Snow Day!

There is nothing better than waking up to a world covered in white -- especially if it happens on a Saturday! 

After a breakfast of warm banana blueberry oatmeal muffins and fruit smoothies, we packed on our layers and headed to the park for a neighborhood snowball fight. 

 Now, I should say that it took approximately 30 minutes to get layered up -- thermal "cuddle duds", shirt & pants, sweatshirt, soccer socks pulled up and over the pants, snow pants if they fit, coat, gloves, scarf and hat, and then, "Mommy, I have to pee"!

After slippin' and a slidin' our way down the block to the park, the kids immediately began playing in the snow, while the adults hid out in the pavilion with thermos' full of "hot chocolate"!

Snow wrestling seemed to be more fun than snowball fighting,

although the occasional snowball was seen to be thrown.

Soon enough, everyone was wet and cold and infringing on the adult space in the pavilion, so what else could we do, but feed the mob! And, we really know how to throw (even an impromptu) party in our 'hood, we had still warm brownies for snacks!

Soon enough, it was time to head home for some hot chocolate (with lots of marshmallows) & a nap -- I can dream, can't I?

Yep, he looks how I feel!!

Go Team, GO

Basketball and cheerleading season began today.  They are both new sports for our family.  Ethan is "trying out" basketball, and Olivia is taking her first steps towards fulfilling my biggest fear -- that she would someday be a cheerleader!

Olivia is all things girl, so it is no big surprise that she would gravitate toward cheering.

Ethan is tall and athletic, so I "encouraged" him to try basketball -- he would say "forced" ... tomato/tomahto!

And here comes # 31, Ethan ...

They are participating in Upward Basketball and Cheer, a faith-based organization where they learn lay-ups, cheers and bible verses, and they pray during half-time.

Their philosophy is that every child is a winner, and they focus on the teaching and the fun, not so much the score. 

I do have to admit that Olivia looked adorable in her uniform, which came complete with hair ribbons, and she really enjoys learning the various cheer moves -- the high V,

 

the low V,

 and the T jump,

not to mention the fact that she gets to yell. A lot.

Olivia got to cheer for her cousin John's team today.  He is five years old, and watching him play with his team has converted me in to a basketball fan!  It was very entertaining.   I am pretty sure that the coaches do not pick up players and carry them to their positions in the NBA!  Nor do the players run across the court to let their moms know that the doughnuts in the concession stand are 75 cents!

 

Go John, GO!!

Ethan was having a philosophical problem with basketball today.  The game time was interfering with his busy social life, so he did not want to go, but once he got there, had had a great time.  In fact, he even thanked me for taking him.  He was excellent at guarding, almost made a basket, and supported his team when he was on the bench.  Basketball is a great game for Ethan because it is as fast moving as he is.

In the end, it was a good day for all of us -- not nearly as awful as I thought it might be. Bring on the smelly socks!

Ethan and Olivia made some new friends, exercised their body and soul, and managed to have some fun trying new activities -- it was a perfect "score" of a day!