a walk

This afternoon we went on a family walk. We bundled up and mostly walked in the street because very few sidewalks were cleared. The snow has been melting, but in some places snowbanks are still covering almost half the road. Ross says he never remembers a birthday, March 5th, with snow still on the ground. This year will be a first.

what is...

What is love? Ross sitting next to me (working on a law firm project) while I watch the Olympics (something he doesn't have much interest in) because he knows I really get into it and I don't like to watch them alone. "I have marathon training stamina, but you have Olympic- watching stamina," is something he told me. He's right!

What is love? Andrea taking care of kids while Ross runs a few hours every Saturday morning, training for the marathon. He's got three more weeks.

What is funny? Hearing Abby say, while shivering and getting dressed in her pajamas, "my mouth is wiggling." Her teeth were chattering so she was close!

What is cute? Listening to Allen talk about his "furniture" and seeing him arrange it just so.

What is awesome? A child getting out of the bathtub so they could use the potty.

What is precious? Seeing two children engaged in their play dough creations

What is crazy? Ross getting up at 6AM so he can run 15 miles before you go to the temple. Two guys from our ward came and ran with him.

What is spontaneous? Going to lunch at the Olive Garden following a temple date.

What's wrong with multi-tasking? You might put the frozen chicken breast bag in a cupboard ABOVE the freezer instead of IN the freezer while you're yakking on the phone. At the time I was baffled; I couldn't figure out where I misplaced it. But Ross is the winner! He found the thawed meat tonight.

What made today great? Ross not having to work.

What rocks right now? Eating warm cookies while watching the Olympics.

a word from...

Allen: "Mommy, your hair looks so handsome."

Abby: "What day is it?" (I answer, "Friday") and then Abby says, "No it's Wednesday."

***

Shopping is not the most fun with two kids, but I went into Ross "Dress for Less" (the kids thought it was hilarious it had the same name as their dad) to look at the clearance rack and found a sweater! We made plenty of other stops and when we got home the smell of our crock pot dinner hit my nose. I love that invention.

a blur

Right now I'm watching the Olympics (and cleaning the kitchen during commerical breaks), the kids are in bed, and Ross is working on our taxes. It's going to be another late night of watching tv, but only a few more Olympic days and then I can get to bed at a normal time, right? I hope!

Other recent tidbits: finding good Valentine candy on clearance, a new family prayer chart, "hungry caterpiller" in kitchen (that we add pieces to when the kids eat new things), a new Family Home Evening Chart, laminating skads of file folder games and pieces, blog book, brush chart, getting caught up on church publications, Abby's potty-training, Allen's writing time, a stack of library books I keep renewing (but never seem to get to even though I have great intentions), looking for good stuff at the thrift store, birthday cake ideas, reading the kids the Friend magazine at story time, keeping my blood sugar down, a new afternoon routine since napping is out of the question. . . no wonder at the end of the day it all seems a blur!

chop!

I really needed a haircut. Now my hair feels nice and light. What a lift for a Mommy . . . and when Mommy is happy, everyone's happy, right?

drop off

... drop off Ross at the train... drop Abby off at her playgroup... drop Allen off at his preschool. Go home and do what? Mop all the floors while listening to my iPod, of course.

pen pal

I have been writing Jacqui Nuku in New Zealand for almost 14 years. I've never met her, but over the years we've exchanged countless letters, photos, packages, one phone call, and tons of emails. This Sunday is her birthday so I made sure to send off a package (a tradition we do for birthdays and Christmas). When we were at the post office I told Allen that the package was going to New Zealand. He got excited because he knows where to find it on a world map, he can identify their bird and their flag. . . just because Jacqui has sent us a lot of stuff from there.

How did I meet Jacqui? My brother was serving his mission in New Zealand. He met a teenage girl (who was wearing a Karl Malone sweatshirt) and they started talking about NBA and sports. To make a long story short, he baptized her and her family. At the time I was working on a personal progress goal that involved exchanging letters to another country and learning about that person and their customs... (I can't even remember the value it fell under, but I know it was the Miamaid section). I wrote my brother asking if there was someone I could write to. He gave me Jacqui's information and we've written ever since. Someday I hope to meet her.

Over the years it's been tricky to think of things to send her. Big Red gum and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are her favorite American treats. If you lived across the world, what would be your favorite goodies to have?

***

Allen made the Bishop chuckle today. We dropped cookies off for his wife and then I thanked him for his great talk in church. I told him that even Allen was listening because he repeated a key phrase the Bishop had said, "We need to live and we need to love." I'm always amazed at what my kids learn and listen to even though I think they aren't doing either.

It's been a month

. . . since we've met for nursery. Most of the kids were excited to be back, except T who was screaming non-stop. A teacher had T girl on her lap for over 10 minutes and I asked if she wanted a break, (I know I would have been frazzled by then). Then I took T on a walk, (which made Abby clingy and she had to go too), to "find her dad," but it was really just to get a break from the nursery room. On our way back, we stopped at the nursery closet, found a few pretzels, and went back in. T settled down. Now, the day would have turned out great if that was the end, however, I had to leave to attend a special meeting in Relief Society. (All the women were asked to be there). When I left, two-year-old T gave me crusty! It was the look of betrayal, followed by more crying. I felt bad leaving her, but I loved Relief Society, and I appreciated the break. Hopefully next week will go smoother. I am glad they finally called someone to lead the music.

***

This afternoon we'll make Ross's favorite cookie -- the Galvin cookie (chocolate chip oatmeal from Chicago). I'm going to do some cookie delivering tomorrow for visiting teaching. Tonight we are having hamburgers and Ross's homemade fries.

rhyme time

A typical ride in the car with the kids consists of a little music, (right now we're listening to the primary program CD), and lots of rhyming. We can be so silly and goofy. We love it. For example, there is this street in Vienna called "Tapawingo," and whenever we pass it, I say it in a crazy voice. Then Abby will respond, "not Tapawingo. Taco Saco." Then I will reply, "Taco Maco?" And then Allen will say, "Taco Barack-O Bama!" Then we all laugh.

***

Last night at the dinner table Allen was cracking me up with his "big eyes" scary face which made him laugh hard too. Ross is really good at making faces. The kids like to ask for requests. "Do a scary one?" "Do a silly one?"

just her size

Bad News: My kitchen broom snapped in half.

Good News: It's the perfect size for Abby and now she wants to sweep all the time!

fall in love with the seasons . . .

. . . was a random thought that popped into my head while I was cleaning. I was picking up the snow clothes by the front again (for the ump-teenth time), and I saw the bug spray in the front closet (vital around here in the summer). I really love the seasons. There is good and bad about all of them, but I like how it's continually changing. We had considered a job in Houston 2 years ago, but I like living where the weather changes with the seasons.

***

• Allen went to a Valentine party this morning. He took his bag of Valentines to deliver and was so exciting that each child brought him a Valentine too.
• Abby was a helper today with cleaning, laundry, and cooking dinner. We're having homemade chicken soup (I'm even going to make the noodles from scratch) and french peasant bread. The soup is a new recipe.
• Once the house is all clean, and since it's Friday, we'll enjoy our afternoon movie party.
• I'm excited it's date night!

Thursday Tidbits

• Both kids have preschool today. While they're gone I need to rewrite the nursery schedule. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can meet this Sunday :)
• The kids' new favorite movie from the library is Teeny Tiny and the Witch.
• Abby's favorite word is winkie. She thinks it rhymes with everything.
• Allen can crack himself up when repeating lines, stories, or jokes.
• We enjoyed our Valentine cards -- thanks Mom and Dad! And thanks Annette & Caleb. (Note: Whenever you're at a wedding, just plant a smile on your face ALL day because you never know when they are going to snap the photo, use that for a Valentine card, and then distribute to all extended family and beyond.)
• Last night I went to a Relief Society Meeting. As I left the house I thanked Ross for taking care of things and he responded, "it's okay. You'll do the same for me when the Elder's Quorum has a Chocolate Fest night." :) I enjoyed the chocolate tasting (I can really tell the difference now between good and better chocolate) and the marriage panel. I brought Ross home a plateful of rich, chocolate desserts.
• Allen has a sack full of Valentines ready to distribute at tomorrow's belated Valentine Party. I'm amazed at how much writing he did in one sitting.
• Abby went potty first thing this morning.
• Allen's got the "th" sound down. Abby's still working on her r's.
• Tonight we're having BLT's for dinner.
• Allen has an appointment with me at the barber shop later this afternoon.
• My blog book is coming along. I decided to not use all the non-user friendly and pay-an-arm-and-a-leg commericial sites and just create my own.
• More aerobics video this afternoon. The kids enjoy running circles around me while I follow the routine. Abby is the aerobic police and reminds me to follow the instructors.
• When I get up earlier than the kids and get ready before they are awake, the day goes much better!

4:30 a.m.

Thank-you, Mr. Plow, for being so diligent (and loud) while plowing our road early this morning.

***

Allen: "Mom, love means getting married in the Salt Lake Temple." Then he told me that Abby and he were going to get married.

***

Abby wanted to take a bath this morning as long as I moved Allen's action figures out of the tub. "Can you move Allen's guys? There kind of scary," she tells me. And Allen likes to remind her, "But, Abby, they aren't real."

Tuesday Tidbits

Tiny Tidbits:

• 5 Stops this morning: train station, grocery store, bank, doctor, library.
• The kids loved the lollipops from the bank's drive thru and sang a rousing "Follow the Prophet" while waiting in the cart at the check-out line. The cashier enjoyed the entertainment.
• Allen had preschool 2 hours later to match the school district's schedule. While carpooling I went to pick up my neighbor's son and their street had no been plowed. I got stuck trying to go uphill in a foot of slush/ice.
• Allen came home wearing a 3 corner hat, had a fingerpainted cherry tree and told me that George Washington was the first prophet, just like Adam.
• Abby requested cheese during a piano lesson. That girl LOVES cheese.
• I straightened the house, did some laundry, put away the Valentine decorations and made Baked Potato Soup for dinner.
• Right now I'm watching the Olympics. I think I'm going to start recording the Olympics and watch it during the day. I can't handle watching from 8-12am every night. That's the bad thing about living on the East coast.

president's day

Today's Tidbits:

• We had to drive Ross to the train because there are NO sidewalks and he doesn't really want to walk in the street of a major highway.
• While we were bundled we headed to the store. Me and about 25 other cars were circling trying to find a place to park in one crazy parking lot. It's pretty bad when 4 different snow mountains take over 10 parking spots each.
• UPS finally delivered my package (it was insulin pump supplies-- nothing too exciting, but very vital). It circled the country going to my old address in Utah first and then arrived in Virginia.
• Here are the kids by our driveway snow mountains. Ross chipped away at the snow and was able to shovel our sidewalk. Wonder how long it will take it to all melt. The forecast calls for more snow today (about 2-4 inches).

This is the snow from my viewpoint.

Then I got down on my knees to take the picture. This is how Abby views it . . . it's over her head!

• My two favorite thing about winter: no bugs and since it dark earlier the kids go to bed earlier. My least favorite thing about winter are my cracking nuckles (I'm not talking about popping them). I'm referring to my dry skin and it doesn't help that mommies have to wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day.
• Everyone napped today!
• In honor of President's Day I made a red velvet, cherry cake. Ross will be teaching our Family Home Evening lesson about some U.S. Presidents.

happy heart hunt

Some Valentine's Day Tidbits:

• Church: We enjoyed our Sacrament Meeting. This is the first Sunday in 3 weeks that our ward has met. They asked us to leave right away so we didn't have traffic jams with the next ward coming in on the one-lane road to the church.
• Big Heart Cookies: This is something my mom did every Valentines. I made these a little bigger and I had them on the table in the morning. (Note: Those plates are dinner-size plates. See? It's bigger than my hand.)

• Pictures Developed: My goal was to order our 2009 photos by Valentines Day, but I ordered it the week before and the package arrived the day before. I sorted them out in three heaping piles, framed a few, taped some up (until I can buy a frame), and surprised everyone with our new photos. I would have liked the photo books done and labeled, but that's what I will work on this week.


(Amy, we like our Christmas gift and I finally filled the frames.)

We love watching our amaryllis grow. It was a Christmas gift from a student. It bloomed with perfect timing to Valentine's Day. On the wall I taped some 8x10 black and white photos I just got back. I need to get some frames this week, but it was nice to surprise people with something on the walls.
• Valentine's Day Brunch: Since we have 9 o'clock church, and only met for the first meeting, we came home and had a special holiday brunch. I made pink heart-shaped pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and grapes. While I was finishing up the cooking, Ross took the kids on a heart hunt.
• Happy Heart Hunt: My mother had sent a package full of Valentine treasures, but instead of just putting them on the table I thought it would be more fun to hide them around the house with heart-shaped clues. So I set up the treasure hunt up the night before. I read the first clue to the kids and told them the rule: do not open any of the bags, just bring them back to the table. It was nice hearing the kids' excitement and comments as I finished the food. After eating we opened the "treasures." (Mom & Dad, thanks for sending the packages!)
• Sweet Holiday Greetings: Countless times I heard Allen and Abby wish each other a "Happy Valentine's Day!" quickly followed by, "I love you." It was precious!
• Gifts: A few weeks ago we decided we'd skip buying chocolates, a dinner reservation, and flowers and put the money towards a new table, which we are really enjoying at the moment. However, Ross surprised me with a Jon Schmidt piano book and CD! Luckily, I had a surprise for him too.
• Rock, Read, Rest: That's what we call our routine to help us get ready for quiet time. We rock in the rocking chair and we read stories and sing songs. The kids were happy to read holiday books with it actually being Valentine's Day. While we read, Ross spoke with his Mom on the phone. We're sorry she is in the hospital again.
• Cupid's Delivery: I baked lots of extra cookies (frosted with sprinkles, and pink peppermint melt aways) so we could deliver some to the neighbors. We made 5 stops. I think we really surprised people. At Christmastime people aren't caught off guard when cookies arrive at their door, but how many people receive cookies on Valentine's Day? Visiting our neighbors was the perfect Sunday afternoon holiday activity.

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!!

video game

I have to write about yesterday's afternoon fun. Let me preface: The birthday party that Allen went to had a Mario theme. I think they even played the Wii for part of it. My kids have never played video games and only done a computer game or two. Allen kept talking about Mario. Ross asked him if he wanted to play some. So Ross hooked up the Super Nintendo, got out out three controllers, (handing Abby, Allen and me one), then went back upstairs to work. (What a guy!) I played Super Mario 3: my ultimate favorite game! and I got to level 4. The cool part about it was that each of us had controllers and the kids thought they were controlling Mario. I talked with them through the levels and they chose were we went on the path. Abby laughed at the "turtles," they pointed out all the coins, Allen liked the jelly fish, they loved seeing the ghosts in the scary castles, and both were completely enthralled. They thought it was awesome.

***

Abby is growing up. She was dry all yesterday except right before dinner. She rarely naps anymore, which is something I miss, but now she goes to bed easier at night. We still have quiet time each day. It gives us a chance to rest, read and think in our own rooms. And, let's be honest, quiet time is really just for the mommy. It's amazing what a break can do for a person's well-being.

olympic viewer

I took Allen to a birthday party this morning. Trying to get from our neighborhood roads to a main road was a joke. I should have a snowmobile in my shed for such occasions. There is about a foot of snow/ice/slush and we were sloshing all around. Good thing I was the only car at the time. Some of the side roads are only one lane with how they have been plowed and there are no sidewalks anywhere because Snow Mountains have taken over. It's crazy.

Abby's potty efforts were successful yesterday. She managed to stay dry all day.

Right now I'm watching the Olympics. I love the Olympics and would watch all of it if I could. I remember going to six different events during the Salt Lake Games (bobsled, ski jump, ice dancing, speed skating, 2 medal ceremonies at the plaza) and it was so awesome! When the last summer Olympics were on we were in the process of moving, but luckily we found means to watch it. Now that we've moved in a home and we get no tv reception (and we refuse to pay for overpriced cable because we never watch tv), I was worried if I would miss all events this year. We have Internet so I thought I could view everything online. On the website there was an option for live and full coverage, BUT you have to enter your cable subscriber and account information. Okay?? Why would I watch it on my computer if I could watch it on my television? Lame. But the good news is that Ross tried our "rabbit ears" again and it's working enough to "kind of" watch the ski jump event. I'm a nut, I know.

Tomorrow we are only meeting for Sacrament Meeting. Apparently our steep parking lot is only a single lane and they don't want to cause traffic issues with the next ward's meeting. That means that this is the third week of no nursery, but I am happy that I finished our new poster and compiled our new songbook. ***

I like this Daily Gem:

Doing Our Best

"The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56

***

p.s. If you're interested to see what some of the D.C. monuments look like covered with snow, click on this photo essay link from the Meridian Magazine.

what a weird week

I love the fact that I've only left the house once this week. Not having to go anywhere (and not really wanting to), reminds me how much I just like being inside. If I lived in an apartment still, I would be going crazy, but since I'm in a home with rooms of lots of things to do, it's been great. It's kind of odd that our complete week's schedule has been thrown out the window because of the weather (school was cancelled all week), but it's been a nice break.

Today has been filled with sleeping late, cleaning bedrooms, putting laundry away, playdough, potty practice, playing in the backyard's snow, file folder games, Aerobics, vacuuming, and Valentine stories.

Tonight I'm going on a date! Ross and I are going to a J. Reuben Clark Law Society dinner (catered) and broadcast. The speaker is Stephen R. Covey. Should be fun.

potty party

Since we aren't going anywhere again today or tomorrow, (preschool and other appts are cancelled), I thought we should do some more potty training. How's it going?, you ask. Abby's on her third outfit, but she still wants to wear underwear so we'll try more this afternoon.

Ross had a conference call this morning and is working again on a big project. During a break he went outside and measured our snow -- 24 inches. Did you hear that D.C. broke its record (from 1898-1899) of the snowiest winters? We've had over 55 inches this year.

While talking to my newlywed sister on the phone, I thought about our first married apartment in Provo. I remember taking our clothes to the laundrymat. It wasn't just any laundrymat; it doubled as a tanning salon, which brought interesting traffic in and out of the building. Sea Side Laundry & Tanning had couches, tables, and a large tv to view while you waited for your clothes to finish. I remember watching lots of stuff on tv just because it was on. I recall eating our Panda Express to-go dinner and playing cards while our clothes were getting washed. But the most memorable part of waiting was listening to the mandatory spray-on tan video that all patrons were required to view before they had the procedure done. Ross and I became too familiar with that annoying movie and we couldn't help but listen to it again and again as people requested the special tan. Kind of a funny memory that I wanted to record. No, I never got a tan while I was there, and I'm glad I don't have to haul my laundry cart in an elevator (with kids in tow) like I did in Chicago. I can do laundry at home . . . and now I'm off to switch loads!

big blizzard

Today's Tidbits:

• We have more snow this morning and it's supposed to snow all day. Looking out the window, it's quite a blizzard! But, what else is new?
• Yesterday I picked Ross up at the train station (a first) because it took him 3 x as long to walk there that morning with all the gigantic piles of snow.
• While we were out of the house (my first time since Friday), we went to Safeway so I could pick up some prescriptions. I figured I'd also pick up some milk and produce, but all the milk in the ENTIRE store was out! And half of the produce was gone. Good thing I have one more full gallon in our fridge.
• Ross and I watched a Batman movie last night. I saw a mouse creep across our kitchen floor. Now I'm freaked out!
• This morning the kids were talking about Batman, (Allen has a Batman baseball cap), so Ross found a 60s episode on youtube and watched it with the kids. Sock! Pow! I had no idea it was so corny.
• Last night for dinner we had carmelized baked chicken and baked french fries. I recommend the chicken, but I would do half the sauce or add cornstarch to thicken it. Tonight we are having Autumn Soup (cooking in the crock pot as I type!) and cornbread.
• I've been jamming out on the piano. Ross has been singing along, (if you can imagine), to some of our favorites (Ben Folds, Gabe Dixon, Wicked). Did I mention it's pretty awesome having him around the house and not working? His last project for work ended so he is waiting for a new one. He can't go into the office today because the trains are not running above ground and we can't get out the driveway.
• Ross and I sorted out our dresser drawers and found more clothes to get rid of and more t-shirts to add to my future-quilt pile.
• Lately Abby quickly will say, "I love you," when she does something to disappoint us.
• During lunchtime Allen told me about his 6 favorite holidays. He realized he forgot Easter and his birthday so then it became his 8 favorite holidays.
• Storytime has lasted an hour for the past two days. My kids love books, I love to read books, and there is nothing better than cuddling in a soft recliner, rocking away, and reading during a blizzard.
• Ross and Allen are out shoveling. Abby is singing in her bed the Batman song: "Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN!"

satellite photo of DC

still stuck

You know it's bad when you see a snowplow get stucks while clearing your street. Ross is going to try later putting our snow chains on our car and see how far we can get. They asked for volunteers to shovel our church's roof. Ross volunteered as long as someone could give him a ride. A Hummer came and picked him up.

We've stayed indoors. The kids have enjoyed a Monday Movie Marathon. I've been doing laundry, ironing, and have played through some classical pieces on the piano. The kids and I have a long storytime; we read a pile of books before quiet time. Oh, and I've got my FHE lesson ready for tonight.

It's nice to have Ross home today. He couldn't go to work if he wanted because the Metro isn't running above ground.

I have a few birthday cards that need to go out. Sorry to those that will get them late. I haven't seen our mailman in a few days. I'm not sure when we'll get mail again.

snowed in

We are officially stranded at home. We got about 2 feet of snow and they haven't plowed our street yet. But, I have to admit, it's so cool to be part of this historic snow event for D.C..

This morning Ross took the kids out in the snow and let me sleep longer. Abby didn't last very long. Her hands got really cold and she came inside with big tears. Allen stayed out for a long time. He had a great time! He loves snowfall fights and using his small shovel to knock snow off the big piles.

Ross dug a path from our driveway to the street. As you can see it's pretty thick. Our Camry would totally bottom out if we tried driving anywhere. We've seen neighbors out trying to dig there way through. An SUV got stuck as well as a truck. Ross was out helping shovel and push. Another neighbor, who also has an SUV, managed to get out her driveway and get to the store. She came and knocked on our door before she left, asking if we needed anything or if we wanted a ride to the store. Nope, we have all we need. That's the beauty of following the food storage/preparedness principle, folks. It's nice that a storm like this can build neighborhood unity and a change of pace as long as your prepared.

Here's Allen is ready for the snowball fight with Daddy! He has the best giggle and asks you to throw snow at him. He loves it!

This is what our side yard looks like. If you can tell, nothing is plowed. When I looked out the window from the upstairs it looked like a huge continuous field. You can't tell where your yard ends and the street begins. It's like you share a huge field with four of your neighbors.

This is a view of the snow piles almost up to our side porch.

This is a view from our front door looking at the other side of our front yard. Someone parked their car on the street and it's totally covered. There are lots of trees around covered with snow. We lost power today for almost two hours.

Ross got some firewood in the backyard (talk about "Little House on the Prairie") so we could start a fire. Since there are some high snowdrifts he went out to the main road, up a neighbor's driveway, and had to clear away the snow from the backyard gates so he could open them. Then he trekked through the backyard to clear a way to our backdoor, which was also impossible to open without some major snow removal. He sure got a work-out today with all his shoveling and walking in thick knee-high snow.

When we ate lunch, we had no power so we had to light the pilot lights and heat the food up in pots on our gas stove. "It's like we're camping," Ross said.

We had our own primary meeting here today. Ross taught a lesson about the scriptures, we sang songs, we played a few games, and had a treat following. We had quiet time in the afternoon and we all got naps.

Tonight we tried to have a fire, but the smoke kept coming into the family room which means that the snow must be blocking our chimney. Ross put out the fire and threw the starter log out in the snow. Instead we had hot chocolate, put the kids in bed, talked to family on the phone, and played 2 games. He can't beat me at Rummikub!

No school here again tomorrow. Since crews are so busy plowing major roads, rumor has it that lots of the neighborhood streets will not be plowed until Tuesday or even Wednesday. Another snow storm of about 5 inches is forecast on Tuesday. We might not be going anywhere for a while.

Where is Katy when you need her? Have you read this book? It's a favorite at our house!

Washington's White Wilderness

"It's a Snowy Saturday," Allen told me at lunch when he looked at the window. I saw more snow than I have ever seen at once. Yep, it's snowy alright.

It's been snowing straight since 9:30am yesterday. Overnight they said it was snowing 2-3 inches an hour. Ross went out and shoveled.

I'm standing at the front door. That's ice sticking out from the door frame.

This shows our screened in porch and deck. Ross is walking in the street. See that handle near the left hand corner of the picture? That's Allen's old bike. Here is Ross shoveling a few hours later. He said there was about 4 more inches down. You can barely see the bike's handle (near the shovel) now.

We thought it might be fun to go on a winter walk with the kids, but the snow is up to Ross's knees if he walks in the street and he said it was even tough to walk in the faint tire tracks. Our kids wouldn't make it very far. Ross walked up our street to the main street. The snow plows had blocked our road with over 2 feet of snow. We couldn't get out to the main road if we wanted to. We're stuck.

We took advantage of the opportunity to be stranded at home and switched our office and guest room around. We managed to move our large double desk and other stuff. And it's a movie marathon in the Family Room!

Earlier, I got a phone call from the Relief Society President to tell me two things: 1. "church is obviously cancelled again", and 2. "the Bishop wanted us to call the people we visit teach to make sure they had power and are okay." She told me that my VT Supervisor would have normally called me but she couldn't get through to her on the phone and figured her power was out. She said that she was going down that Supervisor's lists and doing the calls. Then she looked to see who I visited -- the Bishop's wife ("well, they have power because the Bishop called me") and the Kings ("they don't have power because she had it posted on Facebook. So I guess you don't need to call anyone. Do you have power? Is your family okay? It's time like this when it's nice to live in Vienna. McLean and Great Falls have no power right now."

Read here about our area setting records. I guess December's storm is known as "Snowmageddon " (we were in Utah and missed it), and this storm is being called "Snowpocalypse".

all cancelled

All of my appointments and plans have been cancelled this weekend due to our huge blizzard. Ross is working at home and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese for a preschool playdate (before the snow started). Now the snow is really coming down! Since I feel kind of blah, we are going to stay indoors and watch a movie.

new table

We like it! It looks nice in the breakfast room. And there is a middle extention folded underneath that makes it in to a large square.

My next big task is ordering 12 months of photos on winkflash.com. They have a sale that ends tomorrow for 5 cents a photo. I've got hundreds to sort through and decide on how many copies for all the photos albums (one for me, one for Allen and one for Abby). I like update them all at once. Call me crazy, but I think it's easier to do it that way.

snow day

Today's Tidbits:

• We woke up this morning, looked out the window, and saw nothing but WHITE. Not only were Fairfax County schools closed, but our ward's playgroup was cancelled. I was in charge of leading a music-time, but that didn't happen. In a way it was nice to have a break this month.
• Abby wore underwear today and we tried potty-training for a few hours. She was really good at sitting on the potty every 10-15 minutes and earned lots of stickers, but after an accident, she lost all interest. We'll have to try again later.
• Ross worked from home today. He went out and cleaned off the car and shoveled our driveway. The kids and I played in the snow. I shoveled the sidewalks around our house and had a snowball fight with Allen. He loves when you throw balls at him. His contagious giggle only provokes more. Abby was more interested in the slush in the street than what was in our yard. She also liked "sleeping" on the snow.

• We came in for a macaroni and cheese lunch, which was followed by a few long stories in the rocking chair, and quiet time.
• I got a short nap, put away some laundry, worked on the kids' room (Allen did a great job at cleaning his room and making his bed), did some aerobics (it's pretty funny seeing Allen and Abby mimicking the workout), organized the book room in the basement and made pizza for dinner.
• Since we are getting a new table tomorrow, I moved our art cabinet and supplies into the dining room. Ross moved our table. I cleaned/mopped the breakfast room so it's all ready for some new furniture. Now Ross and I are working in the office and watching Best Two Years.
• This "daily gem" was in my inbox. It's a great reminder when I face frustration from little ones: "To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. I testify that such is possible." Thomas S. Monson, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 68

snow family

This afternoon we played in the snow. Since it was perfect sticking snow, I made our family...

I raided my kid's dress-up box for accessories and weapons and came up with Darth Vader, Superwoman, a pirate (at Disneyland) and a pig (at Disneyland). Which reminds me that we are to Disneyworld three months from today. Wahoo!!

Punxsutawney Phil

Today at preschool Allen learned about shadows and Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog. (The mom hosting had the boys say it 20 times so they wouldn't forget.) Abby's group did a body tracing activity.

What did Ross and I do? The coolest thing ever! While both kids were gone at preschool we went for a brisk walk in our neighborhood. Going on a walk with just my husband, during the day, during the week never happens. It's lucky for me he is working at home today and wanted a break. He also wanted to try out his new running shoes: Vibram Five Fingers. They look pretty weird to me, but apparently it is designed so your foot can spring like it naturally should rather than being constricted from shoes.

Other Tidbits:

• Lately when Abby is left alone for nap or bed, she ususally is undressed when I go get her out. Time to pottytrain? I wonder.

• A package came from Ross's parents. It's pretty awesome to get Christmas presents on Groundhog day!

• Tonight after the kids are in bed Ross and I are watching Groundhog Day, a yearly tradition. I had to google map Punxsutawney, Pa from where we live. It's four hours away. Maybe someday we'll check it out.

slipper day

We like to make "days" at our house. Last Friday was "overall" day for the kids. (I would have joined in but I don't have any overalls). Saturday is a Pop Tart day. Today was a slipper day, meaning we never put real shoes on because we were staying inside all day. And since we didn't go anywhere I told the kids we all could wear some comfy slippers (I wore Mickey Mouse ones, Allen wore clown slipper socks, and Abby wore her Zoe) while we "clean, clean, clean!"

Note: Once a week I clean the house throughly, I do all the laundry, and I do some major cooking. I never have set days, I like to be more spontaneous than that, but it has to get done before the week ends. Well, today I decided to duke it out and do it all on the same day. Afterall, we weren't going anywhere.

So we started off cleaning the upper floor. The kids did well picking up their room and the guest room (where Allen has his quiet time). They helped me straighten my room. I cleaned the bathroom sinks and toilets. Then we pulled out the vacuum. Allen's job is to plug it in and he's really good at it. He'll unplug and then move the cord for me. Abby doesn't really like the vacuum. As long as she plays nicely while we're cleaning, I'm fine with that.

After the upstairs, we went down the stairs to work on the main level. At this point the kids needed a break and asked to watch Magic School Bus (a new favorite series we make sure to check out from the library). I picked up the main level, vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom. Then I went upstairs and mopped all that level and came down and mopped all that level. Then I vacuumed the family room and the basement. And in between some of that cleaning, I threw in loads of laundry. (Now, don't be fooled into thinking that I love to clean. Rather, I do it quickly so I can celebrate when it's over.)

Once the cleaning was finished, I got out our Valentine decorations which caused some BIG excitement, if you can imagine. And I had to take a few pictures because it usually ends up all over the house -- what can I say? The kids love to move my holiday decor all over and play with it.

We decorated our banister, around the fireplace and shelves, garland between the ceiling fans (do you see Abby in that photo?) and heart-attacked our family room window.

The next task was to make sugar cookies for the holiday. I tripled the batch and was happy that with the 10 cups of flour, as tricky as it was to mix, actually fit in the bowl with all that sugar, butter and eggs. I made giant ones and small ones; frosted a few and froze the rest.

So... house clean, laundry done, holiday stuff up, cookies made and in the freezer... SWEET! I'm way ahead and it's only Monday. I love when that happens. Of course, now I'm really sore, tired and I have major leg aches.

And what has Ross been up to lately? He went to a doctor about his knees and has been taking some medicine and doing some exercises to strengthen them. He gave a great FHE lesson and the kids were attentive. I told him that he should teach the lesson every week. He's been doing lots of document review, and on the side has been our Craigslist Coordinator. Tonight he went to go look at some furniture and he bought us a new kitchen table for Valentines. He put down a deposit and brought home one of the chairs to show me. I'm excited. We've used the same round table since we got married, and we just need something bigger.