Snow Day x4

We just wrapped up 4 LONG snow days, added a weekend in the mix, to give us 6 days of feeling trapped in this old house. I can do summer break, where it's easy to get out and about, but I hate driving in snow, so it makes me feel super trapped when it happens. I was so ready to make it back to work today... but not ready to wake up at my usual 5:50 am. I REALLY enjoyed sleeping in till 7-7:30. Guess I have spring break to look forward to... and next week is a 3 day week due to conferences. Then we have a long Easter weekend, so March will fly by, and my paycheck will make me cry! ;)

I bought these construction kits at school (for very cheap) and did they ever come in handy while being stuck inside...in between trips out to play in the snow. The took up HOURS at a time!
The boys also got to buy some new Legos, because we were supposed to get another foot of snow, which didn't happen. 

First round got us 13.8" and round two got us 3".... not sure we needed 2 days off for round 2, but the forecast was 10-15".
We did make snow ice cream... first time ever and it was awesome! But VERY cold... small bites recommended!

The trees looked too cool on our last snow day. The sun quickly came out and melted all the snow on the streets and sidewalks and it was a gorgeous day!

We Mom got so tired of being home, we made it out to lunch. The goofy boys were treated to some yummy desserts for being so good during this long stretch of being home. 

My not-as-g0oFy boys.

Concentrating and building.

I was mostly impressed with Reece. A couple years ago, you would never have seen him sit and put Legos together. He would wait for Riley to build it for him. He just didn't have the focus. Now he loves to do the building, and he really concentrated and worked on the first kit all by himself for quite a while!

And the first day back.... I asked the boys of their opinion about returning to school.  You can figure it out...

Snow Day

We had our first snow day in two years! Woohoo!! And tomorrow will be our second! Not sure why snow days excite me so much. It could be that February is a "long" short month for USD 418. We have an extra day off on MLK Jr day, and then it's no break until the last day of February. However, we only go to school 12 days in March, with conferences, spring break, and Good Friday in the mix.
After lunch, the boys spent over 3 hours outside... The only time that ever happens is when it snows or we are at a pool. Jake did not get a snow day, so the boys and I packed his truck with snow. That and several sand bags should do the trick. I stopped counting how much snow we got after the first foot.... it just kept falling and my arms are jello from all the shoveling. Guess I'll enjoy this while it lasts!

Middle School

This week started off with MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT. Yikes! Just looking at this building intimidates me. It looks like it should be on a college campus. The inside made me think of Winchester mansion... You know, the crazy lady that kept adding to her house to fool the ghosts? Maybe a little dramatic, but Riley may need a map the first semester.... And some good walking/stair climbing shoes. I was impressed with the principal and the few teachers that were there to speak with us. Riley was very nervous at first, then he decided he was ready for it by the time the night was over. I will just throw myself a pity party, and kick myself for sending him to school too early (he's the baby of his class with a June birthday)... Even though he was plenty ready and has excelled so far.

Week In Review

I had a busy week (last week), while being slightly under the weather.... all in all, it was a GREAT week!

The Jayhawks put an end to their 3 game losing streak by destroying both K-State and Texas. So this GREATLY improved my February!

We had a spirit week, as a reward for collecting a TON of pop tabs for The Ronald McDonald House.  It was a "Salad Dressing" themed reward week.
Monday was "Thousand Island" A.K.A. "Hawaiian Day."
My coworker, Cindy and I squeezed into these little girl hula skirts. Our principal, a KU Alum, also declared it Sunflower Showdown day.... which explains our Jayhawk shirts.
It was this day, that KU crushed the Wildcats! Woohoo!

Tuesday was "Ranch" day.... in my BEST western ware. Well,  I don't really own western ware, so this was the best I could do.... I had to borrow Jake's Aussie hat from his Outback days. ;) 

I've had fun designing a baby outfit for my good friend, Shane, who is expecting a little girl next month with his wife. This is the back before it was complete. FYI, he is a basketball player. He played in college and even over seas afterwards. 

The front.... LOVE it!

I got a few Valentines at school.
This is too cute!

Even better. ..Melon?

The boy's school is about to have the most genius fundraiser EVER!
It's hard to read here, but to raise money for new Library books and Guided Reading books the kids are "voting" for the best school. The votes are donated money, and whichever team has the most money donated, gets bragging rights as the best school. Clever!

And finally, I turned 31. I was sick, but it was  still a good day. My financial guy sent me this fun fact sheet about what life was like when I was 7. I was actually shocked to see that milk was so expensive... for 1989. This wraps up my busy/odd week.

Quick Trip

We made a super quick trip to see my brother, Shawn, and his family on Saturday. He had an extra ticket to see KU play, and I could never pass it up! Unfortunately, KU lost to OSU..... my first EVER loss to witness in person. I literally felt sick all night, but I did survive.

Riley snapped some pictures on the way there.

Perfect seats! Center court, and at the very top where we had lots of standing and jumping around room!

I LOVE when this super huge, jumbo flag comes out. 

After the game we decided to stay the night since it was so late, and we had a great dinner with cousins! The kids had a lot of fun hanging out too. Thanks Shawn and Kait, you are great hostesses.
(Shawn: Please don't ban me from KU games.... It will be better next time!)

Mythical Bird

You can tell Reece has a Kansas State fan as a teacher.... Look at the silly Kansas Day fact she decided to have the kids do! It was an easy fix for mom.