Snow Day, Part Two

Friday, we enjoyed one more snow day. The kids were desperate to build a snowman:

 It was not great packing snow, but we started with snowballs the plows had made, which made the whole endeavor possible. Before long, the neighborhood had joined in:

 And Evan had checked out:

 He likes snowmen, but the building of one is not so exciting. There was snow that needed bulldozing.

The girls were very proud of Olaf Junior:

 As soon as he was finished, they were back on the sleds:

 I love that face:

 And we went back to the big hill one more time. These boys are buddies:

The kids all had a blast, and by Friday afternoon we could go to dance and the library. By this morning, it's mostly all gone aside from what the plows piled up. It was great fun, but I'm quite glad we are all back in school and back into the routine.

Tomorrow, I'll share our big Valentine's Day celebrations!

Sledding!

We had an absolutely fabulous snow day yesterday. We started out in our front yard:

 You can see how deep it was based on Viv's legs. In the morning, we had about six inches with a decent layer of ice on top. If you kept moving, you could walk on top of it.

The kids started sledding down our little ditch while I attempted to shovel the front walk:

 The speed was amazing because of the ice:

 Issa also collected snow for snow cream!

 Pretty soon, many of the neighbors started coming out with sleds. Mr. Patrick, one of the dads, started pulling the kids on sleds down the road and letting go so they would go flying. It was great fun until Issa face planted in an ice bank. She has a bit of a scraped up face, but she jumped right back on without missing a beat!

After many attempts on flat surfaces, we decided we needed a hill. Three families, us included, headed down to the end of the street to sled down our road. It's a pretty decent little hill, and half the neighborhood had the same idea:

 Issa was so sweet. I don't know how many times she pulled Evan up and down that hill. Mr. Patrick, who is really a big kid himself, decided we needed an even bigger hill! So...we went to a construction site up the road and sledded their fill pile:

 Evan was a trooper. I have no idea how many times he went up and down:

 He was one happy camper:

 Issa wanted none of that hill, though.

Eventually, the kids were exhausted and we started getting some freezing rain, so it was time to head home. Mr. Patrick hauled the three littlest:

 Ms. Meg and Ms. Allison pulled the bigger girls:

I was the dedicated photographer. I totally got the better end of this deal!

It was so fun. I loved playing in the snow with the neighbors, and so did the kids.

In the afternoon, we made snow cream and watched another three inches fall. And now...we're off to build a snowman!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Snowed In

We are officially, officially snowed in. I don't think I could get the van out if I wanted to--which I don't.

We got about seven inches of snow and then about a half an inch of ice. The ice on top is so solid Viv can walk across the surface of the snow. Thankfully, we maintained power through the whole thing, although we were ready with flashlights, candles, and a fire set in the fireplace. There are thousands without power, though, and we are praying for them that it comes on quickly. We are only in the 20s and have three more inches of snow coming this afternoon. Thankfully...we live in NC and it's supposed to be 50 tomorrow.

I will say, I have been getting six million texts all morning with friendly advice about the weather from people who know Brad is in AZ until tomorrow. Y'all. This is not my first snow. We're good. Promise. I am extremely grateful for great people who worry about us, but I'm okay. If I'm totally honest, it gets a little frustrating. I'm quite certain no one would be texting Brad advice if I was the one travelling. I think it's good for both of my kids to see that mom, a girl, can handle this, too. Rant over.

Now, we have some sledding to do...

I'm a Southerner

We are bracing for another snow/ice/freezing rain debacle. I sent the kids in this morning knowing they are coming home early. Last night, we got a phone call from Issa's school stating they would be closing no later than 11. Yes...you read that correctly. The time right now is 11, but they might move that up. They will try to give us thirty minutes' notice. Needless to say, I'm working from home since my commute is about thirty minutes on a good day.

We stocked up pretty well on our last grocery trip knowing this was coming, but we got word Monday that Issa was in fact having a Valentine's Day party, which meant we needed Valentine's and juice boxes, which meant I had to brave the store the day before a storm....to get Valentine's. Those two events should not coincide--EVER.

The kids and I pulled in to a parking spot after much hunting and headed in to the store. At that point, we discovered there were no carts. We hadn't seen any in the parking lot, either. That should tell you the general state of the aisles.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I told the kids I would buy them each a pack of their very own gum if they could help me carry what we needed and asked for nothing else. We started in the Valentine aisle, and every mother standing there had the same "please help me" face. Issa made a selection in record time, and we headed to the juice boxes. At this point, I realized the water shelves were completely empty, which started some Southern part of my brain twitching.

Next thing I know we are picking up milk, bread, wine, and cupcakes. I can't explain the cupcakes. It just felt right.

We made it to the check-out and home relatively unscathed...and I realized I have become part of the grocery before a storm problem.

Our Soloist

Friday, Issa had her first solo lesson at the studio. She is working on a short piece for the recital this spring, and then she will build upon it to compete it next year. She has chosen a ballet-ish musical theater piece to "Do You Want to Build a Snowman." Needless to say, I think it is going to be super cute.

We really weren't entirely sure what to expect with these Friday lessons, but they may become my very favorite part of the week. I love to watch Issa work. You can see her little mind going as her teacher works to correct technique and push her just a little bit. And man can she work. She pushes to stretch a little more or hold the pose a little longer. She came out tired by excited with goals for the week and specific things for me to help her with when she works at home. We made a deal that if we did solo lessons she would practice solo stuff for ten minutes a day. So far, she's all in, and she has asked me to help rather than me reminding her to do it. She even asked Daddy for a ballet bar in her room, and he is already building it.

I know we will hit walls, and I know some weeks will be better than others. But...I am so excited to watch my little soloist grow.

Boys

Yesterday afternoon, I was sitting on the couch watching the Olympics, and suddenly I heard the door to the garage fly open and slam shut. Then I heard what sounded like a herd. Evan ran past the couch on his way upstairs shouting, "This is my friend, Parker, we're going to get stuff." And the herd ran upstairs.

Now, we know Parker. He lives across the street and a couple of houses down, and he's only a couple of weeks younger than Evan. This was the first time the boys had really played, though. I think they are finally old enough to make neighborhood friends. Pretty soon, they came flying back past followed by the same slamming door. Brad was out working in the garage, and Issa was playing out front with her neighborhood friends, so I settled back in to watch more skating.

A few minutes later, I hear the same slamming of doors and a bigger herd: "This is Henry. We need more stuff," and three little boys went thundering up my steps. Henry is two weeks younger than Parker and lives three doors down. The herd slammed back outside briefly before they came slamming back inside: "We need marshmallows! We're all making marshmallow guns with Daddy!"

This got me off the couch. I found the marshmallows and followed the herd outside. Parker's mom and Henry's dad were waiting in the garage and sure enough there were big plans for marshmallow guns. I wish I had grabbed my camera. Brad was masterful as he helped the boys cut PVC pipe and fit the pieces together. All the parents were laughing as we watched three little boys shoot marshmallows across the yard.

The impromptu block party led to all manner of skateboards and balls and bicycles strewn across yards. The girls and boys played while parents chatted and stopped the occasional bad idea (mostly from the boys). It was beautiful. As the temperature started to drop, we sorted out what belonged to which house and made plans for many more block parties and we dragged very tired children home.

We've always been grateful that Issa had neighborhood friends and a network of parents watching, and now it appears that Evan will have the same thing. And watching these boys, I think it's going to take a village to watch over this orneriness.

It's More Than Dance

On the way home from dance, Issa confided that one of her teammates had shared that she was having some trouble at school. Issa was pretty sure it was a bully, and she wanted my help. First, parenting win. I always hope that the kids truly hear when we talk about problems that need grown-ups and us being part of their team, but when Issa actually asked I was so grateful.

We got home and I texted her mom Issa's concerns, and her mom texted back that with a few questions she found out there was indeed a bully, and now they can start working on the problem. The nets had worked.

That in and of itself is a happy ending. Our girls are truly learning the meaning of friendship, and they are learning there is a network of families that are there to support and be the safety nets.

And that's the thing. Every once in a while, more often than I would like, someone makes comments about me being a dance mom and how they could never do that and oh the drama and on and on and on. I would be lying if I said there was never any drama, but to think it's like that stupid tv show is beyond ludicrous.

The Truth: I'm a dance mom. Yes, that means I stone costumes and knox buns and apply eye liner and live at the studio. Yes, that means I can name three websites for great dance wear and I haul a Dream Duffle bigger than my child. That's the surface, though. It also means I am a dance mom to several other girls who know I'm there if they need help or just need a ponytail--and Issa can name several of her own other dance moms that would do the same for her. And here's the beauty, I trust these women implicitly. We share a connection through a studio, but we also share the value of hard work, dedication, and teaching our girls that they are strong and capable. We are teaching them about confidence and friendship and loyalty and sisterhood because we live it week in and week out. At some point, each of the girls has hit a wall, and her team has rallied around her. At some point, every one of we moms have hit a wall, and our team rallied around her--around me.

So, yes, I'm a dance mom. And I'm damn proud of it.

Great Team

So...we need to have a little work done in our crawl space. We've known it was coming, and it seems as though now is the time.

Brad has been running point on this for obvious reasons, but one of the people we are getting a quote from insisted that we both be there when he went through our options. We set a time yesterday afternoon, and about fifteen minutes in I'm pretty sure the poor man was wishing he had just met with Brad.

Here's the deal. Brad and I have been together since 1998. To say we know each other is a mastery of understatement. This poor fellow was going through his pitch, and I looked at Brad across the table. Game on. I know what the look means. Brad liked what he was seeing as far as the work, but the price was insane.

I have gotten really good at playing the poor Southern belle. I can ask for the most ridiculous things while looking like I don't know they are ridiculous. So...I started pitching all manner of combinations of what they could do versus what we could do. Brad can run numbers in his head faster than anyone I know. A call to the manager and a few more haggles and we had cut the price by nearly half with them still doing the work. When the poor fellow stepped out to call the manager we agreed we were really sure he was wishing someone else had gotten this pitch.

Brad is getting two more estimates today, but we will probably go with the quote from yesterday just because we have a history with the company.

Really, the work is secondary, though. I love being part of this team.

Old Maid

Sometimes, I forgot how important the simple things are. In the midst of homework and dinner and dishes I can get swept up in the just get through it phase of parenting. The I just need to get them in bed so we can start all this again tomorrow hurry. Efficiency reigns. Sure we have snuggles and lots of conversation, but the clock becomes the dictator.

When I get caught in that hurry, I'm especially glad to be married to a man that sometimes forgets there is a clock. It used to drive me crazy, but I'm learning to appreciate Brad-time. Last night after dinner, I was mentally starting the time to tuck checklist when Daddy consented to a rousing game of Old Maid, which is possibly my least favorite game--right up there with Candyland. I shot him the "you have to be kidding me look," and then settled in to watch them play.

As I watched, really watched, I couldn't help but care a little less about the clock. The giggles every time the Old Maid passed back and forth were priceless, and when Evan threw his head back laughing when he pulled her from Issa's hand, I was reminded that bed time could wait. These were memories, and we were all laughing--really laughing. The kids got to bed a little late, but they went to bed happy and loved. And at the end of the day, that's what really matters.

A Weekend Wrap-Up List

It was just one of those weekends...

1. Issa was in fact fine Friday. Getting rid of the foul water bottle solved her problem, and we were able to enjoy our little Chinese New Year feast.

2. Daddy came home Friday night, and we spent Saturday have a family fun day. We got hair cuts, went out to lunch, got new shoes, and went to the grocery. As I'm typing, I realize that to most people that's not much of a fun day, but we had a blast.

3. Saturday night, Daddy made Issa a special celebratory dinner for her report card. She rocked it out again this quarter, and we couldn't be more proud! She requested his Alfredo and chocolate lava cakes. Well done, sister.

4. Sunday, we declared it a much needed family pajama and snuggle day. We spent most of it on the couch playing games and watching football. It's the one day a year when we all pretend we really love football. The boys watch more, but Issa and I are fine with one day. We had all chosen the Seahawks for the win, but Issa and I actually started to feel badly for Manning. The close-ups of his face throughout the game were just pitiful.

5. The alarms actually went off at normal time today. No more snow. No one was very excited to hear them.

6. Here's to a perfectly normal week--I could use one!

It's Officially Looking Love-ly Around Here

We are still snowed in. Issa technically had a three hour delay today, but I'm keeping her home because she had some tummy trouble yesterday. I will spare you all the gross details, but thanks to Nana the super-sleuth we think it's from a water glass she had squirreled up in  her room. I just don't want to send her to school and find out it is actually a virus we just shared.

Yesterday, we decided to spend the day making Valentine's Day decorations. The best part of this set is we made them all with things we already had around the house.

We started with a new wreath on the door:

 Issa made this Valentine's mistletoe:

 And then we decided it was time to take the snow down from Daddy's window and replace it with hearts:

 Here is one up close:

These were a little tricky for the kids, but I love them in the window!

Today, we have declared it a movie day! We are also planning a Chinese feast to celebrate the new year. Here's to hoping we're all well enough by dinner to enjoy it!

Work Would be a Break

We are still "snowed in." I am quite confident I could get any where I needed to, but anywhere I would go is closed. So...here we are.

Yesterday was very, very busy. So busy that I think work would be a break. I barely got breakfast in the kids before they were headed out to play in the snow:

Horrible lighting, but they were not too interested in moving away from the door they were trying to burst through.

The first stop was Evan's new rain gauge. The news was correct; we got three inches.

The saucer was a huge hit:

Evan needed a little push to get going:

The hill is really not that big, but it's enough to slide down and then crash into the other side, which is apparently hysterical.

After about thirty minutes, they were freezing. So, they pulled off all the snow gear, took off wet clothes, and I made hot cocoa--at nine in the morning. Why not?

Then Issa decided it was the perfect day for a science experiment. She found one about using ice and salt to make a slushy. Look at that concentration:

Once the salt was stirred into the ice and the cup settled in the center, we poured in our juice:

You can see how helpful Evan is:

He had a snack while Issa worked. We then stirred every ten minutes for two hours. If anyone knows the name for when you stir and whoosh you have crystals that would be awesome. It was so cool to watch, but the Google has failed me and Issa's book was more focused on the salt ice combo.

We also dug out some craft kits:

Issa made a beautiful butterfly magnet:

Evan made a wooden truck:

Do you think he was excited?

He loved pounding the wheels in with his little hammer.

After all that fun, the neighbor came over to make sugar cookies:

Why not add frosting and sprinkles to the mix:

They went back out in the snow while I reclaimed the kitchen, and then they finally decided maybe some quiet time wasn't a terrible idea:

You have to love a boy and his dog.

The kids made spaghetti sauce, and we put another fire in the fireplace. In short, it was a perfect snow day. And now...we have another one.

Snow Days

We are "snowed in." For my northern friends, I know you are laughing. We have about three inches on the ground of soft fluffy snow and you would think it's a blizzard. Even my college is closed. 

Yesterday, school dismissed at 11 because of the impending snow (which actually started at 5), and a fort was soon erected in my the living room:

That's what I love about snow days. The kids just love the extra time to play together. We put a fire in the fireplace, made shrimp scampi, and watched it snow. This morning, we woke up without alarms and the kiddos jumped up and down about the amount of snow. As soon as they finish eating, they plan to go outside and try out their new saucer. It's really more than they can handle. I see hot cocoa and lots of snuggles in our future, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Meet Stella

In the midst of getting ready for Issa's first competition, we had to say goodbye to a part of the family:

 Our van finally gave up the ghost. It had seen us through nearly eight years and had 200,558 miles on it. The gas gauge didn't work, and lately most of the gauges had been wonky. Brad took it in Tuesday, and we discovered it had a hole in the radiator and a failing alternator. It was time.

I crumbled. We drove to every baby shower in that van. It moved me out of my first classroom and into numerous offices. It brought both babies home, and it took us on more trips than I can name. First Christmases, beach trips, Great Wolf. It held so many memories, but it was time to say goodbye.

Thankfully, Brad was a rock star and did some fast research. Meet Stella:

She joined our family Thursday--just in time for our Atlanta trip. I am convinced the salesman thinks I am a nut job; I actually cried when I passed him the keys to old van. But, I do love Stella. She is also a Town and Country--just ten years newer. She also has fold and go seats and drives like a dream. All the gauges work, and life is good. I'm sure she will carry us to many more memories, but I'm still missing my old van just a little bit--goldfish crumbs and all.

Our NUVO Nubie

Here is what I have come to accept about myself: I rock at capturing the mundane on film and completely miss the photos of life's major events. It used to bother me, but now I recognize that I am just too busy living the events--and that's not a bad thing. That being said, I have exactly two pictures from this weekend.

We headed south to Atlanta this weekend of Issa could dance in her first competition and convention. The best part about it being in Atlanta was Uncle Nick and Aunt Beth. We were able to stay at their house, and they drove us around and were there to cheer on our girl and her mama. It was a nice gentle entrance into this whole new world.

Friday was the competition, and I couldn't be more proud of these Tinys:

They earned a high silver in each of their three dances. Their tap and hip-hop was the best I've ever seen it, and they made it through jazz. Jazz is usually solid, but I think nerves got the better of them. It was a learning experience, though, and Issa was proud of what they did. She was also very realistic about what they need to fix before the next competition.

Saturday, Issa had convention:

She was so anxious to take classes from master choreographers, and I was thrilled to be able to sit in and watch. It was so fun to watch these amazing choreographers work with these little ones, and it was even more amazing to watch Issa participate. She actually demonstrated a coffee grinder in hip hop, and she never gave up--even when the tap teacher "was trying to kill me." I truly couldn't be more proud of this girl.

Sunday, Issa had the day off and we were able to get together with the whole Atlanta clan. It was so fun to watch all the littles (some of which who are not so little) play, and it was awesome to watch Issa was Kaitlin sing. It was the perfect end to the weekend.

The next competition will be in Greenville next month, and we're making it a girls' weekend. I can't wait!

Once

Last night, Brad and I had the opportunity to go see Once. All I can say is that if you ever get the chance to see it, go!

Since the cast is also the musicians, we arrived twenty minutes for the show only to see them warming up on stage--in character--with Irish drinking songs. It only got cooler from there. It is a perfect blend of funny and heart-warming and heart-breaking. The music is incredible--all the more so because you see them playing the instruments. Magic. Pure magic. I was in tears multiple times, often just out of sheer awe.

And...we had a two hour delay this morning, so life is even better.

The House Where Love Abides

Last night, the kids and I decided to decorate the Valentine's house. Look who I caught:

Little Monster is a fan of icing.

Issa was very meticulous last night:

Evan wanted some extra help, which was fun. We created this side of the house:

And y'all, I'm a little worried about Issa not coming out of her shell:

Good grief. I love this girl.

Today, we have a snow day and Daddy and I have a date tonight. I'd call that a perfect combination.

The Magic of Just Being

This weekend, two of Brad's college roommate came for a visit. Even though we have collectively experienced marriage, divorce, career changes, advanced degrees, and babies, when we get together it feels just the way it did when we were in undergrad.

Many of the same jokes resurface. I had to make monkey bread, and we stayed up way too late. Of course, some things change. A new girlfriend (who is lovely) was brought into the circle. Our conversations are more nuanced and certainly wiser, and our kiddos were brought into the mix. I love that they are growing up knowing Uncle Tim, and I love that there was time made for building train tracks and a marathon Monopoly game.

I struggled with what to write today because there was no fabulous moment--no big event. Maybe that's the magic. We don't need one. It's enough to just be.

We Might Have a Problem...

We have a new happy thing at our house:

 I made that. At my house. And I can make another one anytime I want. We received a Keurig cappuccino/latte maker for Christmas, and we are in love. It's amazing how good it is.

However, we may have a coffee problem:

That whole section is dedicated to coffee: the cappuccino machine, a regular Keurig for when we only need one cup, a regular pot for most mornings, a grinder, and a vacuum sealing coffee bean storage container. It is happiness...and a little disturbing.

Happy Surprise

We got a happy surprise in the mail yesterday:

Evan's basketball pictures finally arrived! He just cracks me up with that cheesy little smile.

He registered for baseball this week, and he can hardly wait! He had to choose between baseball and soccer, and baseball won out. We'll see what the next season brings...

Great News Abounds!

Yesterday was full of big news.

First, Erin is a winner! The kids loved their evening with her, and I loved coming home to a tidy house and very happy children. As an added bonus, she took the kids to the park and one of my friends happened to be there. She was happy to report that all seemed wonderful, which was a huge relief. You can interview and watch and pray, but it's nice to have some independent confirmation.

And the even bigger news...Issa will be doing a solo in the recital and the building upon it to compete next year! And, in the biggest news that made her over the moon thrilled, she gets to use "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" from Frozen. And...she gets to work with Mrs. Lauren. Life just doesn't get any better for our sweet dancing girl.

I am one happy mama.

Not One But Two

So...the babysitter saga concludes...

I believe I mentioned I had a phone interview with a fabulous candidate and we were planning to interview her and hopefully hire her. Well...she cancelled the second interview and we threw in the towel with her.

Meanwhile, I continued to receive great applicants from Care.com. I really can't say enough how wonderful that site is! One applicant was a freshman at UNC, and I really liked her when we spoke on the phone. She was a little younger than our first applicant, but she has experience as a camp counselor and graduated from NC Science and Math--both very promising signs. We set up an interview for Friday, and I crossed my fingers.

Friday morning, I received an email from her stating she would completely understand if the answer was no, but since we were meeting in our home instead of a public place could she please bring her roommate. Why, yes. That actually shows impeccable judgement, and I liked her even more.

Erin, the applicant, and Serina arrived at our house five minutes early dressed for an interview--hose, heels and pearls. We chatted, and then the kids asked them to come see the playroom and their rooms, and it was a done deal. Erin jumped right in, playing and oohing and aahing appropriately. As a bonus, the kids fell in love with Serina, too. Although we primarily need help on Thursdays, there are random other days, and between the two of them, they can cover every day of the week.

We have emailed back and forth a few times, and Erin comes for the first time today. I sent her a two page outline of every possible thing she could need to know yesterday, and she didn't run for the hills, so that's a good sign. The kids are so excited to play with their new "friends," and I am so excited that we found two sitters that I feel so incredibly comfortable with and confident in when I can't be there. Here's hoping today is the start of something very wonderful...