And Snow Days Continue!

 Well after more snow fell early Wednesday morning, we had fresh snow to play with!

So the day was filled with putting food out for the birdies, lazing about in the morning, and heading out to sled and play the afternoon away.

We walked/sled road down 216th towards Gigi's, which is a pretty great run, then checked to see if Brody was home (he was!) and we took him on over to Yost with us. There we enjoyed some fun runs on the hills there, and then H and I went through the woods to meet up with Chrissy and kids to do a little sledding in their hood. Todd and the boys sledded a while longer and then headed back to Gigi's/Brody's for play there. H and I had a fun time sledding and then back at Chrissy's just enjoying the snow day play and company. When H and I finally headed home right when we stepped outside the neighbors told us one of Chrissy's trees had just fallen:

 

Wow! Thankfully none of the kids or people that were right in the area were hurt, and Chrissy said her neighbors were a great help in getting it all taken care of quickly! Yikes though!

H and I trooped back over to 216th right when Todd and Q were heading home/for some runs on the hill. So, H and I held Theo so they could go a few times, and then she and I took a few turns too! There were all sorts of people out, the street lights made it like night skiing, and it was such festive fun!

Today with icy snow falling this morn, and pretty cold temps we did a bunch of projects I had planned for, and it was fun to just be here crafting together,  

There was hammock swinging of course (Nami and Danpa we are SO thankful for this new hammock, especially this week!), dragon mask making (after Chinese New Year books were read), Q crafted a star wars pop up scene, H played with marbled no mess paints, we made pinecone bird feeders and soft pretzels, Papa read aloud lots of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and we made our big family art canvas (a peace sign and little felt dove). We also made and played with snow paint!

 

It's been so much fun here and though there have certainly been moments of cabin fever, I'm not complaining cause the time together has overruled any of that! And we have another day off tomorrow!

Snowy Days Begin!

Since Sunday we've had some fun in the snow around here! The first snows were pretty mild, but still provided enough snow for making little snow people/forts/mini table and chairs, having snowball fights, going sledding across the street at the school, and for generally making our corner of the world look a little more special.

Then Tuesday morning though the ground was green again at around 7 am, by 8:30 there was a nice white blanket over our yard. In Shoreline however the snow hadn't quite hit yet, school was just delayed and roads were clear, so I went off to teach Froggy Holler! It was so much fun in the snow. 

 The kids and I had a fun time and I hope I'll get to have snowy class again someday. By the afternoon though school was cancelled, I was a little more leary of the roads and such so I cancelled the pm class.

But that didn't stop the snowy fun of course! At home I quickly met up with Todd and the kids at the school playground where H especially was SO excited about the sledding action. Q was more in the snowball throwing action. Later after lunch we went on down to Gigi's so we could sled on 216th and veg out at her home. On our walk down it was beautiful out!

Seeing all of Gigi'g fresh powder made me want to make snow angels, which I did. Then H insisted I make more so she could take my picture! I thought that was pretty cute so I gave in and she took about 20 pictures of the work in progress, giving me posing tips the whole while, "No arms up Mama, no legs together..." 

no wonder I had a wet booty afterward!

 my silly camera girl!

Then she went in, and Q and I played a bunch in the snow, had lots of snowball fights, and made this snow girl: 

I think she looks a bit English...

Then we lazed about and ended up having dinner there, and walked back home with the aid of flashlights and light sabers!

Girly Time + Woodland Scene

While Q was at a birthday party for his pal, we had the bday boy's sisters over for a girly party! We had a tea party (well really hot cocoa party ;)), played dress up, put on a circus performance with the hammock, the trampoline and the bouncy horse, and had fun with baby dolls. It was a treat to have all this girly time, I loved it!

And I ought to show off the wooden woodland scene I made for the birthday boy since I had so much fun with it:

 it was an animal themed party, here it was before it was gifted

 

and here it was in action, along with the little gnome guys the girls helped me make:

 Q had a fun time at his pal's bday and on the way home we chatted about all the fun ideas he got for his own party in February!

Vote for US!

Ok, you probably already have, but if you haven't will you please see my friend Sarah's blog:

http://www.sarahbunchphotography.com/blog/2011/12/30/best-of-2011-contest
and vote for #9 or #10 for our family! 

 and ask others you know to vote also?! She is now giving away a free session to a VOTER (aka possibly YOU)! You just have to "like" her fb page and then vote on the blog. We are just trailing by a few votes, so yours could make the difference!

Braids and Face Paint

Today we had a some Olea time since she and H were still on winter break from school. First off we went to U village for the free playday activities and free hair braids at the Kids Club. 

 Then, back home after picking Q up from school and having lunch we dove into some fun afternoon playtime with Miss. O. Face paint makes for instant playdate fun:

 Olea wanted this design, she was a hunter who hunted deer and bunnies

 Q was Iron man, and later he had knights painted all over his arms

H was happy with hearts and later with princesses on her arms.

It was a fun winter day, thanks for being able to come over Olea and make it special!

The Lego Shelf!

Papa Todd has been working on this ideal shelf for Q's room as a lego display and storage shelf. It fits perfectly at the end of his bed, and he loved setting it up tonight! Currently on display are Q's own creations, mostly Star Wars themed. He's getting to be quite the little builder these days.

 Thanks for being so handy Papa Todd!

 Not on display, are the incredible sets Q got for Christmas from all of us (and Santa) this year for Christmas:

Wow, he was spoiled! Todd and I had lots of fun helping him put them together though, so admittedly we were all spoiled! And they are living at Gigi's until Q's Star Wars Lego bday in February, when I think I might hang them (along with the other big Star Wars sets) for display. I'll admit it, that tonight when we were setting up this shelf I was daydreaming of a day when I could get a sitter for H jut so I could sit around and build creations with Q for hours. And now, I'd have a place to put them on display! Well, if Q would allow me the shelf space that is...

A Girly with her Babies

 I love how H loves her new baby carrier from Cassie and Dashel and is so in love with playing with her dolls these days!