Phone Pics

My new puppy, Shiquita 

My favorite Kindergartener all bundled up at the bus stop.

 Lauren always blows us a few kisses from the bus every morning. I know this won't last for long so I snap lots of pics to remember. 

 The sunset was amazing a couple of weeks ago 

 Haley & Lauren set up a little classroom in our kitchen, it was so cute. 

 Lauren loves going to Staples, she has a thing for notepads and office supplies (funny thing is Ryan & I were total geeks for office supplies when we were kids too). We took Hads along on one of our Staples runs the other day and lucky her, she got a pink notepad and notebook too! 

 I love how for $1.50 I can totally make their day! 

 Lauren wrote me an apology note the other day for being mean. It says, "I love you mama. I am sorry I was mean. I won't do it again. Love Lauren" Too bad she already forgot what she wrote... 

 The neighborhood kids playing in the snow!

 Ben was loving being an only child last night when Lauren was at her "sleepover", lots of good laughs with this boy. He is currently in a really great stage, just so sweet and funny and Kevin & I are always talking about how he is just so fun to be around. Maybe he's seeming even sweeter since his big sis in such a grouchy phase... 

 I needed something to do today because I have just been going out of my mind with boredom this past week. We went to Jo Ann Fabrics and bought some fleece to make these cozy blankies. 

Both kids are in love with them and are currently all snuggled up with them! And I'm feeling satisfied that I actually did something today:) I am SOOOOO excited to get back on our routine tomorrow! 

Sleepover in the Playroom

 Friday night Lauren & Ben had a sleepover in the Castle. They were excited, but nervous...which really cracks me up! My poor kids have both inherited all my crazy fears. 

 Nighty Night

They lasted until about midnight, then Ben wanted to get in his own bed. Lauren braved it and finished out the night by herself. She was so proud of herself and felt that this prepared her for the real sleepover she was supposed to have on Saturday night at the neighbors slumber party. 

She called 3 times from the party to tell us she loved us...I knew exactly what that was leading up too. At about 11 we got the teary call from her that she needed us to come get her. Which I actually love because  I just love having her in her own bed. 

Last snow post...I hope!

 As mentioned in the post below we made snow ice cream yesterday. The kids LOVED making it! 

 my official taste tester

 Lauren decided it needed some color. 

 And then she insisted it needed chocolate chips. 

 They both took 2 bites and were done. But thye had a blast making it and it entertained them for a whole 10 minutes so it was worth it:)

p.s.- anyone think Ben needs a hair cut? 

 Lauren decided it was too cold and would be better warmed up and insisted on pouring hot water on it. I  figured why not let her try- turn it into a science experiment, right? 

 She quickly learned that hot water melts snow, duh. 

 We had to take advantage of the last night of sledding since the warm temps (40 degrees!) and rain were headed our way. 

 We went to the apartment complex across the street from us and it was the perfect place to sled, should've gone over there days ago!

 I wanted to be in at least 1 picture to prove I was here for the 2012 Snow Storm as well:) 

 Dog Pile Sledding

 Wee!

 Lauren posing on our pile of snow

 Then we were lucky enough to be invited over to our neighbors to hot tub in the snow last night!!! 

It was so fabulous, we all had the best time and it made us REALLY want our own hot tub! One of these days! 

It is currently raining, I tried to go shovel our driveway and the entrance to our neighborhood and it is a disgusting mess of ice and snow. The next few days are going to be nasty, can't wait to get back to just regular old rain...never thought I'd say that!! 

Snow Day(s) Fun

 Since we've been house bound since Monday we've been trying to find fun things to do around here. I pulled out the kids shaving kits I had bought at the after Christmas sales and the kids LOVED them! 

 Kept them busy for a whole 30 minutes:) 

 We've been doing lots of cuddling and movie watching

 playing at the park 

 brr!

 I should explain the helmets- Since Lauren got that mini snowboard we felt she should wear a helmet while riding it and of course Ben wanted to wear one too. Then the kids just kept them on. We don't make them wear helmets just to play in the snow:) 

 Lauren LOVES to eat the snow, she is actually kind of obsessed with it. 

 I taught the kids to roll snow balls and they thought it was the coolest thing ever. 

 Lauren &  Barat with their giant snow ball!

 We've also been spending a lot of time in our jammies and playing with the new race track. 

 our yard this morning...of course it's been snowing non stop since I took these about 4 hours ago so we've got even more now. 

 More sledding, but the kids are starting to be wimps and whine because of the cold. Yesterday I actually went out and sledded by myself for awhile and it was SO fun! 

 Our crafty neighbor Tina organized some kid snow projects, we filled water bottles with colored water and spray painted the snow. 

 The kids also made snow cones with juice and their spray bottles. 

 rainbow snow!

 Kevin pulled out an antique sled he has and it was a major hit!

 Weee!!!

 Ben & I were baking cookies and the power went out so we ate a lot of dough:) It came on an hour later though and we cooked the rest! We hosted a neighborhood happy hour and about 15 or so people came and they stayed 4 hours! It was so fun to have some social interaction since we've all been so cooped up! 

 We did Lauren's family homework for school- love this one!

 Today Tina had another project, she had frozen water balloons with colored water and then you take the balloon off and have cool frozen colorful balls of ice. The kids had a lot of fun with it until they all started complaining:) It is 27 degrees but feels like 20 because of the wind. Time for yet another movie:) 

And that is what we've been doing since Monday. Just got the call, no school tomorrow! 

Off to go make some snow ice cream thanks to the recommendation from this blog: 

http://cookingmisadventures.com/

Happy Snow Days!