Snow Day

Widespread arctic storm + no school = SLEDDING!

Inflatable shivering bear in a pile on the porch

"Sledding" on an almost flat driveway

Taking "The Hill" with Isaac and Aaron

Deck the Halls

After much debate, we decided to buy a real Christmas tree this year.

 

This is the tree we found at a tree farm, but it was twice as much as we wanted to spend. So we found a close second - slightly less-perfect tree - at Lowe's. We brought it home, spent hours figuring out how to steady it, feed it, and string lights on it (after stringing them backwards the first time and unwinding all six strands). The boys hung ornaments (and I rearranged every single one when they weren't looking).

 

Ta Da!

Except for the branch that needs to be trimmed on the bottom, I think it looks pretty good. The boys are happy with it, anyway, and that's all the matters, right?

 







Adventures in Lice Killing

I managed to live almost 40 years without having to deal with lice...even after teaching 17 years and having two kids in public school. Now that these disgusting little creatures have made their way from Carter's classroom our heads (don't get me started on the insane privacy policy that prevents schools from warning parents about lice in their children's classrooms) I've learned a thing or two about lice extermination.

• There are very few facts and a million opinions that may or may not help.
• Everyone agrees that constant combing and picking is essential. Nice.
• You have to kill the live bugs first, then wait a week for their eggs to hatch before the second treatment.
• Pesticide treatments like Rid are creating a resistant breed, making it harder to kill them.
• Coconut oil and tea tree oil treatments might work just as well, but you have to sleep with it on your head ever night with a shower cap. Good luck getting my boys to do that!
• Washing bedding is important, but carpets are safe because the bugs die after a few hours without a head to feed on. Lovely.
• I washed everything that would fit in the washer and dried everything else...or put it in big bags. I'm not taking any chances.
• After our first Rid shampoo treatment, I combed and picked everyone's hair for HOURS. I kept them home from school to comb and pick a second day. The third and fourth days I only found a few nits. I plan to do the second Rid treatment on the 7th day. Like I said...I'm not taking any chances!
• I will wash everyone's hair with tea tree oil everyday for the rest of my life...or until I forget what a nightmare this lice event has been.

Goodbye Summer

I'm not sure where summer break has gone, but it's just that...gone! I start back to school tomorrow, and the kids hit the school busses on Wednesday. We had a fun, relaxing, productive summer break, so I really can't complain. Jas and I tackled several little home projects that we've wanted to complete since moving to this house two years ago. We took a few family vacations, celebrated Mason's 11th birthday, and went to Lowe's to pick out new garage storage for our 17th wedding anniversary. Add in a few trips to the pool and several outings for frozen yogurt, and you have one fantastic summer! Is it too early to start the countdown to next summer?



Last day at the pool...until next June!