More Snow!

After our big snow, we had another big snow on February 26th.  We missed school on the 25th because of icy conditions from the day before.  After missing 4 days the week before {plus Presidents' Day}, we went home early on the 24th, a Tuesday, and were out the rest of that week also.

That Wednesday morning after the roads cleared, I went into school for a little bit to prepare for our virtual snow days.  Sam had a great time checking out his new classroom.  We redeemed Avery's Book It coupon and ran some errands since I knew we would be stuck inside for a few days after that.

Snow Day

Last year we had two big snows in the month of January, so we have been patiently waiting for some winter weather this year.  The kids like the idea of snow, and I like unexpected days off and watching The Weather Channel.  We were out of school Monday for Presidents' Day, and the snow started falling that afternoon.  It began to stick immediately and soon after we knew we would be home from school Tuesday.  We ended up getting 5-6 inches, but sleet and freezing rain packed it down and made it crunchy.  It was still plenty for some sledding and some digging.

The years we buy snow clothes we get no snow, so we are usually very under prepared.  Thankfully a snack by the fire will warm you right up.

We were home Wednesday but inside since Avery started with the stomach bug Tuesday night.  Luckily we're home again today, although this mama is hoping to bust out for some adult interaction.  Now that we've had our snow I'm officially ready for spring.

Valentine's Day

In an effort to get caught up and hopefully stay caught up, I'm going to hop right into the present and go back and post-date Christmas and a few other posts.  Maybe that will help be get back to preserving our really big moments and memories.  Thankfully, Instagram records a lot of the rest.

Both kids were so sad when we took the Christmas decorations down.  In fact, they may still have trees in their rooms.  I thought doing Valentine's Day a little bigger might help with the post-Christmas blues.  So, I got a few decorations for our mantle and breakfast room and finally got some of the chair mailboxes.  Once February rolled around we had a few surprises in the mailboxes and did some Love 'Em Up activities.

 On Saturday morning, these clues were in their mailboxes.  These are essentially some of Avery's most-favorite things/places.  Avery has been so worried that the people at Chick-Fil-A had forgotten her {not that they actually know her anyway}.  She's coming up with some creative thoughts lately in hopes of getting her points and wishes across.

We scooted out of the house early and were thrilled to see the hot light on at Krispy Kreme.  Not only were they hot, but they were heart-shaped!

Our next stop was Target.  Even Sam loves "Targets."  Ned had the brilliant idea of letting them both choose one thing.  Sam choose a $9 train in about 15 seconds.  Avery took 15 minutes to finally choose a $35 singing Elsa.

We headed back towards home for Chick-Fil-A.  The kids were so excited to play first, since playing at any time is a rarity.  I just don't like those things.  We enjoyed our lunch and were home well before rest time, which always is a success in my book.

5.5

 You are 5.5 today!  You have been feeling pretty sad that your birthday is still six months away, so a few weeks ago I told you we would celebrate your half birthday.  Your idea of celebrating had to be toned down a little, but I think it was still a special night for you.

Here are some of your favorites at 5.5

Favorite color: blue and pink
Favorite food:
Favorite breakfast food: pancakes (Avery could eat pancakes for every meal and loves brunch day at school.
Favorite snack: muffins
Favorite restaurant: Cracker Barrel
Favorite book: Berenstein Bears and Fancy Nancy
Favorite song: Let it Go
Favorite outfit: school Raider shirt
Favorite game: Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel
Favorite toy: play kitchen
Favorite thing to do: play LeapPad
Favorite thing to do outside: swing
Best friend: Mia, Saydee, Sam
Favorite thing to do at school: play on the monkey bars
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite vacation: Disney World
Favorite place to go: Target
Favorite thing to sleep with: Giraffi
Favorite TV show: Jon and Kate, Kate Plus Eight
Favorite movie: McKenna Shoots for the Stars
What do you want to be when you grow up? Like Mommy and like Pioneer Woman

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas!  Like most of our days, it started off pretty early.  I put breakfast in the oven, Ned got the video camera ready, and then it was time for the kids to come down and see all that Santa had left.

Sam was most excited about the large number of trains under the tree.

Avery was in love with her pink boots that she had spotted in Target in November.

We took a break from presents to enjoy breakfast, then we started with gifts under the tree and stockings.

Avery was excited about Frozen jammies....

...while Sam jumped for joy over Thomas jammies.

It was such a nice day that we were able to take the outside gifts out for some fresh air.

Then Mimi and Grandaddy came over to exchange gifts.

That night we hosted our parents, Ned's brother, and Ned's grandfather for dinner.  Presents from Uncle Rob were a big hit.

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas, and a month past the holiday, I'd say it's time to blog about it.

We were home Christmas Eve morning watching Christmas movies and cooking.  The excitement level was high.  That afternoon we traveled to my hometown for Christmas Eve service.  It had been raining, so my parents were not going.  We stopped at their house first to drop some things off, and Sam cried and cried when we left.  Luckily we were really early for church, because we had to take a ride through the country to get him calmed down.

The church service is always really good but really long and has no nursery.  Sam kept announcing he needed to poop and both kids were hungry.  Anything that could entertain Sam was used...trains, the candles for the service, his pacifier (which he hasn't had for a time like that in months), and our phones.  My aunt assured me that one day it would be funny.

We left church and went to my parents for a quick dinner and presents.  Both kids were very excited.

Avery was also excited to give Yaya and Poppa the gifts she had picked out at our Santa shop at school.

We were late getting home and quickly got everyone to bed.  Ned and I watched our traditional It's a Wonderful Life for awhile to make sure Avery was asleep, then we pulled everything out.  Luckily we had very little to assemble.  We stayed up for the end of the movie then went to bed to prepare for an early morning.