Our First Official Snow Day

We had our first elementary-school snow day yesterday, sans snow. It was all very exciting. For me. I didn't mention the possibility to Sam, because I didn't want to get his hopes in the non-materializing snow up. So, when my phone rang at 5:50 to announce the cancellation of school, I wasn't greeted by an anxiously-waiting child or anything. When they did wake up, the response was mixed. Kate was disappointed to miss silver/gold day (and santa) at preschool, but Sam was thrilled for a day off of kindergarten.

Naturally, I had to try to cram in as much snow-day fun as possible into this one day. We started with chocolate chip pancakes. Kate liked, Sam did not, but didn't admit it. Then we made a Christmas gift for dad. Can't say any more, but it was the most crafty I've been in a long time. They loved it and worked really hard on making it great. I will tell you it involved some coloring, and when I suggested that Sam do some and Kate do some, Sam looked at me and whispered under his breath, "You know mom, Kate scribbles." I had to laugh, because until about 4 months ago, so did Sam.

Then we had to take a little activity break (for my sanity) and they watched some Christmas cartoons. (That "Prep and Landing" by Disney was SO cute. They loved it.) Kate demanded cookie-making, so we made some of our annual Christmas sugar cookies. Only sugared this time-- I told Sam we'd save the special icing for closer to Christmas. Kate cut cookies while Sam mastered the art of sugar-sprinkling. We had several cookies that should have been labeled hazardous material because of the heap of sugar on each, but he learned how to use it sparingly.

After cookie-making, I required another break. Kate, who previously pronounced "no naps," crawled willingly into her bed for a rather long one. I tried, but of course the phone rang too much, so I got up to exercise while Sam played Wii. We really need some new games, Santa, if you're reading along.

We finally ventured out for piano and Chik-fil-a, complete with adult converation for me with Janet and Bill. Thank goodness for Chik-fil-a. It was a long, exhausting day, but we all had a really great time. Yea for snow days!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year, we treked to the Lake of the Ozarks for Thanksgiving. Kate and Sam got to play with their second cousins, Kori and Callie, which was a lot of fun. At some point, Sam was overwhelmed by girl time and retreated to the TV, but he did a pretty good job coping. Neither of them really enjoyed the feast-- I think Sam ate 3 rolls and Kate liked the green beans and pumpkin pie.

We stayed overnight at a hotel across from the Osage Beach outlet malls. The kids loved getting to swim, and we had the whole pool to ourselves. By whole pool, it sounds massive, but it was in fact about the size of my living room. They loved it. I went outlet shopping on Black Friday with my parents, which was semi-productive. I'm down to 3 people on my list now, so that's pretty good.

We took them to see Santa at a local fundraising breakfast. We had Chris Cakes first and then they sat on santa's lap. The picture is great of the two of them, but I can't help but look at Santa's mustache, which was showing underneath the fake beard/mustache he was wearing. Odd. Oh well. They loved it anyway. Sam kept going over to the Chris Cakes pancake guy and talking his ear off. I'm not sure what he was talking about, but that conversation went on and on. I guess we can safely say he has my gift of gab. Sam asked Santa for Han Solo's lego ship (the Millenium Falcon for those who aren't up to speed), and Kate asked for a "princess dress with a crown." Both pretty good requests. I'm thrilled that my kids are able to narrow the list down to one thing for Santa-- it seems so much less greedy, even if in their hearts they want one of everything.

They really play so well together and had a great time over the long weekend. On Thanksgiving and every day, I can say we're truly blessed.

I would love that.

Kate is Miss Formality these days. She's great about saying thank you and please. It's definitely not a bad thing.

This morning I told Kate that I would be at her Thanksgiving worship. I love Thanksgiving worship at our preschool, really any worship at preschool. They are so good at telling stories so that kids can understand. My favorite thing is how their theme is always "I am welcome here in God's house." I tell you the truth-- I cried the last time Sam sang it with his class. I think it's such a great message for kids to know that God's house is for them. Okay, enough about that.

So, I told her I'd be there, and she pauses a moment, and gently says, "I would love that."

How can I not go with a response like that?

My little musician

Sam's very musical. We know that already. He's got his mother's knack for remembering song lyrics, lines from movies, etc. Today, he took it to a whole new level.

He's going to the KU basketball game tonight with his Granddad. Woo! He went with me a couple of times last year. But I was shocked when I heard him humming one of the pep band songs today. Not the fight song, or something inherantly recognizable, but just another of the tunes they play at KU games. I was shocked. I started singing a long a bit to see if that's really what he intended-- yep, he's right on track. That's some musical memory for a 6 year old, I think.

My kid's a musical genius. Probably good, because he's not destined to be a soccer superstar.