And the snow days begin!

It took a while...But the first school week back from school hasn't had much school! Maybe 3 inches of snow with a wind chill factor down to -10 at night.  The first snow day, a blast. But the next day with cleared roads and no snow, we bundled up for the walk to school.

Uhhh...where are the buses whizzing by?  Quick check on my phone, yup school opening is delayed.

We had the gear on so might as well build a fort!

At least he got to school later right? Nope, they later cancelled the whole day.

 

It's cold out there, good thing these boys warm my heart!

While Daddy was at work (for the last two days straight), my tiniest valentines and I headed out into the snow...AGAIN.

Here's our little snow family. Stuck with a Floridian for a mom, that's as far as I could help them with.

Gavin felt as daunted as I was trying to clear the ice boulders the snow plow left in our driveway.

Yet again a charitable neighbor came to the rescue with his snowplow!!

Kind neighbors armed with snow plows cleared us out of this mess and got me on the road today!!

Ethan tried a snow angel, but it was a little too deep.

Sledding still worked though!

Next it was time to make Daddy's Valentine's cards (swear to God, Ethan's suggestion!).

Flowers and hearts, "I love you Daddy, Ethan"

Footballs and horses, signed "Gavin".

Not to be outdone, Chris baked me a cake with the boys!

And helped them make their first cards to their Mommy.

I might have been strongly hinting for that for about 4 years ;)

Chris and my 9th Valentine's Day together was special as always, now if the boys would just stay asleep so we can watch more House of Cards!!

 

Best Snow Day Ever!

We started the morning meeting our neighborhood friends for some sledding.

Back when we were pregnant with Ethan and house hunting, we discovered this 2.5 acre park on the other side of our future home's backyard fence. When we opened the fence and saw it, we dreamt of sledding down its big hill with our children. Little did we imagine the fun neighborhood friends that we'd have to join us!

Check out the grown ups snowball fighting here.

Ethan helped me build MY very first snowman!

(Whose head was later used in the snowball battle.)

After almost two hours of sledding and snowballing, we were all wiped and took a nap!

(Well, Chris went to work, poor guy. But the rest of us napped!)

We then kicked off our afternoon with some hot chocolate and a movie! Then opened a craft box and did some artsy fartsy fun!

(You can see the chocolate mustaches still on their lips)

Ethan signed his work.

While Gavin drew one of his two favorite subjects, fish (the other is horses). Don't see it? Neither do I! But that's what he signed it was. And yes, he's definitely a lefty. Yet AGAIN, he's just like his Daddy.

 

Wonderful day with the family enjoying a snow day. And now, LET'S GO BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY! ;)

 

Love my biggest boys!

This is how my car likes to be cleaned off, with Gavin and I warm inside in our cozy pj's! And yes, she's wearing antlers!

(Admittedly, Gavin was dying to get out there and join the "fun", but that would require Mommy getting out said cozy pj's!)

 

I'm NEVER this mom!

My boys must leave the house every day.

Must. Not. Be. Trapped. Inside.

I always find something. Today I took a page out of Chris's play book and for the first time we just splashed in the rain.

Gavin looks as surprised as I was.

Going with the water theme they pulled out the water beads.

Ethan was bummed when I said we had to go in and dry off...

But stoked when I (reluctantly) said we could do it again.

I can wait four more years to fulfill that promise right?

I'm pretty partial to dry clothes and avoiding mud.

Ohhhh... or maybe Daddy will be home the next rainy day...

 

Great Start to Father's Day Weekend

Walking to breakfast at First Watch.

"Truck Touch" in DC with longtime friends the Thomas's!

Ethan built a helicopter at the Home Depot station.

Climbed aboard a police motorcycle (bucket list goal completed!).

Then the boys climbed aboard the police helicopter they had watched land! (MAJOR Ethan bucket list item!!)

Great weather. Great day. Great Daddy.

This Floridian's New Favorite Part of Winter?

SPRING!!

For the first time, I planted bulbs (that doesn't work so well by the Everglades). And they bloomed!!!

 

 

 

You can spot the flower beds behind us as we dine alfresco :)

Veggies are no guarantee I'll use them ;), but flowers I will always appreciate!

 

New Sandbox for Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

"Spring" Break Hike

Even though it's not warming up around here, we couldn't wait anymore to get outside and play! Enjoy some highlights of our recent "spring" hike during Ethan's spring break.

 

A little mother/son racing!

 

 

 

 

Daddy saved the day when there were some sharp thorns in the path!

 

A worn out Ethan is a good and cuddly Ethan.

I soaked up every second of carrying my 42lb son as he hasn't let me carry him since he became a "big boy" over a year ago!

While Gavin snuggled into his Daddy.