Thu, 29 Jan 2009
Pinewood DerbyTonight was Pinewood Derby for Thomas. Bryan got to be the starter and the rest of us cheered on Thomas' carefully crafted car. Alas, all there is to say about the results was that Thomas did not come in last in every race. But we had a good time and the cake was good. I didn't get any pictures of the event because my batteries died, but I took this picture when we came home. Thomas seems to come out blurry in just about every picture I take of him. Perhaps it is because he is like Dash from The Incredibles and he is never really standing still even when I think he is…
Wed, 28 Jan 2009
skiingDid I say after my work? It was just too nice outside and so Melody and I went skiing for a little while around the school grounds. It's a beautiful day today.
finally…snow!
Except for a dusting at Thanksgiving, we've not had any snow until now. Finally, we had a storm. It snowed two nights ago, on and off all day yesterday, then snowed harder last night. It's sunny today, so a great day to play in the new snow!The kids (and I) got two days off school. I don't even have to make mine up. So it's kind of like a mini-vacation in the middle of the week. Of course, we've all had colds, so yesterday we mostly just rested and relaxed. I have a lot of other work to do this morning, but if I get caught up, I might even get my skiis on and go explore later today. I love snow.
I opened the back door this morning to take a couple of pictures of the snow and Runway, the Indoor-only cat, went running out and down the stairs. At the bottom she screeched to a stop and just stood there, paws in the snow. She stood for a long time, not sure what to do, while I tried to decide what I should do since I didn't have shoes on yet. As I slowly put my boots on, she started to meow plaintively. Then she ran back up the stairs. I hope that cures her of any desire for the great outdoors.
Gotta go now so I can play in the snow later!
Sun, 25 Jan 2009
Eagle watchingYesterday, Melody's science club at school went on a field trip and I went along as a chaperone. It was COLD but sunny and so was a perfect day to go to Eagle Days in Clarksville. In the winter, the confluence of the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers is generally the first open water that the eagles find as they migrate south, so a lot of eagles spend the winter here. Additionally, just below a dam is a good spot because the fish are stunned as they travel though and so are easier to catch. This is what we learned yesterday at Eagle days. We did go to Eagle days a couple of years ago, but the weather had been fairly warm then, so we only saw a few eagles. This year, we were told is the best in many years.A recent survey of the area counted about two thousand eagles. There were quite a few where we were yesterday and we watched them diving for fish.There were also a lot of white pelicans on the river. It was fun to watch them all as we huddled by the fire to stay warm. We also went to a program where we saw eagles from the World Bird Sanctuary and watched a movie about eagles.
On the way home we saw all this neat ice beside the road.
Mon, 19 Jan 2009
Not much going onI feel bad that I haven't written for two weeks, but there really has been nothing to say. The kids went back to school and I have been just getting things caught up so that I can start school this week. I guess I could have written about the fascinating time Melody and I went through my messy sewing corner and restacked all the fabric.That was a big achievement around here, but not very interesting. Neither is the fact that I finally got my passport so that I can go on vacation with Bryan and Marc. I finally got new copies of Melody's and Thomas' birth certificate so their applications are ready to send off. I ordered and received my new textbooks for school and cleaned off my desk of last semester's junk and made up my calendar of menus for the next three months so I am ready for school to start .None of that sounds like very much, but those things, along with laundry and grocery shopping, etc. have filled my last two weeks.
I have not played on the Wii while everyone was gone at school, but I really should have. When we play Mario cart as a family, I consistently spend my time running into things that I shouldn't and then coming in last. Since I've almost never played video games this is understandable, and I am getting a little better, but it is nonetheless pitiful.
Today is MLK day, so the kids are off school once again, while Marc is working. We need to rake the last of our leaves and run a few errands. Tomorrow I look forward to watching the presidential inauguration on TV. Maybe this week we'll do something worth writing about. Or maybe I'll take a picture. Who knows?
Sun, 04 Jan 2009
School starts tomorrowWell, it's time to go to bed, but I had to mention that "last-night-before-school-starts-rush" that always happens. Two days ago I said to everyone, "So, school starts in two days. Is everybody absolutely sure that you have all your homework done and everything ready to go back to school?" You know the routine. Since we've had two weeks off it really is inconceivable that anyone would not be ready to go back.
Guess who just remembered a two page paper that needs to be written for English? Marc calls his blog a rant, but I guess that's what this is too. Just a chance to complain to the world about the "joys" of parenthood.
Fri, 02 Jan 2009
End of 2008 activitiesGoodbye to 2008. We had no snow for Christmas or New Year's. Maybe 2009 will bring snow. The weather turned pretty warm so we went to Forest Park in St. Louis one day of winter break. We started at the science center and then Melody and I went to the zoo. Since we hadn't been to the zoo in awhile, it was a treat for me.The kids usually vote for the science center.
The next day, we drove to Chicago to see Katie, Kevin,and Lara Dill, who had flown out for a visit. We hung out on Navy Pier all day and then for dinner went on a quest for the ultimate Chicago style pizza . The quest was pretty fun, but the pizza was even better, and definitely added to the Chicago experience. It was best, of course, to be able to see the Dills even if only for an afternoon.
We wish you all a happy New Year!
Jan Dill Hall St. Peters, Missouri
Page created: 09 November 2008
Page modified: 31 December 2009
