Time to Catch Up!

Granddaddy came from Virginia for a quick visit.  The kids got out a million toys to entertain him with.  They had a captive audience and loved every minute of it!

Then they headed to the basement to burn off some energy!

Auntie Kate also came for a visit.  Oh how they love their Auntie!  Good thing she loves them, too!

We had another snow day (so far we've had 10 since January 1st and I'll be honest, they're getting a little old!) - I think my office staff MAY feel the same way! Ha!  They just started implementing a longer school day (50 extra minutes per day) in our district through late March to make up for all the days we've missed due to inclement weather.  

Phoebe, on the other hand, LOVES hanging out at the office and ordering lunch out and watching movies and coloring...who needs to go back to school!?!

I cracked up when she brought home this award!  That certainly won't be the case for second semester!

Early in February, Phoebe's school had a Winter (western-themed) Carnival.  I think Maverick had more fun than Phoebe did.  Each time we go to pick her up after school, he asks to go inside and get in the bounce house.  We've been to the gym multiple times to prove it's no longer there but he continues to ask!

Ryan took a quick road trip to Georgia the last weekend in January.  Nana had a HUGE birthday to celebrate and although it didn't work for all of us to get there, Ryan celebrated for all of us.  Here's a shot of them enjoying dinner at the Melting Pot.  I think our hooligans would have set the place on fire had we all been there so we'll say it was for everyone's safety that we stayed in Indiana!

Valentine's Day we had LOTS of snow but that didn't stop Ryan from making the long trek downtown just so we could eat in peace (who needs romance when you can have quiet!?) - ha!

We closed the office early to try and avoid the mess but it still took Maverick and me two and a half very long hours to get home that night. 

And despite the snow, Phoebe's teacher has tried to keep things fun and busy in the classroom.  One day they were to dress up as princesses and princes and had a tea party/dance.  Here they are decorating their place mats (they even got a little etiquette lesson out of the deal!) - she came home that night and set the table in the correct order even!

Another day they each dressed like super heroes - that halloween costume has paid for itself a million times over!  Here's hoping she'll be able to fit into it next year as well!

They each got to decorate their own Valentine's Day box to get all their treats from their friends.  Note there are NO other girls in her group. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

And what better way to escape the cold then become a caped crusader!? 

Maverick finally got the super hero pose down right!

Phoebe has taken off with her reading skills.  I picked up a few Junie B. Jones chapter books for her over the weekend and she promptly picked one up and started reading.  She also asked to stay in the van so she could continue reading - I am SO grateful that our kids have such a love for books!