Snow Day, Etc

Right after Phil promised us Spring was around the corner, we traded our 65 degree weather for something more wintry. (How do you like those mangy-looking groundhogs we made at the Childrens Museum?)

All last week was really cold for Houston, with lows in the teens and highs barely above freezing. Snow was expected Friday, and the mayor of Houston shut the whole city down. Scott tried to go to work anyway, but couldn't enter the freeway because so many accidents had already occurred on the ice-coated roads.

He came right back home and thus began our first Larson Family Snow Day! There were impressive icicles on the toy cars, and everything outside was shiny with ice all day long. 

The foam football, which has been slowly eaten by backyard creatures, was frozen solid. 

Ian dressed himself in three long-sleeve shirts, a jacket and boots before the day even began. He was heartbroken that the snow never arrived. 

By 10:00 am he assumed his typical uniform: basketball shorts, a polo shirt and cowboy boots.

Joseph was more optimistic though, and kept his jacket on all day. When the snow didn't come, we did what anyone ought to -- we BBQ'd outside and ate Rootbeer floats. And Scott replaced our garbage disposal. Our Snow Day was a huge success!

But today temperatures are back at 70 degrees (never mind the hail that fell briefly). After being stuck inside for a week, we are eager to get back outside and do some more of this:

bouncing on frisbees on a balance beam

And it might get so warm we even have to shed some layers. (or if you're Joseph, maybe just the sleeves)

A rare moment when the boys smile in unison. (Notice another variation of Ian's 'uniform')

In other news, the boys took their paddle balls fishing on the stairs. 

And Joseph can often be found styling his own hair or getting himself a drink (while soaking his outfit).

The first week of January marked Ian's entry to Primary at church. He is in a Sunbeam class for three-year-olds, and he feels incredibly grown up. He has been visiting Primary for singing time for the last month, and was very eager to meet his new teacher and stay for the full Primary program.

Ian anticipated last months' Primary Party more than any other event in his young life. It was a pancake-meet-the-teacher affair. He asked daily for two weeks if it was time to leave yet. And on the appointed morning I found him dressed (including black socks) and waiting to leave before 7 am. And he wasn't disappointed: they even had a short buffet table so the kids could serve their own pancakes. His teacher Sister Torgeson is perfect, and he had a blast. He was a little ashamed that his mom stayed for the party though... I promise I stayed out of the way!

Joseph will be in nursery for another year. I love that when certain Children's Songbook songs play in the car he declares that he sings them in "my nursery class" (nurs-e-wee kwass). He loves to talk about nursery, but still thinks he needs to cry for the first 10 minutes before he can have fun. 

Evidence that it's near impossible to get a smiling picture of them both.

I suppose we did have snow this month after all... As a matter of fact, it happened right in Ian's bedroom, during quiet time. 

I ought to know by now that silence always equals some sort of enormous mess. (like thousands of static-y balls from inside the beanbag chairs) I distinctly remember Ian fussing in his room about something and then abruptly becoming very quiet. Over the next two hours I wondered if he was sleeping... but periodically heard noises to the contrary.... and why would I ruin a good quiet time and disturb him?

Ian had a good ol' time driving trucks through the snow and making it snow some more. I am sure he knew it wasn't a "good choice", a fact that I made sure he understood as I scrubbed the balls from his hair in the bathtub, and de-balled the insides of the vacuum cleaner later on.

But it's hard to stay upset with this adorable boy and his beloved partners in crime (the bunnies).

Today's quiet time was much less messy. Ian built "Daddy's office". Notice the tall buildings, the parking garage with cars inside and some spill-over parking on the street, and even a tall green tree out front. The cutest part was how excited he was to show it off!