Snowy days!

"We are closed due to the storm. The select board has declared a state of emergency in the Town of Shoreham. Everyone is urged to stay off the roads. The state and local road crews have been unable to keep up with the drifts. Most of the roads are currently impassible. If you have a loader please contact Robin at XXX-XXXX. We could use your help."

This was the message yesterday at the Shoreham Town Clerk’s office.  We had quite a storm here!  It didn’t seem that bad to me, up on the hill here, but apparently it was record braking.  And certainly messy.  We got about 2 feet, maybe a bit more, with lots of drifts.  School and my work were closed both Monday and Tuesday this week, with convenient night before phone calls ;-)  Fortunately at our house no one had to go anywhere and we have been enjoying the snow.

 

We had tons of fun sledding down the driveway (AFTER dad plowed),

 

played on the snow banks,

 

tried out some new snowshoes we were gifted,

 

enjoyed the beautiful sunset after the storm was over,

 

shoveled many paths,

And played, played, played.

If I worked on the road crew or had a real emergency that necessitated leaving the house I would not be enjoying it so much.   Apparently Grandpa Fred had to jump out an unused door with no deck to get out of there house.  Postal service was cancelled and, as indicated by the messages, civilians were called in to help the road crews.  I left the house today for the first time and did pass numerous unplowed town roads, abandoned cars, and HUGE AMAZING snow banks.  It feels like driving through a tunnel; the banks are higher then the cars! 

Here are some photos that were on my camera from before the storm.  It was so springy and warm we took the animals out for some playtime!

 

And these are pics from an earlier snowday just before we went to Philly.  I took Joseph to the school playground for a bit.

 

And here he is practicing his hockey moves!

How to Really Love a Child

Be there.

Say yes as often as possible.

Let them bang on pots and pans.

If they’re crabby, put them in water.

If they’re unlovable, love yourself.

Realize how important it is to be a child.

Go to a movie theater in your pajamas.

Read books out loud with joy.

Invent pleasures together.

Remember how really small they are.

Giggle a lot.

Surprise them.

Say no when necessary.

Teach feelings.

Heal your own inner child.

Learn about parenting.

Hug trees together.

Make loving safe.

Bake a cake and eat it with no hands.

Go find elephants and kiss them.

Plan to build a rocket ship.

Imagine yourself magic.

Make lots of forts with blankets.

Let your angel fly.

Reveal your own dreams.

Search out the positive.

Keep the gleam in your eye.

Encourage silly.

Plant licorice in your garden.

Open up.

Stop yelling.

Express your love.

A lot.

Speak kindly.

Paint their tennis shoes.

Handle with caring.

*Copyrighted to SARK

This is a poem by Sark, of which we have a very large poster on the wall at my work (Addison County Parent/Child Center).  It is actually posted in a small bathroom right where you HAVE to look at it, many times I day.  I just adore the sentiment.  Also, at work participants and staff have written all over it, adding their own ideas for “how to really love a child.”  (Also, just a note, there seem to be many different versions of this poem.)

Four generation fun in Philly!

 

We just got back last night from our road trip to Philly.  Bob (as J calls my dad), J, and I drove down together and stayed with Gigi (my grandmother). 

 

We enjoyed the near tropical weather (for us) and played at the park the first day.  Bob played a little too hard as always, but they had so much fun.  J ended up completely covered in mud from falling under the merry-go-round and continuing to do it over and over.  Funny thing is this is the same merry-go-round I remember falling under and thereafter being terrified of.  Guess J and I are different in some ways!

The next day we visited the Hershey factory, in Hershey, PA.  Lots of fun (and crazy kiddo insanity).  We made our own chocolate bars!

Our family favorite chocolate factory.

 

Reading the Sunday morning funnies with Gigi.

Please Touch Museum.  Long line, but lots of fun!  Not the greatest pictures, but he really enjoyed it all, including the play grocery area.  I found his completely sugary and boxed food cart interesting.

One of the highlights of any trip to Philly is a visit to Himmey’s (Jewish deli/family favorite resaurant). I couldn’t help but take a pic of the matza ball soup

And my Rueben ;-)  (Picture of Mama’s Philly cheese-steak missing; guess we ate it too fast.)

Crayola factory—lots and lots of crafts!

 

And the Canal and Train museum.

Oh, and this is how J enjoyed the Martin Guitar Factory.  Most time I have had to digest a museum exhibit in awhile.  

We had so much fun.  We also enjoyed exploring Waverly, where Gigi lives, including making use of her pool.  We visited some old friends and we had a wonderful visit to a fun place called the Tree House where J got to take a gymnastics class, a dream come true for both of us.  Oh, and we even visited a “real” not-just-for-kids museum that we often enjoy (the Brandywine River Museum).  J thought the museum shop was the best part, though he did enjoy the original “Treasure Island” illustrations.  Unfortunately, with all this fun he also picked up a strep bug and is sick sick sick.  So we are just resting and relaxing for the rest of our vacation week.  It was a very special visit, most importantly for sharing so much time with people so important to us ;-)

Now I can see why people buy Valentines cards . . .

Happy almost Valentines to all!

(Cards made with a potato stamp, paper, and ribbon)

Heart garland made with crayon shavings melted between wax paper with an iron.

I am on a crafting with J kick, and a crafting-with-what-I-have-not-heading-to-the-store-every- time-I-get-an-idea kick.  What fun!  I am so lucky to have a kiddo who loves this stuff as much as I do!

Sledding—the real deal

 

This past weekend we spent Sunday at Brad’s mom and step-dad’s celebrating his niece Amber’s bday.  The conditions were finally right for Fred to take us out on the sled with his horses.  It was so much fun and incredibly beautiful.  I took about a million photos.  Joseph even loved it so much he stayed on the whole time they were out. 

I also had tons of fun helping Fred take care of the boys after the ride.  I am finally getting a little more comfortable around them.  Even though they are ginourmous, they still are horses just like the ones I always loved.  And very kind, well-trained ones at that!  

We also did our usual celebrating with tons of amazing food and some good rough housing.  We love going to Grandma and Grandpa’s (and love the fact we get to do it even more since they moved closer!)