Snow days!

We had a major blizzard yesterday, and as a result, school was canceled both yesterday and today, and Ben got sent home from work early yesterday. I was glad he left when he did, as there were tons and tons of accidents on all the roads last night. Some of his coworkers just checked into the hotel near his office. It's interesting living in a place that doesn't see much snow, when you grew up in a place with lots of it. My school would never have been canceled for this storm. 
the girls have been absolutely thrilled with the snow. On wednesday, Kara came home from school wanting to put an orange in the freezer, and ice in the toilet to ensure that it would snow. We said no, but did let her wear her pajamas backward, and she's convinced it worked, as she woke up to several inches of snow. It came down all day yesterday, alternating with hail and sleet, so I didn't let them go out to play in it. But today  it didn't snow at all, so it was a perfect day to play outside. The snow was super hard and crusty from the hail and sleet. So, they decided against making a snowman, and I told them no snowball fight. Instead, I did my best to make a sled path, and they went sledding in the backyard on a storage bin lid. We don't have any sleds, but maybe we should buy some this year. Today is the first time any of my kids have ever been sledding and they LOVED it! So I guess there's a good thing about moving away from Seattle. We actually get enough snow for sledding!

Kiersten was the first to get cold, and go in the house. A girl who takes after her mother.

Evie had so much fun, and got some pretty good speed. As much as I hate snow, and being outside in it, the smiles on their faces made it sort of worth it. but I am glad tomorrow is Saturday, so I can send Ben out with them if they want to play out there more. 

Kiersten tried her best to make a snow angel, but the snow was too hard. I crunched right through the ice, but the girls had to step pretty hard to break through. They really enjoyed stomping around out there. Evie did get her boots stuck a few times, though.

The unsuccessful attempt at Kara and Evie riding together. Kara leaned back a little too much and launched Evie right off. 

My pretty princess wouldn't wear a hat, because she didn't want her hair to get messed up. Never mind the fact that she hadn't even brushed her hair yet...

I saw deer tracks, and some deer poo, but Evie wouldn't stop eating the snow. She was warned, so I guess I just have to let it go. 

Kara stayed out almost an hour longer than the others. And then she really pouted when I made her come in. But I kept catching Kiersten standing with the door open to watch her. 

I even sledded down a few times to try to help pack it down more. I don't think I've been sledding since I was around 9 or 10. It was actually kind of fun. Although, I did hit a rut once, and rolled pretty hard into the fence. Kara was super impressed with my "flip", as I managed to keep hold of the lid the whole time I was rolling. Evie landed perfectly every time, and didn't fall off other than when she tried to ride with Kara. I guess she must be the perfect weight for that lid. 

St. Valentine's Day 2013

I hope everyone had a fun Valentine's day this year! We had a pretty simple evening at home. I was still pretty sick, and so didn't do any of the fun things I was planning for the kids. But I still tried to make it a fun day, so at least I got the table decorated. They always think that's pretty neat. 

before dinner we had some gifts for everyone!

Kiersten is so proud of her new necklace and earrings. And everyone at school complimented her on her pretty dress. 

Ben spoiled me with a new sapphire necklace. I found the jewelry bag in his trunk (but what does he expect when he asks me to help bring in the groceries, and has a gift hidden there?!?) so I knew I was going to get jewelry. But I didn't snoop in the bag, so I was surprised still. I expected to get some charms for my charm bracelet, so I was super happy to see this necklace.

I gave Ben a game, and the girls gave him coupon books, and Kara made him a stylish mask. 

Evie was really happy to get a sparkly pink purse, headband, hair clips, and leggings. She tried everything on right away. 

And the girls were all happy with their little heart shaped boxes of chocolates. 

Kara also got a new necklace and earrings. 

And of course, we had our traditional heart shaped pizza! This is the 11th year in a row, we've had the same thing for dinner on Valentine's day.  

On sunday, we decided to have a picnic in the park. It was a little chilly, but fun for all. 

It's been quite a while since we've been to the park, so this was a much needed outing for all of us. 

Kiersten got too cold, and wanted to go sit in the car, while the others were still playing. So I went with her, and we had a nice chat. 

When we got home, the girls and I made cupcakes. Kara earned a treat making day by doing lots of chores. She chose cupcakes, and was sweet to let her sisters help, though they didn't earn enough points. 

They wanted to make them look like ice cream sundaes. Since we didn't have anything that was needed for the ones in the book, we had to improvise. They turned out all right, but had too much frosting on top. 

I didn't want to use up all of my butter to make frosting, so I made a small batch of the pink, and they used some canned frosting we had in the pantry to finish the rest. Even Evie got to help with sprinkles. 

2/12/13

This is just a cute picture I got of Evie when she lined all of Kiersten's babies up on the stairs and was taking care of them. 

and you know I can't resist snapping a photo when she falls asleep in an uncomfortable spot.

Kara got shrinky dinks for her birthday from her Aunt Jackie, and Uncle Josh. the girls had so much fun making them, and so did I. I was actually impressed how fun it was. I've seen them a million times, but didn't get what was so exciting about it. But I'd totally buy them for the girls to enjoy again. 

Kara was so sweet to let Kiersten help. After we made the shrinky dinks, it also came with beads and accessories to make them into jewelry. 

A fun way for all of us to spend an evening. 

Since Kara missed the recycling badge meeting at girlscouts while we were on vacation, she was assigned to make something new out of something old. She picked a Dr. Pepper bottle, a juicy juice bottle, and an olive can from the recycle bin. She used the 2 liter bottle to stamp some flowers onto paper that she is going to hang in her room. I saw this on pinterest, but it looked more fun than it actually was, and she got paint everywhere. 

I cut the top off the dr. pepper bottle, and she covered it with paper and stickers.  

Kiersten was beyond jealous, so I let her use the juicy juice bottle to make a jewelry box. 

Kara's finished headband holder. 

and Kiersten is so proud of her new jewelry box. when daddy saw their projects, he said, "wow. good job. but remember, these aren't things we necessarily have to keep around forever..."

She used the olive can and some old fake flowers I had to make a decoration for her room. Now the girls get after me when they see me throwing anything into the recycle can that they deem "reusable". So we may have some more projects in our future. Ben will be thrilled, I'm sure. 

Kiersten wrote the cutest poem she wanted to send to Grams. But I wanted to get a picture of it before we send it on it's way, since it's her first ever poem. If you can't read it, it says, "rose smells lovely to my nose. I think there is a pink sink". She is quite proud of her first poem!