Crazy week we've just had, weatherwise. Two 'winter events' (blizzards) in the course of 5 days. Lots and lots o' snow. The first occurred over the weekend and the 2nd mid-week. So all in all, four days of pretty much forced relaxation in the past week. I have to say, I really enjoyed it. The first snow day happened right on the heels of a very hectic last week and it was a really great feeling to wake up to a snowstorm on Saturday morning and know that there was no reason to get dressed and nothing to worry about doing all day except relax. We played cards, we watched movies, we read stories, we napped (ok, just me), we baked cookies...just a really peaceful day.
Sunday was all about clearing out the snow and going sledding. I am a masochist, but I actually enjoy shoveling. There's something so satisfying about doing it. Plus, I love the workout I get. Sledding was fun, but after the ease of tubing (love that tow up the hill), we were a little wiped out from having to actually walk back up after each run.
Wednesday's storm didn't really manifest until mid-afternoon, so having the day off felt a bit like a freebie. Carolyn and I took the kids to Chuk E. Cheese (had the whole place to ourselves) and then out to lunch (again, a nearly empty restuarant) and got back just as the storm started picking up. Yesterday was spent once again clearing out snow. It was a gorgeous day (sunny and high 30's, which felt balmy), so the kids were content playing outside for much of the day and were pretty bushed by dinnertime.
I was actually a little dissappointed to have to come back to work today - whereas normally that many days off inside might give me a bit of cabin fever, this time it was just...nice.
For whatever reason, winter isn't bothering me one bit this year. I don't know if it is because I know we have a warm escape planned at the end of the month, or if I'm just starting to see the value of a forced day of of relaxation, but I've actually welcomed the snow. The older I get, the faster the seasons seem to fly by, even cold and snowy winters. I know that before too long, it will be spring and then another school year will have ended and my kids will be that much older, so I'm just trying to hold on to what we have, while we have it. Snow and all.
In other updates, Sadie's lipy sync routine went off beautifully on Friday night. I'm so proud of her. I love seeing her up there enjoying herself and being a part of the school community. She's already thinking about next year's act (considering a solo routine, even!).
Another Sadie update - she has finally found a book series that really has grabbed her, to the point that she spent the better part of the past two days reading and proudly finished a 217 page book all by herself last night. It does this avid reader's heart good to see her so absorbed in a book.
As for Eden, I'm happy to report that the first few weeks of being four are definitely a promising improvement to the 'terrible threes.' Her 'cooperative switch' seems to have been turned on again, after a two year hiatus and it is a welcome change. I thought it might never happen! She has been a lot of fun recently.
She is also growing mentally and physically at the speed of sound, it seems. She is reading anything and everything she sets her eyes on, which just continues to amaze me. The other day she wrote the following on a piece of paper:
I luv yoo Sade en Dad
Aside from the fact that I was wondering where I was in that equation [ok, not really, the girl is 100% a mama's girl so if she wants to throw the others a bone from time to time, I can live with it ;) ], I was astounded by her ability. I don't know where this kid gets her brains from, but it is so exciting to see them in action.
She is also starting to figure out simple 'mental math' and can add all sorts of combinations of single digit numbers in her head. My little brainiac - she sure makes me proud.
So, all in all, the kids are good, we are good, life is good.
