Fun In the Snow and Then Summer, Then Back to Winter

Wow! March has brought some crazy weather, but it usually does. March came in like a lion bringing first rain, then snow. So, you know what that means ... a layer of ice under the snow. It actually wasn't too bad as snows in this area go, although, I bet folks who were in accidents or otherwise inconvenienced by it, wouldn't agree. I was so excited, though, on March 1st late in the afternoon when it began snowing. I was holding my breath just about hoping for enough snow that the kids could actually play in. The last time we had enough snow for me to dress the kids in snow boots and get a picture was about 4 years ago. Charlie didn't even remember what measurable snow looked like! Anyway, everyone was excited and anxious to get out in it, but I wouldn't let them go out early Monday morning because it was only in the mid to upper 20's outside. I made them wait until late morning, and then they just about tore up the snow in the yard in under 10 minutes. It was kind of funny. They made snow angels and we attempted a snow man. Unfortunately, the snow was a little too powdery and wasn't packing well. So, after much effort, we ended up with an approximately 2 feet tall "snow lady" in a skirt with pennies for buttons and rocks for eyes and a nose. She had the classic stick arms and a curved stick mouth. She was really cute! Marcie wanted to go in less than 10 minutes after we had gone out because it was cold but I made her stay out for the creation of the snow lady. Then, we all went in and had lunch and goofed off for a little while. It actually snowed all morning and we ended up with about 6 inches. Later in the day, we took the sled down the street and a neighbor allowed us to sled down the hill in her back yard. It was great and the kids LOVED it! Joanna did not want to sled and played around in the snow while the other kids rode the sled down the hill, carted it back up and waited for their turn to come around again. Finally, just before I said we had to go, I made Joanna ride. I took it down the hill a little lower so she wouldn't have far to go, got her on it and gently gave the sled a push. She was scared but when the sled stopped, she jumped up and said, "I want to do it again!" So, she rode about 3 times and we just had to go home. My broken toe was really hurting (guess the cold wasn't the remedy it needed) and I knew the kids would be too tired and cold to walk up the hill back to our house if we didn't leave. The temperature never made it above freezing that day or night, so the schools were closed again on Tuesday. I was really hoping the University would close again so that I could take the kids sledding again on Tuesday but no such luck. They went to daycare on Tuesday and Wednesday. The roads were pretty good in my area but I heard that there were places throughout the county that were really bad because snow plows didn't come through and it was just so cold...not to mention the ice underneath the snow.

Fast forward to the end of that week and nearly 80 degree weather over the weekend: the kids wanted to go to the pool! Poor things, they are really confused! So, now we all have spring fever and it's cold again. It was snowing this morning, though too warm and not enough for any accumulation. It's 38 degrees outside with a cold rain. Not the weather that makes me the happiest! I wish we could get another great snow and I could stay home for a few days with the kids. I didn't even get to make snow cream for them, which my mom used to make for us when we were little. I hope it's not another 4 years before we can have fun in the snow again!

Well, the kids overall are doing well. Charlie is eating glue again for who knows what reason. He gets very defensive when I talk to him about it. So, the teachers are removing glue from his desk and making sure he doesn't get near any of it in the classrooms he is in. He had an upper GI today, which showed some reflux. Of course, we already knew that but now we have some more proof. Charlie's recent funny sayings: A few days ago, Kyle was sitting in the car behind Charlie and Kyle sneezed this juicy sounding, loud sneeze. Charlie whined, "Mom, Kyle bless-ed on me!" I had to try so hard not to laugh out loud! This morning, Charlie agreed that Marcie needed to go and stay with her daycare teacher for "camp boot" for a few weeks.

So, speaking of Marcie, she has such a hard time earning her rewards. She is supposed to get 6 happy faces on her behavior chart (she's 6 years old) and right when she gets to 4 or 5, she just simply cannot behave well enough to get the last one or 2. She has 5 on her chart and when she gets to 6, she gets her "High School Musical" tennis shoes. I told her last night that if she got ready for bed with teeth brushed and got in bed without giving me any trouble and if she was dressed and ready to go on time for school today, she would get that last smiley face and her shoes. Well, she did neither. She dawdled and essentially refused to get in bed last night until almost 10 and while she got up a little bit better this morning, finally ate and took her medicine, she balked at not being allowed to wear a sleeveless shirt to school. We ended up chasing the bus down the street again this morning and I practically threw her on it. So, for most of this week, she has made it to school dressed but with dirty teeth and un-brushed hair. So, yes, Marcie needs "camp boot."

Joanna is still the same....she is very compliant, does everything asked of her, tries her best, eats and does just about anything else at a snail's pace. Last Saturday, she was at a friend's house and she sat on the outdoor swing with my friend (an adult) for hours. She didn't play with the kids at all. Finally, I made her get up and go play. She's like a little old lady in a 5 year old's body! After she went and played, she said she had a good time. Go figure. She is still lying a lot and she is very sneaky. I think she's finally figured out that I will find most things she hides. I hope she stops doing that before she finds better hiding places and I find spoiled, molded food or other yukky things months or years after she hides them!

Kyle is still acting like a wild buck but is doing pretty well with his behavior chart. He does not like getting frowny faces! He only has to earn 4 smiley faces for a special treat and he now has 5! He is generally keeping his pants dry (2 accidents in the last 6 days) and has been very helpful at home. He told me this morning that he is going to "remember you to put my Thomas sheets on my bed tonight." So cute! He also told me that he needs to put "little money" in the "Marching Dimes" bucket at KinderCare. So, we will bring some coins for the Marching Dimes on Monday.