Snow Play

Whew! Well, if you're from these parts you know that we've been hit hard with some big time snow. All these months of being spoiled by gorgeous winter weather have been exchanged for snow and slush and yuck. We've been making the most of it with the big kids home from school and all of us getting cabin fever stuck inside all day. We ended up with 4 and a half days off of school which gave me scary glimpses of our future summer days all together. At least there are pools and popsicles involved with summer!

Fun has been found where we can, even with the snow...

Ok, I'll say it cause you're thinking it. Her clothes are too small. Yes, her snow pants and coat are from last year and while they fit back in Nov/Dec she has greatly outgrown them. And I know I should find her something new but it is really hard to do when Kansas is so unpredictable and for all I know it will be in the 60's from here on out. I will be looking through the clearance racks though for something bigger. Or, just make her be "that girl" with the 3/4 length sleeves.

Our big kids and a bunch of neighborhood kids set up two different "forts" in the massive piles of snow pushed from the street. They could throw snow balls back and forth at each other.

Hard to tell but one group is way on the left behind that hill and another on the right. It was cute.
You know, in a battle cries/launching snow balls/plotting ambushes sort of way.

Taryn started digging a tunnel and daddy stepped in and helped.

Soon it went all the way through to the other side of the pile.

So then she started digging the other direction through the tunnel to dig out a cave.

Further.

And further.

Till she popped out under the wagon handle that had been buried and we forgot was under there.

So now there were three exits through the cave.

Friend London inside.

She asked if she could sleep there.  Yeah, sure, baby. Looks super comfy.

New sleds. Or maybe more like snowboards. Only you don't stand on them. Sled boards? Sloards?

On day 4 we were able to make an escape to my parent's ranch.
Of course, there is always fun to be had there.

Z and Z2. Her hat is accurate.

this hill was on one side of the dam. It made for some good sledding for our age kiddos.
Long but not too steep. The walk back up wasn't too hard for them.

The 2 year olds were not convinced that what we were doing was an appropriate activity.
So they got put up there.

Papa pushing Taryn.

Daddy trying to convince Z2 to live a little.

Pouting B and me.

Big Z zooming down.

My dad's still a kid at heart.

She's informing me that there is snow on her glove. A first.

And angel made by my Taryn.

And, here's the real reason we went to my parents to play. B/c dune buggies, four-wheelers, sleds and snow walking makes for 5 blessedly tired little ones. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

We also had to make a batch of snow ice cream. Can't ignore that snow-day must.

When cooking in our kitchen one must hurry. There is always cause for concern of an ambush.

Thankfully, this day, there was no blood-shed in the demand for food.
All were pacified by their snow ice cream creation....with chocolate syrup of course!

Success!

I'm grateful today that the big kids are back in school and the little ones are sleeping. It has been a LONG time since I've had a moment alone in this house. I did enjoy the excitement of a big snow, the unknown of how much it would be and the fun of exploring it with the kids. Enough is enough though. Bring on spring!

Swim Day

A couple weeks ago my little sister visited from her home in New York and I wanted to think of something we could all do that didn't involve us being cooped up in our living room. So we headed to the Y for a swim. We were even blessed by the front desk gal that waived the day pass fee for us and let us go on through. Woo Hoo!

First, I had to search about the house to make sure we had a swimsuit that still fit everyone since we were all different sizes from the summer. Here's A trying her's on.

Umm...has there ever been a cuter rolly polly body in a suit before?! She was pretty excited!

Getting everyone changed and ready in one of those creepy tiny tile rooms at the Y was no easy feat but we were finally ready. Bring on the pool!

That blur is Brecken. She jumped at least 100 times.



Aunt Kelsey joined us!

Basically the same thing they do in the bath for 30 minutes only on much bigger scale.

It was a great activity for our family and ended with warm baths, snuggles and a movie at Nana and Papas.

Dancing Queen

The same evening we B and Z2's Birthday party Taryn got to dance with the High School dance team at a basketball game halftime. She had practiced after school each day that week and ws ready to showcase her moves.

She's in the white pants.

Since all the extended fam was in town for the birthday parties they were able to join us at the game to watch T. She had quite the cheering section.

It got pretty late. Sweet Paige ended up falling asleep and Brecken was in some sort of strange trance.

I was so proud of my big girl!