Blizzard that Wasn't

The news was predicting 8-12 inches of snow Saturday, with winds supposed to cause white-out conditions. They posted all sorts of Blizzard Warnings and scared all of us into thinking it would be a terrible storm. We rushed around getting our errands and groceries Friday night and canceled Saturday events expecting a big storm. What we actually got was about 3 inches of snow. It certainly was a heavy snowfall for a couple of hours, but it stopped by mid-afternoon. Then, today it's been pretty warm, so most of the snow has melted already. Of course, Aspen finds the little bit that's left to lie down in. 

We got a new little point and shoot camera this weekend. It's just a cheap one, but we needed something small to fit in a pocket for when we don't want to get out the big camera. We spent a little while this afternoon playing outside and I tried it out a few times. It takes pretty good pictures for the $99 price tag! Jack had to go say hi to the neighbor's horse first. 

 Then, the fence provided at least 1/2 an hour of entertainment. He likes to climb up on the rails. He's very proud that he can get up there all by himself without help!

 We also ran around a lot! It's fun to race down the paver stones.

 I love this picture with his hair flying everywhere too. He was twirling around in circles and fell on his bottom right after the picture was snapped. :)

March Weekend

Today, we started setting up our grow lights in the storage room, and I planted the first of my indoor starts (artichoke and anaheim peppers, both of which need such a long season that we are supposed to start them indoors a whopping 12 weeks in advance!). In order to keep Jack out of my dirt, I had to give him a little bucket of his own dirt, so he could run his tractor around in it. Of course, I also had to vacuum the floor afterward too! 

 With two gorgeous days of 50 degree weather, our deep snow is melting fast. Jack loves it! It's warm enough to play outside in just a light jacket, but there's still lots of slushy snow to play in. Yesterday, he hauled his fire truck all the way out into the middle of the lawn. He's just fascinated with stepping in the snow. I had to take a long shot so you can see all the steps and work he took to get it out there, but he didn't want any help! He moved it all over the yard, and every time he'd tip it over he'd say "uh oh!" but he was determined to do it by himself! This is the same fire truck he filled with dirt camping last summer, and now it's getting soaked! The thing has held up remarkably well, although about half of the buttons don't work anymore.

Then, here's one last glimpse of mischief...Yes, that's a rock he puts in his mouth. Oh dear! 

Snow Day!

It snowed all day today. If it hadn't been windy, it would have just been 7-8 inches probably, but because the wind was blowing too, we now have drifts in places of more than 2 feet and bare ground in others. It's crazy...Mike had to go out and use the tractor to clear the driveways, but I'm not sure how we are going to get out of our neighborhood in the morning. 

 Grandma and Grandpa Harper, I'm sure when you sent Jackson his Corvette toy storage unit, you figured he'd use it this way! The bins rarely stay on the shelf or with the toys in them, but they make great hats and stools!

Afternoon at the Park

We had a 3 hour HOA meeting this morning, and we had to take Jack with us because our babysitter canceled and we couldn't find a new one. He was bored and restless, but did really well overall. Then, we went grocery shopping, and after decided to stop so Jack could see the geese (he loves geese!) and play at the playground. He's getting to be such a big, independent boy. The first couple times, he wanted a hand to hold, but then he decided he could climb the stairs and go down the slide all by himself! He did let me help him walk across the balance beam, but he did pretty good with it. 

 After the park, we decided to stop at a Mexican restaurant for dinner before heading home. Jack loved his rice and beans ( he could care less about the quesadilla)! He decided he had to eat with a big fork and use his napkin himself too. He's definitely starting to assert his independence and demand to be treated like a big boy! He's been going full speed all day! Hopefully that means he will sleep good tonight.

Quick Update

Now that everyone at our house is healthy again, I'll try to do better at posting. I don't have much time tonight, but just a quick update. I spent Saturday at a fun Scrapbooking Crop event making pages for Jack's baby scrapbooks. Today, we spent the day doing laundry, groceries, buying Jack some new shoes (size 7 already!!), and other errands. Jack has a new obsession with Elmo, so we've all seen a lot of Sesame Street this weekend. He's also taken to climbing up on the seat of his tricycle, and then tipping it forward so that he tumbles over the handle bars. He thinks it's hilarious, but I'm worrying of course. I tried to get a picture, but I wasn't quick enough! 

 I also did a little baking today. These Chocolate Muffins are made with applesauce, greek yogurt, egg whites, and oat flour, so very healthy. Only 95 calories each according to the recipe, but they actually taste pretty good! I also made some gingersnap molasses cookies for the freezer and then spent some time doing schoolwork too!

Good night!

Scenes from the week

On Monday, I didn't have to work, and it was unseasonably warm outside, so Jack and I went to the park for a couple of hours. Jack was very enamored with the boys doing tricks on their scooters and skateboards and stood to watch them for a long time. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of things in store...I'm already thinking "broken bones!" 

 He also liked the little slide a whole lot, and we spent at least a half an hour giggling on the swings. We had a great time!

 The rest of the week was super busy at work, and meetings kept Mike and I both at work late various days, so Friday night we all went to bed early to catch up on our sleep. Then today, we started out with a family hike to the natural area. Jack enjoyed the geese flying overhead and getting to walk on the frozen "agua" of the ponds. Aspen enjoyed the walk and running around.  Then, I was bitten by a baking bug, so I made 2 loaves of whole wheat bread and a batch of blueberry lemon sweet rolls (YUMM!). They turned out really well!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I got an early birthday present yesterday...The cabinet with the white drawers is new. It's another kitchen island, but I'm using it as a counter and storage. We rearranged the furniture in the room so that there's a nice long counter with the two side by side at the back of the room. Now I have enough counter space for all my new gadgets...I got a Big Shot and a new paper cutter for Christmas to go with the Cricut and Score Pal that I already had. The drawers are holding all my stamps, inks, cards, etc...My desk is still in the center of the room, my sewing machine on one side of the room, and I'm still using some rubbermaid bins too. I have a lot of stuff! The white wall bins are made to hang in mudrooms and hold shoes, but they work great to hold paper too, so I've moved all my 12x12 paper to those.  I spent most of the day reorganizing and cleaning up from Christmas projects, so it may never be this clean again!