A few days before Christmas, I found the patteren for these elf shoes on Allsorts blog(see link on sidebar under crafts). However, I had no time to make them before Christmas. Last night I decided I needed something fun to work on....up way to late.. I think it will be so fun for the kids to find that an elf lost a shoe helping Santa next year. Of course I decided they needed the bell on the toe....packed in the attic.....16 degrees here....

Basil..a little basketball...

Running around Cinnamon's dance class...

Exciting day for Cinnamon, tomorrow is 100 day at school...100 red m&m....first reading homework.....so much fun...

Not getting much sleep around here, Cloudy loves to sleep with Cinnamon. Cinnamon gets up in the middle of the night and gets in our bed, than her dad goes out to the couch. Cloudy of course follows Cinnamon, all night long "Mom can you move the cat." Friday, I gave up trying to sleep at 4:30Am. I got up got ready for the day, did 3 loads of laundry and house picked up before we left for Mom's morning out. It was my turn to stay and help usually with 2 other moms. Friday one mom was sick, so 16 kids under 4 who had not been outside to play due to ice..... Than we raced to get Basil haircut before lunch, to the bank and than the bookstore. At the bookstore I am trying to ask for a book I can't quite remember the name of, chase Basil, and my phone starts ringing. Mandrake says he is sick and needs to come home, a small argument and he was told to stay at school. Than a friend called and said she was in the city for a short visit could I come up. I was suddenly so tired, I could not even think about what we had planned for the weekend.

However, Sunday was able to get away. Why we never make the time to see old friends more often???? Had a great time.

Than had time to see Lavender, stop in B&N, a great relaxing day.

However, came home to this....am I the only one who thinks this might not be to safe??? And how could no one (who was watching carefully) know this was happening....????

Gymnastics, basketball...not to interested in the game..

A little half time show...

A little lunch, new game....nap time for kids...for me...

Jimmy Stewart..new knitting, started the perfect pie shawl from "Weekend Knitting" I don't think this is a weekend project for anyone with kids....LOL

HD TV all set...CW channel...Gilmore Girls... The house was freezing...the installer had left the attic door open can't wait for that bill.

I was getting everyone up this morning when they realized I had made a slight mistake. It was not 6:15 but 5:15...some people were a little grumpy and not appreciative of the chance to see the sunrise. Tour of the local radio station. Basil only disappeared once...6 moms looking for him, he was quickly found, before any damage was done.

Very excited little girls on air.

I have no idea how to turn this picture. Busy day, nail appointment Basil managed to throw his cup exactly right and broke a glass jar. Cinnamon had dance and than we had just enough time for Sonic before dropping her off at school for mini pom pom camp. When we signed up, she wanted to know when we were going to pack her clothes. She thought it was a sleep over camp. Everything that was canceled the last 2 weeks due to the weather has now been scheduled for this week.

I finished this scarf today. It is the "Divine lace" scarf from "hats gloves scarves" by Louisa Harding. Knit with Rowan kidsilk haze. I just now looked at the picture and see an obvious mistake, I guess I am not done, yet. LOL.

Mandrake and I decided to take a little trip this morning. It didn't last long, when we started out it was 37 and clear, we had about an hour and a half of shopping when it dropped to 32 and started to snow. So we headed for home.

Feeding the birds.

New boots and hats.

Unbelievable amount of food consumed by very small people over the last 5 days. Supplies are in for the next storm coming Saturday. I love snow, more than that the idea of snow days..lying around..working on fun projects. However, the reality...dishwasher run at least twice a day..piles of wet hats, gloves, boots, socks, pants, coats..house totally destroyed, even this is fun for about 24 hrs. Inside because of ice and no useable snow for 5 days is another story. We just are not a 5 days of 24 hour togetherness kind of family.

Mandrake was wrong, he had school today. The schools in the town we live in were closed and will be closed tomorrow, however, fortunately his school was one of the very few open. They close the schools so the kids will be safe. Yet, they go out to "play"... examples of fun...skiing behind a pick-up truck on ice, being pulled over ice on a round metal disc by a four-wheeler..somehow I think they just might be safer at school..since their brains don't seem to be functing in the cold. This afternoon Cinnamon "Mom there is snow outside." Me "No it is really ice." Cinnamon "No, mom look." Sure enough snow. Newsman "Don't worry it is melting before it hits the ground." Now my question is if it is 24degrees out will that not just refreeze on the ground into more ice?

Mandrake says there is no school again tomorrow.

We apparently have a guest I was not aware of...NM (Not Me)...not only busy with scissors, but likes to nibble... Anyone missing NM please call I will deliver...

I went to get dressed this morning..deciding it was a sweat shirt kind of day...I found this. It took me a minute to figure out...SOMEONE HAD CUT THE NECK OFF OF MY SHIRT. Note to family: If you try to put on a shirt or any clothing item and it doesn't fit you please check the size. If it DOES NOT belong to you do not cut it. You will find while you can now get it over your head, it will still not fit.

Breakfast is served... Every morning Basil asks were everyone is, Where is Daddy...through the list. Right after Christmas vacation we were going through the list. Basil, "Where is Lavender?" Me, "Lavender went to live in XX City she is going to start a job." Basil "NO WAY!!! Yes, way. Lavender, we are so happy and excited for you. Lavender has worked, very hard graduating in 3 1/2 years. Walking in May. I hope it is everything and more than you hoped. We love you so much.

Everyone is asleep...I have been busy...no, your right there is no before pictures... Two things..... 1) Food expires 2) Need suggestions for Miracle Whip we have 3 large jars...

This is a 24 piece puzzle just short enough to do together and than find separate activities after being together since Friday morning. Some "Fresh air."

7:30 Bed, tomorrow is going to be a long day.....

The view now it is raining. Small people are starting to go a little nuts. Cinnamon " I just need some fresh air."

The deck yesterday.

Anonymous e-mail me your blog so I can see your pictures.

It's not looking good outside. Inside not to bad:

Dinner is started: Dessert ready to bake:

So I can get back to this:

Basil is all set. Baths given..tent sent up in living room. The rain has started doesn't look good for sidewalk to be cleared.

I am wondering what it will take to convince males in my house it would a fun father son activity to clear this off.

The view this morning all sleet. Basil wants to make a snowman and is not happy we are not rushing out to play in this. Elderberry is making breakfast. Definitely a day at home.

In case anyone thinks that this is snow you would be wrong. It has been sleeting for at least an hour. In line at Wal-mart a lady 3 in front of me was buying a propane stove and propane, I thought that might be a good idea. But than decided not to spend the money...now I am wondering.. if we loose electricity ( not an uncommon experience in good weather) we are stuck. The last ice storm left us without electricity for 10 days.. It was 24 hours before we could leave and get to my sister's house. In the meantime this is where I will be...hopefully all weekend with electricity and Internet. New books, ipod, knitting, not the plan but a good substitute.