

They took the exhibits quite seriously at first. 

Then they were pilots for a bit...

The highlight for them was definitely the planetarium. It was one of those moments when you get to see pure awe on a child's face and it was awesome. The show was about stars and they loved it. Logan kept leaning over and saying, "Mommy, this is the coolest thing ever!" They learned lots too and have been reminding me all weekend that stars are billions of years old. 

They're pretty much ready for space flight! 

Because, you know, my nerves can totally handle having one of my children be an astronaut. Totally. 

Thankful on Thursday

We are thankful for ONE big thing this week. A very, very special friend of ours got super sick during the blizzard, and it was very scary for them for a bit. I can't even imagine. So, we are so thankful that he is home and starting to be on the mend. 

We are thankful that other friends have heat! 

And we are thankful that the blizzard is done. I love a good snow day, but the scariness of the blizzard, the complete inability to get anywhere in an emergency, the power/heat questions...not my favorite. 

Happy almost Friday! 

Jump Ropes, Questions, and Dances, oh my!

Guess what?!?! We are never going back to school! At least not until next week. Insanity I tell you! But, we will take it!

In the meantime, a heads up that Logan is participating in Jump Rope for Heart at school. This is a fundraiser for The American Heart Association and is very important to us because so many people in our family have been affected by heart disease. School does one fundraiser a year, but this is a separate one...and the last one of the year, promise! If you'd like to help him reach his goal, just follow this link! 

http://jumphoops2016maa.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1143412&u=1143412-431921229&e=8686327636

In other news, here's what my children had to say about me in the question quiz that's going around Facebook. I ask them the questions, no prompting, I just type their response. 

Some of them are adorable, some are hilarious! 

These two...always adorable (and hilarious)!

What, Cinderella and her prince don't have balls on a regular basis in your living room? 

Snowzilla Day 476

That's totally what it feels like. I'm a bit over it. 

I mean, we haven't had school since last Wednesday. After tomorrow that makes 4 snow days, plus the weekend. I'm good! I prefer my snow days spread out some. But I really doubt we're going back to school Wednesday because this is what my school looks like today: 

Yep. Snow. Totally unplowed, 2 feet of snow. Courtesy of a Facebook friend who took her kids sledding there today (best hills ever onto our playground). Maaaaybe Thursday? 

But never fear! We are oh so productive here! 

There was of course more crazy luge activity. 

They found a baby sled for Aubrey and I nearly had a heart attack but I let her do it. 

Fearless. She is fearless. Giggles the whole way, even after one run when she flew out of the sled onto her face. 

Then I tried to get a cute snow picture. Hahahahaha!

Torture.

Then they got to watch a movie this afternoon while I did this:

Yep. There was about 20 inches of snow covering my deck. Because I was supposed to keep up with it, and I did for the first 4-6 inches. Then I tried and it was so windy and awful that I gave up when Peter said it would be fine. So today I decided we better not risk the weight anymore and I cleared the whole deck. Really ridiculously hard. 

When I took the kids back outside in the afternoon I started shoveling again and became determined. Look! 

I made a path! Note to self. Next time, when clearing driveway, DO NOT pile 5 feet of snow on top of the spot where the walkway probably is. I mean, I still had to move 2 feet from the rest, but the 5 was rough! 

And I started on this beast...

Not a huge deal because we can get the van in and out, but it has to be done! 

Oh, and for fun we practiced French braiding Aubrey's hair. I still can't do it, but I'm getting closer! 

Tonight Aubrey has started with an awful cough, so fingers crossed everybody gets some sleep and that passes quickly. Because coughs are my least favorite thing ever. 

We'll see what mischief we get into tomorrow! 

Snow Coaster

Whew, loooooong day. Bit we managed to have some fun! Look what our neighbors created! 

http://youtu.be/NlY5DBY9VaA

So.Awesome. And terrifying. I thought I might puke when they were going down the stairs. But they loved it - back at it tomorrow! School is closed Monday and Tuesday! We are going nowhere - no plow since 2pm yesterday. We got about 26 inches total. Insanity!

Snwozilla 2016, Day 1

In pictures, because I am exhausted! 

At that point we had maybe 3 inches. I shoveled. I shoveled again. I did the deck. And now? Probably 9 inches out there and you can't tell I touched it. Pretty much insanity here. 

So thankful for a warm house, lots of food, and good neighbors! 

We continue to wait and see if we really get 2 feet of snow.....

Thankful on Thursday

- Um, I think I'm thankful for snowdays? I'm a little scared of what's coming honestly.

- Food. We have lots and lots of food. And 3.5 gallons of milk. Stuff is getting real up in here people. 

- My dad for having a grocery store par-tay with me today!

- My mom for watching the children during said party, which made it a lot easier, and definitely more fun for the kiddos! 

Um, ready or not? I'm making one more trip out tomorrow because well, we are going to be stuck a long time. So I'm going to Target to try to get some "fun" for the kids. And to school to get my laptop to enter grades, how fun is that? Home by 11am, ready for the blizzard!

Jump for Joy!

Schools closed tomorrow - completely unexpected! 

Those are from Sunday...but clearly we were just practicing for doing our happy jumping dances! 

The Status of Sleep

Isn't it funny how much sleep talk has happened here over the years? I figured it was time for an update. 

1- Totclocks are awesome and I worship them and will do an infomercial for them. 

2- When you think sleep is good, it always changes. Always.

But my favorite new sleep update is this..

Yes, that is both of them sleeping in Aubrey's bed on Friday night. It worked so well, it was priceless! 

Then Saturday Peter made a big promise and I thought he was crazy and may have cursed him under my breath (because I have to do the bedtime stuff, I have to get it all ready, I have to deal with the disaster if it doesn't work...but he got to make their faces light up and right now that is a fabulous thing for him!). 

They slept in Logan's room...in the tent.

How adorable is that? And the Totclock is so spectacular that Aubrey had to have it in the tent with her. Love that thing! 

We also had this awesome sleep moment when Aubrey said, "Mommy I need to take a nap on your tummy before we go to Target" on Sunday and...she actually fell asleep. The child never naps anymore at home. 

It was beyond fabulous and snuggly

And now, we are enjoying this awesome excitement!!!

Why yes, 24 inches of snow...sure, why not?

Bonus, 2 hour delay tomorrow because of frigid wind chills! Way to start the work week!

Thankful on Thursday

- Laughter: Aubrey said the funniest thing ever at dinner tonight. Totally inappropriate but hilarious. Haven't seen Peter laugh that hard in a long time and it was perfection!

- School: My class isn't perfect, but the difference in how my mind and body feel after school this year versus last year is crazy. So, so much better!

- Girlfriends: Girls Night Out this weekend! So needed and cannot wait!

- Time: Three day weekend! Yay!

- Help: It was my mom's turn today to come in and help in my room and make copies and she was awesome! Bonus, she got to have lunch with a certain cute kindergartener!

Happy almost Friday!

Karate Kid

Over the summer Logan started mentioning he wanted to do Tae Kwon Do. I told him we'd check it out after soccer. Then he went to a Tae Kwon Do birthday party in the fall and was hooked. So we finally made our way to some trial lessons this week! 

He went to the first lesson, and at that lesson the teacher told him he needed to memorize a pledge to get his white belt. We worked hard on it, he did great, and today he got his first belt! 

He also got to break a board, because, well...awesome of course. 

Then, the belt!

He is so excited, and we are excited about him becoming more confident and trying a new activity!

If your keeping count now we're at Tae Kwon Do for 2 nights a week, swim for one night (both kids), and ballet on Saturdays. We'll get back to soccer in the spring, then swim team in summer. It is a little crazy, but I love letting them try things and get to experience new things. And they love them all right now, so we're going for it! 

Tiny Dancer

It was a weekend of firsts! Aubrey had her first dance class and Logan had his first Tae Kwon Do class. We are giving it all a go people!

We decided to just to dance class at the rec center to see how she liked t before committing to a year long class. I think it's fair to say it was a hit! The class only had 4 kids in it, but oh my goodness it was so cute! 

And, for your viewing pleasure...a video!!!

http://youtu.be/hG6LiqVXXss

Tap has always been my favorite, so it was so fun to watch her give it a try! She did say her favorite part was when they got to run in the circle. And tap. And spinning. And the story. So...I think it was a hit! PS - I know she looks like a giant, the class is for 2-3 year olds and the next one is for 4-7 year olds, so she doesn't make the bday cutoff for that. But she was a good leader! 

Tae Keon Do update coming soon! 

Thankful on Thursday

- My dad bringing me school supplies. Marshmallows and toothpicks = first grade math lesson!

- My mama being an awesome role model of a strong, determined, smart, and all around amazing working woman for the past...37 years or so. All the hugs and fist bumps. You are amazing and we love you! 

- Chess! I'm not kidding people, my kid loves it. And he's starting to get the strategy part! 

- Conversations with Aubrey! She is so funny. And yes, we have a lot of these conversations when she's on the toilet. Mom life is glamorous!

- I had a really good day with my students today. The actual learning was awesome. Love those days. 

- Girls night soon. Girls night soon. Repeat that mantra 7 times as needed throughout the day. It helps. 

Happy almost Friday!

Throw Back...Wednesday?

Don't blink. You'll miss something. It's so very, very true! I love the ages they are now, I do. But oh how I miss it sometimes...

Um, there is nothing exciting going on here this week, can you tell?

Monday Randoms

See, I told you they play together nicely, sometimes! And yes, more board games...

Two seconds later Aubrey zoomed her checker across, because she's 3 and doesn't know how to play checkers, and the peace ended. But for a few seconds it was super cute that he wanted to teach her!

More ballet practice (in the outfit she insisted on wearing today, to show all her friends - new from grandma and grandpa K at Christmas!). 

And, this. I'm striving for my own goals too, but let's not lose sight of this...

Hope you made it through Monday!