When You Have A Teenage Brother

When you have a teenage brother, you suddenly have someone else who bosses you around.

He wants to look at the computer and do boring things like work in his shop and read books.

He is strong enough to pick you up and pummel you to the ground.

He controls the tv remote and hoards it at all times.  Cartoons are not his idea of good tv.

But every once in awhile....one has to put him in his place.

And so, my two youngest cooked up a grand plan.

While their brother was laying on his bed reading, they opened the window above the kitchen roof and grabbed a handful of snow.

This snow storm is perfect packing snow.

Then they quietly creeped into his bedroom where he keeps a sheet over his bed so he has his own 'man cave' and hit him smack dab in the middle of his cheek with a snow ball.

Then they ran screaming like the dickens down the steps and behind me.

I probably shouldn't laugh, probably shouldn't post this, but it was too stinking funny not to.

It was funny when they tossed a snowball at him when he was taking too long in the bathroom too.  But then I had to tell them to stop for good and use my mean face.

Still, I found it hilarious.

And, maybe, down deep, the teenager is proud of his brothers impressive scheming and delivery.

Groundhog Day Blizzard

Two years ago we were bombarded with snow.

My husband, working road construction in the summer and plowing in the winter, had been gone for HOURS (I think it was close to a full 24 hours, but I cannot remember exactly) with this blizzard (it was really deemed a blizzard) and when he returned home, this happened.....

My husband watches the video over and over again.

It's the little things, sometimes, that make the biggest impression on your heart.

I Wasn't Made For Winter

This sums me up perfectly.

Totally perfectly.

You?

47 Days Until Spring

Myth Busters Was Right

Today is our first snow day.

The boys had just finished their second breakfast (first was a normal breakfast (cereal, etc), second was pancakes) and they were already asking about lunch as they put on their snow gear to go outside and play in the .... wait for it .... MINUS TEN degree windchill (but sunny) day.

I started on lunch - the famous tuna noodle casserole they we make anytime they have a snow day - and I reminded them that as soon as they get cold, they were to immediately come back into the house where they could have as much hot chocolate as they desired.  I even have mini marshmallows. 

But I was surprised when S3 arrived back in the house so soon after going out to play.

"What's up?" I asked.

His answer is the reason I am blogging this instead of finishing making lunch.

"Oh, we just wanted to see if Myth Busters was right."

"Really, what about?"

"Well, we found out they were right."

He was totally stalling.

"Right about what?" I asked.

"Oh, only if you stick your tongue to a flag pole it will stick there."

I. Did. Not. Panic.

"Really?" I asked, "Did you do that?"

"Yup, and it stuck good but I pulled it off real quick.  Now my mouth tastes funny so I thought I would come in for a little while."

I cannot make this up.

Happy Snow Day to all of you!!!1

(Had to post this movie scene - even if the boys have never watched it.)

PS

After publishing this post, S4 decided to give it a try.

Seriously.

He thought S3 might have been teasing and so he took a nice lick of the pole.

AND, Tom and Jerry showed that your tongue would stick and Tom and Jerry is NOT real.

His tongue stuck.

He is questioning wether Tom and Jerry may, in fact, be real.

Both boys tongues are okay - though missing some skin.

This has not affected their appetite in any way.

I know say, as they head out to play, "Don't lick anything!"

Snow Day!

This morning we awoke to snow.

Not tons of snow but snow timed to make the roads nasty and dangerous.

Giving us a SNOW DAY!

 Honestly, I didn't think we would get one.  I made the boys pack lunches the night before.  Clothes were laid out and showers taken.  But at five am I was awake checking my texts for word of a snow day.  I was watching the news...watching all the schools around us close but not us.

But then we did!

All winter we have had mild temps in the upper 30's and 40's.  I have to admit, I have loved it.  But if we are going to get snow, let us have the snow day!

We made waffles for breakfast and then shoveled off the vehicles and shoveled the walkways.  I fed all the wild birds that were flocked at the feeder while the two youngest boys went in to get warm and the two oldest went out to see if the snow mobiles were taking the trail in the back of our property.  When our tummies began to rumble for lunch, S4 suggested a picnic.  And then he set it all up himself.

 He was rather proud of his creativity.  He had everyone spots picked out (I was to sit between S3 and S4).  Dinner was tuna noodle, the food Daddy hates so we eat on all those "special occasions" when Daddy isn't home.

 Do you see the bunny behind S4's foot and next to the Angry Bird stuffed animal?  The bunnies.  Yes, those bunnies were part of the celebration of snow day as well.  They had breakfast with us.  They played hide and seek.  And at some point they hid so well everyone forgot they were there until it hopped up to you so you scratched it's little ears and it hopped away.  The bunnies, I believe, loved snow day.  I, on the other hand, believe I may not be liking that the boys left the bunnies in the house for so long today.  But back to our yummy lunch.

 Here I am sitting, enjoying the fun of the moment, thinking this is grand that we don't need to worry about a mess.  That's when I spilled my entire plate of food on my lap.  Go figure.  The boys ate without incident.

While S4 has a bit of cheesy grin here, he was truly happy with the way this all worked out for us.  He loves picnics and that everyone did just what they should do and sat in just the spots he chose and the bunnies were in on the fun...well, this was the best snow day ever for him, i do believe.

 After lunch S1 plowed the driveway with his snowplow he built for the tractor he and my dad built.  I don't think any boy has been happier plowing snow.

After we had cleaned the junk drawer - S4 now deems it the clean drawer, it only had 6 years of collection in it (haven't cleaned it since I was nesting last) - we took down the Christmas decorations.  My sister in law called and ended up stopping with her two boys on the way home from the vet.

My brother just purchased this adorable Pomeranian puppy for her.

 The puppy, you must know, is only two pounds.  Full grown she will be ten pounds.  She pranced around the floor and was a great delight to us all.  I believe I said, "She is just the cutest! And look at her cute curled tail!" a zillion times.  S2 was sure the puppy knew his voice and was just the most amazing puppy in the world.  Jr - my nephew - would then tell us all how to properly care for the puppy.

It was a really great time.

Even if this picture captures them all looking a bit crazy.

YOU try getting a good picture of six boys and puppy!

My husband arrived home from plowing snow exhausted and hungry.  He was going to bring us pizza but it got too late for that so we had leftover lasagna and birthday cake.  You really can never go wrong if your first thought for dinner is ice cream - and you then you have ice cream.

The boys and I stayed up late watching a movie all cuddled on the couch, bunnies tucked away in their home outside.  I painted my nails - because you all wanted to know that sort of information - a bright sparkly glitter pink.

Why yes, it was a rather perfect snow day. 

Snowed In

We aren't.

Snowed in.

Yet.

My husband would want you all to know that technically, I am NEVER snowed in without supplies  because a fully stocked store is just down the road.  But let me tell you...if the weather man says it's bad out and don't go on the roads...I am snowed in.  I can go days without leaving the driveway.  My husband, who is hardly ever home for a full day, shakes his head in wonder at me.  I know how to be snowed in.

But we are getting our first snow scare right now.  We've had a bit of snow so far this season but there is some weird storm going through where my sister may end up with 6 inches of wet sloppy snow and I may get a dusting of wet sloppy snow.

By Wednesday afternoon it should be all melted and the sun shining again.

That's weather in the Mitten, folks.

I worked today (at my job at the library that I LOVE) and everyone was talking about the weather and snow days off of school and so forth.

It got me thinking....

What is your "supply list" look for when you know a storm is blowing in that keeps you in your house?

I always have to have pancake mix (Krusteaz, it's the best) and syrup.  One can live a good long time on pancakes.  And there are no limits to how many ways you can make them.

Milk, bread, eggs.

And coffee, of course.  I have been known to misjudge how much milk we may need but not the amount of creamer for my coffee.  Yes, my boys have eaten cereal with half and half before - they need their Moma sane with coffee.

And, hidden in the dark recesses of the deep freezer where only I know, wrapped in a bag so it looks like nothing at all but a discounted meat I found, is a big bag of peanut butter m&m's.  One can survive much with m&m's.

How about you all?  What do you always try to make sure it is in the house when a storm is headed to your spot in our world?

I may need some new stocking up foods.

Looking forward to what you have to say...but right now I have to run.  The boys are supposed to be taking care of laundry.  All I know is that I hear loud thumps and our dining room light is swaying now....good indication they are NOT taking care of laundry upstairs.

Stay warm, my friends (and my friends in Arizona and Australia...I do not need to hear the temp.  I know it is warm.  Please don't remind me right now as I wear wool socks, two sweaters and am still cold.) !

the Blizzard in Photos, Part One

For whatever reason,
my photos would not load properly.
So please deal with me as I publish six posts at once.
So you get all the photos.
I will publish them numbered.
Sorry :(

On February 1st, they forcasted a full out blizzard for us. That doesn't happen around here too often. We had snow the day before and Hubs had been out plowing that one. He had watched the forcast and predicted it would for sure hit us.

I loaded up like a pioneer. Flour, sugar, milk, eggs, hamburger helper (the boys love it) and enough creamer for my coffee to last me a week.

There was a peanut butter twix bar hidden away in case of emergency as well.

Because my husband plows snow and all his lots are a good half hour away, he finished the little snow bit we got, came home to sleep....and couldn't. We both had a bad feeling about this storm. So after a super early dinner, he got in his truck, and he headed off to him Mom's to sleep. The snow was just beginning.

I packed my hubby a bag full of love - candy, apples, water, bananas, tums, coffee mix....) I knew we wouldn't be seeing him for a good long time.

The wind blew feriousciously. Everyone's biggest fear was that the electricity would go out. I kept texting my friend next door and keeping in contact with Sue, who follows weather even more than Jake and I do. The wind blew so hard it blew in our doors, it blew in our windows...but our electric stayed on.

We even got thunder snow, where it thunder and lightenings. That hit in the middle of the night and the boys never heard a bit of it, they just kept on sleeping through it all. And since our school has yet to have a snow day, they were good boys and did their homework. And went to bed early. That part I loved to see!

When we woke up, this is the snow we seen at the kitchen door....

S4 wanted to know when hotness would return. He was not in love with the snow. At all. He informed me his feet were cold and he wanted to be "foot naked" (barefoot) in the grass.

Don't we all?

But the boys were impressed just the same!

the Blizzard in Photos, Part Two

The day before the blizzard hit, I got message from Fox 17 asking if they could talk to the Morning Mom and her boys on the snow day.

Are you kidding me? I love my Fox 17 and was thrilled they asked! The boys were sooooo excited to say hello to everyone!

The morning was insanely busy with weather reports. All our roads were closed, all our schools were closed, businesses were closed.....we went on at the end of the seven am hour. They had us up on Skype so we were all prepared to see our friends...

...but we were facing a wall....

and while we could hear their voices, we couldn't see them and Abraham cried in dejected sadness no one was there to see his Camo apron on. He wailed in sadness.

On live tv.

Andrew came in to save the day talking about his tractor.

We didn't see that one coming!!!! But we were happy to have a moment to chat with them...and so grateful they called and wanted to talk to us for that traumatic moment! :)

Afterwards, the boys set up a tent city in true snowed in mode.

And we only have our dogs read the best books on snowed in days......

I spent a good portion of the day making these oh so yummy smell wonderful make you drool cinnamon rolls from the Pioneer Woman. Oh. So. Good. The boys and I could have lived on these and cocoa (well, coffee for moma). We pretty much did.

We ventured outside and climbed a snow bank. It was truly lovely how as soon as the blowing and snowing was done, the sunshine came out and it was breathtaking.

I am sure you can sense their excitement. This was a snow bank that Hubs had begun before, now just huger.....

Ah, I love my boys.

And snow days.

the Blizzard in Photos, Part Four

So, here is some Blizzard perspective.

This is what our house looked like when the snow stopped.

Here is when, JOY, hubby made it home nearly a FULL 24 HOURS later and plowed the driveway on his way in. And here is a YouTube of that moment HERE.

And here are those happy boys you just heard in the video, with one exhausted Daddy.

Remember how there was a little covering of snow when he left? Here is what we had now....

the Blizzard in Photos, Part Five

On snow day number two, the boys spent most of the day outside. S4 thought that it really should be spring, I guess, and used his powers of persuasion to get someone to help haul his trike out. Then he spent a good long time peddling around where Daddy has plowed.

Outside the window, where my computer is, this is the sight I see. That's a lot of snow. Hard to believe that little spot under the tree is where my crocuses come up. (notice the lawn chairs? that's the penalty seat during hockey)

S4 also used his power of persuasion to have a picnic. Soooooooo, we had an ice cream picnic. Because it's a snow day and we could.

After this they watched a Red Green marathon thanks to NetFlix - cuz it was a snow day and they could.

I'd have to say it was a sweet snow day.

And it was sad to see it all come to an end.

the Blizzard in Photos, Part Six

After two snow days, it was back to school for the boys and back to work at the library for me.

But we were all impressed with all the snow at the school so I ran home for my cameras and after school, I let the boys bundle up and play in the snow banks.

I believe the windchill was NEGATIVE twelve.

The boys could not understand why the school would not let them have outdoor recess with these snowbanks.

Want to hear what they thought of the snow? Here is a YouTube of the fun!

This is the school parking lot, this is the unplowed yard. This is how much snow we got this week. Amazing.

We Puzzled and Puzzed till Our Puzzler Was Sore

This whole entire weekend was wonderful. As in, "Hope I remember this time for forever and ever and all the boys remember that this was a super fun weekend too."

What did we do?

What made it so special?

We stayed home.

It.

Was.

Wonderful.

Friday night Hubs and I crammed in four episodes of 24. And we were in bed before 11. That is exceptional. And any night I get to stay all snuggled up on the couch with my hubby watching this show with just him is wonderful. I look forward to it for days. Honest. And since this is the last season we have to watch...I hope this season lasts forever. Well, sorta. I have to know what happens.

When we woke up on Saturday morning, Hubs and I were in bed together. We can't remember the last time we woke up together. He has been leaving to plow snow before I wake up and it was nice to cuddle for a bit....

Before the boys found us.

And all four of them climbed in bed with us.

Sadie, our German Shepherd, figured if we were ALL in bed she should jump in bed with us too.

Here is the attempted photo. Yah, I can't see much either but at least you know we attempted a photo of four boys, two adults and one large dog in a queen sized bed.
Here is Sadie. Really, she was happy. She climbed up there herself. And really, it was awesome. I told Hubs I hope I never ever forget this morning because it doesn't happen often and I love those mornings when they all want to cuddle with us.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, there was Josie, our other dog.
Apparently, she needed some alone time. And if she got bored, she could play hockey, as you can see here.
But she doesn't look too interested in moving.

The snow came down sideways all day long Saturday. And it was cold. And we were all home with no where to go and nothing to do so I declared it a snow day. I made pancakes for breakfast and then Hubs and I played cards. The game we play is called Spite and Malice. It's named that for a reason. And when I won, Hubs didn't want to speak to me.

I got him to forgive me though. ;)

The boys played trouble next to us while we played cards. And then I had the brilliant idea to get out a puzzle I purchased forever ago (as in years) and put it together.

This caused mass confusion with S4.

What was I thinking buying a picture I had to put together? Why not just get a picture? He was sure I had lost my marbles.

We worked on it pretty much all Saturday afternoon before Hubs had to go plow.

And it was fun. But it also took up our eating table so we had to get the thing done. I caught myself saying, "Get back here and help us put this thing together RIGHT NOW! It will be FUN! Now, find all the edge pieces and give them to me."

By the end of the night it wasn't put together yet. All the pieces blurred together and we opted for Because of Winn-Dixie instead.

Sunday we woke up to the temp - the ACTUAL air temperature - being MINUS TWELVE. Really.

We had to go to church to teach Sunday school but hurried back home because our pipes in the kitchen froze...that's how cold it was. But it was an easy fix and since not a one of us wanted to go outside, Hubs and I started back up on the puzzle.
He fussed that it was too many pieces. That he didn't want anyone to know he "wasted" his whole day putting a puzzle together.
I really didn't care what he said as long as he helped me finish it because I was determined to finish this puzzle if it was the only thing we did that entire day. Pretty much, it was.
But when S4 put that very last piece in and we all cheered, Hubs told me it really had been fun. And I really should get another one. Maybe just one a bit smaller to put together in one afternoon. So we don't spend hours finding shingles and bits of straw and cheer if we find a chicken toe.
This was taken just as we had to pull it all apart. Which the boys totally didn't get. (Notice the candle? Summer Hydrangea smell my hubs got me for Christmas. Being all cooped up in the house with the boys and wet dogs, this was a necessity.)

It was a blast this weekend. And it was great hearing the boys say things like "this sure is fun today all being together!"

Yup, I do believe I will declare snow days more often.

Just hope they aren't all minus twelve degrees days.

56 days till spring.

Blizzard

Yup, here on the farm we have a blizzard. At least that is what the meteorologist keep telling us. I am in hopes that it doesn't get that bad, really, I am. But we were supposed to end up with 20 to 30 inches of snow. We have five. Where Husband plows, they have two at the most.

Not exactly what one would call a blizzard.

It is supposed to be bitterly cold today. As in, wind chills below zero. That is the coldest it's been since last year some time. And I am not looking forward to that at all. But yesterday we had a snow day. It wasn't even bad out, not that I am complaining at all, it was just rainy. But every news cast said we were getting a blizzard by one in the afternoon and I was thankful to have the boys safe at home.

As I type this this morning, way too early, I am watching to see if we have a snow day today and desperately hoping we do.

All that to say....

Snow days can drive a moma insane.

I would love to tell you that we all had a joyous, fun filled, Norman Rockwell type day but it wasn't at all. It was an odd day. Husband was trying to get some sleep for the upcoming storm and couldn't. The boys were ecstatic to go out and sled in the maybe one inch of really wet snow we had received over the night but it was raining and miserable. I refused to let them watch TV so they made paper airplanes and somehow they all flew next to the few nice pretty things I have left in the house. The tonka truck races through the house (I will have to write a blog just on those) were insane. But the worst was that they just kept fighting. Literally. They thought it would be fun to punch each other and act like boxers, until two punches later one or two of them were crying because so and so had hit them. Makes me want to pull out my hair I have been trying so hard to grow out.

At one point a very whiny S3 and very "I don't know why I hit him with my stuffed animal" S4 who had fought and annoyed eachother all day long had to sit on the same couch cushion until they could get along. They sat there a long time....but it really did seem to help. Well, that and I gave in at night and basically begged them to watch a movie. Upstairs. Away from me for a little bit.

And food! We had three kinds of pancakes for breakfast; grilled cheese, ravioli, mac and cheese for lunch and BBQ beef and fried potatoes for dinner. And they were still hungry. And always in need of hot cocoa. With extra marshmellows.

And that is a lot of dishes, by the way!

I had visions of us playing games, catching up on home work, cleaning their rooms. Instead, I looked at the clock and it was nine thirty and I had no idea where the day had gone....other than all the time in the kitchen.

So, yes, I want a snow day today. Why? Well, because I want my boys to be safe today. I would like them to enjoy the few inches of snow we have today, even if it is not a blizzard. And I would like one more chance to have a fun snowed in day. I desperately want another chance.