Snowy Monday!......and yes, it's another post that ends in hot chocolate.

Every morning, I check the weather on the internet, as I sip my coffee.  On Monday, the weathermen called for some rain, but that was about it.  We went about our day....breakfast, prayers, school, lunch.

I checked the weather after lunch briefly too, when I checked my email (and facebook....yes, I'm on facebook), while the kids were on their freetime break.  At this point there was a chance of a few flurries....perhaps a dusting in some areas.

I was really hoping we'd get something.....something.  I knew it wouldn't be much, but just something that could pile up a little, and get the kids excited.

Within just a few minutes, some really nice, fat flakes came cascading down out of the sky.  I called Evan to the sliding glass doors to look out and man do I wish I was video taping that moment.  His face went from a "what, mom?" to a "OH.MY.GOSH.LOOK AT THAT!!!"  He started jumping up and down and exclaiming "It's snowing!  It's snowing!  It's snowing!"

I kept telling him it wasn't going to last or pile up at all, but we should still enjoy watching out the window it while it lasts.  But who was I kidding?  We couldn't just stay inside and watch from behind the glass.  We had to take this moment in and get as much out of it as we could!

 In Northern Virginia, snow is a hit or miss situation. 
An all or nothing.  And the weather forecasters were positive this was a nothing.

We have, in the past, been in the direct line of an awesome, snowpounding, whiteout, blizzard of a storm.  And we have also had winter's go by with only a flake or two dropping by for a very brief visit.
Every year it's anybody's guess how much snowfall we'll get around here. 

Those whopper storms are only every few years, when everything in the universe aligns just right.  They are very rare.

So I wasn't about to let this moment (and that's all this might be....a brief snow moment) go by without at least trying to catch a measly snowflake or two with our tongues, without feeling soft, cold snowflakes landing on our eyelashes.  We had to get out there...... fast, before it just stopped. 

So I went into hyperdrive to get ready (and procrastinated, yet again, with taking down the tree).......and we bundled up and headed out to the back yard.

We laughed, and ran around a bit.  The ground wasn't even covered, so the yard was kinda muddy.

I need to get a cute hat like Sky's.  I had to borrow John's since I don't have my own. 

A walk on the sidewalk (and out of the mud) amidst the snow flurries seemed like a good idea.  We went through the neighborhood, breathing in the cold, fresh air.  It's quite invigorating and makes you feel so alive, taking a walk like that.

We did start to feel a little too "invigorated" and the kids began complaining a bit of frozen toes, fingers, noses, etc.   I think they were just in "kahoots", trying to get sympathy so they could talk me into some hot chocolate. 

Little did they know I had planned on it, already.  I mean come on....if you've ever read this blog before or know me at all, you know that boatloads of my winter posts end with hot chocolate.  I love the stuff.  Don't judge me.  ;)

We peeled off the wet/slightly muddy clothes (one of the children....not mentioning any names.....ahem.... nine year old girl), thought it would be cool to try to make a snow angel in the whopping 1/18 inch of snow in the backyard. 

In case you are wondering, it doesn't work.  It just melts the snow in that one spot she landed, and smashes the grass and smears the mud in an almost recognizable angel formation.

 She does get an A for effort and bonus points for enthusiasm!  We love that girl! (who still shall remain nameless)

Everyone got dry and cozy and then we sipped our hot chocolate and ate the last of our gingerbread family.  We hate to see them go.  Actually we like to see them go, because they are yummy! 
But we hate to see them gone. :(

You're not really shocked by the vast array of Swiss Miss I keep on hand, are you?

Taylor was at school, so she didn't get the walk in the snow with us.  Well, actually she did get the walk in the snow, but just not with us. The snow kept falling and she had to walk from her bus stop, so I guess she did have her walk in the snow.  And I made her some of my fancy shmancy hot chocolate when she got in.  :)

And as an added bonus to my day....the tree is dooooowwwwwnnnnn!
YES!
I win.

TTFN
Happy Winter, Everyone!
~Tina

They Made Me Do It

Okay, not really.

They didn't make me do it.

It was more like "convinced me to see the benefits of it".

I was all set to take the tree down today.

...and the outside lights and decorations.

When Alexa gets in her silly moods, she has Evan in hysterics!  I know this picture is a little blurred, but it really captures just how much his big sister amuses him.

I know this warm weather was perfect to get those down.

But as Evan and Alexa also pointed out, these warmer days are rare.

And fresh air and mild temps will soon be only something we long for as we look forward to Spring.

So how could I say no to spending some time with 2 of my favorite people in our backyard on an evening like this?

I just couldn't.

So the tree still stands, fully decorated.

And we are one of the last people in our neighborhood with the outside lights still up.

I'm okay with this.

There's always tomorrow.

Wonder what they'll talk me into next.  ;)

In my defense, though, the house did get cleaned on Friday

....bathrooms, kitchen, dusting and some laundry.

So, we'll just have to see about tomorrow.

I'm not worried.

Hope you are making the most of your weekend.  :)

~Tina

Back to Normal

Irene came......and went.

For us it was just rain, rain and more rain.....and a little wind. 

No power outages, no flooding, no downed trees.

 I am not complaining one bit.  I am quite relieved about the whole thing. 

We played it safe and prepared and just rode out the storm which for our area, ended up being much milder than originally predicted.   That was very good. 

We just spent the day playing games, watching movies, talking and eating.  And Taylor had her friend Shen over, so they were mostly hanging out in her room (which is why she's not in any pics).

Skylar and Alexa worked together in their room for a time, making some videos together.  Some of them singing, some of them just being silly.  It passed the time, took their mind off any worry about the storm and they had a good time together.  (And the silly videos are hysterical!)

Our damages were......very little  nonexistent.
. 
See for yourself....

Nope, don't think we'll be sending these pics into Nationwide to make a claim.  Don't think they care much about that tipped plant on my front porch or the "leaf damage" on my back deck.

 No damage. 
                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


We are fortunate and I thank God we are OK.  I know many people are dealing with major damage to their homes and property and lives were even lost due to this powerful storm.  My heart goes out to them and their families.

 A local girl, about my daughter's age, was coming back to Manassas from a vacation with her family.  Due to the power being out, the traffic light wasn't working and she lost her life in a tragic car accident. 

My prayers go out to all who are suffering from the ravages of Irene.

Hope this next week is filled with beautiful (and safe) weather.

TTFN
~Tina

Waiting for Irene

Irene is chuggin' up the coast.  I am hoping and praying for the safety of those in the direct line of fire.  Sadly, there have already been some casualties in North Carolina. 

We here on the western outskirts of DC are under a Tropical Storm Warning.  So we made preparations, but we aren't going to panic.  No need.  I filled all of our flashlights/lamps with batteries.  Hard to find D batteries as of yesterday, but after 2 stores, we managed.  I thanked God for that one. 

We have 2 cases of water.  Not really sure why that's necessary for us, but we do drink bottled water even when we're not under the threat of severe weather.  So it will not be wasted.

 I have lighters and candles.  We have gas in our vehicles and plenty of nonperishable foods.  I also have charcoal for the grill in case the power goes out for a few days.  We'll be fine. 

I ran to the store this morning for some Tropical Storm Yummies......ice cream and cones, chips, and the makings for home made pizza.  Now we just wait and go on with life as usual.

I took some pictures on my way back.....

 Dreary and dismal, but rather uneventful so far.  I am not complaining.

 Uneventful is good.

So in the meantime, before Irene arrives, I thought I'd let the kids have a little fun.......

They got a little wet, but it was warm, so I'm sure they'll be fine.  Better than fine, actually, because they needed that little bit of fresh air and freedom.

It's been an interesting weather week here on the east coast.
Hope you are safe and sound, wherever you are.

TTFN
~Tina