Valentine boxes

Well it's official. No more frilly, lacey, red and pink valentine boxes here. (At least until Emma starts making them at home.) The boys made their valentine boxes tonight and they were very clear that we were not doing anything too "pretty". We looked for ideas and thought of everything from a shark to Sponge Bob, when we saw this locker. They both thought it was great. So, Adam helped them spray paint the boxes gray and then they decorated them. It was fun because we all worked on them together. I thought they turned out really cute, and they really liked them!

Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone!

Well, so much for January being uneventful. The ice storm of 2009 changed my easy, relaxing month into a week of craziness. The storm started Monday afternoon with freezing rain and continued through early Wednesday morning ending with snow. We lost power Tuesday night around 11:00 p.m. right after I got all the kids to sleep. (I had my sister's two kids sleeping over because their power was already out.) Adam kept a fire in the fireplace all night and the house stayed pretty warm. My brother, Jim, and his family got to my house around 9:30 that morning because they had also lost power in the night. We had fun rosting hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace and stayed relatively warm.
My parents got power back around noon that day, so we loaded up and headed to their house. All 15 of us spent the night there that night. It was nice to have lights and heat again!
We got power back at our house Thursday afternoon. We were very happy to be home again, and were thrilled to sleep in our own beds. I'm sure mom and dad were happy too!

We are the fortunate ones. There are still so many without power. It could be weeks before some people have their power restored. I think we really do take so much for granted. I don't believe I can ever remember a time that I went more than a few hours without power until now. I cannot end without mentioning my father-in-law. When I thought the storm was coming, I called him and asked him if I could come get some firewood because we were almost out. He brought us enough to get through if the power did go out, which of course it did. He is also a linesman for Craighead Electric and has been working with very few breaks since the storm hit.

We know firsthand how much time these guys devote to getting people's power restored.

The kids and I went back to school today and I have to admit it is nice to be back to normal. Hopefully, we won't see any more ice for a long time!!

25 Random Things

Well, January has been a nice change from the very busy and hectic month of December. We have had the kids' friends and cousins in and out but other than that it has been a pretty uneventful month. Kinda nice I think.
My sister and several friends have sent me the "25 Random Things" tag and it seemed like a bit of a challenge, so here goes. 25 random things about me...hmmm...

1. I don't drink soda at all. I only miss it when I eat pizza or popcorn.
2. I often think about going back to college and getting my masters and doctorate.
3. I love to sing and wish I were better at it.
4. I love to bake things from scatch.
5. I am a clean-freak and like for everything to be in its place.
6. I have the same pillow I had when I was a little girl. I can't sleep when I try other ones.
I take it everywhere I go.
7. I am in a book club called The Lit Group that I love.
8. I have learned more teaching kindergarten for the last 16 years than I learned the whole time I was in school.
9. Summertime is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it.
10. One of the reasons I love teaching is because I still get Christmas and Summer break.
11. My favorite movie is Gone with the Wind.
12. I don't like technology. (Or it doesn't like me) I don't have an Ipod, I don't text and I am not that good on the computer.
13. My children's names are all family names.
14. I hate to fly. It scares me too death.
15. I still feel my children's backs sometimes to make sure they are breathing when they sleep.
16. I don't like to go underwater.
17. I love Chinese food.
18. My favorite t-shirt is my Hurricane Circus homecoming shirt from 1987. It is black and white and old and comfy and I sleep in it at least once a week. I love it.
19. My husband makes me laugh harder than anyone.
20. I will be married 16 years this year.
21. I dread turning 40.
22. I don't like playing video games, but I love board games.
23. I love to read.
24. I love to watch football games but I don't ever want my boys to play.
25. I have never broken a bone.

Christmas!

Every year we spend the whole month of December building up to that big Christmas morning. My kids will tell you that it is their favorite part of the whole holiday, of course. Who doesn't love getting up on Christmas morning and seeing the tree surrounded by all the wonderful things that Santa has left? I do love watching the delight on my kids' faces on Christmas morning, but it is Christmas Eve that holds the magic for me. I love going to church for the candlelight service, singing Silent Night, & coming home and watching "A Christmas Story" with the whole family in our Christmas jammies. Then, when the kids finally pass out, Santa comes and I sit in front of the tree with Adam and feel the peace that seems to surround us. It is truly the most magical night of the year. Drake got Wii Fit at Grandpa and Grandma's house.
Jack with my nephew Logan opening their new lightsabers.

Molly, Emma and Aunt Jackie

Drake and Jack trying out their new Nerf dart tag.

Emma checking out what Santa put in her stocking.

Houses Sweet Enough to Eat

Here are our annual gingerbread houses! We meet up with the Drakes and the Carters every year at grandma and grandpa's house and the kids each make a candy-filled creation. Seven houses take a lot of frosting, candy and graham crackers, and make a BIG mess. (Grandma says she doesn't mind though.) We started this tradition several years ago and the kids look forward to it every year. It really is lots of fun. I have always added some of my touches to the youngest kid's house. Emma really wasn't wanting my help this year, so next year I may have to make one of my very own! Drake, Emma and Jack with their "sweet" houses.
Drake working on his roof.

Jack ate more than he decorated.

Emma did not want any help this year!

Winter Wonderland

Every year since Drake was little we have gone to Winter Wonderland to see Santa. It is one of our favorite Christmas Countdown activities. The scenes are wonderful and remind me of when I was a little girl and my mom took us to a place in Toledo every year. Just like my kids it was one of my favorite things at Christmas. We love the different scenes and have fun finding the hidden mouse in each one. We really love Mrs. Claus baking cookies in the kitchen, Santa's workshop and the Christmas train.

The kids also get to visit with Santa each year. They tell him what they want for Christmas and he tells them stories about the reindeer and what kind of cookies to leave him. Several times "Santa" has known our family personally so he calls the kids by their names and talks to them about people they know. The boys still talk about the year that Santa asked them all about their grandpa. He even knew his name!

It is a wonderful place to see the magic of Christmas in your children's eyes.

Drake, Jack and Emma in front of Canyland.
The kids with Santa.

The Christmas Parade

Adam, Jack and Emma enjoying the parade.

Drake and his friend Carson drank about three cups of cocoa each.Last Thursday night was the Jonesboro Christmas Parade. It was our Christmas countdown activity for the day so, despite the cold, we headed out to enjoy the parade! Drake met his friend Carson there and they enjoyed A LOT of free (thank you to a local boy scout troop) cocoa. Our favorites in the parade were the Grinch float, the Jonesboro High School marching band, and of course, Santa, who came at the very end. It was really cold, but we were glad we went. We had a great time!