6 more weeks of Winter

Earlier this week we had 3-4 inches of snow...which meant my kids just HAD to play outside in it. I have no idea where I went wrong with parenting. But these kids think snow is FUN. 

 Somehow the swing set becomes MORE fun in the winter than it is in the summer. I don't understand.

 When she's an adult - she will believe this hill was MUCH bigger than it actually is...

 I swore this kid wouldn't last 5 min outside in the cold. Wrong. He loves it. Last one inside...

I would post a video of what Jack was doing...but it was reckless and dangerous. I let him do it anyway...and hoped the snow would break his fall without breaking his bones.

Not a joke: he really tried to come in my house with this snowball. "I pay inside with snow, mom." Not how it works, two year old. I promised him if he left it on the deck - it would still be there the next day.

And today - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow...so I guess we will keep our snow shovel handy until mid-April or so...

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Weekend Wrap Up

Last Friday - Nolan and I enjoyed his Mommy & Me 2's class....well, we enjoyed MOST of it. He had a little issue with sitting quietly for the story. After a few outbursts - he was removed from class (by me). He can be sweet as can be...or downright ornery. Friday he was a little of both.

Friday night Tyson had promised Jack he would have a sleepover with him in the guest room. That turned into a sleepover for ALL three of them (plus Tucker). After a few attempts to get Nolan to stay in one spot - he was removed from the sleepover (lots of removal for Nolan Friday) and Josie & Jack were left to have a sleepover together. Needless to say, it was a late night for them and everyone was a tad more grumpy on Saturday.

Saturday morning we headed off to the lake for some quiet time. Nancy & Denny joined us and it was nice to just sit in the house and relax. Sunday night - when we got home - it was everyone's FAVORITE time: HOMEWORK TIME! (Totally sarcastic) No one enjoys homework time. Jack was NOT feeling it, as you can see... The struggle on Sunday nights is SO real.

Gym Rats

Last week - the flu had settled into my head - which lead to ear pain and stuffiness. By Thursday I was just ready to NOT be sick anymore. We headed off to a local Gymnastics gym for some fun. Josie has really been excited to do gymnastics and I wanted to see her in action.

She did the high beam - no problem. I don't think Olympic Gold medalist is in her future - but she has decent balance and upper body strength. It was fun to see her excited about it.

 Nolan did some balancing, too.

And spent some time jumping into the foam pit.

It was a fun-filled morning! I left with two tired kids - who somehow still refused to take naps.

The Flu

Thursday afternoon I started to feel a sore throat coming on...

By the time Tyson got home from work - I was full-on sick and heading to bed.

I ran a fever all night, body aches - absolutely MISERABLE. Friday morning - Tyson took the older two kids to school and I got to stay in bed with my buddy, Nolan. If you've ever felt like death AND been responsible for a bouncing-off-the-walls (literally) two year old...then I am TRULY sorry for you. I used the iPad as much as was humanly possible. TV? sure. Snacks in bed? fine. At some point I probably would have handed him a crayon and let him go crazy...

Again, by the time Tyson came home - I was buried in my bed. I knew it was the actual flu...because the ONE year I don't get a flu shot...I'll surely get the flu.

These two loyal boys were HAPPY as can be to spend hours in bed with me. Cooper never left my side, because he refuses to pass up any opportunity to nap.  Fortunately - I am feeling a ton better today...still not 100% - but SO much better than Friday. And I'm praying that NO ONE else in the family gets it.

Ice Walking

We had a 3 day weekend (that turned into a 4 day weekend) this past week and we took that opportunity to head to the lake for some R&R. The lake is 1hr 40ish minutes - door to door - which makes it a perfect weekend get away. We feel like it's a vacation - even in the dead of winter.

Things started off rough - when I realized we left BOTH Josie & Nolan's coats at home. Who does that? Rookies.  I remedied the situation with a trip to the outlets. I may have also done some personal shopping for MYSELF - but whatever... Above you can see Josie acting like a dog. Not sure.

We didn't have sleds, so we used a float and some dog leashes... You do what you gotta do.

Tyson didn't enjoy the ice walking as much as the rest of us. Maybe it's because he forgot his boots.

See Tucker's pouty face? He's thinking: "Damnit - where did the water go? I wanna swim. The lake is NO FUN in the winter." {Cooper & Tucker cuss a lot - in case you're wondering.}

After dinner - we had some leftover birthday cake and these two got CRAZY! Why we have so many wig options at the lake - is a mystery...but I renamed them Willie & Wanda. Everyone slept well that night.

It's SNOW...no, It's RAIN...No, It's ICE.

A few days ago we woke up to a few inches of snow. Tyson had to be at work early for a meeting - so I trusted Jack to "babysit" and ran out to shovel the driveway.

By the time school was out - the temps had melted quite a bit of the snow...but my kids still wanted to play in it. Good thing they got their fix! We've had SO much rain and now it's starting to ice. This is PURE MICHIGAN.

Nolan tried on Jack's fake glasses the other morning and thought he looked pretty smart. He's a funny kid. Ask him to tell you a knock-knock joke.

Tyson was traveling for work this week...and it was our turn to carpool for soccer. I filled the Suburban up! And also reminded myself that I'm OKAY with my 3 kids. I believe carpool is a great form of birth control. We were a walking circus.

And it's March...

Whoops - doing a TERRIBLE job at blogging. I've been a little busy. Michigan decided to recognize WINTER - just as winter was leaving...so we've had some snow days and that's always interesting.

Baseball season is underway. We dusted off the Tigers gear and we are ready to see what Detroit can do this season.

We've had some lazy days spent watching movies on the couch. Cooper isn't complaining. Such an old man.

Snow arrived - then left - then dumped on us - then left again...and, wait for it... CAME BACK last night.

Our faces say "we like it" but our hearts say "STAY AWAY SNOW!"

For the record - there is nothing cuter than a baby in a snow suit.

Nolan discovered legos. He likes them and he does a decent job using them correctly. Third child - leave them alone and they find ways to entertain themselves appropriately.

Josephine is channeling her inner "Florida retiree" with this get-up. We are heading to Naples/Sebring for Spring Break, so she's just getting a head start.

Aside from Legos - Nolan is also OBSESSED with reading books. Obviously, this is 100% fine with me. 

Jack is doing well in Kindergarten and is really enjoying making art. He's meticulous and detailed in his drawings...and he's a perfectionist. I have no idea where he got that trait...

So that's the update for half a month - that I failed to blog about. I'll be better.

Park Day...in February

This week we had SUNSHINE and temps above 45...so you know what that means??? We played outside! It's February in MICHIGAN and we played outside.

Josie, what are you looking at??? I'm not even sure. But - see how that coat isn't even zipped up? It's not bad parenting (although that certainly does happen) - it's just THAT warm.

These three yahoos are crazy... Look at Nolan's face. So smug. King of Everything.

Oh, Winter...

Winter in Michigan is just crazy this year. It's freezing one day, then 46 the next (and NO Florida people, that's NOT freezing). We play outside when it's above 45...because we're mentally strong and we like fresh air.

But when it's SUPER cold (like, you FL people would think you were in Antarctica) we have to do the indoor thing...and then things just get crazy.

Nolan plays with my pots & pans, under my feet, while I'm trying to cook dinner. Try that sometime.

Also - Jack does some live performances for us:

Oh, and, sometimes we get lucky enough to enjoy a private rap concert...but then Nolan thinks he's the star:

And Josie is just side-eying everyone:

Winter in Michigan. Only 3 months left. 

Nerd Alert

So last Thursday - when Jack asked me what we were going to do that day...I didn't know. It was cold and I didn't feel like spending money to entertain my children. Don't get me wrong, we throw a lot of money into entertaining them...but sometimes I just want to go someplace that is FREE and watch them have fun. Easy to do in the summer/spring/fall. HARD to do in the middle of a Polar Vortex.
We ended up at the Novi Library. Not our home library, but still part of our library network. Change of scenery, new toys...win/win.

Both of my kids love to read, but Jack has a harder time (when we are at home) just sitting and being still to look at books. The library had Starwars books. Huge hit.

Josie will sit and look at books throughout the day at home. She loves to study the pictures.

And Nolan? Well, because he was tucked in cozy in his carseat - he got in a solid THIRTY minute nap.  Over the weekend Tyson said, "Someday Jack & Nolan's ability to not require a lot of sleep will serve them well in their lives." That "someday" is NOT today.

Snow Days

Starting last Saturday night we had our first BIG snowfall of the season. About a foot and a half fell on Metro Detroit. A foot and a half. I went to the grocery store on Saturday evening...and it was busy - but most shoppers looked like they were buying for their Superbowl parties. I'm not kidding. Michigan hears  "about a foot and a half of snow" and everyone shrugs their shoulders. We are numb to winter. Literally and figuratively.

Sunday night - as the snow kept falling and blowing, school was canceled - so I let the kids stay up for the Superbowl halftime show. It was pretty great. Josie was a BIG fan of Katy Perry and Missy Elliot. "Is it worth it, let me work it..." Nolan and Jack liked the Tiger/Lion and the dancing sharks.

Monday morning Tyson, Jack, and Josie tackled the driveway. Sixteen inches of snow, plus whipping winds made that a pretty tough task. They cleared the driveway and Tyson headed off to work.

Hoosiers represent. (True story - our neighbors are also IU fans...so we aren't the only ones in cream & crimson on Freestone Dr.)

Sledding

We have a small hill behind our house that is perfect for kids to sled down. Jack and Josie spent some time sledding with the neighbor kids on Sunday and had so much fun!

 He has a need for speed...

We've actually seen some sunshine lately around  here! I won't lie...it definitely makes winter days more bearable.