The weather forecasters predicted another inch of snow by Friday morning. But when I couldn't sleep at 3am because of the light, THE LIGHT, entering our bedroom windows, I knew they were only partially right. We actually received more like 5 inches on top of the ice from earlier in the week.
Five inches aren't impressive to my Colorado friends, but our state shuts down for a mere inch. Since Texas drivers don't know how to handle the white stuff, Rick stayed home with us.
After breakfast, we layered up and went out to play. Even Winston.
Our Boston Terrier definitely isn't from Boston. After a few minutes of romping in the snow, he ran for the house.
But not Liam. He LOVES the snow. That's my boy!
Garrett likes it for about ten minutes.
The Toothless Wonder was happy, too, at first.
After a walk around the block, Garrett and Jackson were both in tears. "I'm coooold!"
Yes, snow is cold, boys. Liam, Daddy and I will go skiing in Colorado without you next year.
More Snow!
My Baby is Six
Yesterday was a very important day. My baby turned 6.
Excuse me while I grab a tissue.
We began the day with cinnamon rolls from a can on paper plates in our pj's and with bedheads. Only the best for Garrett.
Later in the day, he helped me slave away in the kitchen over cupcakes.
It's a tradition for my boys to help bake their own birthday cakes. They love to help and don't yet know about child labor laws.
He asked for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing and sprinkles. Daddy criticized with his mouth full of cupcake, "This would taste better if it were vanilla cake with chocolate icing." To which Garrett replied, "Well, it's not your birf-day."
I can't think of a smooth transition here, so I'll just jump right in and say that the boys haven't been to school since Monday because of icy roads. It seems like half the country is frozen, and we are certainly no exception this time. We only have about two inches of snow, but it rained just before the snowfall, which left our roads ready for ice skates. School has already been canceled for tomorrow, and more snow is expected in the morning. I'm so glad the Farmer's Almanac was correct in the prediction of a dry, warm winter in north Texas.
So what on earth does a mother do with wild boys stuck indoors for days on end?
We get ready for the 100th day of school, although it may not occur until June at this rate.
Each of my boys' teachers wanted the boys to wear 100 something-or-other for the big day, which was supposed to be tomorrow.
We decided to stamp a hat and t-shirts.
We've also drowned ourselves in hot chocolate.
Of course, we've also played games, watched movies, built forts, read books, wrestled, and so forth and so on.
Naturally, we've done all of this in our pj's. In fact, I probably need to do some laundry to ensure that we have enough pajamas to get us through the next snow storm.
But first, someone is begging to play.
If you're stuck indoors and need some reading material, feel free to read Garrett's adoption story on my right sidebar.
High Five
Once we feel like we've made it through another Texas summer, Rick and I congratulate each other. It's been in the 80s all week, and we're headed for the 70s next week.
Hey, Rick. We made it! Woohoo!
High five.
(I'll be back soon with pics of Edie's visit. We had a fabulous time with her!)
A Beautiful Day
Today is a day I want to remember. Actually, not the whole day. I don't want to remember that or that.
But I want to remember this.
The little boys and I were running errands, which isn't always the most exciting way to spend our day. But all three of us were in great spirits due to the perfect weather. Bright sunshine, no wind, temp in the 50s.
Our last errand was to get my car washed. I chose a new car wash, where there are lots of bells and whistles as your car gets pushed along for its bath. In the backseat, Jack and Garrett hooped and hollered, loving every minute of it. "What's that?" "That's cool!" "This is fun!" "Let's do this again tomorrow!"
After the wash, I rolled down our windows and turned up the Beach Boys CD for our ride home. Again, more hooping and hollering from the backseat. "Weeee!" "Come on a safari with me!"
At the red light, I turned around to laugh at my boys. I said, "You guys crack me up! What's so great about this day?" They answered with more laughter.
Yes, let's do this again tomorrow. Come on a safari with me, boys. Love, Mommy.
What Memories are Made of
I'm not one to believe weather forecasters, and I think I've written and ranted about that a few times here. For nearly two weeks, they told us to expect snow last week, but I didn't listen. I'm like a big kid when it comes to snow, so I didn't want to get all hyped up about it, only for my heart to be trampled upon with sunny skies.
By last Wednesday, however, they were still predicting a large snow storm coming our way, so I decided they might actually be on to something. I began dreaming of a snow day filled with snowball fights, hot chocolate, movies. The stuff that memories are made of.
Naturally, the forecasters were wrong. The snow hit several hours early. What's the saying? Better early than never? It works for me!
Let me just say right now that you're about to be hit with lots o' photos. Perhaps too many photos, but when it snows in Texas, Y'ALL ARE GONNA HEAR ABOUT IT.
When Rick got up to get ready for work at 5:30a.m. Thursday, there were already a couple inches on the ground.
Rick quickly decided to work from the couch, which means I got to stare at him while he sported his new glasses.
I think that might be his GQ look. You're lookin' good, Ricky.
Working from the couch allowed him to play in the snow with the little boys. Liam had to go to school. Poor kid. We couldn't believe that school was open, because Texas schools typically come to a screeching halt when one snowflake falls. That morning was the first time Liam has ever asked to skip school, but we made him go since he had missed so many days due to surgery and sickness. Liam, when you're reading this, please know that we missed you and talked about you many, many times while we played in the snow without you.
Daddy and Garrett began a snow man.
Jack couldn't focus on a snowman. He had to run up and down the sidewalk to disturb the beautiful snow. In his mind, snow is not meant to be untouched. It's meant to be messed with.
Snow angels are a fun way to mess up the snow.
And a little game of snowballs is a must for boys of all ages.
I will spare you a photo of Jack after he spends 5 minutes in the snow. He can't stand to be cold, so he goes into the ugly cry and needs help stripping down to dry clothing.
By noon, the snow had not let up one bit, and the schools decided to close early. Liam was thrilled!
And out we all went. Even Winston wanted to play in what was probably about 4 inches.
But he's much like Jack with the cold. He'd much rather enjoy it from inside the house.
Not my GB. He. loved. it.
He and Daddy continued to finish the snowman, which we later decided was a snow monster.
By bedtime, the snow had not stopped for one minute. I have never seen this happen in Texas, but it snowed nonstop for over 24 hours. Unbelievable!
By Friday morning, we had received 14 inches of wet snow. It was amazing!
Our ten-foot crepe myrtle was weighed down to about 6 feet. Thankfully, it didn't break.
And the view from my front dining area:
Pictures from the inside of the house were not gonna cut it for me, so I donned my coat and brother-in-law's hunting boots to head out to take pictures of the undisturbed snow.
WARNING: I'm about to show you a picture of me looking oh so hot. Try not to be jealous.
Yea, baby. Nick & Nora Valentine pjs with a coat and hunting boots. I'm sure this style will be highlighted on the next red carpet in Hollywood.
But skipping my typical morning routine allowed me to see my neighborhood under the silence of a snow blanket. I'm glad I can't sleep late when it's so beautiful and peaceful.
I love the "hush" of snow.
Later in the morning, Rick actually went to work, since the roads were fine. The boys and I headed to my parents' house to try sledding on their hill. Unfortunately, the snow was too wet for sledding in our area, but we had fun with more snow ball fights and snowmen.
Yes, school was closed, so Liam was with us all day.
Quick! Take a look at Jack's legs:
When you're not much taller than 3 feet, and the snow is about 14 inches, your legs from the knee down will be covered. That is math you can count on.
Garrett figured out that my ski gloves were his favorites, so he set out to build another snowman with Didi.
Between play times, we warmed up with hot chocolate and s'mores. Mmm!
I still won't trust the weather forecasters, but I could kiss them for underestimating this storm. We have wonderful memories of 14 inches of snow. Memories I will treasure when I'm old and gray and my boys are men.
Let It Snow!
Let it be known that it SNOWED on December 2, 2009!
I don't remember a time in my life where it's snowed this early in Texas. It was only a dusting, but it's snow nonetheless.
Since it was in the 70s last week and the 50s the day before this snow, it didn't last long. But we're still rip-roaring excited about it, and the boys are hoping for "lots and lots of snow next time". Me too!
When we went out to take these pictures, Winston picked up on all of our excitement and wanted to join us outside. When we lived in Colorado, he loved to play in the snow. He would run and play in it while I shoveled the driveway. I think he remembered those fun times, because he ran through the yard like a maniac this morning. But two minutes later, I found him by the garage door:
"Mom, pleeeeease let me inside. My aching bones aren't what they used to be."
After we took Liam to school, the littles and I went to the gym and returned home for hot chocolate by the Christmas tree.
(Do you think I actually let them drink hot chocolate by the tree...on the carpet?! No way! We drank it at the table and staged the photo afterward.)
If you look close, you can see a hot chocolate mustache on Jackson. Teehee.
Right here is where I'm going to admit that I am prideful about already having my tree up and fully decorated. It's been up since the day after Thanksgiving. And my Christmas shopping is almost finished. Yes, I'm proud. Please forgive me while I relish in the lack of stress ahead of me this month.
One of Our Favorite Activities
I'm about to say something that I bet you've never heard me say. Are you ready?
I am actually enjoying living in Texas right now.
Did I say that? Why, yes. Yes, I did.
The weather has been absolutely dee-lightful lately. If I could just bottle it up and reuse it during those gosh-awful summer months....
There I go again. Complaining about Texas weather.
I'll stop.
Today was sunny and 72 degrees, which is weather that calls for being outside during all waking hours. After my morning workout, I loaded the little boys up to go eat lunch with Daddy.
What does every boy love on such a lovely day in downtown Fort Worth?
The hot dog stand!
"Mmmm."
Jack and Garrett were in heaven.
After eating, they ran around the hot dog stand.
I would say they were horsing around, but that's actually a panther.
No lunch with Daddy is complete without a visit to his office. Garrett likes to write on the white board.
Jack likes to look out the thirtieth floor window.
I think the future engineer is studying the Fort Worth skyline.
We sure do love our Daddy.
The only thing that could have made today complete would be to have our biggest boy with us. I'm sure we'll have to repeat this day for his benefit during a school holiday.
Shoot, this is Texas, so we'll probably be able to visit the hot dog stand in the dead of what most of you call "winter", which might be a balmy 52 degrees here.
I'm not complainin'. I'm just sayin'.
Rainy Days
If you've paid any attention to the nation's weather over the past few days, you've probably heard of the heavy rainfall that has fallen over most of Texas. From Friday through Monday, we received about 6.5 inches of rain in our area.
Apparently that rain has hampered Garrett's outdoor play time, because he built his very own playground yesterday.
That's a slide coming down the front and monkey bars on top. I honestly couldn't explain the rest of it.
He spent a good 30 minutes and a roll of tape on that masterpiece, and he is quite proud of it.
When it rains, I'm reminded that my mom often fixed breakfast for dinner when I was growing up. Rick doesn't usually care to play along with that nostalgia, but when the cat's away, the mice will play.
Because I was a single parent last night, the boys and I had breakfast for dinner! They weren't too thrilled about the idea, until I added hot chocolate to the menu. Why not? The temperature finally dipped below 102.
Jack doesn't really like eggs. Can you tell?
Liam loved his biscuit with apple butter.
And Garrett loved his hot chocolate. Who wouldn't?
(Yes, my baby requested his curls be cut off over the weekend. I'm trying to look at the bright side, which is the time we save every morning in not having to detangle his hair, but I still miss his curls.)
We are so glad for the rain and for what seems like the end of the horrible heat.
