Snow Days

Before the snow (or threat of snow) came our way, we had a fun brunch at our house with Reese and Melissa.  It was great girl time!  The little ones got to play and the mamas got to chat.  Perfect start to our Saturday!

Reese gave Elizabeth and sand box that Elizabeth loved playing with at her house.  She has played with it every day since.  I found this video on my phone.  She had recorded herself without me knowing.  That sweet girl....

Alissa and I were asked to wear Kendra Scott jewelry for our Greyhound Nation Celebration (our foundation's fundraiser for school) in order to auction off.  Here we are wearing a couple of pieces.  We took a picture to post to their facebook page.  This will be a fun event!

Elizabeth had her 6-year check up with our new pediatrician, Dr. Cooper.  We love her and her practice!  It was time to make the switch and I'm so happy to be in a smaller practice where our doctor actually knows my children (her husband is Elizabeth's soccer coach). Elizabeth is very healthy.  She weights 45 lbs (50th percentile) and  46.5 inches tall (75% percentile).  

Last week they cancelled school on Saturday for the threat of snow on Monday.  Then we were out on Tuesday too.  We never got any snow!  Then this week there was actually ice and snow on the ground, and they waited until the very last minute (7:00 am) to delay school.  An hour later they cancelled it.  The whole thing was quite comical.  There were many upset teachers and parents, but I was just happy to spend some extra time with my kiddos!

On Wednesday they cancelled school because the ice was suppose to move in around lunch and they were scared that we would have a repeat of last year.   A lot of parents on our street still had to work (even if from home).  Nichole and I offered to take care of all the kids at my house.  We had 10 kids from age 10 months to 10 years, and somehow it was really smooth.  They ate, played games, watched movies, and made lots of memories. And I had a great excuse not to do anything productive on my day off!!

The girls and I did find time to complete our Lent Chart.  In our Sunday School class we are reading this book that talks about helping our kids look outward to others through our windows instead of looking at ourselves in the mirror.  So we came up with 40 things we could do each day to make sure we are looking outward.  It took us a few days just to complete the chart, so I'm hoping that we are able to actually complete them all!

February

February is coming to an end and I am hopeful that winter is too!  Here are some random pictures from my phone.

Caroline doesn't nap on a regular schedule anymore.  She basically just sleeps whenever she feels the urge.  Usually as soon as she gets in the car.

Cold afternoons mean game time!

Elizabeth took a picture of me and my favorite buddy, Luke, playing outside one day.

Speaking of best buddies, Elizabeth loves her friend Riley (Luke's big est sister).

On Friday the 13th, Bert went to school with Elizabeth for Donuts with Dad.  

Ms. Arasi and Ms. Gibeaut are the best kindergarten teachers ever!

In the afternoon, they exchanged Valentines with their classmates.  Elizabeth colored puzzles for each of her friends, personalized the puzzle, then put them in baggies.  I thought it was a great idea because 1) it was hers and 2) it required nothing from me.  Turns out, it did require something from me... patience.  It took her every bit of two weeks to complete them.  But bless her heart it was so sweet how she carefully chose every color and design for each kid.  

 At my school on Friday, some of the chorus members serenaded a girl in my class for her secret admirer.  So sweet!

On Friday night Elizabeth had her first school dance.  It was a sock hop.  She specifically asked me to make her a blue poodle skirt.  I knew I wouldn't have enough time, so I ordered one.  It didn't come in on time.  I was so disappointed, but Elizabeth took it in stride.  She just said, "I't's okay Mommy, I still look cute!"  I just love her heart, and her confidence!

We ran the Amazing Grace race on Saturday morning.  It supports medical bills for two little girls named Grace who were diagnosed with cancer in August.  

It was really cold that morning, but somehow I ran my fastest pace ever.  It's not fast by "real" runner standards, but it was fast for me.  I ran 3- 9.5 minute miles (about 1 minute less per mile than usual).  I finished 27th in my age group (there were 2100 runners total).  I never run for time, so I was surprised and excited when I realized this.  Bert finished 11th in his age group!  

Playing twister with cousins.

Baking with cousins.

Playing outside with cousins and neighbors.

After two days off for snow (when we actually had no snow), Elizabeth was ready to go back to school so she could celebrate her birthday with her school friends.

They were celebrating during their 9:30 snack time so I didn't want to send sugary treats.  Elizabeth painted these close pins (during our "snow" days) and we turned them into butterflies with grapes and goldfish.

Bert sent me this picture of him and Caroline trying to play outside.  Apparently they lasted about 10 minutes before heading back in to the warmth.

Caroline actually gave me back her ice cream at CFA so she could like her sauce instead.  Silly girl!

Elizabeth is 6!

My baby girl turned 6 on Monday.  I can hardly believe it.  She is growing into such a mature, kind-hearted young lady.  I just can't soak her up enough lately!

Grandma, Jim, Aunt Melanie, and all of her cousins came in to town for the weekend.  We celebrated her birthday on Sunday by going ice skating at the new Avalon outdoor rink in Alpharetta.  It was a beautiful day; perfect for ice skating!

Elizabeth was as determined as ever!  Most athletic endeavors come natural for Elizabeth, but ice skating did not.  She never left the ice once and refused help from us.  By the end of the day, she was turning circles on the ice.  I love her strong spirit and perseverance!

Caroline did surprisingly well!  She barely fell and ended up skating a lot on her very own.

We were all worn out afterwards!  Both girls were asleep before pulling out of the parking lot!

Monday was Elizabeth's actual birthday.  It's become a little tradition on our street to go over to the birthday kid's house after dinner for cake on their actual birthday.  But since we ended up having snow days on Monday and Tuesday, we ordered pizza and let the kids stay and play for a while.  

We made this cake with my mom and sister this weekend for Valentine's day then ran out of time to eat it.  It made the perfect birthday cake!

Happy 6th Birthday Elizabeth Joy!