snowfall... finally

Skate Par-Tay!

The ice rink is READY

...but as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Chris has been working insane hours at work lately, so when I got the call at bedtime that that they needed to be in full snow gear when he got home, I didn't argue. "I thought we were getting ready for bed, mom?" Once they figured out daddy was coming home to play, they couldn't contain the excitement. Smiles all around.

ice rink

Chris made an ice rink in our backyard.

I think it's close to Olympic size.

The kids have been out there every day it has been cold enough.

Zoey is even getting comfortable on skates!

I LOVE MICHIGAN!
(sorry the pictures aren't very good... I was taking them from inside the warm house with the babies)

8 degrees

The day started out at 8 degrees, but that didn't stop my little ones from spending the afternoon in the snow with their dad. He's their snow buddy... and I am the one who gets them warm afterward. I love that job!

sunday afternoon

 

good morning

Such a fun morning.

Now time for some hot cocoa and warm socks.

OUT with the old and IN with the new.

Yes, it took me until today to take down my Christmas decorations. Chris couldn't believe it. I am usually biting at the bit to take them down the minute it hits midnight on New Years Eve. But finally today, it's out with the old...

 ... and in with the new. I am so excited for Valentine's Day this year! Christmas came and went, and I wasn't able to do all the fun things I usually do, so V-Day will be my stand in this year.

 I always go to the stores and purchase things after the holiday is over. Then I store it away in a season box until it comes time for that holiday again. Not only do I save tons of money, but it's so much fun to pull out the box and see all the new stuff for that year. (Most of this stuff was purchased for pennies... seriously, $.19 for the 6-piece cute conversation heart plastic holders!)

I've always enjoyed Valentine's day and have been saving a couple of ideas for this year. I'm not sure how many of them I will get to (I have our annual winter youth retreat the weekend prior), but hopefully I can get inspired by these incredible people to do something a little extra this year!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words by How Does She?
Salt Dough Hearts by On Clever Mode
Message Heart Cookies by  Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories
Crayon Hearts by Martha Stewart
A Valentine You Can Eat by Giver's Log
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn by The Idea Room

Thoughts on a snow day....

A lot has been going on at the Bunk household, and although the kids are a little bummed they had to miss school for the "Snow Day," I am so glad we had a day to chill out, clean the house and re-connect. Couple of updates:

• After hearing my dad tell a story about making an ice rink in his backyard when he was young, Chris decided to do the same in ours... Isaac is SO excited!
• Zoey is in the process of potty-training herself. After hearing a few too many "not right now"s from her mom, she decided she can do it on her own and is doing a great job! (I can even hear her cheering herself on... poor girl)
• Elijah is pretty much sleeping through the night (gets up at 3am every once in awhile) and loves to smile and have his tummy rubbed.
  
• Isaac LOVES pre-school... actually, Isaac pretty much LOVES everything... unless it's the color pink

 

 

 

 

 

Is It Christmas Today?

There's something so fun about the first real snow of the season. Both kids woke up screaming for us to come look out the window.

well, he learned to skate...

Every Tuesday and Thursday my 3 kids and I head out to Isaac's "Learn to Skate" lessons at the local skating rink. You may think "wow, that's so great," while I am usually thinking "what have I gotten myself in to?" Isaac LOVES it and has pretty much learned to skate, but having 3 kids at a freezing rink, trying to get all of Isaac's gear on, while Elijah screams for attention and Zoey drops all of our belongings under the bleachers can be exhausting. Let's just say I get a lot of pity looks from the other parents sipping their coffee in the stands. There have been some fun moments and I am so proud of my little guy who loves to wave to me from the ice.... so much so that I just signed him up for session #2!