{snow days}

Well, the snow has come and gone. All in all we got about 15 inches or so. The worst of it came on Tuesday night so the kids had a snow day on Wednesday. It was all but done by noon on Wednesday, but they cancelled school again for Thursday because the roads weren't plowed yet. The kids had a ball and were pretty busy both days.

We baked cookies. The kids made Valentine's Day cookies and I made Steelers cookies for Sunday's game.

They played outside with all the kids in the neighborhood. Note: these kids are standing IN THE STREET. Can't you tell?

Then Gerard and some of the bigger kids when sledding into an unfinished foundation down the street. I didn't go, so I didn't get any pictures, but they were down there FOR HOURS. They went in the morning and then again after lunch and then we had to go get him before it got dark. As you may remember, Morgan is not a fan of sledding, so she opted to stay home and watch a movie.

Today was another nice day at home. Maddie, Abby and Savannah came over for lunch, Gerard did some homework, and then I took Morgan to dance class. She was thrilled to find out that dance wasn't cancelled! I was thrilled that the plow finally came down our street at about 3:00 so we could get to dance.

All in all, it was a nice few days, but I'll be doing a little happy dance tomorrow at about 8 AM when Gerard gets on the school bus. :)

{blizzard}

Well, we've got NO snow right now, but they've already cancelled school for tomorrow. I guess this really is the calm before the storm. Oh, and disregard my comment in one of my last posts about taking pictures of the kids playing outside if we have a snow day. It's WAAAY too cold for that. Maybe I'll take some indoor pictures. On tap for tomorrow: sleeping in (hopefully), movies, popcorn, hot chocolate, painting, play dough, making cookies, and just chillin'. I hope everyone stays warm and safe!

EDITED TO ADD: Well, the snow is here! School is closed. The gym is closed. Seems everything is closed. We've got lots of food and toilet paper and no place we need to be, so we're all set!

{kick save and a beauty}

Some highlights from Gerard's goalie experience....

{goodnight, moon}

{excuse me for bragging}

WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD. I JUST COULDN'T NARROW THEM DOWN. SORRY!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We had another busy weekend and it started Friday afternoon with Gerard's parent-teacher conference. We are very proud of him! He is above average academically and his teacher's only suggestion was that he work a little faster (he tends to lose focus with a class full of 25 friends). Please don't mind my bragging, but here are some of the highlights:

Spelling: 97%

Oral Reading Fluency score (per minute): 144 (the January goal is 68)

Club Words (reading high frequency words): SPELLING 420 Club (end of year goal is to READ to 400. He has read all 1200 and has moved on to SPELLING.)

Open Court comprehension tests: 95%

Accelerated Reader comprehension tests: 90%

STAR test independent reading level: 3.7 (meaning he's reading at nearly a 4th grade level)

WAY TO GO, GERARD!!! We are so proud of you and hope you continue to do your best work.

We are also very proud of Gerard in hockey. Saturday was a special event called Hockey Cares at the [INSERT COLLEGE NAME] rink. It was a fundraiser for cancer awareness and the kids played two 30 minute games and got to tour the [INSERT TEAM NAME]'s locker room. (You know I can't reveal our secret location!) Morgan was such a trooper for hanging around the rink for so long!

It was a long morning and then we went to watch some of our favorite girls play basketball. I think each girl thought Gerard was there especially to watch HER. Emma, Ashley, Ashley, Cora, Madeline.... Ahhhh, Gerard's girls.....

Sunday was more hockey and Gerard was goalie. Oy vey. I am NOT cut out to be a goalie's mom. Too much pressure. WAAAAY too much pressure. Luckily, Gerard was fantastic and his team crushed the other team. I think he only let in 3 goals and made some amazing saves. Here are some pictures from the game and I hope to have some video soon!

And now we're bracing for a big winter storm that should be here by Tuesday afternoon or evening. I'm expecting a snow day on Wednesday, so you can expect some snowman making/snow angel making/snowball fighting pictures soon!

Oh, and last weekend the kids did a fun stick relay race at the end of practice and I forgot to post those pictures. Enjoy!