What We Are Up To

So we don't have school today. Or tomorrow. Which I was assuming but didn't know for sure was a done deal. Thursday is still up in the air but we got an email from our principal this morning and she seems to think it's unlikely.

IF they have school on Thursday, they are rescheduling the Catholic Schools Week activities, for another week because being out of class for a talent show and dodgeball tournament seems slightly irresponsible when they haven't really had any class work in over a week. This is the price we pay for having such a glorious mild, green December.

I heard yesterday that already in 2019 (It's January 29 everybody.) we are 20 inches of snow over our typical snowfall average. And then with the record-breaking cold tomorrow... wow. This has been a crazy January.

The upside is we are having a great time together. I am so lucky that my kids play well together and basically entertain themselves. A couple of mom friends asked what we were doing to avoid going stir-crazy and honestly, it's basically nothing different than a Saturday. They play. Maybe I will do a craft or something and I have them each do a page or two of some workbooks I have but for the most part, they just entertain themselves.

These two are just my absolute favorites. I am not one bit sick of them being home. I do wish we could bypass the 4:30 crazies but that's just par for the course I think.

Have a great couple of days, I will check in from the other side of the crazy cold.

I Know You're Curious...

Okay, probably not. But that's just fine I am going to tell you anyway. This weekend's storm tracked north so we got just three inches or so of snow. This morning we had a 2-hour late start and, while I know we had to get the kids in school, it was so hard to get to.

It makes sense that they would only worry about the main roads before getting to side streets but golly, two hours was not enough and we barely made it to school on time. We left so early too. I got stuck twice and it was a mess!

We did manage to get everything shoveled before the extreme cold sets in. Wednesday's high is going to be -14 which is crazy. That is so so cold. So I am just assuming they won't have school.

And here is an unrelated picture of my girl with pigtail braids after a shower.

The Confusion Continues

Hello Friday! Otherwise known here in what is apparently the Arctic, as a NO SCHOOL DAY because of our wind chill warning. (Air temp -8, with wind chill -25)

Look at all the blowing snow. So much fun. (For reference, before this you could see my sidewalk, parking area, and the alley was clear.)

And would you believe we are supposed to get another inch of snow today and 4-8 inches Sunday into Monday? Not looking likely that we will have school then either. Which is actually too bad because it's Catholic Schools Week and Monday is pajama day, and you know that is a big one for Kindergarteners. So exciting! Pajamas!

And we are running out of places to put the snow. It's becoming a problem.

I was at book club last night when the text message came in that school was canceled. Mine was first. Then one district. Then another. And all the rest of my friends were mad. Their kids were going stir crazy and they were sick of the weather. I, however, was THRILLED.

Anyway, we read Where the Crawdads Sing. Everyone really liked it. So, definitely, a would recommend!

I was the host and we always make thematic food, and I made Crock Pot Shrimp and Grits. I am 99% sure I had never had a grit before and certainly never made them, but these were really easy and really tasty. Everyone really raved about it. I will probably put this recipe to use for meatless Fridays for sure.

Anyway, stay tuned to see whether we go back to school on Monday. It's anybody's guess.

What Day Is It Again?

My calendar says Wednesday? Right?

Let's recap, on Thursday we had a 2-hour early out for the end of the semester.

Friday was a teacher work day so NO SCHOOL!

Saturday we made Walrus cupcakes. And it snowed.

Sunday we went to church, almost got stuck in the parking lot then I went to my friend's new house and we wound up watching the last bit of the Patriots/Chiefs game. For what it's worth, Beth and Colleen, the Patriots definitely worked for and earned their spot but I am still bored of a Patriots Super Bowl. But, I am also not a Rams fan so, "Beat the Other Team!" shall be my go-to phrase in a few weeks.

Monday was MLK Day and NO SCHOOL!

Yesterday, there was school! I picked M up and we started driving to a birthday party for a classmate and by the time we got to the house, school had called a 2-hour early out. They weren't wrong, it was freezing drizzle and I slid into the driveway and had a heck of a time getting out to go pick C up.

And last night after a lot of movie snow (with a layer of ice underneath)

And seriously, this was big fluffy beautiful flakes falling fast. Husband and I went out to shovel the first bit of it and it was lovely. I told him that if this was a Hallmark movie he would have to propose in this snow. Or if we were on Younger he'd have to come up to me, tell me he doesn't care anymore and then we'd make out. That's the kind of snow it was.

But anyway, it resulted in a SNOW DAY. Which was an excellent call because Husband shoveled for an hour this morning and then on his way to work, he and a neighbor had to shovel him out onto our street because the side street snow hump was so deep and sticky. So I am super glad I don't have to go out in it.

Well, I did go out and shovel of course but no driving will be required. The upside is it's sunny today and I NEEDED the sun. Truly.

Walrus Cupcakes (Again)

You probably wouldn't believe that we've been planning to make walrus cupcakes today for over a month. But we totally have. The end of November as we were getting ready for our gingerbread houses, C asked if he could make the walrus cupcakes from What's New Cupcake.

I was not going to embark on another food craft so I thought maybe during the MLK break was a good idea. So we marked it on the calendar and there we were.

Then last night Mother Nature decided to get in the game and dropped 5 more inches of snow on us. And it's going to get awfully cold here next. Sort've apropos for walrus cupcakes yes?

Today we made the cupcakes and since we got fresh snow I took a cupcake outside because of course I did.

And here is the whole walrus herd. We only made six because I'm not throwing a party. I froze the rest of the unfrosted cupcakes. 

We've come a long way since the 2014 walrus cupcakes but I think both kinds are cute. And honestly, neither version was hard! 

I hope if you've got snow you have some fun!  

Yay for Thursday!

You may ask yourself how could 3.75 days of school feel so long? I am here to tell you, I don't know.

But they did. Today was a 2 hour early out and we don't go back until TUESDAY. Thank you, Jesus, semester ending and Martin Luther King Jr. for all your help with this much-needed mini-break.

Hello mini-break, we've got big plans (like making cupcakes and staying home) and we are ready for you!

We had just one little bit of homework to do. C does this Reading A-Z program where he reads a book on the computer or my phone then records himself reading it. His teacher can log in and check his fluency. We like the program. I wish they'd kick him up a level since the level he's on is too easy but whatever. It makes it go super fast.

And now my guy with hat hair and my girl who never misses a story are going to watch The Backyardigans. Such a non-annoying kid show. 

Chichen Itza Pizza! (We deliver!) 

Snow Day Fun

Last night after our family movie night, complete with popcorn and pizza, Husband did the grocery run.

In our well-stocked house, we've spent the day snowed in. 

"Since we've no place to go..." Here's the deal, I love a good snow day. A day off from school is top notch in my book to be honest. But, if it can't cancel school, I love a snowy day where we don't have to go anywhere. 

We all bundled up and did some shoveling/snow play earlier. I took no pictures because I was shoveling. #truelife 

We've played LEGO. We've read some books. C got the A-Z Mystery Series for Christmas and I have to say that I highly recommend them! 

They aren't scary mysteries but they are a good next step after Magic Treehouse and Junie B. Jones. I have always been a fan of reading series, the connection, and familiarity of the characters is my favorite. As it turns out, C really enjoys that too. 

C, fittingly, started the C book today and got through about five chapters. But he really goes in spurts so it may be a few days before he finishes. 

For dinner, I made this chicken bake. It's really easy and really good. I don't add the red pepper flakes and I've found 1/3 c of bread crumbs is plenty but otherwise, this recipe is golden. We serve it with a vegetable and egg noodles with a little parmesan on them. And it was the perfect warm and homey dinner to cap off a snowy day!