Adrian Laughing
Category: Children
Megan in Purple
Dressed for the Weather
We have had some extra cold weather this winter. According to the weather report right now, we have 3 degrees F, but with the wind chill and all it feels like -20 degrees.
However, even with it being so cold, we still go outside to play. My only rules are that the kids come in when I say–unless they get cold first–, keep their faces covered, and when they come in, get something hot to drink!
Megan is expert at sledding downhill with a barely noticeable slit to see through. Since someone has to help her back up the trail, she is perfectly happy to sled “blind”. The rest of us prefer to see!
Sledding Hill
When the kids were much younger, Allan built our first backyard sledding hill by placing 2×8’s down the patio steps and forming a ramp. Since then, the children try to build one whenever there is enough snow.
We have had wonderful weather for the sledding hill this year. We piled snow under the porch and the kids continue to add snow as needed. They have learned how to shape the slope so that the ride is fun. They learned very quickly that bumping on the bottom can hurt!
They have a contest going, to see who can travel the furthest down the yard. Megan is the winner, happily screaming her way past the Maple tree. Audrey is a very close second.
Even though the hill is not very large, it is fun. All of the kids play on it, or help maintain it, during “recess” until they get cold or have to come in again.
Winter’s Walk
Audrey and Megan enjoying a winter’s walk.
Audrey
Audrey really likes the tulle skirt that Andrea made for Megan’s Christmas gift.
She tried it on, and when she discovered it fit, I asked if she could run outside with it on. Of course, her first thought was I was crazy; it was very cold outside, then she decided it sounded like neat fun.
A few of the pictures turned out nicely, but this is my favorite. It captures my beautiful, bright, silly, fun loving girl’s personality!
Feet
We woke up this morning to a heavy fog and most of the snow gone. Mark and I went across the street to try some picture ideas that we had. When we got home, Audrey ran out to great us.
Bare feet, ice and snow…I like this girl! I used to do the same thing when I was little. 
Sledding
We received our first good snow this weekend. It was not very deep, but was very pretty.
Since the middle two had a science class at the park, we went early to play on the sledding hills. The kids had fun, but said the snow was packed down and not as much fun as fresher snow. Megan went down a few times, but was not too interested.
After class, the kids begged to play some more. For some reason, sledding was better and no one wanted to go home. Even Megan enjoyed sledding this time.
School Work
For school this year, the girls and Adrian are doing a lot more writing than before. Yesterday, they started learning about poetry. Today, when their assignment was to write at least an eight line poem, they fussed and complained that it was hard.
I mentioned it was not hard, and then did the assignment with them. In less than 30 minutes, all of the kids had written poems with very little help from me. I think it was the easiest assignment they have had so far.
Here is my finished poem:
Snow falling
Gently to the ground
Quietly outside
Inside
Children distracted
Watching
Snow gathering
Inch by inch
Blizzard like
Button coats
Slip on boots
Class dismissed!
Late Night
I often let the kids have one late night while Allan is gone. They are allowed to stay up as long as they wish quietly reading, but they need to be cheerful the next day and remember that they will need a nap.
The kids surprised me last night by how late everyone stayed up. Andrea and Audrey snuggled together reading on the top bunk, until Andrea fell asleep around 10:30. Audrey moved to her bed and curled up with a flashlight to read longer.
Megan started in her bed, not knowing that Adrian was reading under covers. When she discovered the red light shining through, she curled up with him. He was ready to sleep close to 11:00 and Megan moved in to snuggle with Audrey.
When Audrey fell asleep, Megan crawled back into her bed and sang for a little bit. She lasted until almost 11:30 before she fell asleep.
Mark started reading on the couch upstairs, but moved down to his bed just before 11:00. I have no idea what time he turned off his lights, because I went to sleep soon after Megan.