To snow or not to snow

That is the question the schools have been asking these past two weeks regarding attendance. Apparently, there are more cancel happy board members than the ones who should make us stick it out. Oh well, the boys don't mind and they get to have sleepovers, go sledding, and have snowball fights. I just can't wait to see where they tack on these missed days. We might be in school until July!

Anyhoo, we had some of the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen and the whole neighborhood lit up an amazing shade of winter white that was breathtaking. 

Daddy day

Last week while I was out of town, Todd and the boys had an awesome day out. They started the day with some lounging around followed by Mexican food for lunch, headed to the PGA Superstore with Jammy and Grandy to hit some golf balls, and then Skyzone. I'm sure they slept well that night!

Amicalola, take two

We just can't help staying indoors when the weather is so nice (or borderline nice). Yesterday, Dawn brought her girls to my house, we switched cars, and the 6 of us met the Halloran clan (plus Anna's boyfriend) at Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville. We hiked this trail last year in the summer so we were excited to do it in the winter with all the leaves down to see the views. The kids beat the adults up all 614 stairs and had way more energy afterwards, of course. Good times, family style!

After the hike, all the kiddos had a football game in the field, a picnic in the grass, played in the river, and then I took both sets of twins and Keely to downtown Dahlonega to walk around and eat fudge. Oh happy days!

Biography Fair

The week before school was out was a hectic one in he lives of two second graders. They both had these biography reports to do and on just about every day, there was some part of it to turn in. Nolan did a bio on Frank Thomas (never heard of the guy until now) who played baseball and was an excellent hitter. Reed's bio was on Cesar Chavez who helped improve the conditions and wages of farmers. There were puppets to be made, power points to present, dressing up like the chaps they were studying, all on top of making valentine boxes and individual cards and candy for their classmates, spelling tests, and reading ledgers. If this is second grade, I can't imagine what 3rd grade work and projects will be like!

Winter weather

Last weekend (I know, I keep forgetting to update this thing) the boys and Polly and I went for a hike at Vickery Creek Falls. They both got new hiking shoes for our trip to Colorado and we wanted to test them out. Survey says...they were made for the outdoors! The falls trail is very easily navigable by posts marking what station number you are looking at and the boys had fun figuring out which one to go to next. Polly was just happy to be a hiking dog for the day. 

We ended up, in total, hiking about 4.5 miles and it was only the last .25 mile that Reed was starting to say his legs hurt. The reason for this is probably because he started out running the trails.  

We had a nice little picnic lunch at the falls and Polly splashed around a little in the water. It was a beautiful day, but not nearly warm enough for us to take a plunge in the chilly water temps. 

I see many more of these hikes in our future as it gives the boys a chance to get out some energy and see beautiful scenery at the same time. 

Nearer to the end of the hike, Reed offered to carry the backpack for me. I thought he was being such a sweet, thoughtful gentleman until he got the pack on his back and then said, "ok, mommie, now I'd like a piggyback ride!"

Happy (what anniversary of your 39th are we on) bday!

Saturday was Jammy's birthday and she graciously allowed us to spend a good part of the day with her and Grandy. We met at the Mall of Georgia, had lunch, ran around Dick's sporting goods (not too shocking with two blond twinsies in tow), and then hiked across the huge mall to the movie theater where we saw the "Paddington Bear" movie. It was such a cute flick and Jammy was sandwiched in between the boys with her popcorn and their candy. I'm pretty sure that's all she wanted for her birthday! Happy birthday, Jammy...we love you very much!!