Winter Wednesday

  Last week the weatherman warned a Nor Easter was coming.  It later would be called a blizzard but being from NY I'm going to refrain from calling it that.  We got some snow.  Inches and inches of it.  It covered the grass, the trees and cars.  It shut down roads, businesses and schools.

  Here's the pros and cons of the storm!

Pros:
Everything stops and shuts down.
Your kids are home from school for daysssss.

Cons:
Everything stops and shuts down.
Your kids are home from school for daysssss.

  It's funny because I came from snow and we kept pushing forward but NY is experienced.  More equipped.  Fully prepared with sand and plows!  I get that.  VA is doing the best that they can wit what they have when it snows.

We bundled up as best we could because it was cold!!!

Outside play is the quickest in 20°! 

Snowballs were assembled and battles were had.

Snow angels check!

Even walks around the block for some fresh air.

Snow play is complete when you can make a snowman!

Our winter is complete!  The thing left that we would love to do is ski, sled, and tube.  All that requires a hill which are very limited in my area.  I hope a road trip is in our future before winter is over.  Oh and ice skating to round it all out!

We have done a lot in the house to make up for those bored blues!  Games, crafts and cocoa makes the world a happier place! 

How are you in enjoying your winter or whatever season your in?  It's all about making the most of what you have.

Water Wonderland Reflection

  I don't remember like it was yesterday because it wasn't.  It was two weeks ago.  The first snowfall of the season and even 2017 hit Virginia and gave us a beautiful blanket of white of which we laid down under stuck in our house for a couple days.

I took a walk through the neighborhood because after a few days inside it really didn't matter how cold it was outside.

I found my favorite little purple berry bush with the berries still slightly pretty in a new way.

Decorations left the holiday looked even better with snow.

Child' play.  It made me smile to see this angel.

The remnants of a past holiday.

A full moon and a beautiful blue sky.

Finally the cavalry arrived to clean the streets and make them acceptable for travel again!

I'm not placing any bets that this will be our one and only snowfall but if there's another I look forward to getting a few more pictures.

Creative Action

  So growing up in NY your accustomed to snow and what it's full potential is.  We had winter carnivals and snow sculpture contests.  Went to school even when it snowed, lol.  My children have this concept drilled in their heads snow equals no school.  This misconception comes from the nearly 2 weeks of interrupted school last year.

  Raising kids in Virginia when it snows leads to the need to be more creative.  It's amazing how cold it actually is when it snows.  This leads to a huge dread on my part to get outside with the kids but they are so excited to see the white stuff we have to move and act quickly before it disappears.  One day already this snow season it snowed then stopped.  Nothing stuck and therefore there was no playtime!  What's the point of snow if you can't play in it?

  Enter potato pieces and snow!

 I bring snow in from outside and you insert the pieces just like you would with Mr.Potatohead.

 Depending on your snow it may be easier.  Sometimes her snowball was too packed for her to put pieces in.

Even the boy had fun playing with the snow and pieces.

Anything goes! 2 snowball pets!

The makings of a miniature snowman!

This lady was walking her dog!

We even enjoyed some snowcream.  Mint and vanilla flavored!  This is a rare treat based on the quantity of snow we get.  There have been years when the children have been deprived.

I will tell you what she played with the snow inside a whole lot more than she did outside.  Maybe all the winter clothes are too constricting.  It can't possibly have to do with the temperature of  30°.

Snow and Fun

  Yesterday we got our 2nd snowfall of the winter and new year.  This may not be a big deal to a lot of people but snow is a rarity here.  Also I think all children want to play in the snow.  This one granted us a little more than last time and actually stuck to the ground.

  Having it snow first thing in the morning is the best.  There is plenty of day light to play outside in and take advanced of it for all its worth.  Although the temperature is not the warmest you compensate for that.

  We got bundled up as you know it's frigid at 35° in VA!   Our "winter" coats do not match the "winter" coats of our neighbors up North.  For the most part it does get cold just not as cold for as long.  Also they do sell winter boots but you make the decision to buy a new pair every year (because the kids outgrow them) or just wear different boots.  My kids use rainbows or sneakers double and tripling socks.

Seeing the snow is a welcoming event!  Seeing it actually stick makes the day!

We must act quick!  You get dressed, run, play, snowballs and snowman.  All in a timely manner.  Sometimes as much as 15 minutes because it's cold outside!

  We have made record size snowman before but, today was not the day.  This is our dirty snowman.  There wasn't much snow so scrapping/rolling the snow collected the dirty and grass less than an inch under the snow all a soggy mess from the rain we had all day 2 days prior.


  Stay tune for other fun we had with the snow!

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The Day Before Holidays

  Do you ever find yourself resting up for the big day?  Are you that organized?  You prepared your list the beginning of the month all the way down to what meal you were making and who was sitting by whom.

  Maybe you even figured out a schedule of what houses you were going to at what time and for exactly how long.  Not me, not this house.

  Today we have been making crafts. Well I have been assisting and making with my youngest daughter.  We visited several stores and brainstormed some ideas yesterday as to what she could give to her family.  She desperately wanted to give her family members something.  She was aware of the gifts they had for her and she wanted to give them something too.

  She did buy 2 items for her sisters and then made and I assisted in her creating ornaments for her family.

A melted snowman being created by little hands.

 Laying the glue down for a stand up snowman.

Supplies for a ninja turtle for a certain little fan.

Last one was a going to a fan of yellow creatures.  I loved this one because she decided it needed to be two sided. So we made the otherside into something else.  Hop over to my instagram to see the final ornaments.

I even got into the crafty mood.

Happy Holidays everyone! I wish for everyone to have a happy, safe and festive day!