Top Ten to Catch Up

There's no way to catch up on all that's gone on in 3 weeks, but a top 10 list will hit the high points.  We've been busy, and at the end of the day, blogging has sadly been low on the list.

Of course during all this time, we've been playing.  iPads, Barbies, and even some time with Chester over a snow holiday.  It has either been cold, rainy, or snowy, so thankfully everyone has been able to keep busy and relatively happy inside.

Avery had a tea party at Bible Zone before Valentine's Day.  She loves any excuse to get dressed up and have some treats.  The princess dress had to come off for some singing and dancing.

We had snow roll in one Wednesday afternoon before school let out, causing quite the problem.  We started packing the kids to go around 2:30 p.m. but didn't send the buses off until around 3.  I had my worst drive ever trying to get home.  Snow covered even the major road I take home, and my speed of 40-45 mph made my trip take about an hour.  Thankfully, my only issue was sliding sideways as I tried to turn into our neighborhood.  And I was even more thankful that Sam had stayed home with Ned because Jennifer was off.  We ended up with 4-5 inches, but rained washed enough away that I only had a delay the next morning.

If I had been snowed in in the car, I'm sure I could have rounded up something to eat.  Usually the only time the kids eat in the car is if we're on the way to my parents' after nap.  Sam has started leaving Jennifer's with snack in his had, and he proceeds to hold it most of the way home.  He just wants the snack in his hand.  I picked Avery up from school one day with a mini-muffin surprise in her seat, and it made her day.  I think everyone has enjoyed these car treats except for my poor car.

We celebrated Valentine's Day with treats for our friends, teachers, and even for each other.  We had a quiet night at home with take-out, The Jungle Book, and then Sleepless in Seattle for me.  It was the perfect way to celebrate.

The Saturday after Valentine's Day we had a school make-up day from 8-1.  My sweet Kindergartners thought we would be playing with make-up, but they weren't too disappointed when we did workstations most of the day.  I was nervous as to how the day would go, coming off of Valentine's Day and with a full moon in the sky.  Everyone held it together until lunchtime, and then it was almost time to go home.

Ned experienced his first solo kids' party while I was at school.  He took Avery and Sam to Wyatt's Thomas the Train party.  He kept them in one piece, got them lunch, and even managed to eat something himself in between bouncy house fun and balloon animals.  They got home just before I did, and after naps, we headed to Makinley's Dora party.  There was more bounce house fun and more party food.  Sam had 2 meltdowns over too many kids in the bounce house, so we headed home.  We managed one picture from both parties.

The Monday after Saturday school, we celebrated the 100th day of school.  So that was Valentine's Day, Saturday school, full moon, and the 100th day in a 4-day time span.  It was still a fun day, made possible by my husband who helped make 100-item trail mix for my 19 kids.

Avery and Ned went to open house where Avery will be attending school next year.  We already knew she would be attending there, but when we went before it was after school.  This time Avery and Ned were able to see kids in class and kids moving around the campus.  Avery said her favorite part was getting a muffin, but Ned said she was very intrigued by the SmartBoard, gym, and cafeteria.  Avery should have my Kindergarten teacher as hers, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Finally, we had beautiful weather this weekend.  Yesterday, we had a family trip to Walmart, lunch at The Palm Tree, then headed outside after naps.  We strolled, fed the ducks, played, and finished the day off with hot dogs on the grill, baked beans, and deviled eggs.  I'm now longing for the easy days of summer {minus the Virginia humidity} but with snowflakes on my weather app for next Monday, I think I have a wait ahead of me still.