Enjoying the Snow

At least with this snow we could build a snowman out of it.
The past snows were either too dry or not enough snow to build a snowman. We sure got enough this time, about 10 inches, that came two separate times. The first was early yesterday morning and the second was last evening and through the night. The girls got out of school early yesterday (really surprised they went at all) and then had off today. Zach and I had off both days (woohoo.) I haven't had a full work of week since I agreed to working five days...which was 4 weeks ago!

What am I going to do with him?

Last Sunday morning I woke up to find that Zach was playing barber and that he practiced on his own hair! Yeah, he looks like a doofus. I guess he's going to be getting a buzz cut really soon.

Kristin gets Braces

She got them put on this past Monday. Now I've got two kids with braces on. Here's her before picture:
And afterwards:

I think they look good on her. She only got the top set on this time and in a few months she'll get the bottom set.

Lauren had her appointment right after Kristin and surprisingly it took longer for Lauren to get an adjustment then it did for Kristin to get hers put on. I think that's because they're trying to fine tune Lauren's since she should be getting them off soon, at least that's what they've been telling her for the past few months. We'll see.

Here's hoping that Megan and Zach keep their nice straight teeth so they can skip the braces.

Having Fun in the Snow

Zach sure has played a lot in the snow lately. Three different times we have been out in it and that's just been this year (2011). On the 7th Zach's school was closed so him and I got to do some shovelling while the girls were at their schools.
He was big into making snow angels that day.

He kept wanting to take his mittens off so we ended up not staying out very long that day. He was miserable when we came in and it took awhile to get him warmed back up. The hot chocolate helped.

The very next day, the 8th, we got another coating of snow. This time, with it being a Saturday, there were lots of helpers to clear the driveway. Lauren helped...

And Megan helped...

And Zach even used his little kiddie shovel to do his part...

That brings us to today, the 12th. Last night brought us the most snow yet, 4" of the white stuff. That was enough for all of us (except Paul) to have a snow day. This time I got cold before Zach did, he didn't want to come in.

Nobody else came out with us, it was just Zach and I. I didn't even have to shovel the driveway today since Paul did it before he left for work. Yay! I actually got to play with Zach.

Megan was outside too but at her friend's house who lives in the neighborhood. Here she is sledding, she's the one part way down the hill...

Since we can see Megan's friend's backyard from our front yard Zach and I got to watch them sled. Here's Zach yelling and waving at Megan...

Is it spring yet???

Megan's a Winner!

Every year her school participates in the Reflections contest that is sponsored by the PTA. It's a national thing with the first round being local. This year's theme was, "Together we can."

Last week Megan brought home a sealed envelope for me that told me that she won but until today I had no idea in what area (there are six and she entered in two of them) and in what place she came in. The two areas she entered in were literature and visual arts. The letter also said to keep it a surprise so Megan had no idea that she was a winner, well, that is until this afternoon.

They started with literature and I had my camera ready just in case she won in that category. In past years she has never placed at all in this category so I wasn't too hopeful though I did think her piece this year was well written. They called Honorable Mention...nope...wasn't her. There was another Honorable Mention, once again, not her. Third place was called and still not her. Then, for 2nd place, they announce Megan's name. Wow! My girl that struggles to write sometimes won 2nd place! She had a huge grin on her face. Here she is reading the first paragraph of her entry.

A side view of her posing with the rest of the winners. I could have gotten a better picture if antsy Zach wasn't with me. I was just happy to get any picture that I could with him. So then they go onto the next category which just happened to be visual arts, the other category Megan entered in. Would you believe she got 2nd place there too? Here she is reading what she wrote on it:

And since you can't really hear her it's titled, "Together we can save the world!"

Posing with the rest of the winners in visual arts:

I was totally surprised that she got two medals. I was so surprised that I had to scramble to get my camera back out when her name was called the second time. If I remember right I think she was one of two kids to get more than one medal.

So now her works of art go on to the state competition. Way to go Megan! I'm so very proud of you!