Making Ice Cream

First step--get some snow !!!
The ingredients are placed in a ziploc inside a larger ziploc that is filled with snow. 5-8 minutes of shaking and massaging are done to make the ice cream.

Tasting the results -- pretty good !

December Snowstorm

Ellie's first steps out on the deck -- she was sinking down into the snow --between 8 to 12 inches so far !!
Our house and pristine snowy yard before about 15 kids ran and sledded in it !
Hollister looks at the kids outside enviously. He loved the snow !
car in the ditch across the street
Felicia with her friend Brooke
Bethany whizzing by me !

even I took a few turns down the hill ! (with Felicia on top !)

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Be careful what you wish for !

12:30 pm and already about 8 inches of snow --yikes !

This storm is bigger than they even predicted. The kids will be in heaven. I'm fine if we don't lose power---please,please,please !!!! I'm trying to run everything now just in case--the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, computer stuff etc....

School Holiday Parties

We've survived two more elementary school parties ! At our school, the classes typically rotate classrooms, with each classroom being a different activity -- games,presents,eating etc. Ellie's party was on thursday afternoon and Felicia's on Friday, so I was able to be at both. They had a great time, as you can see.I love the book exchange that they do. The photo above is of Ellie's class on the carpet before the party began. Ellie is on the left side, light pink shirt, little braids on the side of her hair.
Yummy treats to eat !
Ellie was chosen in her group to be the "snowman". The others wrapped her up in toilet paper and hats/gloves etc...
Ellie's snowman group - the girl in the red dress is one of Ellie's best friends, Abbie
Making a craft
Felicia with her good friend, Natalie. They both received the same book as their gift. Felicia loves this author.
Playing Christmas Bingo
Amazingly, Felicia also got picked in her group to be the one wrapped up like a snowman. Well, in Felicia's case, she fought for that and won, even over the football player boy who wanted to be it.

Felica's group, so proud of their handiwork !

Waiting for Snow !!!

According to the weather reports, we may experience a big snowstorm starting tonight into tomorrow ! We've lived in the Richmond, VA area for 19 years and though we've seen a little snow before christmas in the past, we've never had a significant snowfall like they are predicting for us ! Everyone is excited and I even don't really mind because the kids and I are all out of school and don't have to be anywhere in particular. I also don't mind as much because we've had way too much rain in the past few months and the snow would be a welcome change. Anyone that knows me realizes what a huge statement this is, given that I hate the cold and am not a big fan of the snow.
My biggest concern is that our power stays on ! Where we live, our power tends to go out very easily in storms, rain, snow or wind. Keeping our fingers crossed for a white weekend !

All Aboard The Polar Express!

Ellie had a special day at school where the kindergartners come to school dressed in their pajamas and they have Polar Express Day. She enjoyed hot cocoa, which she doesn't like when she's at home, but she told me "I like THAT cocoa" I said "Ellie, I donated the cocoa!" Things always taste better somewhere else to kids, don't they?
The kids each have their ticket punched and come home with a bell of their own.
I believe !

Dear Santa

Last week Felicia and Ellie wrote and sent their letters to Santa at The North Pole. 5 days later, they each received a letter back, from Santa !!
Our house is filled with excitement as we use a few different advent calendars in the house to count down to this special Holiday !