Keeping busy...

at my desk with my stamps.  I've put together several cards for friends and family.

These little bottles are fun to use!  Glitter glue is a couple less steps than embossing.

Another package is wrapped up and ready to be mailed.

Had to go out this morning...

and have been chilled ever since! 

I think the fluctuations of winter this year are hard on bodies.

Every time I turned around today...I was in the kitchen!

Breakfast...french toast with my Momma's raspberry jam and too much powdered sugar...

the lid came off mid shake.  Happy Monday!

Coffee break...

Lunch was looming...what to do for Ted's lunch always makes me think creatively.

"Make it worth coming home for!"  BBQ sauce, leftover chicken, and two cheeses in tortillas...Yum!  The kiddos tried their hand at making their own...to their tastes.  Everyone was satisfied and nobody burned themselves!

Feeling lazy by 4:30...one freshly baked giant cookie for dessert...or whenever.

Supper is roasting in the oven...what to do with the chicken when it is cooked...

I'm running out of kitchen creativity today.

The fun of the weekend is catching up to me...is it bedtime yet?

A Monday morning field trip...

to see some special visitors...

at the library.

Sled dogs...from Wisconsin.

We learned all kinds of neat facts about these dogs.

A new thing for our kiddos to try!

After Sunday evening church, we ran home so the kiddos could change clothes.  Then we stopped to get something to eat before heading to the icehouse.  We missed last year's activity when we went to Wisconsin, so the plea was made to attend.

Fun to watch the zamboni give the ice a smooth surface.

We laced them up...and Teddy was off.  Alisa went around with one of the teenagers right away.  Ashlynn was hesitant.  I was proud of them for being able to "stably" walk on blades!  The first time ever on iceskates.

Teddy traded the skates "with the jagged toe" for hockey skates because "they work better".

The girls used the "walkers" to be able to venture away from the edge.  All we asked...was that they try.  They did...and 2 out of 3 enjoyed it.  The other...may...with time and practice...

learn to feel comfortable on the ice...?

It was fun to watch all the little ones venture out.  There were lots of helpers and encouragers.

A fun night to share with the kiddos and church family.

A new season of Upwards

Watching and waiting for his team's turn.  The place was buzzing with little players and their families for the first game of the season this morning.

The Eagles (coached by Ted and Dan) played the Huskies.  I love watching the refs have a little pow-wow with the teams and then open in prayer.  The boys are fun to watch.  Today...was a day of getting back into the groove of basketball.  Not many baskets made...and we didn't even keep track of how many...whoops!  Too much talking...and watching the new division of Upwards this year...the little cheerleaders.

I like date nights!

What a fun place to go on a winter night!  The fire in the fireplace was so warm and smelled so good.

A scoop of ice cream with toffee and chocolate to end the evening..SWEET!

I got it today! "Best Mom Award" I strive for it every day...

but seldom achieve it!  Oh well!  The kiddos slept late.  I made a double-batch of waffles for breakfast...since I had been awake for awhile and all coffeed up!  We watched the Beaver.
We did our normal morning chores...and then they were bundling up to go outside.

"And we found another use for duct tape, Mom!" said Teddy gratefully.  His gloves are falling apart after all the snow-packing and drying.  We'll be picking up a new pair ASAP! 

You can't play outside very long with cold hands.

All the shoveling and snow-blowing of yesterday...was blown in during the night.

While waiting for clothes to dry, water to heat, and Dad to come home for lunch...we played a round of Scrabble.  The girls did a good job.  Teddy tolerated it. 

Today was Enjoy the Snow Day!

We played Scrabble, drilled math facts, and made corrections.

My Momma's raspberry jam...

is delicious on biscuits!

All in a day's work!

I went from being the Mom that "ruined our fun" because I told Teddy he couldn't slide off the front steps with the saucer sled...

to "the best Mom ever" for letting them have "the funnest day ever"!

Why?  Supper was kept warm for them till they were ready to come in...which never happened.

They were summoned to come in at 8:00pm...when their friends were called in also.

They played long and hard for hours...and came in with wrinkly hands and bright, red cheeks...and were "...starving!  We were afraid if we came in to eat, you wouldn't let us go back out!"

They ate, posed, and went to bed.  It has been five minutes...and not a sound.

Another point for "the best Mom ever"...no alarm clocks tomorrow...

just a little perk we have the privilege to enjoy.

"But, Mom, you let us sleep in so why don't you?"

I don't want to hurt their feelings by telling them how nice and quiet the house is at that time of day...

perfect for coffee and quiet time.  I hope they sleep well...and long!  It will almost be like a snow day!

The snow got here!

Morning break demanded some shovel time...by the kids.

Teddy likes the overall snowpants...except there was a "girl color" stripe.  We fixed it with duct tape!

My how things have changed!  They get themselves dressed to go out now.  They throw their own wet clothes in the dryer now.  They keep things shoveled off now. 

Now...my only job...heat the water for hot chocolate to warm them up and have something yummy to provide more energy to "stay out as long as we can!"

As I watch the snow fall, I can't help but sing this song...

"Peace, peace, wonderful peace...coming down from the Father above..."

What a beautiful day...of snow!

What to do with a big box of cornflakes...

google it!  "Treats made using cornflakes" and ta-da!  Yes...half the pan is already gone.

Boil 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup corn syrup. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups peanut butter. Pour over 5 cups cornflakes.  Smash into a greased pan...and try not to eat.  Let cool and cut into bars...or tear off pieces.  Ted suggested a drizzle of chocolate too...I don't even think there will be anything left to drizzle!   A good "protein" snack to accompany the hot chocolate for the snow-laden clothed children...who are back outside again...working off all that sugar!