Winter Wonderland

We are in a Winter Wonderland! Or rather snow overload here in Ohio! I am not sure what the total snow fall amounts, but as you can see from the pictures we have a lot! And finally schools are closed!!

Here are pictures of the boys playing in the snow Tuesday. Have I mention Rylan is not so fond of the snow??? On the other hand, Holden could stay out for hours!Here are pictures from today! Yes, that is the mail box! Now, some of snow packed by the mailbox was caused by the snow plows but you get the idea. We have a lot of the white stuff! I must admit, the snow is pretty but I think I could do without bitter cold!!!

Weekend snow and parties

I feel like I am a broken record, but it snowed again. The latest storm brought lots of ice and about 8 inches of snow.

The boys had fun playing in the snow and sledding!

Since they are well prepared here for the snow and ice, by mid-afternoon the roads were clear enough to drive. So we attended a Pre-Superbowl Party on Saturday night to help a mom in our MOMS group raise money for her walk in the Avon Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. We had a great time...but I forgot my camera. There were so many kids and parents. I think everyone needed to get out of the house after all this snow and it was for a great cause too. Holden had so much fun that he did not want to go home!! It was boy overload with toys and games...who could blame him.

Superbowl Sunday, we attended our monthly potluck. How is works is myself and two other moms rotate each month from each others house. The hosting mom provides the main entree and the other moms divide up sides and dessert. We usually meet during the week and let the kids play from 4-6 and then we divide up the food and everyone goes home with an entire meal and tired kids. What is better than that. This time the husband were invited. I was assigned dessert this month. But again I forgot to take pictures of the kiddos playing! I do not know where my mind was, maybe on all that snow! HA!

What a busy but fun weekend.

On a side note, forecast for the week...you guessed it more snow and ice!!!

So much for clean floors...

Rylan is into everything these days!!!! A great example happened this morning, I was collecting jackets so we could leave, and this little pumpkin had a different idea. He decided it was time for a snack....So much for mopping the floors yesterday!

Valentine Festivities in Full Swing

As Kevin always says, "You can't miss a holiday can you!" I am sure you can hear the sarcasm! Well, it is true, I love holidays especially doing fun things for the kids. And we are in full swing for Valentine's Day! In addition to our special deliveries in the mailbox, we started our valentine meals. There is just something about heart shaped peanut butter sandwiches and heart pizza that makes lunch time a little bit more fun! Plus, for some reason they both seem to eat more! Go figure!

And more decorations....here is my version of the Pottery Barn Kids Vintage Valentine hearts. Holden helped cut out the images that we clued on. He really did a great job. Heart doily banners for the door to the boys rooms.

And a white banner. I took advantage of the red dining room since it will not be red for long...

I know I go a little overboard but enjoy doing it! As you can see we are in the spirit, even if it is just Valentines Day!

Busy Hands

Rylan has been so sick the past couple of days, so once he finally fell asleep for his nap, I wanted to keep Holden as quite as possible. What is the saying, "Busy hands, quite mouths?" Well, it is true! We made edible play dough which I thought I would have to get onto him for eating too much but instead he had a different idea. He decided it looked like a mud pile and had to bury his cars, make mud mountains, and build a fort for his army guys. He spent hours creating!! I am not exaggerating! I guess even if it is edible it does not mean that we really have to eat it!

Anything to Delay!

I think I have said many times, Holden is NOT a good eater and dinner time is usually the worst! He will do anything to delay eating dinner. He will talk and talk and talk, tell stories, and even sing. I usually find out alot during meals. And that was true tonight too. However, he sang a new song to me and I just thought it was too cute not to record and share. I just love sweet toddler voices. (You will have to excuse my commentary!!!)

Enjoy Holden's rendition of God Bless America.

You have mail!!

We are in full swing for Valentine's Day!!! I have the decorations out and I have been crafting to make new ones too. Here are some crafts that I have made so far... Sweet Becky Ann sent some decorations too. In one of the many boxes, was a Valentine mailbox. I decided it would be fun to place a treat in it each day. The boys know that when the flag is up, they have mail. This usually happens after school or after lunch. As you may expect this has been a big hit!!! How could you resist this sweet smile!!! (Rylan was climbing as fast as he could to get in his highchair for his treat so I missed the picture of him:) But trust me he loves it too! :)

Back to a Routine

One of our favorite activities is going to the library. In Alpharetta we visited every Friday, it was such a treat. However, since we moved here we have not been yet. I know bad Mommy! I decided last week we would give it a shot to see if we could get a library card. Since I have not changed my license or registered to vote in Ohio I was not sure we would be able to receive one. Thankfully I brought the deed to the house and that was all we need to show we pay taxes. And trust me we pay enough of those!!!

All I have to say is wow! This library is amazing!!! There is a huge Children's section with computers, puzzles, story area, up to date DVD movie selection, a Cafe, and tons and tons of books. The librarian in the Children's Department is wonderful too! She remembered us from last week and put aside Cowboy and Superhero books just for us!!! Not too many people would be that thoughtful or helpful for that matter. As Holden told her, "This is awesome!"

We are all excited to be back into our routine!! And to have such a wonderful library and library staff at our fingertips is an added bonus too.

Little Lover

Both of the boys are very affectionate, however, Rylan has so much love to give that we have coined the name "little lover" for him. Just one example of his display of affection, was last week at church he walked up to another little girl his age and gave her a hug but did not stop there, he leaned in for a kiss not once but twice. And then, we had some new friends over for dinner on Saturday night and yes, "little lover" was in action...

Here Rylan is loving little Maggie (she is so cute, he could not resist!) Sorry the picture is blurry but he is a quick little rascal.

Between Holden and Rylan, I think these two are going to be a handful!! (As if they are not already!)

A Blast from the Past

Do you remember stain glass prints? I used to love to do these as a child. This was our activity for the day. The boys and I used the sharpening from the crayons,
(Well, Holden sharpened while Rylan ate lunch)
melted, cut and decorated the playroom/basement with stain glassed hearts!!!

Easy and fun craft as we start decorating for Valentines Day!

Winter Friends?

This week at 1/2 Pint Kids Cooking we made bird feeders. You know, the ones you make out of bagels, peanut butter, and bird seed. I was a little confused because don't birds fly south for the winter??? Either way, Holden was so excited to hang his "bird feeder" once we got home. I was a little unsure that we would have any visitors but we were hopeful. And look...we have winter friends.

Happy Feet

Dance like no one is watching!

Great saying for the boys, since they love to dance!!!!

Rylan solo dancing....

And lastly, Holden with happy feet after 1/2 Pint Kids Cooking today.


I think sometimes it is best to hear your own music and dance!

Enjoy!

Snow, Snow, and You Guessed it MORE Snow!

It is freezing, snowing and did I mention it is freezing here! I really believe that I have not seen our yard without a blanket of snow since the beginning of December. However, it is so pretty!

With our latest storm, we played in the snow, made snow cream, and enjoyed snowman cookies. Oh, how could I forget, Kevin befriended our neighbor with the intentions of trying out his snow blower. I guess his sweet talking worked. Men and their machines!!! And would you believe with all this snow, I think I measured 5 inches, school was not called off. Constant salting, plowing and pretreatment of the roads made them drivable. These poor kiddos! I think in Georgia the city would have been shut down for a week! I am sure in the next couple of weeks we will get our "snow day".

Happy New Year!!

New Year's Day Breakfast

Is it really 2010?! The beginning of a new year and a new decade! This past year brought some unexpected changes and challenges. But isn't that life, changing, never staying the same. I think it is safe to say, Ohio was probably not on my list of places to live. Or never on a list:) But with our changes this year it came with blessings which have taught us to be grateful for what we have and not what we do not have. It has also taught us that as long as we have each other that is all we really need.


With the start of a new year, I make a list of goals, nothing too crazy, just something to keep me on track with what I would like to accomplish for the year. Time goes by so quickly and I really do not want to look back with regrets or missed opportunities. So my wish for this upcoming year is to live happy, healthy, and make some wonderful memories in our new "home". Life is so short and the boys are growing so quickly I vow to treasure these days, have fun, and act silly. They are only little once! I look forward to a great 2010 with lots of memories and lots of laughter! Happy New Year and welcome 2010!!