blizzard 2011 and some catch ups

best friends don't happen very often. and when they do you need to cherish them-so when melissa called a month or so ago and said she would be at her mom's on the weekend before my birthday i marked it on the calendar and knew that i would make that trip happen-no matter what. it was a cozy, relaxing day filled with girls playing dolls, hot chocolate and long conversations.

it also meant that i was home to celebrate my birthday with my amazing sister-in-law who has a birthday on the day before mine. it was complete with chocolate birthday cake and a yummy dinner  (thank you to the best mom ever!)

which brings us to the blizzard that has descended upon us and the rest of the country-bobby was convinced it was great weather for sledding (not that bad says the eternal optimist) 

the wind was seriously blowing horizontally and i had to completely cover my entire face to be able to withstand walking from the house to the barn. we stayed out for maybe 30 minutes..but the snow continued and continued

so what do you do with kids inside a teeny house when the weather is like this?
you make masks, you make valentine's, you make masks for your toucan and string him up on the calendar...

and the next day when it is so bright and frigid-you attempt to go sledding-but the snow is just not as inviting the 3rd time around. i think i spent more of today getting kids into snow gear-just to have them return covered in snow and crying-i think we should stick to the masks and valentine's :)