Snow Day

Ava's school called a Snow Day- in fact I think all schools did- so we were home Wednesday. We were going to go out in the morning but Ava's snow boots hadn't dried since the puddle splashing incident on Sunday. By the afternoon we knew it HAD to be accomplished, somehow-James was vexed at having to wait. "Out! Walk!" was a constant mantra around lunchtime (sounded more like "Ouch! Ock!"). After a quick conversation with PJ during a brief break in his Lead Training Extravaganza, he mentioned Ava's old snow boots. They would be quite snug, but it was worth a shot. She said they were doable, so out we went. Ava tried to show James how to make a snow angel, but he wasn't really interested. He wanted to go for a walk. We went the short way, and only ran into a little ice and a couple of really big puddles. We stayed outside to play till it was time to come in and make dinner. As with many other times we have been out the temperature has not been an issue- we didn't end up cold even tho it was in the low 30's. We are supposed to expect 3" tonight and another 3" perhaps tomorrow. So you may see even more snow pictures before the daffodils arrive. Boo hoo! Please note the little snow creature is Ava's snow bird.
Speaking of birds, I saw one in the bush outside our bedroom window that seemed red. It was small like most of the other birds that hung out in that bush, and I had thought they were sparrows. But I went straight away to the bird book and discovered that male house finches are red, and they are here year round. We had some bread that was heading south so we took it outside and broke it into pieces for the squirrels and birds. I noticed today when arriving home there were quite a few birds singing. Such a lovely, if false, harbinger of spring. I heard a call from one in particular I had not noticed before- sounded like "Tweeter!" but it was on a tree too far away to see. I'll have to refer back to the book. It's definitely not the finch- too big of a call. We'll have to keep an eye out for him. And make sure to leave them some more crumbs.
I'll have to remember to post about the pigeon hawk we have living in the neighborhood! Right now it's time to get the kids and go pick up the last of the winter csa, and since we'll be down there we'll pick up PJ too. Wish him luck on the Big Lead Test tomorrow!

Sledding

Tuesday we had a snow day for Ava's school as it was coming down with quite a bit more on the way. All day Tuesday it snowed. PJ and Ava went out and did the snowblower at about 7 p.m. and by the morning with the additional snow and wind blowing it about you could hardly see their hard work! (Daddy's snowblowing and Ava's footprints in the yard). They shut down the city. Literally, non essential employees did not have to report to work, so PJ took advantage of the time to take himself snowboarding. He came back kinda early because he had promised to take Ava sledding with his friend Dave and Dave's son Jaia. She had a BLAST !!! Dad brought home one tired chicken and a picture on the camera. It wouldn't surprise me if she asked to go every day.

We braved the roads today to get Ava to school, as it was her class Valentine's Day party. We got Maisy valentines at the dollar store and candy bracelets (just smaller versions of the candy necklaces) for her class. I think it says a lot that in the box there were something like 42 valentines, and we needed only 10. I thank God that she is in private school and not getting lost in a huge classroom. Will update when I get the word from Ava on the party!