Snowy Fun!

First thing this morning, I told the kids that if they could get their work done quickly we could go sledding after lunch. They did! They couldn't wait to get out there and it was the PERFECT day for it! The temps are mild and I don't think the sun has been so bright since last fall ;)

When I promise sledding, I do not disappoint :) Check out this hill:
Do not make fun of my snowpants! At least I came home with dry clothes ;)
The hill was very steep and the snow was packed so Todd and I took Nicholas and Megan on our sleds the first few times. That didn't sit well with Nicholas! Such a daredevil :) So we let him go it alone:


He headed straight for the shelter (of course ;))
Todd was ready to push him away if needed ;)
He went down the rest of the afternoon on his own. It was only nerve-wracking because of the tree and shelter but he did well!

Megan decided to play for a while in a little cave carved out before us:
She had her own "sledding hill"
She had a great time going down with her big brother though :)
We called my mom so she could come watch these adorable little sledders and, of course, she did!
We all had a great time. It was so nice to be out and enjoy the sun for a while. Seems like it's been forever!

Finally!

We managed to finally make it out to play in the snow a bit yesterday! The kids have a cold so we've been staying inside, but yesterday I thought maybe it would be OK for them to go out for just a bit and play. They had so much fun! We really didn't stay out very long, just long enough for them to get it out of their system for now ;)
Nicholas found some snow/ice that formed a heart. Isn't that cute?
The kids were making a "snow shelter" under the pine tree in our front yard. They had so much fun and I took pictures (of course!) but, strangely, they are not on my camera. Always something odd.

Even though we weren't out too long, they were worn out when we came in :) Nicholas fell asleep in our bed at 6:00 and slept all night even through being moved to his own bed! He was such a tired guy :)

Finding Beauty

I was in Megan's room yesterday and noticed some really beautiful things outside her window. Of course, I ran for my camera :) I don't know why I'm so obsessed with pictures of snow. I've actually found myself longing for summer...leaving the door open while the kids play outside, grilling, NOT BEING COLD!

Anyway, yesterday morning, while the sun was out, the snow was sparkly and beautiful....I couldn't help myself!

Scenes from Megan's room:
From the living room:
I was lamenting to Kristen about how I would love to have a picture of the snow all smooth and glistening, but then I realized that my snow is rumpled and messy because there were little people playing in it and that made it all the more lovely to me :)

A Plea

I usually enjoy being all snowed in; it's a very cozy thing! This year is a little different though because Kristen is driving. She was driving last winter too, but I had a bit more control over the when and where! If it was snowy the answer was "NO"! But now that she's in college we've lost that wonderful flexibility and control that we have as a result of homeschooling! She will more than likely be out in some very nasty conditions....like today. Yes, she slid. Luckily, there was no accident. Please keep her in your prayers as this winter goes on.

What to do on a Snowy Day...

You play in the snow! We did our school this morning but this afternoon, there was fun to be had!
The first picture (at the swing set), I had my camera on whatever the regular mode is; all the rest I switched it to "snow" mode. I think there's a little difference. What do you think?

Brandon building a snow bed?
Nicky wanted to literally be a snowman!
Megan wasn't sure what she wanted to do!
So she settled on making a snow angel :)
We had some fun out there that's for sure!

A Fun Day Ahead?

Today is cleaning/organizing day! Seriously, you can hardly walk around in here. It's ridiculous! I'm still taking down Christmas stuff! UGH! I've been trying to squeeze in cleaning when I can but it just isn't getting done. It needs a dedicated day and today is that day!

I'm used to life slowing down in the winter. We spend a good deal of time after the holidays are over and the new year has begun, just settling in and getting school done along with the house stuff. Not this year though! We have activities galore and I'm just not used to this type of busyness! Boyscouts, basketball, cheerleading, dance....how do you people do all this?! Anyway, I woke up this morning and realized how behind on stuff I am so we have a busy day ahead of us ;)

Here's a few pics from yesterday. I can't believe the kids wanted to go outside. It was so cold!
They weren't out for long, just long enough to run around the house a few times, throw some snowballs, and get completely covered in snow! Then they needed some hot chocolate to warm up with ;)

A Day at the Park

That's right, we visited the park today! Yes I know it's snowing but I wanted to pick up some park programs and I know I can't go there and not let the kids hang out at the nature center for a while ;)

Blacklick has a cool nature center not too far from the parking lot and the whole back wall is windows with bird feeders and a pond right outside. Perfect for some nature-lovin' kiddos :) We really lucked out today as the minute we walked in we saw deer through the windows!!! At first, there were two which we were very excited to see so close; then they were joined by four more and got way closer than before! We had a blast watching them and the birds!
There was one that kept chasing some of the others away! Bully!
The birds where gorgeous. My pictures don't do them justice.

Fat, little squirrel with his tail curled up over his back...adorable!
It was a wonderful treat this afternoon. Our kids have had a little cold so they haven't had many opportunities to get out in the snow, but this was perfect!