Snow Day=Snow Play!

I took quite a few pictures of the kids in the snow today. They had such a good time. Here are a few of my favorites.

LOVE!

Practicing for her skiing/snowboarding trip with Student Council in a couple of weeks.

Julia wouldn't go down the hill at all in the beginning of last winter.  Look at her now! : )

The tipping point...

LOVE the "front teeth" missing grin! : )

Here is the whole set.

We had a snow day today...

...and I have been up since 4:30 this morning.  There really is something wrong with that.  I woke when Ryun walked out the door to go check out the snow situation and see if he was going to try to get to Mass Eye and Ear for work.  He came back in shortly afterward and announced that he was going to shovel out and make the attempt.  At that point it was snowing heavily, with visibility next to nothing, and roads that were plowed but still not great.  I though he was crazy  but he is one of those people that goes to work unless something catastrophic happens (for example, the end of the world).   After he shoveled and left, I couldn't fall back asleep (probably because I was nervous about him getting to work safely).  At 5:40 I got a phone message from him saying he made it as far as exit 6 on 495 (coming from exit 3) and that he was turning around.  After thanking him for coming to his senses, I hung up and  tried to go back to sleep.  I ended up getting up at 6 (thank you internal alarm clock).  Had I known this was going to happen, I might have thought twice about staying up until 1AM.  The kids didn't wake until 8 (ish) so we had a nice couple of hours to ourselves.  I spent it chillaxin' on the couch, paying only slight attention to an episode of HIMYM, followed by Modern Marvels: Corpse Tech.  Uh...yeah.  

Blizzard Pictures

Yes, I went out in the middle of a blizzard and took pictures. It was worth the trek through the snow to get these shots (which are just a small sample of the many I took).

One of the few trees in the open field out beyond my backyard.

The birdhouse picture is my favorite of the bunch.

Yup, it was definitely blizzard-like.

Love this one with the birdhouse in the distance.

This one is looking out on the field that borders my back yard. So pretty.

Just Because

Kid cuteness can be found here.

This was the perfect day to take out the water hopscotch mat for the girls. They had fun running through the water and it sure was hot enough for water play!

Catch All Update

Today was a very productive day. Perhaps the most exciting and eventful part of it? I would have to say it was when we took a series of steps to officially "evict" winter from the Ellis household. We started with packing away all of our winter gear; snow pants, heavy winter coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, gloves and snow boots. We moved on to cleaning up the yard a bit...sticks, leaves, pine cones etc. There is still quite a bit left to do but we made a dent anyway. Next the kids sorted and organized all of the spring toys; bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sports gear and things of that nature. Ryun came home and put down most of the screens, fixed the grill, filled the gas tank and cooked wings for dinner. To end the day, the girl were outside playing after dinner and noticed a random growth of daffodils in the middle of the woods between our yard and the neighbors. Seriously? Today was screaming spring around these parts.

I spent the night working. It's finally starting to get busy again and since I knew I would be occupied all day tomorrow, I wanted to get in what I could tonight. I have to say I managed to get quite a bit of editing done.

Tomorrow I will be spending the day at the polls. I will be sign holding for the override investment in our children and for Allin Frawley. I am hoping and praying that things go my way tomorrow (the investment passes and Allin wins). I honestly can't wait until tomorrow is over just to know one way or the other.

The Great Flood Of 2010

In comparison to what I have heard that some people have been dealing with, we fared pretty well over here in this neck of the woods. We did get water in the basement but it was manageable for the most part.

I decided to venture out today and take pictures of some of the flooding in the area. I ended up going to the Herring Run on 28 and over to the Oliver Mill Park. I got some pretty amazing shots and some video. The poor herring were literally smashing in to the rocks at the run.

Anyway, here is the video:



And here is a link to the album with the pictures.

Quote

Appropriate quote for today:

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo~

Time, Music, The Great Outdoors and My Camera

It is amazing what a difference those four things can make when it comes to my frame of mind. I especially find the combination of my camera and getting outside with it work wonders.

I took these pictures this morning after the kids got on the bus. As much of a pain in the backside snow can be (literally and figuratively), it helps for me to remind myself just how pretty it can be. Case in point:

Let It Snow!

I won't be saying that in, say late February or March, but for right now, bring it on. The part that I love the most isn't the snow itself. It's the part that forces us to stay home and just be here, together and (hopefully!) enjoying each others company. Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, times like this are far and few between. So, when something comes along that forces this, it's always welcome in my book.

Sadly, depending on how bad it is, it may mean missing a family party tomorrow. It's not scheduled to start until late afternoon so if we are shoveled out and the worst of it has passed, then we may still make it. I am kind of sad about the possibility of missing it, but if we do, I will be looking forward to a day at home, frolicking in the snow with the kids, and, of course taking pictures.

On the agenda today after Katherine's basketball game? Cinnamon-Applesauce ornaments. Christmas music. Sugar cookie baking. Christmas crafting. Homemade mac n' cheese. Christmas movies.

I live for days like this.

So...

...I was going to sort through winter clothes today; washing what will still fit the girls and bagging up for donation the rest. Then, I thought, "Hmmm, Emily would love to help me with this massive undertaking (three kids=a lot of clothes). Maybe we can work on it when she gets home from school. Wouldn't it be a great mother-daughter bonding experience?" Yes, clearly I am looking for any excuse to get out of doing it right now, though I do think Emily would really enjoy helping (imagine that...a tween actually enjoying helping her mother with a chore). The boxes have been down from the attic for weeks now, just waiting to be sorted through and Emily has asked a number of times when I would be going through them.

Speaking of Emily, tonight is parent teacher conferences. Of course I am going to go but basically? Every parent teacher conference I have ever had for Emily has gone like this: "She is so bright, she is doing well, and she participates in class but she really needs to get organized. She doesn't always have what she needs and sometimes can't find things." I doubt these will be any different. So tonight, even though I have all of three minutes to chat with each teacher, I am going to see if they have any suggestions for her and I to take in to consideration. It might require a separate meeting to discuss at length, which is fine. I just don't have any more ideas.

Spring...Right Around The Corner

It's a beautiful day in in good old New England...near 60 degrees, sunny, and a picture perfect clear, blue sky. I have been craving, in a big way some outdoor time...time to be outside in the elements, just taking it all in. I decided that today would be the perfect day to head south...to the Cape Cod Canal. I always forget how much I love that place until I return. It's just so peaceful...so beautiful...and just what I needed to lift me a little further out of the depths of the winter blues. Because let's just face it...I am a happier person when I am outside and not freezing...surrounded by nature...totally in tune with the world around me. Nothing speaks to me on a deeper level.

Random Things

Today? Julia walked outside and said, "It smells chilly." I thought she misspoke at first but after a took a breath in, I realized she meant exactly what she said. It did smell "chilly." It reminded me of the time Emily smelled, "summer" when she was about the same age as Julia is now. I LOVE how kids are so "in the moment." They notice things I might otherwise not have. It's refreshing.

Speaking of Julia, she had quite a traumatic start to the day. For some reason (and without warning) they sent the handicap accessible bus to pick her up today. I say bus but really, it's a van that looks nothing even remotely like a bus. The bus driver was also new (or new to Julia anyway). Julia? Doesn't do well with change...especially when people change. I ended up climbing on the bus myself, strapping her in and she seemed to settle a bit. Before that, she was crying and saying, "No Mama!" Poor kid. As it turns out, this is going to be a permanent change on Thursdays so unless the previous bus driver just up and quit driving on Thursdays, like this morning, a little warning would have been nice. I could totally have prepped Julia for the change in bus and driver, making it least a little easier for her, if not erasing the bad feelings she had about it altogether. I might give the school a heads up so that they know, if there is going to be any major change in Julia's usual routine when it comes to the whole school process, to give me as much warning as possible so I can go over it with her. It seems reasonable, and honestly, she just "functions" a lot better when she knows what is coming and what is expected of her.

Anyway, that's it from this neck of the woods. On the agenda for tonight is a meeting at the Burkland School so I can be trained as an official volunteer (which is funny really, because I have been volunteering there for going on four years now but it's considered "required" regardless) and Girl Scouts for Emily.

Autumn

Blah Blah Blah

I have nothing to say really. I just figured I'd post, you know, just because.

Let's see? What can I tell you about? I rearranged the office today to make it so Julia's toys could be in here, rather than taking over the living room. I had thought about making it so two of the three kids shared a room, and re-making one of the rooms upstairs a playroom, but, I decided against it. I had the room in here(well, at least after rearranging a bit), and it just made more sense.

Next on the "home improvements" list? Painting Emily and Katherine's bedrooms. I need to go start looking at colors and what not, then plan a weekend to have a painting party (P.S. Heath, your invited). It will be nice to so it now, when it's not so hot up there, although with the wood stove burning, my kids can spend the winter wearing summer pajamas to bed. It gets upwards of 80 degrees up there at times.

Speaking of the wood stove, it's one of the few things I am looking forward to about upcoming winter weather. I just love that kind of heat it gives off...which might make no sense to someone who hasn't experienced it but it's just a different kind of heat then what you get with regular home heating.

Anyway, Julia is trying to serve me breakfast with her kitchen toys, so that will have to do for now.

Attitude Is Everything

"This freakin' stinks!" Ryun, after a brief episode of pouring rain at the game last night.

A little while later...

"This is the best baseball game I have ever been to. I have never been to a baseball game where is has rained!" Katherine

Anyway, with the exception of some drunk, old dude throwing his arm around me to sing, "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the 8th, last night's Paw Sox game was fun! And actually? The drunk, old dude singing Sweet Caroline was pretty funny too. Julia had a few moments in the beginning of the game where she was slightly overwhelmed with the whole situation, but after saying a couple of times that she wanted to go home, she warmed up to the idea and was fine. I was surprised that she actually stayed awake for the whole game, but, she was asleep about 5 minutes after we left the parking lot.

All three kids, smiling at the same time! As Emily said, "It's a miracle!"

About 45 minutes before game time, according to the clock there.

That's Clay Buckholz, making his way out to stretch before the game. Katherine, in one of her "Katherine moments" said, just after Clay took his place on the mound, "Hey, where's that guy that threw the no-hitter?"

Emily and Katherine were all excited to sit "by themselves" in the row right in front of Ryun, Julia, and I .

Katherine is standing behind me as I type this and said that this caption should say, "Emily and Katherine being weirdos." So, there you have it.

This was Julia's first official baseball game. I think she liked it!

Julia decided that she liked the view from the floor.

How cute is she?

Ryun and Julia spent some time enjoying the game together.

Lessons Learned From Today's Festival...

...at which I set up a table of my photographs to sell.

In list form because, dude, I am tired.

1. It's hot sitting in 90+ degree weather for hours on end.

2. Note cards are a HUGELY popular item. I need to remember this for the future. I sold out of those today. (I made 20 total, 2 different pictures, grouped in 5's and sold them for $5.50).

3. Coasters are popular too. I need to look in to buying them in bulk though because even though I sold them today, I really didn't make much money off of them. I sold them "cheaper" than I should have.

4. I really do have talent! YAY! It has been officially confirmed by people who aren't members of the family, aren't friends, and don't know me in any way.

5. Even though I didn't make my table fee back, I am very pleased to have sold anything at all. This was the first time I have ever done anything like this, and it was a HUGE boost of confidence to have people both admire and purchase some of my work.

6. Bluegrass Music? I am totally hooked. I don't think my foot stopped tapping to the beat all day!

7. Sitting in the sun, even despite it being hot, listening to the music and just taking in the sights and sounds around me was a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

8. Heading over to my parents house for a swim and dinner, was a very enjoyable way to spend the early part of the evening.

9. Emily is funny. Actually, I already knew that but it was reinforced today when on the way to the festival she asked, "Can I share in the profit?" (This after I told her in advance that I was there to make money, not spend it, which translates in to "Don't ask me for everything you see there because I am not going to buy it").

10. Preparing for one of these vendor fair type things takes A LOT of work. It was well worth it for me in this case though, and I would gladly do it again.

Weekend In Review

Even though it is not officially over.

On Friday, I took all three girls in to Boston for Emily's 6 month checkup with the neurologist. Driving in was as frightening as usual, but, I did it again and I am proud. Emily put it in to words quite nicely when she said, "Mom, Boston is really cool but it's also very scary."

Anyway, her appointment? Was the BEST EVER. Emily has been seizure free now for 3 1/2 years and also had a normal EEG back in 06, so, the doctor thinks that it is time to think about having her go off of her medication. She has to have an ambulatory EEG which we have scheduled for the end of June. If that comes back clear, and, of course, if she remains seizure free between now and then, we will gradually decrease the Lamictal until it is no more. Just how fantastic is that? Of course, we are trying not to get too excited yet, because we won't really know until the above requirements are met, but even the possibility is exciting. Also? Even though I have never believed that the medicine was the only reason she hasn't had seizures (it's not often that seizures are that well-controlled with medicine for such a long time), it's a little nerve-wracking as well. Obviously, going off of her medicine could mean that she will have a seizure, and of course that will be more likely than if she was still on the medicine. Anyway, all in all, as far as trips to the neurologist go? It was great.

We continued north to visit my sister at her office and grab a key to her house. We spent the night there, ordering pizza, watching movies and finally crashing around 11:30ish. The next day, after much mulling over what we were going to do, we decided to at least go look at the castle (it was kind of crappy weather, although when we were there it wasn't raining).

This would be a really fun place to visit in nicer weather as there was a huge open field to run in, a playground, hiking trails, and bike trails. When we were done here, we took the kids to Fudruckers for lunch, and then to Snipits, where Jack and Emily got haircuts. After dropping my sisters back off to get their cars, the girls and I drove home. We got back here around 4 or so. I made chicken quesadillas for dinner and retired to the office for the evening, watch the Sox kick butt, and went to bed around 11.

Ryun is off bowling with Emily and Katherine right now. Chili is on the menu for tonight's dinner ( cold yucky day seems like the perfect day for chili).

Why I Love Today

I love it because...

...it's 70ish degrees and sunny out.

...Ryun's out in his garage...cleaning and fixing the car...with the bay door wide open.

...I am packing away the winter clothes and unpacking the summer clothes.

...the girls are happily playing in the yard.

...we will all be taking part in the yard "cleanup" this weekend.

...the spring and summer toys will again be scattered about the yard and the sandbox will be overflowing with sand.

There is nothing like the feeling that comes with saying, and in many ways, goodbye to winter and hello to spring. I couldn't even try to put it in to words. I have often thought that I would like to live somewhere that it is "spring-like" all of the time. I doubt though, that I would ever appreciate spring as much as I do here in good old New England.

Did I Mention...

...how much I LOVE this weather we have been experiencing? To put it in to perspective for you, I am planning on doing a major "spring yard cleanup" thing tomorrow and I am actually looking forward to it. I know, right?

My plan is to let Julia run around in the yard while I rake and pick up the millions of sticks all over the back yard. I also need to get to the Fire Station while she is at school so I can get a burn permit for this weekend. Aside from that I am planning on going through their "outdoor toys" and getting things organized in to the big old plastic box they have out there. We need to buy sand for the sandbox too.

I will probably end up food shopping tomorrow night as opposed to right after she gets out of school or while she is there. I won't have time in the morning between going to the bank, the Fire Department, an appointment I have to go to as well.

Anyway, I hope the nice weather is here to stay!

Thank You Oh Mighty And Powerful...

...Gods of the Sun and Warmth.

Please, please, please, stay. And never, ever go away.

Amen.