Strep and Snow

The boys faded fast after their friends left from early release day. They were having fun and in the moment ...but when the fun ended...throats became sore....and fever and chills set in...

The next morning they felt terrible and so we headed to the doctor.

They were the proud owners of strep throat. No school Thursday or Friday for them.

 Friday we woke up to a snow day so SK got the day off too!

 It was an unexpected long weekend....and a much needed day to chill and relax. It was a couch and cocoa kind of day!

Winter Fun!

One of the best things about living in Kentucky is the change of  seasons! We are so lucky to get to enjoy them all! Winter is no exception.....If it snows the Hardy littles are out in it!

 and being out in the cold.....makes coming into hot chocolate and board games all the more sweeter...a game of Fibber anyone?

Dreaming of a white day (day after) Christmas

We didn't get our white Christmas this year...but we were close...

 a little snow blew in right after for us to enjoy!

 It wasn't a mighty snow but we loved it just the same!

a little touch of snow...

It snowed a wee bit today...but I loved every flake!

Seeing Jack in the snow today reminded me of him in the snow last year...he was so tiny. Although he is so much bigger now....he is still just a puppy and still so curious about the snow...he just runs and plays and loves every second of it!

Yes...we got our first glimpse of Winter today....and it was beautiful!

 It wasn't much but it was enough to make your slippers feel cozier....and the hot chocolate taste just a little bit sweeter...I just love that cozy feeling of having everyone in...all safe and warm while snow falls outside...ironically it just makes you feel warm all over!

Daddy's turn!

The snow and Jeremy's schedule with work and iron man training finally connected and he was able to take the boys sledding! It was super cold-like 20 degrees but they had a ball!

Hardy kids...I'd like to introduce you to Big Boy!

Mamaw and Grandpa too will sometimes make reference to getting a "big boy"  when Daryl was little..and hot fudge cake...and the kids have no clue really what that means. There are a few Shoneys left and certainly not all of them have a Big Boy statue out front...but while Shoneys is still here I decided to introduce the kids to big boy on yet another snow day! The first thing they loved was the ice...ity bity..and my favorite kind.

They loved the curly staws and they ate eveything on their plates!

And now they know what it is to experience Big Boy...a silly but fun lesson for a snow day!

Snow day...take 5 (I think!)

I got the text this morning that school was closed for the day due to the snow storm they were expecting but when we got up the snow was not here yet! So we headed out for breakfast at McDonald's.....the Hardy kids love them some McGriddles! :)   That was a fun way to start the day!

 When we got home Sarah Kate brought me one of her "treasures". She has a special place in her room...I'll never say where!.....that she keep her special treasurers and one of her most prized possessions is this red plastic heart. She thinks it is exquisitely beautiful! She asked if we could use it this year with the Valentine decorations. So that led to decorating for Valentine's day...conversation hearts and all! Sarah Kate's treasure has a very special spot on the mantel on the Valentine house craft she made with Maggie.

 And then in typical Hardy fashion the kids started coming...first Braden and Julia and then Colin...and it was a revolving door of kids all day...in and out...your house...my house...I love it!!!

 The boys made one of their kitchen concoctions which they always call The Awesome Drink....today it was tea, Dr, Pepper and Lemonade...Lila tried it but was not a fan! Yucky Moma!

And then the snow we had been waiting for came...beautiful, wet, heavy snow fell from the sky!

 The night ended with SK having a sleep over with Julia and Lila and I hosting a sleep over for the boys. They played Stratego...BFF vs. BFF! They had a ball! Too bad daddy is in warm San Diego missing all the snow!

 As the night came to an end...I carried up 4 little boys and 1 baby girl to bed. I put Jack in his crate and then took a moment to look out the front door at the snow. I  think snow is the most beautiful when it was perfectly untouched...just a blanket of white...no foot prints...undisturbed. But tonight all the footprints...a reminder of all the comings and goings of people who were here today...was just as beautiful.

Ice Day!

There is nothing like a good snow day! The kids just relax and take it as a gift! What a treat to get up and see the world blanketed in snow...and to know you can spend the entire day in your pajamas! But we don't get ice days as often...so they are extra fun! The boys loved finding the biggest ice sickles ...then eating them!

 Skating on the driveway ....as it was a solid sheet of ice, was oodles of fun until we had a fall or two...

Sliding down the driveways..giggling the whole time...over and over again!

The boys had the best ice day...the girls did too...they enjoyed making cookies in the warmth of the kitchen and watching the fun from the windows!

First snow of 2010!

We came home from Sunny Florida to find Kentucky blanketed in white. I was sad I missed it falling..but there will be more...many more I hope. I think we all dream of a white Christmas!  Forgoing their warm toboggans for their new ESPN hats the boys loved being out in the snow...even though it was only a little bit..and Lila was all about it too...but she insisted on wearing my Goshen Gator hat!

After they were chilled to the bone...it takes a little bit to ease into the cold of winter, you know....they came in for hot chocolate and nose wipes.

And there is something about bringing a warm cup of homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream on top to warm up someone you love...it is one of those things that just feels good to do...especially for the ones you love most.