Hum-Drum Winter

We're in those blasé days of winter now. The exciting holidays and breaks are over. Now it's just school and cold. 

I recognize this now though, and it doesn't scare me like it used to. When you're young, you think the feeling you're currently in will last forever. But it doesn't. Life is made up of much and many and various. And I really don't mind the cloudy, low-key days ~ they mean staying home and getting cozy.

 

Jon made a Lego 'Shoots and Ladders' to entertain his brother. And himself.

Harrison finished up his PT boat at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. (School project) 

This was our first time doing epoxy. It dries really quick! And it's expensive! We liked working with it, but we'll need to find a different source than Hobby Lobby.

Now, I talk about cloudy, cold days. I really don't have much grievance here in Texas. 

We have so much sun! Today it got up to 80º. 

But a week ago, all of us got snow. 

Liz got snow in Joplin. Phoebe and Phillip got snow in Vandalia, MO. And we got snow here in San Antonio. Ours was a slushy, sleety kind of snow. It would rain, sleet, and snow all in the same minute. The neighbor kids and our boys got out there and got soaking wet and cold and made slush-balls. It was exciting. 

Liz' snow didn't stick in Joplin. Phoebe woke up to snow blanketing the ground in Vandalia and enjoyed it very much for all of us.

Jon graciously played Scrabble with me. 

He beat me so bad! I think this game was 422 to 242. I really enjoy Scrabble even though my score may not show it.

I am overjoyed to see kids playing at the playground. 

This particular park is near our library and has a small wood, rocks on which to 'parkour,' and a stream/wetlands area to cross and climb down into. I'm very thankful for this being so close to our house. Our library is still closed, but it has also been a blessing to us. The kids used to go there to hang out, partake in the programs they offer, get books (of course). We miss our librarians.

Last Week of Winter Break

The kids wanted to go ice skating. And Jonathan can drive. So I didn't have to go!!! This is an amazing time in my life. 

We visited the museum on the free night so the kids could draw Greek artifacts in their Book of Centuries. I let them go off on their own. By the time I went to find them, they were all hanging out in the lobby. NOT looking at art. 

We were excited to find some John Singer Sargent paintings. He's our artist for Artist Study this term. 

New Year's Eve was games and Jon's friend over. 

The kids did fireworks and drank sparkling grape juice and played computer games; and everyone, including Midget Pants (Jon's name for our Harrison; as opposed to Jon's friend who was here who is also named Harrison) stayed up until midnight. The fireworks in the city woke me up, and they were absolutely beautiful. I feel like there were a lot more fireworks this year.

Saturday was a beautiful day to complete the middle part of Salado Creek Greenway. I fell once. No bruises, so that's a win. 

I have one last section to skate and it will probably take a couple of afternoons. Which I don't mind. I enjoy having that little something to conquer when I feel the need to conquer something. 

Off the trail this girl was being filmed/photographed while dancing. 

There was quite the little crowd that stopped to watch her. Very fun.

This was ominous. 

It went downhill; I couldn't see around the bend; the wall was too high for me to hang onto while I inch my way forward. So I ended up taking off one skate and skate-hopping it down there. It's a good thing I did. I would definitely have had bruises.

We start school tomorrow!