Still at Home

School has been canceled for the rest of the week.  I believe the main roads are pretty good but the neighborhoods aren't great.  Most neighborhoods don't get plowed so there is an inch or two of solid ice covered with an inch of snow.

So far we haven't tried getting out.  So we've been finding things to do around the house.

On Tuesday we made cookies.  Unfortunately I only had one stick of butter (we just don't use regular butter often so I don't usually have much).  The boys were able to make one cookie sheet each though.

Yesterday I blew the air mattress up and set it up in the bonus room for movie time.

Eventually the air mattress became part of a fort.

Carter has been very studious the last couple of days.  On Tuesday he learned how to count coins and yesterday he learned to read a clock.  He then did a bunch of math tests for school on the computer for those topics (as well as other basic math concepts).

When Grayson got up from a nap, Carter wanted to read books to him.  Grayson actually really seems to like being read too (just like Carter did when he was a baby - Rylan did not).

Iced In

School is cancelled today and it's not looking good for the rest of the week - lots of super cold temperatures and more chances for snow and ice.  The roads are horrible - sheets of ice.  As long as we keep power, I'll try not to complain too much :)

I took the boys out in the 1 to 2 inches of sleet yesterday.  Now all that sleet has frozen together into solid blocks of ice, but yesterday you could still crunch around in it.

Carter got to wear the new ski pants I had gotten him before everyone in town was scrambling to find some for our predicted several inches of snow!

Everything is coated in ice from the freezing rain we got for awhile.

Even the side of the house (notice how shiny the bricks are?) ...

We only played about 20 minutes because the boys were getting soaked (it was raining while we were out ... and then freezing).  But at least we got out for a few minutes - we are not good with being housebound.  We are on the go all the time and start going a little crazy when cooped up too long!

Ice Storm

Unfortunately this is not snow.

Yesterday there were predictions of 3 to 8 inches of snow.  Instead, we have only had freezing rain and sleet so far.

It's a mess out there and we aren't supposed to be above freezing all week (Wednesday night is supposed to be -7F).  I'm scared about how long school will be canceled!!!

Spelling Tests

Carter has finished both the sight word and phrase list tests at school.  He is now moving on to spelling tests.  He got his first list on Friday and will be tested this Friday.  The words are harder than I expected!

He only got two wrong the first time we went over them though.  I was impressed!

Carter's School Valentines

Carter had the exact same Valentine's as Rylan.

But he also got to write his classmates' names and his own on each Valentine.

Carter got to make his Valentine's box at home.  I found the idea of using a trashcan to make R2D2 online and we went with that.  Carter and I tried to copy the pattern of around R2D2's body and made that part on the computer.  We then printed it and taped it onto the trashcan.  We used cardstock and a cardboard tube to decorate the lid.

Front:

Back:

Side:

Top:

Carter was super proud of his R2D2. His teacher emailed me this note: "Carter’s “box” is AMAZING! I’ve never seen ones so cute! Love the idea of the trashcan too! It’s the perfect size and the opening is perfect too."

The school secretary offered to make all the kids Valentine's from their parents.  We got to send in a message and she made these for all the kids ...

Carter really likes the canvas I hung in Grayson's room that says "Never Forget My Goodnight Kiss" so I used that as part of his message.

Carter has 21 kids in his class so he got lots of Valentine's and treats!

These were some of the cute homemade ones like ours ...

Rylan's School Valentines

Rylan's preschool class celebrated Valentine's Day on Thursday.  Besides handing out Valentine's in the morning, they had a party at the end of the day.  A different group of moms handled the party this time and they did a great job.

The party started with the craft.  One of the moms had prepped vases by painting them white, putting a ribbon on them, and adding a foam flower.  Then the kids got to dip a finger in paint and using two fingerprints, made hearts on the vase.  I helped Rylan place his finger and his vase turned out super  cute.  He decided it would be for me so he wrote my name on the leaf :)

Next, it was time for a game.  Bingo went a lot better than musical chairs did at the Christmas party!

Rylan was the first one to yell out Bingo too!

Snacks were after the game.  A mom had put a "Love Potion #9" label on the water.  When I told Rylan what it said, he refused to drink it.  I convinced him it was just water and he tore the label off so he could drink it :)

Rylan ate his cookies and skipped the fruit - go figure!

After that the kids just played for a little bit before heading home.  Rylan and his best school buddy, Radnor ...

Both Carter and Rylan decided they wanted Star Wars Valentine's this year.  I found this cute idea online.  I found the image online and added "May the Force be with You this Valentine's Day - From Jedi Master Rylan."  I had the photos printed at Walgreens, mounted them on cardstock, and added two glow bracelets as Lightsabers.

We had to bring shoeboxes in and Ms. Sue helped the kids make them into mailboxes.

Rylan also had some gifts for us.

The kids decorated a picture frame and heart earlier in the week.

Love It!

Carter reading a book to Rylan while eating lunch ...

Carter is becoming a great reader!!!

Rolling Over

Grayson finally rolled over today!  He's been close for the past couple of days - getting on his side but never all the way over.

I caught him trying it again today and started videoing him.  His arm was in the way for a long time and he was starting to get frustrated with it.

But he eventually got it!

Grayson lasted about two minutes before he had enough tummy time (sorry for the blurry picture).

Writing Web

Carter brought this worksheet home from school yesterday.

What Carter wrote on the back is what made me laugh (and then cry ... not really).

In case you need help interpreting kindergarten spelling ...

"I play basketball.  I like scoring goals.  I scored 6 goals in two games.  Basketball is fun.  My team never beats the other team."

Carter still has 4 more games - maybe they'll win one :)

First Run

I took Grayson on his first run today.  It was relatively warm (50ish), sunny, and not windy so I figured he could handle a few miles.  He was awake for about 20 seconds, then the sun got in his eyes, he closed them, and passed out.

I only have the carseat attachment for the double stroller so I may have looked like I lost a kid during my run :)

We ran from the house and did 4 miles in just over 40 minutes.  Considering all the hills we did, I was completely happy with that time.  It felt so good to run outside again!

I was sick last week and ended up taking a break from Insanity after 4 weeks.  I've been doing some of the T25 workouts since they are shorter and easier to fit into my day (Grayson likes the shorter workouts too since I don't have to ignore his crying for as long).  I only have 5 weeks until the half marathon I signed up for so I need to get in some long runs soon.