Sunday Snow

These smiles are priceless!

Having a great time on a new sled type thing. It's more like a sheet of flat, slippery plastic. It moved very quickly on the powdery snow.






Tasting the snowflakes over and over again!

The sunshine made a big difference. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures, it felt warm and bright. The kids enjoyed themselves sledding and digging tunnels in the mound of snow left by the street plows. It was just enough snow to beautify the landscape and to provide some fun for the weekend.

A Virginia Postcard

We got hit again with snow...four inches this time. The temperature was in the teens today so going out to play in the snow seemed like a slightly miserable experience. It would take longer to put on all the snow gear, than the time we would be spending outside. I'm not at the comfort level yet where I can bundle up my kids and send them out the door to go sledding for the afternoon. I need to be out with them to make sure they are safe and sound. The thought of shoveling the driveway was not appealing either and that's the only thing that keeps the blood flowing in us grown-ups. My snowy view looking out included these lovely cardinals, the Virginia state bird, as they congregated on a tree near the bird feeder. I counted 16 at one time. It was quite a showing.....a peep show. Ha ha. Look how puffed up their feathers are. I think they are cold too.
Besides some boring household chores, Jen and Ry watched Underdog, the movie. We had some hot chocolate, baked chocolate chip cookies played the Wii and played Princess Monopoly. Tomorrow I will brave the elements and venture outside for some winter fun. It will be spring soon enough.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday to my Dad! He's 69 today and really doesn't seem any older than when I was a kid. He is finally retired from a very successful career in the Navy and beyond. He spends much of his time boating on the Chesapeake Bay with my mom, and is involved in the Baltimore Yacht Club where he and my mom have been members for many years. I have the privilege of still living close to my parents so that I see them as often as possible. I've enjoyed spending time with them over the years as I have started my own family.
I appreciate you, Dad, for all that you have done for us over the years. Although you were away a lot when I was young, there was nothing prouder for me than the days you and your squadron would fly over the military base as you came home from a long deployment. I thought you were important, and cool and well respected. You have continued to give me what I need through the years and be there when I needed you. You have taught me to be independent, and given me the tools to be a responsible adult. Thanks for being available in heart and home when times have been tough. Thanks for everything from letting me move back in to your house to get a fresh start in life and in my career, for lending support in buying yet another car, and for the little things like babysitting my kids or attending dance recitals and soccer games.
I'm thankful for you, and this birthday. I love you!

Resolutions and Round Tuits

Since I've heard countless times that something like 80-90% of resolutions are not kept, I'm not making any. However, I do want to set some goals for the year. If nothing else, by writing them down, won't I feel more accountable?? I'm starting small. Very, very small, so that I can actually feel like I've accomplished something, when I do meet these goals. They are:
-Make a digital scrapbook (being traditional is just not cutting it with my way of life these days, digital seems more do-able.)
-Go to the gym twice a week (twice a week seems lame, but if I actually get there two days a week, I'll be golden)
-Use my new Wii Fit twice a week. I'm very curious to see how it helps my balance, among other things.
I'm going to stop there. Again, if I meet these goals, I'll move on.
Other things I want/need to do: take a class for my teacher recertification, work a paying job to help contribute to some sort of household funds, clean and organize (don't know where to start!!).
Get back on the "Fly Lady" wagon.

In other news,
I was glad school started again. Or, so I thought. The first two days were tears, "I hate school, I hate homework, school is stupid," kind of comments. My daughter is way too young to be giving the drama about such things. However, she's acted this way since she was about 3. Can't wait for the teen years. NOT!!