We had a serious bit of snow the first Friday in January, I happened to be out running errands when it started.
Snowy parking lot
Our front porch even more decorated
Little did I know the next week would bring an even bigger snow storm with two days off from school for the kids.
9 a.m. photo
We took that time to put away the Christmas tree and indoor decorations. The outdoor lights were already partially buried in snow so I decided to leave them up.
Vacuuming up fake needles that fell off our fake tree!
We had a family video game night for which the kids were especially enthusiastic...
Are we having fun yet?
The next day we played in the snow, or at least the youngest did...
Sledmaster!
I forgot to post this video with last month's post (or even the Christmas post), so here is the rocket launch from our cul de sac. What an awesome Christmas present!
Our youngest was the top speller in his classroom in December, which meant he moved on to the school-wide spelling bee in January. The school sent two tickets home for parents or other adults to come watch on a Friday afternoon. He was eliminated in the fifth round when he stumbled on "committee." Too many double letters! He confided in me afterwards that he did not want to go on to the county-wide spelling bee and would have deliberately misspelled a word if it was down to three students.
Some chairs emptied by round three
On the spot
We went to a concert for our eldest held at his school. It was a fun time!
High school band
We did our first rollerskating of the year at the nearby rink. I swear my youngest has other t-shirts!
Wearing a chess shirt to a roller rink?!?
I was amazed to see a certain chocolate bar in a local convenience store. Our family is convinced that Mr. Goodbar only comes in the Halloween multi-packs, but there it was.
No more need to go looking for Mr. Goodbar
We went ice skating at Color Burst Park, which was a lot harder than the roller rink.
We started our Christmas activities early in December by making Christmas cookies to deliver to the neighbors. In addition to the aggressive home decorating in our area, seasonal baking is also another tradition/rivalry. We had some outside help this year.
Putting Grandpa to work
Decorating party
I seem to be sampling something in the background
Finished product
Our dance studio had an ugly Christmas sweater party which we enjoyed very much, even if we didn't win musical chairs.
By the tree
Closer up
By the sign
Musical chairs
During Christmas Eve, we visited the Highlandtown Train Display, which got its own post, and the Christmas Market. The Market was fun even if we only bought beverages.
Ice skating near the market
Market stalls and rides
Tower serving hot beverages
Bacon-selling stall! Why did we not shop there?!?
One booth would chocolate-coat anything...not too appetizing
Cooking sausages
Grinch reduced to busking
Christmas Eve my children made dinner for us. They went all out with a menu and even an outrageous bill at the end. Sorry, we were too busy eating to take pictures of the actual food!
Don't read the fine print!
Restaurant workers
The final bill and the drinks menu
We had a lovely day of celebrating on Christmas itself, though I only took one picture.
Present unwrapping!
One present was a rocket powered by vinegar and baking soda. We had fun launching it in our cul-de-sac.
Getting ready to launch
We played a bunch of the games that we got for Christmas, so much fun!
Board game haul
In keeping with the plane theme, we gave our eldest son a discovery flight to see if he enjoyed riding in and perhaps flying a small plane. We went to an airport on the north side of Baltimore and dropped him off for the experience.
Not sure if this was his plane
We finally got some snow a few days after New Years, making our house more Christmas-like.
While visiting family in Minnesota for Christmas, my daughter taught Grandpa the most valuable skill ever--making chocolate chip cookies!
Magic in the kitchen
The grandparents have some chickens who are living in the garage while the bleak midwinter had sub-zero temperatures. The kids enjoyed helping feed them, though it is unclear who is more scared of whom.
Chickens in a creepy light
Come here, little (or not so little) chicken
Getting closer (or is it the camera angle?)
Almost there
Jail birds?
The snow was bad but not too bad. My son was trained in plowing the driveway.
Learning to use heavy machinery
The snow was fun, too. The kids tried sledding but with the extra cold air, the snow wouldn't pack well enough for satisfying sledding.
Going out for a ride
Getting help from Granny
Working on a slope
The lake was frozen, so they cleared off a patch and smoothed it to make an ice rink.
Lake ice doesn't look pretty but is slippery
A lot of the cousins were new to ice skating. Tools were available to make it easier.
Working on balance
A hockey game broke out. Many tumbles happened on the ice. Hockey didn't last too long.
The biggest problem was knowing who was on which team
I might have scored on my own goal at one point. Whoops!
The forest had many trails in the snow--deer trails!
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