January Happenings

Hooray! Amanda is sporting her new red belt with black stripe. She tested yesterday and was able to move up one more belt. Next belt in Tae Kwon Do is her black belt. She has her private black belt test in March and then her public test in May. She will be able to get her black belt before we move! Congratulations Amanda!!!

Last week the snow was finally "slushy" enough to build a snowman. The kids have been waiting to use the snowman kit that my sister Brittany gave us. Matthew decided to give our snowman a big hug.

The kids even found some dried sticks for his arms. The weather has been cold enough(not a suprise) that our snowman is still standing in our backyard.

Here is Amanda doing one of her forms for her test. She's the one on the left with the dragon on the back of her uniform. She did a really good job and we are very proud of her.

The Phone Call

It sounds scarey, but it really isin't. We get a phone call this morning around 4am. When the phone rings this early my first thought is that someone is in trouble. The other possible reason is that Jared is getting summoned to go into work because one of the first year residents didn't answer their page.

This morning it was neither. School has been cancelled. No snow on the way, just really cold weather. -12 at 8am. I guess the school board doesn't want any kids getting frostbite while waiting for the bus. Let's get real. Most of the parents drive their kids to the bus stop on rainy, snowy, cold days and keep them in the car until the bus pulls up.

School was only a 1/2 day anyway today and Matthew wasn't even going to go to school because of afternoon kindergarten. But still, now what am I supposed to do with them the whole day. I had things to do this morning. I guess I could take them to the gym, or the library, maybe even McDonalds(yuck! maybe not). Plus there is no school for MLK day on Monday. 2 whole days plus the weekend. I'll figure something out.

Snow Pictures

Yeah it snowed again! We had a few warm days and all the snow from Christmas melted. I wasn't too sad, but the kids were. My sister Brittany gave us a snowman kit and we are still waiting to use it. The snow is still too soft to make snowballs. And now it is too cold (5 degrees) to play outside. But I don't think the snow will be melting anytime soon. Bummer.

Ethan is trying to throw snow up in the air like his sister. Just doesn't go as high.

She loves to throw the snow as high as she can. But mostly is just ends up snowing on herself and her brothers.

Matthew wanted me to push him in the swing, but the snow was too deep. His feet just hit the snow and stopped him completely. But fun was had by all!

This isin't a snow picture, but it was too funny to not post. Jared got "YakTrax" from me for Christmas. They are strechy traction things you put over your shoes. Jared has to walk a bit from his car to the hospital when he gets to work. And in this lovely state of Michigan it is often very icy. The boys put them on their heads and they thought they were soooo cool.

I was talking to my sister Tiffany one morning and I found Ethan putting on Matthew's new snow boots. He found his coat and asked me to put it on. So I did. And he stood at the door asking to go outside. So I let him. I put on my shoes and coat and followed him with my camera. He is still wearing his pajamas with boots that are too big for him. I was still in my pj's too, but sorry no pictures of me. He figured it out pretty quick that it was very cold outside.

He is pointing to the car tracks and saying that they are "choo choo" tracks.