Snow Days

So, it has been a loooong week here in the DFW area as we have been "iced in" for three days straight so far, with one more to go till we get above freezing. Little KK has remained in good spirits despite being cooped up in the house. She cried mournfully the first day I told her there was no preschool, but seemed to accept it on days two and three. She has begged to go outside a couple of times, but it is literally 18 degrees with 20 mph winds, and the only thing on the ground is miserable ice - we barely even got any snow! Can't bring myself to do it... So what have we done to pass all that time??

1. 1. Writing practice. Lately Katelynn's writing skills have exploded and she shows a lot of interest in being able to write letters and words. She likes to write random letters on paper and ask us what they spell. Usually nothing, but she was very excited when she accidentally spelled "LIP" a couple of days ago. I was also impressed that she had the patience to write "Bob the Builder" (using my writing as a guide). Not sure why she chose that one - who knows the inner workings of a 4 year old mind?


2. Puzzles and sorting. KK received wooden puzzle "flash cards" from Nanna and PopPop that have letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. First we practiced all the letters and put them in order of the alphabet, all lined up down the hallway. Then we put the colors next to the matching letters (i.e. Pink goes with P). Then we counted the objects on the number cards.


3. Smores. We roasted marshmallows over the gas logs then made smores.


4. Gift making. The girl is obsessed with crafts and creating gifts for friends and family. She made flowers, pictures, pages with letters, and many unknown objects. She then likes to put them in bags/boxes and order mommy to put ribbons on them.


5. Cleaning. She likes to help mommy. She was most enthusiastic about helping me spray down all the silk plants. She also picked up her own toys on more than one occasion in order to get stickers on her chore chart - ahhh proof that she can do it.


6. Toys, toys, toys. She normally ignores her toys but sheer desperation meant they all got taken out... the beauty kit, the strawberry shortcake doll, the lincoln logs, the foam blocks, the LittlePeople.


7. Extended baths. And painting with bath paints. And spelling things out on the tub wall with the bath letters.


8. Little brother. Singing to baby Tyler. Dancing for baby Tyler. Bringing toys to baby Tyler. Holding baby Tyler. "Helping" with baths and diaper changes by putting her stool exactly in the spot where mommy needs to be. Breakdancing in baby Tyler's bedroom while mommy tries to put him down for a nap.


9. Popcorn and diet pepsi on the couch. I emphasized this was a special occasion. We will see if she understood that in a few days.


10. The babysitter. Oh yeah, there were a few hours of TV watching in there too. Hey, I am not a saint (as evidenced by #9 as well).

I must get some zzzz's now as I prepare for day #4 inside and try to come up with something new to add to the list!