Things to expect when going to see U2 3D:
Thing we didn't expect:
*sigh*
Yeah, I know, bad pun. The kids went out to build this nifty snow guy (and his cat). Before you know it, we were all involved. (They were having trouble getting started, and once we had started them, we made the thing so big they couldn't do it on their own!) We ended up having a lot of fun. Too bad the forecast calls for melting!
The snow day also gave Kairi and Nicky the perfect excuse to put together the 1000+ piece pirate ship that Cyndy gave Nick for Christmas. They had a blast assembling it - but I doubt it will ever go together again, since I keep finding little bits of it when I clean Nicky's room! Oh, well - it was one good solid afternoon of pirate adventure!
Snow days are more fun when they're for actual snow, not just slush or ice or freezing rain. Cause everyone knows the real purpose of a snow day is not to keep kids safe at home, but to let them play in the snow. Duh.
For example, if the snow is too fluffy to pack, you can always kick it at your brother or sister.
And if there aren't any hills around, you can still use the driveway, if it's steep enough!
Who knows? The fresh air might even make your brain work better when you get back to school - but since this snow day is a Friday, all it means is... LONG WEEKEND!!!
Our church sponsored an international dinner this weekend. I had no idea how many ethnic bakckgrounds were represented by the members of the church. We went Irish with stew and faerie cakes, of course, and the pastor even donned his leiderhosen to represent his German heritage. From trifle to enchiladas, curry to hummus, nobody left hungry! In fact, the biggest problem was not having enough room in our stomachs!
At the very last minute, we threw together Valentines for the kids' classes. Traditionally, we make handmade Valentines, but it just wasn't happening this year, since we were crunched for time. Of course, turns out we had plenty of time. The day after Valentine's Day was a Friday inservice leading into the long President's Day weekend, and Valentine's Day itself ended up being a snow day. So no school on Valentine's Day, or for five days after that. I felt really bad for the moms who had made cookies or cupcakes!
"Now don't get us wrong, we love William Shakespeare, but in this new century he's not very clear. Yet, only in reverence to him our great hero, do we pull "The Bard" back to our level - Zero." - The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet (by Peter Bloedel)This year's drama production was about as funny as it gets. An entire Shakespearian play, told in Dr. Seussian rhyme, complete with bumballoon fights, blue wigs, and on-stage birth. (Okay, so Kid One and Kid Two basically "popped" out of their family groups courtesy of balloons under their mother's skirts strategically poked with pins, but FUN-NY. Especially if you're a middle schooler.)
I'm always proud of my drama students, but this year they really pulled it together at the very last minute. We had four people (key people, with big parts) out sick on opening night, and yet, somehow, we managed to pull, push, and shove the play to completion with the audience none (or at least not much) the wiser. That takes skill, and guts, and I'm very proud of my kids.
(Although next time Romeo gets the urge to run around dress rehearsal yelling the name of the Scottish play, I'm going to save myself the trouble and just cancel in advance!!)
So, we obviously didn't make it to Lambeau for the playoffs, but the decked out couch was the next best thing. Riding high on our 13-3 season, we watched in awe as the Packers drubbed the Seahawks in a fun and playful 42-20 snowy victory. We leapt off the couch when the Giants won their game against the Cowboys, convinced that we were going to the Superbowl - after all, we only had to beat the Giants, and we had taken them once before this season, right??
Of course, we fell to the Giants in icy cold overtime in the NFC championship. But at least the Giants took out the Patriots and prevented the supposedly "perfect season" (which never would have been perfect anyway after the taping incident, in my opinion!) If we couldn't win the Super Bowl, having the little brother of the previous Super Bowl winner triumph against all odds is also the next best thing, I guess.
But NEXT YEAR...
...by being a parent. For starters... NO MORE SCHOOL PROJECTS!!!!
Kai made this stained glass window for extra credit. She didn't actually need extra credit, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.
But seeing how long things like this take has definitely changed my opinion of assigning projects to students. Next year, no more book projects!
Technically, it wasn't Kai's year to have a party. But she wanted to have a few friends go with her to the movies with some of her birthday money, so why not? The girls even ended up bringing her presents when they went to see National Treasure 2- which was just too nice of them! She has great friends. They were talking about a school project and hoping they could get a good grade at the theater! Not exactly what most 11 year old girls would be focused on, but it makes us happy!
Since it wasn't really Kairi's party, Nicky also brought a friend - and we all headed to Maggie Moo's for some ice cream after the show. The boys and girls sat far away from each other though. Can't imagine why...
I'm so glad the Eagles managed to win the game while Scott was in attendance! He had a great time, and can't wait to take all of us to a game.
This pictures makes me curious - are the players praying to not get killed on the field, or just to win? Actually, it's nice to see players with so much money and fame taking time for God, whatever their reasons for praying.
Whether tapping out tunes with our feet...
Tickling the ivories as a sister act...
Or cutting a rug with Uncle Scott...
You gotta admit, Juli's got rhythm!
If you look back through December, you'll see that snow got in our way more than once this month. But that does mean we had a white Christmas! And that means sledding. Belly flops, like Hannah...
Laughing crash landings like Kai...
And a cold butt and pouty face like Nick! Ah well, can't please them all. (And it was wicked cold!)
Poor Kai. She had a pretty lousy birthday. It was snowing to beat the band and we couldn't get out to the movies safely. She ended up just hanging around the house all day, and she wasn't very happy about it. At least she got presents!
She also got the ice cream cake she asked for...
Although her cousin seemed to enjoy it more!
We did get to the movies the next night, and mom braved the snow to bring back pizza for her birthday dinner, so while her boring birthday was disappointing, it wasn't exactly life ending. Better luck next year, Kai!
Rollerskating was high on the kids' agenda when we headed to New York. We never go to the rink near the house, but they always want to skate with their cousins. Even two year old Faith was out and about on the rink. Now if we could only teach Scott!
Footballs weren't the only popular item on this year's Christmas list - Hannah got a DS and all of the kids got games. Kairi, Nicky, and Hannah spent hours "pictochatting" and connecting on games. I usually think I'm fairly technology savvy - but I just don't get communicating by chat with someone in the same room. Seemed to work for them, though!
Isn't she a doll baby? Juli was full of personality this visit, and I was thrilled to get to know her. She's so giggly, and she just loves anyone who'll get down on the floor and play with her. She and Faith even hung out with me so that Mommy and Daddy could get out to a movie. Trust me, babysitting is MY pleasure!
Football and Christmas went together like Madden and Michaels at our house this year. Even Juli got in on the action!
First, Scott got a ticket to the last Eagles game of the season. He loves the Eagles, but he's never actually been to a game, so he was psyched.
Then, Nicky got a ton of Packers things - if it had Green Bay on it, Nicky loved it.
And if we're talking about Green Bay, we should check out the Snow Globe and Favre jersey I got, as well. My mom was ready to disown me for actually wanting football stuff for Christmas - she doesn't know where she went wrong!
Then these awesome leather coats showed up for Barry and Scott. Yep. Barry's a Cowboys fan. How do all of us NFC fans get along? VERY carefully.
Finally, when he'd all but given up hope, the one thing Nicky wanted for Christmas - a REAL football. Official NFL size, real laces, leather - and one very happy little boy.
