Outside and it feels sooo good!

Look ma! No coat,  gloves, or hat!

Winter Parenting Hail Mary

The free trial class at the local kids gym.

Not paying $160 a month per kid for something pretty similar to my own basement, so this energy burning sanity saving maneuver has to be used only when absolutely necessary.

That's Gavin on the ladder and Ethan on the wheel.

Snow day #6

It's easier when I'm mentally prepared. I knew this one was coming. In hopes it's the LAST of the season,  I bucked up. 

I set up a chore chart where they could earn coins to buy books and games at the "store" (filled with items I bought the day earlier at a consignment sale that they were totally getting anyway,  lol).  Holy cow did they love it!

Then we invited their neighborhood friends from El Salvador over for sledding.  They'd never been! The Floridian in me was thrilled to share that experience with them.

Side note,  how great does Chris look in his beard. Swoon.

I totally nailed today!

When the boys woke me at their usual 6am, I saw the forecast of high of 49 today!

I decided I was going to rally and make this one successful winter day!

We started with their new favorite game,  Basement Obstacle Course.  I time them against their own best times and change up the course once they reach their best time. Watch each one's run here.

Watch "Basement Obstacle Course" on YouTube
Basement Obstacle Course: http://youtu.be/r9N8tE5-wEw

And

Watch "Gavin's obstacle course" on YouTube
Gavin's obstacle course: http://youtu.be/SrDMDHd8jtU

After everyone was worn out,  Gavin went down for his nap and Ethan and I settled in for our traditional weekend afternoon snuggles. Soooo much more comfy on our new couch! Major win- Ethan actuality slept!  That never happens! I, of course, immediately joined him.

Then we met up with our neighborhood pals Thane and Dan for sledding,  snowballs, and snowmen.

About 5 seconds after they proudly posed with their snowman classmates Thane and Ethan pummeled and demolished it.  Frosty, and Gavin, didn't see it coming. Tears quickly flowed. Kindly,  Dan made Gavin a new one 2 minutes flat.

I couldn't because,  you know,  Floridian. But boy I'm faking this winter thing best I can! 

Enough already

We headed outside as the forecast said the snow was going to transition to sleet soon. I wanted to clear the driveway so Chris had somewhere to park in the morning.

I shoveled the whole driveway filled with 6 inches of snow.  They look cute, but those two clowns thought it was the greatest fun in the world to leap into the mounds of snow I cleared, sending it tumbling back on to the driveway. I sent them to shovel a very important section of grass to keep them busy.

Finally it was cleared. The neighbors came and played while the snow continued to fall heavily. When I walked them home 45 minutes later I couldn't see the driveway! Ugh! ! The picture with Chris' car in the backround was an hour later at 5pm. It's 8 pm now and a few more inches have fallen and still at it.

Sorry Chris, your turn in the morning. I tried!

I felt so bad

Waking this little guy from his nap.

Putting on all his winter gear as he lay on the couch just trying to sleep.

Sitting him in the stroller knowing he was about to ride outside in THIS weather to pick up big bro from school.

Sorry little brother.

Kiss off winter

Wind chill -15 tonight. School delayed two hours tomorrow and for once I agree. At afternoon pick up it started to feel painful waiting outside in the wind for ME. I saw a kindergarten teacher holding hands and huddling together with the kids sent to school without hats or gloves to keep them warm.

Feels like 13 degrees

Gavin couldn't put his arms down.

All three boys had a powder snowball/snow kicking fight.

Until Gavin discovered his "shield", chanting "You missed!"

Hot chocolate followed of course.

We <3 Science!

Maryland Science Center saved the day again! Cold day off from school (professional development day, see my post wondering how people keep their jobs managing their kids days out of school!).

Anywho, I digress.  They hit all their favorites.  Every strength test possible, Ethan sending love notes to me via the bank tube thing, and a circuit board activity at the Shed. 

They had the right amount of fun for a peaceful ride home!

Science Museum Sillies

Here's some highlights of our visit to the Maryland Science Museum today. We've gotten our money's worth from this (Groupon!) family membership!  Bonuses...No accidents and a quiet car ride home!