Snow Days

In our part of the world, we don't usually see that much snow. This year has been quite different. And while it was pretty the first one or two times it fell, we're starting to get just a little bit sick of it. Between two-hour delays and cancellations, the boys haven't had a regular school week since winter break ended. In fact, one of the days we missed (because we were still at the beach) was cancelled because of snow. We came home from the beach to below zero temperatures and snow on the ground. Perhaps that's why we're not really excited about it anymore!

This week it actually warmed up enough that the boys could go outside and play a little in it. Connor was begging to get outside. Xander decided it looked pretty fun. Sawyer had to be forcibly taken outside. Connor and Xander happily played, running around, building snow tunnels, helping Josh shovel the driveway (the appeal was clearly the snow shovel, not the actual shoveling of snow). Sawyer sat down on the ice and snow covered driveway and picked up handfuls of white fluffy snow to eat. That's the only thing he thinks it's good for.

We were out of school today, but only Connor and I ventured outside. We worked on clearing the driveway and the sidewalks back off from the extra inch or so that fell overnight. He played a little, before he soaked his way through his gloves and socks, at which point he went running back inside for dry clothes and toys in his room.

Is it time for Spring yet? We're all ready ...

Happy, Happy Birthday!

 

It was a week-long birthday celebration. The Martin Luther King holiday meant the boys were off from school on Monday, and snow has kept them out the rest of the week.

Because of their gluten-free-casein-free (GFCF) diet, we can't do a typical cake. Last year we got special cupcakes from a local bakery that offers GFCF cupcakes. The boys took two bites and were ready to toss the rest of the $4 cupcakes away. So this year we opted for the homemade kind. Betty Crocker has a GFCF box mix, and Duncan Hines as a GF icing.

Xander wanted cupcakes all week. He loved getting the big number 8 candle out and lighting it each and every time to make his wish. He also wanted his birthday hat, each and every time, if I would let him get up from the table and go get it. He would actually eat the whole cupcake. Sawyer just licked the icing off the top and discarded the cake.

It's hard to believe my babies are eight years old. I guess I can't call them babies anymore ...

Eight (In Pictures)

Eight (In Pictures)

Guess which one ...

Lego Master

Or so he thinks.

Connor has become obsessed with Legos in the last year or so. His big present from Santa this year was a remote controlled Lego train that works with battery power. All three boys have been having fun watching it go around the tracks. And it actually moves pretty fast, considering how little track actually came with the very expensive set.

Though his first preference is still playing xBox, usually the Lego-esque game of Minecraft, he will still spend hours in his room playing with Legos. He makes up cities and acts out scenarios. It's cute to see him make up his own worlds and lose himself for hours in something that doesn't involve a screen.

Most of his sets are from the Lego City or the Creator collections. He has the cargo train set, the Coast Guard cutter and rescue helicopter, and the big fire station, along with several engines and police cars and other smaller creator sets. There are Legos all over his room most of the time. We've even taken to locking his room when he's not in there, to keep little brothers from systematically destroying his creations.

That's probably what he gets for shooting his Nerf dart guns at them all the time, don't you think?