Last month the kids got out of school early one Thursday since a storm was a comin'. I couldn't imagine on the way to school that morning that it would be that bad. But it was a doozy! The kids and Ben ended up having Friday off too due to the ice and snow. We've had some weird winter weather this year. On days where we're stuck at home, I try to think of a few fun things to do so that things go more smoothly. So, we turned to sugar and decided to make some Valentines Day cupcakes.
I had some leftover frosting from Daniel's birthday and also made some homemade frosting too. I don't make homemade often enough and it's so good. The buttery, red mint-flavored one was a hit. The kids loved the mini sized cupcakes most of all. They're just the right size to fit a whole one in your mouth!
For whatever reason, I've accumulated a ton of sprinkles in all kinds of colors. That's my kind of food storage. The colorful toppings make the decorating that much more fun. I've learned with kids that it's best for everyone to have their own container of frosting and a knife because "double licking" is inevitable. So much for asking the kids not to lick their knives.
Ta-Da! We made 20 regular sized cupcakes and 24 mini ones. With all the extras, we thought we'd share with our neighbors. I hate to have too many sweets sitting around the house, since we all end up eating them.
All the kids were going to make deliveries together, but Daniel snuck out to play before the plates were done. So the girls were our Valentines deliverers this time.
The snow was really coming down, but the girlies had fun going out together. With the cold temperatures, quiet day, and the snow, I was able to listen to the girls' conversations at the neighbors' homes. I stood in our garage and heard complete conversations in doorways across the street. Kind of a funny and spooky thing. Ben explained why this happens very scientifically that night at the dinner table. I couldn't explain it to you now.
The next day we needed more fun ideas, so I pulled together a Hot Cocoa bar. I used our handy Cocomotion machine (one of my favorite gadgets) and put out peppermint mixer sticks, Red Hots, milk, and some other cocoa fixins. Afterward, we had an indoor picnic lunch on the floor. Christina especially loved this and has had tea parties daily since. Today, she sprinted from the shower and headed straight to her tea party table. When I made it to her room, she was dining sans clothing with her dolls and puppy.
Christina's favorite part of the long weekend was being "allowed" in Katie's room to play with her stash of Barbies.
Probably the most fun thing of the weekend was Ben's idea. Hooray for Daddio! Ben tried to shovel the snow off the driveway, but it wasn't working well. Instead, he smoothed it out to make the perfect sledding hill. One problem. No sleds. Ben remembered using trash can lids as a kid and they worked great. He put some car-washing towels in them and gave the kids a push!
Ben was pooped after shoveling and pushing the kids. At one point, Katie ran up our driveway and yelled, "I love living in Oklahoma!" They had a great few days, throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and playing outside.
Those Walmart garden boots have sure come in handy!
Ben tried to make a snow cave/igloo too, but it didn't last long.
Christina finally woke from her nap and was able to take a turn too! She didn't stay out long since the sun was going down and it was cold. As the days wore on, the snow has gotten slushier and today I noticed that the water from the drain is running down the driveway, making a nice patch of ice. Both Daniel and Ben slipped on it before work and school this morning, but it will be an ideal spot for Daniel to race his Hot Wheels downhill this afternoon.
Katie finished this Susan Winget "Homespun Treasures" puzzle too. It was one of the more challenging ones she has done with just a little help from me and Ben. The summery theme helped make the tail end of our Snowed Inn Weekend a little more cheery.
I got such a kick out of hearing Daniel offer to read to Christina last night. I've heard this is a helpful pre-reading skill. He doesn't actually read yet, but summarizes based on the pictures and his memory of us reading to him. It made Christina happy. And me too! Is there anything more heartwarming than seeing your children be loving and kind to each other.
Not a bad weekend for being snowed in!
