The Wall Bloggers

A couple of weekends ago, Adrianna had four days off of school, and since we hadn't heard anything from Uganda, we headed to visit my family, and here are some of our blessings from that weekend... - Finding a Cars backpack and bike for Abel at the local Savers - Returning to the Ethiopian restaurant for our annual Ethiopian food "fix" ... and the sweet owner bringing out extra allergy-free food that Adrianna could have - Adrianna and Abel getting to play with Bennett at Smalland (Ikea) and meeting up with family for lunch there - Adrianna getting to redeem her Christmas present from grandparents at the American Girl Store  ... And Abel finding the one thing with wheels in the store to admire (a doll convertible)  ... And him being determined to be in her pose out front - Having dinner and early birthday presents with Grandma Elizabeth and Grandpa Richard ... And more early birthday presents from Grandpa Bob and ...

Our state received extra snow last year, thanks to the El Nino weather pattern.  Because the La Nina pattern tends to follow the next year, many forecasters predicted very little precipitation for us this winter.  And so, Tuesday, when it was 55 degrees, and the kids and I were having lunch on the back patio, I did not hold out much hope for snow before Christmas. Thank goodness,  I was wrong!  A storm stalled over us yesterday (much to the forecasters' surprise), and we got lots of the happy white stuff.  Abel got to see his first snow.  When he first got out in it, he tried pointing at all the falling flakes.  After that, he was disappointed that I took him inside, and he went banging on the back door to get out in it.  By yesterday evening, he got his fill, when I bundled the kids up and took them out to shovel with me, while we waited for Scott to make it home. (Please excuse Abel's pink gloves; when we couldn't find his red ones,...

  This snow storm was two weeks ago.  Adrianna made a snow leopard.  The snow was all melted by the afternoon!

Well, the inevitable winter sickness finally caught up with us. We eeked by for weeks, dodging illness from Scott's office and Adrianna's friends. Alas, the germs caught us. Scott and Adrianna were taken out last week, with nasty coughs and fevers. When I did not get it, I figured I had out-vitamined those nasty germs. I guess I was wrong. The critters caught up with me by Sunday night, and have been trying to take me down all week. On the bright side, at least our illnesses have been joined by some beautiful snow. We have gotten at least one (and sometimes 3-4) snowstorms a week for the last month. The snow has allowed for some snow-delayed work days for Scott and some early closures for his office. Adrianna loves helping "shovel" the snow with us, and has recently discovered the joy of eating fresh snow. I'm just working with her to help her realize that not all of it is fresh!

Yesterday we were blessed with a snow day. We did not actually have too much snow (maybe 4-6 inches?), but the driving wind made the roads icy. Because of those winds, we didn't even get outside much to play in it or build a snowman. Needless to say, Adrianna was pretty disappointed. But when we saw a friend who got cuts on her face from being hit by an icy snowball, I felt justified for not wanting to play in it! I also wanted to give an update on those craft stick mangers. Much to my amazement, the children actually put them together (mostly) on their own! In the picture, you can also see their swaddled baby Jesus and wise men.

Last night it snowed maybe 4-5 inches. Doesn't sound like much, but when it's 17 degrees, that can lead to some dicey ice. And so, Scott got the day off work! Hopefully, if all goes well (please!), the last two wainscoting boards will go up in the next hour. Adrianna enjoyed the extra time we had at home this morning. She likes to give what she calls "shows", having Mom and Dad sit and watch her do something. Today, she ventured into the world of writing on her white board for her show. I was pretty impressed that she was writing actual letters without any direction. I usually say, "Write a line down and then a hump to make the letter N," but not so this time! Our favorite word that she made up was "Arly." I told her it would make a pretty good stuffed animal name. :)