Snow Fort

After seeing our neighbor's igloo, Tom and Ida took the idea of snow blocks and used it to build a fort. Ida's friend Johnathan came over to check it out.

Snow Day Cook-Off

We woke up this morning to more snow. It's been snowing all day long and it's supposed to continue through tomorrow afternoon. I just love it.

Tom received a call from his boss last night. He was told he could work from home. Although I was grateful he didn't have to drive in this messy weather and that he was safe at home, it was a bit difficult to convince the children that it was indeed a work day and that Daddy couldn't play all day long.

At lunch time we were discussing our dinner options when the challenge came. Tom challenged me to a grilled cheese cook-off. And I accepted.

Tom is confused. He thinks toasted cheese and grilled cheese is the same thing. Right after Ida was born, he surprised me by making dinner...his version of grilled cheese. That was six years ago and I have never requested another from him. I was pretty confident I would win. After all, John and Ida would be the judges and they always love my grilled cheese.

Before the challenge rolled around, we worked on a science activity, some Valentine's Day crafts, and Ida had some outside play time. Then Ida and I resorted to our favorite snow day activity...making something sweet to eat.

Today's recipe was crock pot cherry cobbler. I had to choose something that would go well with snow cream, as I found a new snow cream recipe to try this time around as well.

As for the cook-off, after one bite of Daddy's creation, both Ida and John chose Mommy's grilled cheese as the winner. Then we all enjoyed the cherry cobbler and snow cream as we watched a DVD.

The snow day fun continues this winter.

And Tom has requested a rematch.

Junior Officer Schmee

With the help of our friend, Officer Stewart, we were able to plan this week's field trip, allowing Ida to interact with another community helper...police officers.

Tom took Ida downtown for a tour of the Police Department. And once again, I'm not sure who came home more excited. Although Ida was the one wearing the Junior Officer badge.

They spent well over an hour with three officers as they toured and learned more about a police officer's job. It brought to life all the things Ida and I had read about in her social studies and library books.

Second Snow

This winter is rating rather high in my book. We are enjoying the second snow of the season. It began snowing late last night and continued through most of today. We got about ten inches of snow.

I've been excited for days in anticipation of another big snow. I couldn't wait to jump out of bed this morning when I heard Ida say, "It's snowing outside!".

My sister and I were just reminiscing about the snowfalls from our childhood. How we loved to watch the snow coming down under the street light right outside of our house. Or when we'd turn on the spotlight and watch it fall in our backyard. Decades later and I still love watching it.

Can't say shoveling rates as high, but Tom and I are pretty good at getting our driveway, sidewalk, and steps done as a team.

John doesn't overly enjoy his time in the snow. Once again, he was ready to go back in the house in less than twenty minutes. Ida played with her friends for well over an hour before getting cold.

But besides the actual snow, there's just something fun about a snow day.

Today we...

-made baked apples in the crock pot

-played outdoors

-had a picnic in the great room

-mixed up some snow cream
-enjoyed our snow cream and apples

-danced along with the Lawrence Welk Show

-had a full day of family time

Now that we've had two significant snows this winter, I have to admit that I am ready for the warmth of spring.

But I would take another snow day in a heartbeat.

Hahbuck

It all started with a line from Veggie Tales.

"Hubert? Who names their kid Hubert?"

For some reason, this quote has been repeated in our home countless times. There is no explanation. We heard it and we said it. Over and over again. To John.

Since he began speaking, he'd say it along with us. And every time he laughs. Every. Single. Time.

And then he added to it. After asking the never ending question and laughing, he'll say, "Hahbuck!"

No, it's not a mispronunciation of Hubert. It's another name. And it's all John's.

I just wonder if one day, when I'm a grandmother, I'll be holding my son's first born and say, "Hahbuck? Who names their kid Hahbuck?"

Voices

John is still not quite the talker his older sister was...and still is. Then again, who is? (Oh, that's right...Daddy!)

But what he's lacking in conversational skills, he makes up for with variety. The Boy has many different voices. We never know which one will come out when he opens his mouth.

The serious one: s-l-o-o-o-o-w, purposeful, soft-spoken, clear as day

The old man one: grunts, groans, snorts, mumblings

The nasal one: real words, spoken through his nose, somewhat odd

The mimi one: used only when talking to Mimi(mommy), high-pitched, silly

The foreign one: not one word makes sense, gibberish at best

Field Trip

This morning's daddy-daughter outing was to a local bakery/cafe'. We've been learning about community helpers in social studies. So last week Ida and Tom went to see our pastor and learn more about his job. And today's community helper was a baker.

Our neighbor opened up the kitchen of his shop to give Ida a tour. Even better, he put her to work. Ida brushed an egg wash on his delicious chocolate croissants.

Mr. Alex was a wonderful teacher and Ida was very interested in the bread making process. So was Tom.

Ida came home with a loaf of bread as payment for her work. And some cookies that Daddy bought for us to sample for dessert tonight.

I wasn't even there and it was my favorite field trip of the year. Must have been the mention of those chocolate croissants.